2022 Studded Winter Tyre Test

Sadly here at Tyre Reviews we've not had time to do a studded tyre test for 2022, but fortunately the excellent testers at the Nordic publication Vibilagare have tested eight sets of studded winter tyres to show us which of the studded tyres on the market are the best! While the test size is an SUV size (235/55 R18) and the test vehicle a Volvo XC40, these results should give you an idea of the balance between the tyres in all sizes.

As you would hope, the tyres have been tested in the dry, wet, snow and ice. Which is of course the reason studded tyres exist.

Studded Tyre Test

The data is interesting, and in full below, but as we saw in the Tyre Reviews Studless Winter Tyre Test there is a pretty clear inversion between the tyres which priorities wet performance, and the tyres which priorities ice performance. The score weighing is heavily in favour of ice (as it should be), but you can adjust the score weighting below to see if your own preferences change the overall result.

Dry BrakingMaxxis Premitra Ice Nord 5 SUV: 33.98 MContinental IceContact 3: 36.71 M
Subj. Dry HandlingMichelin X Ice North 4 SUV: 5 PointsContinental IceContact 3: 3 Points
Wet BrakingFalken Winterpeak F Ice 1: 36.41 MMichelin X Ice North 4 SUV: 40.66 M
Wet HandlingMaxxis Premitra Ice Nord 5 SUV: 41.34 sMichelin X Ice North 4 SUV: 42.25 s
Straight AquaMaxxis Premitra Ice Nord 5 SUV: 59.5 Km/HMichelin X Ice North 4 SUV: 53.9 Km/H
Snow BrakingMichelin X Ice North 4 SUV: 11.09 MMaxxis Premitra Ice Nord 5 SUV: 12.9 M
Snow TractionMichelin X Ice North 4 SUV: 5.41 sMaxxis Premitra Ice Nord 5 SUV: 6.31 s
Snow HandlingNokian Hakkapeliitta 10 SUV: 77.65 sMaxxis Premitra Ice Nord 5 SUV: 82.52 s
Ice BrakingGoodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 11.14 MMaxxis Premitra Ice Nord 5 SUV: 16.51 M
Ice TractionGoodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 2.34 sMaxxis Premitra Ice Nord 5 SUV: 3.05 s
Ice HandlingNokian Hakkapeliitta 10 SUV: 42.49 sMaxxis Premitra Ice Nord 5 SUV: 46.93 s
NoiseMichelin X Ice North 4 SUV: 75.5 dBNokian Nordman 8 SUV: 77.8 dB
PriceFalken Winterpeak F Ice 1: 2398 Michelin X Ice North 4 SUV: 3539
Fuel ConsumptionMichelin X Ice North 4 SUV: 5.5 l/100kmNokian Nordman 8 SUV: 5.96 l/100km

Ice

Ice is one of the highest priority for a studded tyre, and ice braking is probably the most important aspect! In this safety critical test the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 led the way with a small advantage over the new Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 SUV! The Maxxis Premitra Ice Nord struggled, taking nearly 50% longer to stop the test vehicle.

Ice traction, which is essentially ice braking reversed, almost perfectly matched the braking results, just Continental and Falken were inverted.

Ice handling challenges the tyres and studs in a different way, this time with Nokian jumping to the top and the Michelin X-Ice North 4 SUV moving from third to second place. The Maxxis was still the least grippiest tyre on test.

Snow

Any climate which sees a lot of ice will also see a lot of snow. In the snow braking test the Michelin and Nokian were again the best, and the Maxxis was left trailing the group.

Michelin also led snow traction, with the Nokian surprisingly dropping to sixth place overall.

Nokian jumped back to the top during snow handling, with the Michelin close behind.

Wet

As we touched on in the introduction, having a tyre that works well on ice and in the wet is a difficult balance, which is highlighted by the Nokian and Michelin falling down the order to last place during wet braking. In their place, the Falken Winterpeak F-Ice 1 led the group with the Pirelli Scorpion IceZero a close second.

Maxxis, which had very low grip in the ice and snow tests was the fastest tyre around the wet handling lap, with the Michelin a significant margin behind again.

The straight aquaplaning test had Maxxis back at the front.

Dry

Maxxis was back at the front in the dry braking test.

The test report didn't include a dry handling laptime, this is quite far out of the tyres intended design parameters (we'd still like to see it!) but they did score the tyres in subjective handling, which was led by Michelin and Pirelli.

Environment

The Michelin had the lowest rolling resistance of all the tyres on test, with the rest of the group fairly close.

The Michelin also had the quietest internal noise.

But as usual, the Michelin was the most expensive tyre to buy.

Results

1st: Michelin X Ice North 4 SUV

Michelin X Ice North 4 SUV
  • 235/55 R18
  • 3PMSF: yes
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking6th36.08 M33.98 M+2.1 M94.18%
Subj. Dry Handling1st5 Points100%
Wet Braking8th40.66 M36.41 M+4.25 M89.55%
Wet Handling8th42.25 s41.34 s+0.91 s97.85%
Straight Aqua8th53.9 Km/H59.5 Km/H-5.6 Km/H90.59%
Snow Braking1st11.09 M100%
Snow Traction1st5.41 s100%
Snow Handling2nd77.99 s77.65 s+0.34 s99.56%
Ice Braking3rd12.68 M11.14 M+1.54 M87.85%
Ice Traction3rd2.39 s2.34 s+0.05 s97.91%
Ice Handling2nd43.01 s42.49 s+0.52 s98.79%
Noise1st75.5 dB100%
Price8th3539 2398 +1141 67.76%
Fuel Consumption1st5.5 l/100km100%
Ice and snow grip, steering feel in the dry, noise, rolling resistance.
Wet grip, hydroplaning, lateral grip in sharp turns.
The X-Ice North 4 has long been among the very best in car sizes, and it is in SUV sizes too. It will be a shared test victory with the Nokian. Many small steel studs (280!) contribute to good winter grip. The grip is most impressive in the longitudinal direction. In the curves, the French tyre has a tangible understeer character that requires patience in case of larger steering deflections. That behavior repeats itself on both winter surfaces and asphalt.

The tire's disadvantages are the wet grip and low resistance to aquaplaning.

Michelin suits you who are looking for good ice and snow grip combined with good comfort. In addition to low road noise, there is a linear steering response and comfortable straight-ahead stability. This tyre also has the lowest rolling resistance.

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1st: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 SUV

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 SUV
  • 235/55 R18
  • 3PMSF: yes
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking4th35.95 M33.98 M+1.97 M94.52%
Subj. Dry Handling5th3 Points5 Points-2 Points60%
Wet Braking6th39.22 M36.41 M+2.81 M92.84%
Wet Handling5th41.53 s41.34 s+0.19 s99.54%
Straight Aqua6th54.6 Km/H59.5 Km/H-4.9 Km/H91.76%
Snow Braking2nd11.15 M11.09 M+0.06 M99.46%
Snow Traction6th5.63 s5.41 s+0.22 s96.09%
Snow Handling1st77.65 s100%
Ice Braking2nd11.62 M11.14 M+0.48 M95.87%
Ice Traction2nd2.36 s2.34 s+0.02 s99.15%
Ice Handling1st42.49 s100%
Noise6th77.1 dB75.5 dB+1.6 dB97.92%
Price7th3479 2398 +1081 68.93%
Fuel Consumption2nd5.73 l/100km5.5 l/100km+0.23 l/100km95.99%
Best grip on ice and snow, good cornering grip on all surfaces.
Aquaplaning, braking on wet roads, road noise.
It will be a shared test victory for the Hakkapeliitta 10 SUV. As usual with Nokian, it achieves top marks on ice and snow, with the very best cornering grip of the test. It is quick to react and has great driving pleasure on winter roads, but the slight oversteer balance becomes wildest under pressure if you already have a car that changes direction nimbly. On asphalt, the Nokian passes the evasive maneuver tests gallantly with quick steering response and still manages to curb the risk of rollback.

The minuses are a somewhat non-linear steering feel, clear road noise and relatively early hydroplaning.

The Nokian is the choice for those who are looking for the best possible winter grip and appreciate the willingness to turn with alert reactions to the driver's input.

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3rd: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2

Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
  • 235/55 R18
  • 3PMSF: yes
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking7th36.36 M33.98 M+2.38 M93.45%
Subj. Dry Handling5th3 Points5 Points-2 Points60%
Wet Braking5th37.99 M36.41 M+1.58 M95.84%
Wet Handling7th41.82 s41.34 s+0.48 s98.85%
Straight Aqua4th55.7 Km/H59.5 Km/H-3.8 Km/H93.61%
Snow Braking3rd11.31 M11.09 M+0.22 M98.05%
Snow Traction3rd5.5 s5.41 s+0.09 s98.36%
Snow Handling5th79.41 s77.65 s+1.76 s97.78%
Ice Braking1st11.14 M100%
Ice Traction1st2.34 s100%
Ice Handling3rd44.39 s42.49 s+1.9 s95.72%
Noise4th76.4 dB75.5 dB+0.9 dB98.82%
Price5th2699 2398 +301 88.85%
Fuel Consumption7th5.96 l/100km5.5 l/100km+0.46 l/100km92.28%
Short braking distances and good traction on ice/snow.
Lacks sharpness in the curves, relatively high rolling resistance.
The second generation Arctic from American Goodyear exhibited an impressive ice grip that was enough for test victory last year. Again this year, Goodyear performs at its best when it comes to starting and braking on ice and snow. However, it does not impress as much in the curves, neither on ice and snow nor on wet or dry roads. The lateral grip is not quite on par with the very best and the tire also has a somewhat numb steering precision which makes it somewhat difficult to place. But it does not invent a lift and never puts the driver in trouble.

This is the tire for those who want the shortest braking distance on the winter road but don't care about perfect cornering behavior. However, the rolling resistance is among the highest in the test.

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4th: Pirelli Scorpion IceZero 2

Pirelli Scorpion IceZero 2
  • 235/55 R18
  • 3PMSF: yes
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking2nd34.44 M33.98 M+0.46 M98.66%
Subj. Dry Handling1st5 Points100%
Wet Braking2nd36.44 M36.41 M+0.03 M99.92%
Wet Handling2nd41.41 s41.34 s+0.07 s99.83%
Straight Aqua5th55.1 Km/H59.5 Km/H-4.4 Km/H92.61%
Snow Braking5th11.73 M11.09 M+0.64 M94.54%
Snow Traction4th5.58 s5.41 s+0.17 s96.95%
Snow Handling4th79.2 s77.65 s+1.55 s98.04%
Ice Braking5th13.94 M11.14 M+2.8 M79.91%
Ice Traction5th2.56 s2.34 s+0.22 s91.41%
Ice Handling5th45.05 s42.49 s+2.56 s94.32%
Noise3rd76.2 dB75.5 dB+0.7 dB99.08%
Price2nd2529 2398 +131 94.82%
Fuel Consumption3rd5.88 l/100km5.5 l/100km+0.38 l/100km93.54%
Grip on asphalt, linear and fine steering feel on all surfaces.
Average grip on ice, slightly worse on aquaplaning.
Scorpion in Pirelli language means SUV tyre. Like the usual IceZero 2, it performs very well in the dry. This is the winter tire whose driving experience is closest to that of a summer tyre. the speed rating is also the highest in the bunch (H, 210 km/h). Pirelli boasts a nimble and natural steering response, exquisite stability under pressure and short braking distances on both wet and dry asphalt. On ice and snow, Pirelli has a slightly lower level of grip than the very best, but even then it excels with high driving pleasure through nimble steering and is able to enter the curves with easy co-steering rear axle.

"IZ2" is for those who want the best driving characteristics possible and can imagine compromising on winter grip.

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5th: Continental IceContact 3

Continental IceContact 3
  • 235/55 R18
  • 3PMSF: yes
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking8th36.71 M33.98 M+2.73 M92.56%
Subj. Dry Handling5th3 Points5 Points-2 Points60%
Wet Braking4th37.32 M36.41 M+0.91 M97.56%
Wet Handling3rd41.52 s41.34 s+0.18 s99.57%
Straight Aqua3rd58.7 Km/H59.5 Km/H-0.8 Km/H98.66%
Snow Braking5th11.73 M11.09 M+0.64 M94.54%
Snow Traction5th5.62 s5.41 s+0.21 s96.26%
Snow Handling3rd78.53 s77.65 s+0.88 s98.88%
Ice Braking7th14.4 M11.14 M+3.26 M77.36%
Ice Traction6th2.79 s2.34 s+0.45 s83.87%
Ice Handling6th45.53 s42.49 s+3.04 s93.32%
Noise2nd75.6 dB75.5 dB+0.1 dB99.87%
Price6th3029 2398 +631 79.17%
Fuel Consumption4th5.92 l/100km5.5 l/100km+0.42 l/100km92.91%
Aquaplaning, noise, easy to handle under pressure.
Ice grip, extended braking distances on all surfaces.
Continental has not quite got it right with "IC3". The general level of grip is a bit behind other premium brands in the price class on almost all surfaces. Above all, the IC3 lags behind in the corners, which is a big minus for a studded tire. However, the tire communicates well with the driver about where the grip limit is, which combined with a neutral balance makes the tire safe and predictable in the curves with a slightly understeer character. Highlights are the aquaplaning properties as well as good noise level for being a studded tire. The studs, which are vulcanized into the tire, show minimal movement throughout the test. Here, the studs are securely fastened! Often in the lower half of the semi-rounds gives a fifth place overall.

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6th: Nokian Nordman 8 SUV

Nokian Nordman 8 SUV
  • 235/55 R18
  • 3PMSF: yes
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking5th35.98 M33.98 M+2 M94.44%
Subj. Dry Handling5th3 Points5 Points-2 Points60%
Wet Braking6th39.22 M36.41 M+2.81 M92.84%
Wet Handling5th41.53 s41.34 s+0.19 s99.54%
Straight Aqua6th54.6 Km/H59.5 Km/H-4.9 Km/H91.76%
Snow Braking7th11.99 M11.09 M+0.9 M92.49%
Snow Traction7th5.69 s5.41 s+0.28 s95.08%
Snow Handling7th80.86 s77.65 s+3.21 s96.03%
Ice Braking4th12.74 M11.14 M+1.6 M87.44%
Ice Traction4th2.47 s2.34 s+0.13 s94.74%
Ice Handling7th46.31 s42.49 s+3.82 s91.75%
Noise8th77.8 dB75.5 dB+2.3 dB97.04%
Price3rd2559 2398 +161 93.71%
Fuel Consumption7th5.96 l/100km5.5 l/100km+0.46 l/100km92.28%
Good starting grip and short braking distance on ice.
Everything else – especially road noise.
Nordman is Nokian's cheaper brand that sells two generations old Nokian under a new name. The Nordman 8 SUV is thus a reincarnation of the Hakkapeliitta 8 SUV. But it is a tyre with modification. Although the pattern is the same, Nordman has received a different, harder rubber compound. The level of grip is nowhere near the level that the Nokian tire had a few years ago, at least not in this SUV dimension. Nordman places himself in the bottom half of the results list in almost every round. The worst is the tire on dry roads, where the Nordman has a high noise level with troublesome resonances and nonlinear steering feel. The rolling resistance is also the highest in the test.

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7th: Maxxis Premitra Ice Nord 5 SUV

Maxxis Premitra Ice Nord 5 SUV
  • 235/55 R18
  • 3PMSF: yes
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking1st33.98 M100%
Subj. Dry Handling3rd4 Points5 Points-1 Points80%
Wet Braking3rd36.59 M36.41 M+0.18 M99.51%
Wet Handling1st41.34 s100%
Straight Aqua1st59.5 Km/H100%
Snow Braking8th12.9 M11.09 M+1.81 M85.97%
Snow Traction8th6.31 s5.41 s+0.9 s85.74%
Snow Handling8th82.52 s77.65 s+4.87 s94.1%
Ice Braking8th16.51 M11.14 M+5.37 M67.47%
Ice Traction8th3.05 s2.34 s+0.71 s76.72%
Ice Handling8th46.93 s42.49 s+4.44 s90.54%
Noise5th76.9 dB75.5 dB+1.4 dB98.18%
Price4th2619 2398 +221 91.56%
Fuel Consumption5th5.94 l/100km5.5 l/100km+0.44 l/100km92.59%
Short braking distances on asphalt, best in test in the wet.
Short braking distances on asphalt, best in test in the wet
Taiwanese Maxxis has become a respected brand for summer tires. The Premitra Ice Nord 5 SUV studded tire shows that the brand still has a long way to go before it can challenge in the Nordic winter market. An unexpected amount of stud movement during the break-in period meant that the Maxxis had by far the highest stud protrusion when the test moments began. Despite this, the grip on ice was far behind the others. It also had surprisingly poor grip on snow. Instead, the Maxxis performed all the better on asphalt with short braking distances, good stability and was best against aquaplaning. The inability to balance the characteristics on bare ground with sensible winter grip results in a clear last place.

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8th: Falken Winterpeak F Ice 1

Falken Winterpeak F Ice 1
  • 235/55 R18
  • 3PMSF: yes
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking3rd35.42 M33.98 M+1.44 M95.93%
Subj. Dry Handling3rd4 Points5 Points-1 Points80%
Wet Braking1st36.41 M100%
Wet Handling3rd41.52 s41.34 s+0.18 s99.57%
Straight Aqua2nd59.2 Km/H59.5 Km/H-0.3 Km/H99.5%
Snow Braking4th11.44 M11.09 M+0.35 M96.94%
Snow Traction2nd5.47 s5.41 s+0.06 s98.9%
Snow Handling6th79.53 s77.65 s+1.88 s97.64%
Ice Braking6th14.23 M11.14 M+3.09 M78.29%
Ice Traction7th2.89 s2.34 s+0.55 s80.97%
Ice Handling4th44.82 s42.49 s+2.33 s94.8%
Noise7th77.5 dB75.5 dB+2 dB97.42%
Price1st2398 100%
Fuel Consumption5th5.94 l/100km5.5 l/100km+0.44 l/100km92.59%
Short braking distances on asphalt, aquaplaning.
Studs coming loose, ice grip, loud road noise.
This year's stud news comes from the Japanese Falken with Winterpeak F-Ice 1. The rubber compound is unusually soft (Shore 52), which contributes to a calm character under pressure with a stable rear trailer on both snow and ice. Unfortunately, the actual level of grip on ice does not impress. Instead, the Falken thrives best on wet roads. It has really good aquaplaning resistance and the wet braking distance is the shortest of the test. Even in the dry, braking performance is good. However, it is spongy and somewhat difficult to place in the handling tests on wet and dry asphalt. However, the steering response during quieter driving is good. In terms of points, Falken reaches a fine fifth place, but we have never lost so many studs so quickly! This means that Falken is excluded from the final result.

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