Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro vs Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- TR Score
- 7.9/10
- Owners say
- 91% · 4
- TR Score
- 9.0/10
- Owners say
- 87% · 30
In the 9 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Vredestein Wintrac Pro finished ahead 8 times and the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro once. The EUROWINTER HS02 Pro stopped 0.8% shorter in the dry; the Wintrac Pro held 9.3% more grip in curved aquaplaning.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Buy the Vredestein Wintrac Pro. It is the stronger tyre where a winter tyre earns its keep, sweeping snow handling and taking eight of nine snow braking runs, and it finished ahead in eight of the nine shared tests. Choose the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro only for a mild winter spent mostly on cold dry roads, where its dry grip, lower noise and lower running cost matter more than snow.
Where the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro is stronger
- Better dry handling in seven of eight tests and shorter dry braking in six of eight
- Quieter in five of seven noise measurements
- Cheaper to run at Auto Bild, 16.93 against 18.95 per 1000km
Where the Wintrac Pro is stronger
- Won all eight snow handling comparisons and eight of nine snow braking runs
- Better aquaplaning resistance, six of eight straight and five of seven curved
- Finished ahead in eight of the nine shared tests, including 8th of 22 against 17th at Auto Bild
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.
EUROWINTER HS02 Pro vs Wintrac Pro at a glance
| Category | EUROWINTER HS02 Pro | Gap | Wintrac Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won9 shared tests | 1 | 8 | |
| Dry17 measurements | 13 | The EUROWINTER HS02 Pro stopped 0.8% shorter in the dry (8 tests) | 3 |
| Wet39 measurements | 17 | The Wintrac Pro held 9.3% more grip in curved aquaplaning (7 tests) | 21 |
| Snow31 measurements | 4 | The Wintrac Pro stopped 3% shorter on snow (9 tests) | 26 |
| Comfort8 measurements | 6 | 2 | |
| Value9 measurements | 2 | The Wintrac Pro had 1.4% lower rolling resistance (8 tests) | 6 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 7.9/10 | The Wintrac Pro by 1.1 | 9.0/10 |
| Owner rating4 and 30 reviews | 91% | The EUROWINTER HS02 Pro by 4 points | 87% |
| Pricein the 6 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Wintrac Pro was dearer in 5 of 6 | +10% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 110 | 73 sizes made in both | 119 |
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 9 tests, 2023 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 | EUROWINTER HS02 Pro | Field | Wintrac Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | P10 of 12 | P6 of 12 | |
| 2024 AS SUV Winter Tyre Test | P8 of 10 | P10 of 10 | |
| 2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | P7 of 10 | P5 of 10 | |
| 2023 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test | P9 of 9 | P5 of 9 | |
| 2023 Sports Cars Winter Tyre Test | P9 of 11 | P7 of 11 | |
| 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | P17 of 20 | P8 of 20 | |
| 2023 Winter Tyre Test 54 Set Braking Test | P20 of 54 | P17 of 54 | |
| 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | P10 of 11 | P8 of 11 | |
| 2023 AMS SUV Winter Tyre Test | P7 of 7 | P6 of 7 |
Performance profile
14 measurements from the 9 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
Wintrac Pro
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 96%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 10 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
Wintrac Pro
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
EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
Wintrac Pro
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro 91% from 4 reviews and the Wintrac Pro 87% from 30. 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 | EUROWINTER HS02 Pro | Gap | Wintrac Pro | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43.21 | 0.8% | 43.54 | 6-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.25 | 1% | 72 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 109.5 | 0.5% | 109 | 6-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 39.29 | 0.1% | 39.3 | 4-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 57.97 | 2.4% | 59.38 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 78.93 | 0.1% | 78.89 | 4-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 6.5% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 7.32 | 0.9% | 7.26 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 14.96 | 0.6% | 15.03 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 80.12 | 3% | 82.25 | 2-6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2.52 | 9.3% | 2.75 | 2-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 27.84 | 3% | 27.11 | 1-8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 6.15 | 2.8% | 5.98 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1,491 | 2.6% | 1,541 | 2-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 90.66 | 4.8% | 86.32 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 52.51 | 3.8% | 54.53 | 0-7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 5.6% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3.85 | = | 3.85 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3.68 | 8.1% | 3.94 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 8.7% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 72.79 | 0.2 dB | 73.01 | 5-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 29,534 | 6.3% | 31,400 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.76 | 1.4% | 8.65 | 2-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 EUROWINTER HS02 Pro scores 7.9 and the Wintrac Pro 9 out of 10.
| EUROWINTER HS02 Pro | Category | Wintrac Pro | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76 | Dry | 67 | ||
| 66 | Wet | 86 | ||
| 57 | Comfort | 33 | ||
| 18 | Value | 29 | ||
| 23 | Snow | 58 | ||
| 53 | Ice | 67 | ||
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
| EUROWINTER HS02 Pro | Category | Wintrac Pro | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.8 | Dry Grip | 8.9 | ||
| 9.5 | Wet Grip | 9 | ||
| 6.5 | Road Feedback | 8.5 | ||
| 9 | Handling | 8.2 | ||
| 8 | Wear | 8.7 | ||
| 9 | Comfort | 8.7 | ||
| 9.5 | Snow Grip | 8.8 | ||
| 9 | Ice Grip | 8.1 | ||
Owners rate the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro 91% from 4 reviews and the Wintrac Pro 87% from 30. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
- 91%from 4 reviews
- 18,000 milesdriven by reviewers
All 4 EUROWINTER HS02 Pro reviewsReally solid tyres, I didn't expect them to be good through snow however they performed very well. But they're even better on dry and wet roads.
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- 87%from 30 reviews
- 93%would buy again
- 226,700 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers report the Vredestein Wintrac Pro is a highly confidence-inspiring winter tyre with standout wet-road grip and surprisingly sporty, summer-like steering feel and stability in cold dry conditions. Most users also praise strong traction and braking in snow/slush, along with good comfort, low noise for the category, and impressive tread life/value over multiple seasons. A smaller subset note higher fuel consumption/rolling resistance and that the tyre can need some warm-up or a short bedding-in period to deliver its best grip.
- Strong wet grip and braking (good aquaplaning resistance)
- Stable, predictable handling with good steering feedback (sporty/summer-like feel)
- Very capable snow and slush traction and confidence
- Good comfort and generally quiet for a winter/UHP tyre
- Higher fuel consumption / rolling resistance than some alternatives
- Needs some warm-up or short bedding-in to reach best grip
Summarised by AI from 28 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 30 Wintrac Pro reviewsVery good tires for winter. Used in upstate New York from November to April. Great grip even in -15 F. Started to get a little vague when it was dry around 65F.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 110 sizes of the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro and 119 of the Wintrac Pro, 73 of them made in both.
| Category | EUROWINTER HS02 Pro | Wintrac Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 110 sizes, 16 to 22 inch | 119 sizes, 17 to 22 inch |
| Made in both | 73 sizes 225/45 R17225/50 R17225/55 R17225/60 R17225/65 R17235/45 R17235/55 R17235/65 R17245/45 R17225/40 R18225/45 R18225/50 R18and 61 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B96%C4% | B98%A2%C1% |
| EU label rolling resistance | D51%C44%B5% | D47%C46%E5%B1% |
| EU label noise | 70-74 dB B97%A3% | 70-74 dB B100% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 134 of 134 | 253 of 253 |
| On the market since | 2022 | 2018 |
| Replaced | - | Vredestein Wintrac xtreme S (2015) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Wintrac Pro was the dearer tyre in 5 of the 6 tests that listed prices, by 10% 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.
Nine shared winter tests, and the Vredestein Wintrac Pro finished ahead of the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro in eight of them. The one exception was AUTO Strassenverkehr's 2024 SUV test, where the Vredestein came last of ten and the Falken was 8th.
Snow is where the gap opens. The Vredestein won every one of the eight snow handling comparisons, eight of nine snow braking runs and six of eight snow traction measurements. Auto Bild's 2024 SUV test had it stopping in 21.6m against the Falken's 23.1m, 6.5 percent shorter, and Auto Bild's 2023 test measured 2768N of snow traction against 2571N, 7.7 percent more.
The Falken's answer is dry road and refinement. It handled better in seven of eight dry handling comparisons, braked shorter in the dry in six of eight, and was quieter in five of seven noise measurements. Auto Bild also worked out its cost per 1000km at 16.93 against the Vredestein's 18.95, 10.7 percent cheaper.
Conclusion
The Vredestein Wintrac Pro is the better winter tyre here, and the placings say it plainly: 5th of 9 at Sport Auto against the Falken's 9th and last, 8th of 22 at Auto Bild against 17th, 5th of 11, 6th of 13, 7th of 12 and 8th of 13. It is a clean sweep in snow handling across all eight comparisons, it braked shorter on snow in eight of nine tests, and it pulled harder in six of eight traction measurements. Aquaplaning goes the same way, six of eight on the straight and five of seven on the curve, including 3.22 m/sec2 against 2.65 in AUTO Strassenverkehr's 2024 test. It also rolled with less resistance in five of seven measurements and wore longer at Auto Bild, 31,400km against 29,534km. Owners agree, giving it 9.00 across 30 reviews against 7.30 from 4.
The Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro is the drier, quieter, cheaper tyre. It handled better on dry roads in seven of eight comparisons and stopped shorter in six of eight, by 2.1 percent at Auto Bild in 2024, 41.8m against 42.7m. It was quieter in five of seven noise measurements, and Auto Bild's cost-per-1000km figure favoured it by 10.7 percent. Wet braking is genuinely close, four wins each across eight tests.
If you buy a winter tyre for snow, and most people who buy one do, the Vredestein is the clear choice. The Falken makes sense for a mild-winter driver who spends most of the season on cold dry tarmac and wants the quieter, cheaper set.
EUROWINTER HS02 Pro vs Wintrac Pro: your questions
Is the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro or the Vredestein Wintrac Pro the better tyre?
In the 9 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Vredestein Wintrac Pro finished ahead 8 times and the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro scores 7.9 and the Wintrac Pro 9 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro or the Wintrac Pro?
The Wintrac Pro led 21 of the 39 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it held 9.3% more grip in curved aquaplaning across 7 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The EUROWINTER HS02 Pro led 13 of the 17 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 0.8% shorter in the dry across 8 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The Wintrac Pro led 26 of the 31 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3% shorter on snow across 9 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Wintrac Pro had 1.4% lower rolling resistance (8 tests). Owners rate wear 8/10 for the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro and 8.7/10 for the Wintrac Pro.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 9/10 for the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro and 8.7/10 for the Wintrac Pro.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro 91% from 4 reviews and the Wintrac Pro 87% from 30.
Which is more expensive?
In the 6 tests that listed prices, the Wintrac Pro was the dearer tyre in 5 of them, by 10% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The EUROWINTER HS02 Pro is made in 110 sizes (16 to 22 inch) and the Wintrac Pro in 119 (17 to 22 inch). 73 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro is graded B for wet grip and D for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Wintrac Pro B and D.
Which is the newer tyre?
The EUROWINTER HS02 Pro is the newer design: it reached the market in 2022, the Wintrac Pro in 2018. The Wintrac Pro replaced the Vredestein Wintrac xtreme S.
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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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