Michelin Alpin 6 vs Vredestein Wintrac
- TR Score
- 9.1/10
- Owners say
- 85% · 35
- TR Score
- 9.3/10
- Owners say
- 88% · 5
In the 10 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Michelin Alpin 6 finished ahead 7 times and the Wintrac twice, with one level. The Alpin 6 lasted 32.9% longer in the wear tests; the Wintrac had 4.4% lower rolling resistance.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Michelin Alpin 6 if you want the most complete winter package with a strong bias toward wet-braking safety and maximum tread life (best for high annual mileage, mixed winter conditions, and long ownership cycles). Choose the Vredestein Wintrac if you value lower upfront cost, strong straight-line aquaplaning resistance, and better efficiency/quietness-and can accept that wet-braking and longevity are more likely to be the limiting factors in stricter test scoring.
Where the Alpin 6 is stronger
- Stronger overall test consistency and higher placements across shared tests (e.g., ADAC 2024: 3rd vs 10th; Auto Bild 2024: 5th vs 11th)
- Wet-road braking advantage appears repeatedly (e.g., ADAC 2023: 36.4 m vs 39.1 m; Auto Bild 2024: 56.6 m vs 58.3 m)
- Best-in-comparison wear/mileage and low abrasion in multiple tests (e.g., up to ~53,300 km vs ~33,400 km; abrasion 48-51 mg/km/t vs 62-72 mg/km/t)
Where the Wintrac is stronger
- Often better in dry braking and slightly higher dry-handling speeds (dry braking wins 4-1; e.g., Auto Bild 2024: 43.5 m vs 44.0 m)
- Stronger straight-line aquaplaning performance in most shared datasets (wins 4-1; e.g., ADAC 2024: 81.0 km/h vs 77.2 km/h)
- Lower rolling resistance / better fuel-consumption tendency (rolling resistance wins 3-0; fuel wins 2-0 in the shared summary)
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
Alpin 6 vs Wintrac at a glance
| Category | Alpin 6 | Gap | Wintrac |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won10 shared tests | 7 | 1 level | 2 |
| Dry8 measurements | 2 | The Wintrac stopped 1% shorter in the dry (5 tests) | 6 |
| Wet24 measurements | 12 | Level between the two. | 12 |
| Snow16 measurements | 12 | The Alpin 6 stopped 1.2% shorter on snow (7 tests) | 4 |
| Ice2 measurements | 0 | The Wintrac stopped 4.4% shorter on ice (2 tests) | 2 |
| Comfort5 measurements | 1 | 3 | |
| Value11 measurements | 6 | The Alpin 6 lasted 32.9% longer in the wear tests (4 tests) | 5 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.1/10 | The Wintrac by 0.2 | 9.3/10 |
| Owner rating35 and 5 reviews | 85% | The Wintrac by 3 points | 88% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 76% | The Wintrac by 24 points | 100% |
| Pricein the 3 tests that listed prices | +31.6% | The Alpin 6 was dearer in 3 of 3 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 42 | 17 sizes made in both | 28 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tyres; a tick marks the tyre ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 10 tests, 2021 to 2024
Each row is one published test in which both tyres ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | Alpin 6 | Field | Wintrac |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | P5 of 20 | P11 of 20 | |
| 2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tyre Test | P3 of 12 | P10 of 12 | |
| 2024 Winter 55 Tyre Braking Test | P5 of 55 | P17 of 55 | |
| 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | P2 of 16 | P13 of 16 | |
| 2022 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | P4 of 15 | P5 of 15 | |
| 2022 ADAC SUV Winter Tyre Test - 215/60 R16 | P3 of 17 | P7 of 17 | |
| 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | P2 of 20 | P3 of 20 | |
| 2021 AMS Winter Tyre Test | P5 of 10 | P3 of 10 | |
| 2021 ADAC 15 Inch Winter Tyre Test | P3 of 16 | P3 of 16 | |
| 2021 Winter Tyre Market Overview | P12 of 50 | P9 of 50 |
Performance profile
17 measurements from the 10 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Alpin 6
Wintrac
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 36 m stop against 34.2 m is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 95%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 1 measurement recorded in only one shared test is left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Alpin 6
Wintrac
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
Alpin 6
Wintrac
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the Alpin 6 85% from 35 reviews and the Wintrac 88% from 5. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tyres posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | Alpin 6 | Gap | Wintrac | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44.24 | 1% | 43.8 | 1-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 120 | = | 120.1 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 40.9 | 0.7% | 41.2 | 4-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 39 | 2.6% | 40.05 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 72.47 | 0.7% | 72.99 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.74 | 0.6% | 12.66 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 79.44 | 1.8% | 80.88 | 1-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3.1 | 1.4% | 3.06 | 3-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 24.51 | 1.2% | 24.9 | 5-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1,169 | 2.6% | 1,121 | 4-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 55.63 | 0.6% | 55.3 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3.18 | 1.3% | 3.22 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 20.15 | 4.4% | 19.25 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.26 | 0.4 dB | 70.82 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 49,275 | 32.9% | 37,450 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.65 | 4.4% | 8.26 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.45 | 1.8% | 5.35 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 49.5 | 25.5% | 67 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tyres shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Alpin 6 scores 9.1 and the Wintrac 9.3 out of 10.
| Alpin 6 | Category | Wintrac | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68 | Dry | 82 | ||
| 88 | Wet | 86 | ||
| 56 | Comfort | 77 | ||
| 67 | Value | 50 | ||
| 59 | Snow | 44 | ||
| 43 | Ice | 72 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| Alpin 6 | Category | Wintrac | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.9 | Dry Grip | 8.4 | ||
| 9.1 | Wet Grip | 9.2 | ||
| 8.5 | Road Feedback | 7.5 | ||
| 8.4 | Handling | 7 | ||
| 8.7 | Wear | 8 | ||
| 9 | Comfort | 8.8 | ||
| 8.1 | Snow Grip | 9.8 | ||
| 7.3 | Ice Grip | 9 | ||
Owners rate the Alpin 6 85% from 35 reviews and the Wintrac 88% from 5. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Michelin Alpin 6
- 85%from 35 reviews
- 76%would buy again
- 257,110 milesdriven by reviewers
Across 30 reviews, the Michelin Alpin 6 is most often praised for strong dry and especially wet-road grip, high comfort, and generally low noise, with many drivers highlighting excellent longevity and slow wear over multiple seasons. Most users describe it as a confidence-inspiring winter tyre for cold, wet, and highway driving. The main recurring complaint is that snow and ice performance can be only average (and for some, notably weak in braking/traction and lateral stability), making it feel better suited to mild winters than frequent deep-snow conditions.
- Strong wet grip and wet-road stability (including aquaplaning resistance)
- Good dry/cold grip and confident roadholding
- High comfort/ride quality
- Long tread life / excellent wear resistance
- Mixed to weak snow/ice performance for a notable share of drivers (traction/braking/lateral stability), better suited to mild-winter conditions
Summarised by AI from 30 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 35 Alpin 6 reviewsAfter 6 years and ~37.000km of use, the tyre still looks good, has a usable tread left. From the beginning till now it performance excellent in dry and wet conditions. Yesterday I've covert 300km of motorway in a very strong storm and they felt really good on a tarmac that was soaked.
On the other hand, the tyre really disappointed on snow covered roads. We live in the mountains and when the roads are covered with snow, the tyre loses traction very easily uphill.
So, the tyre is really great if you live in areas that don't see a lot of snow.
Vredestein Wintrac
- 88%from 5 reviews
- 100%would buy again
- 26,000 milesdriven by reviewers
All 5 Wintrac reviewsI have driven over 10 000km on them in 2 full winter seasons.
I was positively surprised by great traction and handling on all types
of snow and icy roads. High above average on wet too.
On wet, ABS activates only at very hard braking.
Possible to drive on snow without ABS to interfere during
normal braking in city traffic which is great.
Wear is also reasonable for the fact they were used in spring season
on dry roads for a month or more in 2 seasons total.
They are not providing much feedback at all perhaps very comfortable,
safe tires. I highly recommend them.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 42 sizes of the Alpin 6 and 28 of the Wintrac, 17 of them made in both.
| Category | Alpin 6 | Wintrac |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 42 sizes, 15 to 20 inch | 28 sizes, 15 to 19 inch |
| Made in both | 17 sizes 185/65 R15195/60 R15195/65 R15195/45 R16195/50 R16195/55 R16195/60 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16215/45 R16215/55 R16215/60 R16and 5 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B100% | B98%C2% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C74%D26% | C71%D27%B2% |
| EU label noise | 69 dB A90%B10% | 69-71 dB B100% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 72 of 72 | 45 of 45 |
| On the market since | 2018 | 2020 |
| Replaced | Michelin Alpin 5 (2014) | - |
| Awards | Winner: Best Winter Tyres (DriverReviews, 2024/25) | Commended: Best Winter Tyres (DriverReviews, 2024/25) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Alpin 6 was the dearer tyre in 3 of the 3 tests that listed prices, by 31.6% on average. Each test priced the tyres in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
Michelin's Alpin 6 and Vredestein's Wintrac sit in the same “premium-touring winter” bracket, but the shared test data shows they approach the brief differently. Across 10 overlapping professional tests (Auto Bild, ADAC, AMS and others), the Alpin 6 trends toward a safety-and-longevity package: consistently strong wet braking, dependable snow performance, and standout wear figures that repeatedly lead their classes.
The Wintrac, by contrast, leans a bit more “dynamic and efficient”: it often nicks the Alpin 6 on dry braking/handling and is frequently stronger in straight-line aquaplaning and rolling resistance. The trade-off is that its overall rankings are usually held back by wet-braking and longevity penalties in ADAC-style scoring, even when its on-road feel and hydroplaning reserves look competitive on paper.
Conclusion
Looking at overall results, Michelin Alpin 6 is the more consistently top-tier performer: it beats Wintrac in the big headline placements (e.g., Auto Bild 2024: 5th vs 11th; ADAC 2024: 3rd vs 10th; ADAC 2023: 2nd vs 13th). The pattern behind that advantage is clear-Alpin 6 repeatedly delivers shorter wet braking (e.g., ADAC 2024: 35.4 m vs 36.1 m; ADAC 2023: 36.4 m vs 39.1 m) plus stronger snow metrics in most shared tests (snow traction wins 4-1; snow handling wins 3-0). Just as importantly for real ownership cost, Michelin's projected mileage is dramatically higher in the data (e.g., 50,500-53,300 km vs 33,400-44,700 km in the ADAC sets), and it also tends to show lower abrasion.
Vredestein Wintrac makes a strong case if your priorities are efficiency, quietness, and wet-road hydroplaning speed rather than ultimate wet-braking or maximum lifespan. It frequently wins straight-aquaplaning (category wins 4-1; e.g., ADAC 2024: 81.0 km/h vs 77.2 km/h; Auto Bild 2024: 80.7 km/h vs 78.5 km/h) and often posts slightly better rolling resistance/fuel numbers. It also has a recurring edge in dry braking (wins 4-1) and can be among the quieter options (e.g., ADAC 2024: 70.4 dB vs 71.9 dB). The practical takeaway: Alpin 6 is the “buy once, trust everywhere” winter tyre-especially for wet safety and high mileage-while Wintrac is the value-leaning, efficient all-rounder that suits milder winters and drivers who prioritize aquaplaning reserves and a slightly sportier dry feel.
Alpin 6 vs Wintrac: your questions
Is the Michelin Alpin 6 or the Vredestein Wintrac the better tyre?
In the 10 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Michelin Alpin 6 finished ahead 7 times and the Wintrac twice, with one level. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Alpin 6 scores 9.1 and the Wintrac 9.3 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Alpin 6 or the Wintrac?
Across the shared tests the wet measurements are split 12-12 between the Alpin 6 and the Wintrac.
Which is better in the dry?
The Wintrac led 6 of the 8 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1% shorter in the dry across 5 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The Alpin 6 led 12 of the 16 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1.2% shorter on snow across 7 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Alpin 6 lasted 32.9% longer in the wear tests (4 tests) and shed 25.5% less rubber in the abrasion test (2 tests); the Wintrac had 4.4% lower rolling resistance (3 tests) and used 1.8% less fuel (2 tests). Owners rate wear 8.7/10 for the Alpin 6 and 8/10 for the Wintrac.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 9/10 for the Alpin 6 and 8.8/10 for the Wintrac.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Alpin 6 85% from 35 reviews and the Wintrac 88% from 5. 76% of Alpin 6 owners would buy it again, against 100% for the Wintrac.
Which is more expensive?
In the 3 tests that listed prices, the Alpin 6 was the dearer tyre in 3 of them, by 31.6% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Alpin 6 is made in 42 sizes (15 to 20 inch) and the Wintrac in 28 (15 to 19 inch). 17 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Alpin 6 is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Wintrac B and C.
Which is the newer tyre?
The Wintrac is the newer design: it reached the market in 2020, the Alpin 6 in 2018. The Alpin 6 replaced the Michelin Alpin 5.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tyre wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tyres ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tyre Reviews Score rates each tyre out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tyres can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tyre Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tyres independently since 2007.
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