Kleber Krisalp HP3 vs Kumho WinterCraft WP52+
- TR Score
- 8.1/10
- Owners say
- 83% · 38
- TR Score
- 9.3/10
- Owners say
- 91% · 6
In the 3 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Krisalp HP3 finished ahead 2 times and the WinterCraft WP52+ once. The Krisalp HP3 held 10.4% more grip in curved aquaplaning; the WinterCraft WP52+ stopped 3.8% shorter in the wet.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Pick the Kleber Krisalp HP3 if snow performance and aquaplaning resistance are your priorities. Pick the Kumho WinterCraft WP52+ if you mainly drive on wet or dry winter roads and put more weight on braking there.
Where the Krisalp HP3 is stronger
- Shorter snow braking distances in all three shared tests.
- More snow traction in both full Auto Bild tests.
- Better aquaplaning resistance in both full tests.
Where the WinterCraft WP52+ is stronger
- Shorter wet braking distances in all three shared tests.
- About 5% to 6% shorter dry braking in both full tests.
- Lower cost per 1,000 km in both full tests.
Conclusion
Kleber's case rests on snow grip and aquaplaning resistance. It stopped about 4% shorter on snow than Kumho in Auto Bild's 2025 winter test and about 3% shorter in both 2026 tests. It also produced more snow traction in the two full tests and better snow slalom results in both. Snow handling was much closer: Kumho's slight lead in 2025 was less than 1%, while Kleber was about 2% faster in 2026. Kumho is therefore not a poor snow tyre on this evidence, but Kleber is the more consistent choice for braking and pulling away on snow.
Kumho's advantage is clearer on cleared winter roads. Its dry braking distances were about 6% shorter in the 2025 full test and 5% shorter in 2026. It also stopped shorter in the wet in all three tests, although the margin fell from about 8% in the 2025 full test to around 2% in both 2026 tests. Its wet handling lead in 2026 was narrow. Kleber, conversely, resisted aquaplaning better in both full tests, especially in bends. Its straight-line advantage was narrow in 2025 but about 5% in 2026. Kumho cost less per 1,000 km in both full tests, while Kleber's predicted wear advantage was modest.
The overall results do not point to an unconditional winner. Kumho's third place against Kleber's 14th in Auto Bild's 2025 winter test is an unusually large gap given Kleber's snow results. In the different-sized 2026 full test, Kleber finished fifth and Kumho eighth; both received a 'good' verdict. The 2026 braking test also put Kleber higher, seventh against tenth. Choose Kleber if snow braking, traction and resistance to standing water matter most. Choose Kumho if most winter driving is on wet or dry roads and shorter braking distances there take priority.
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.
Krisalp HP3 vs WinterCraft WP52+ at a glance
| Category | Krisalp HP3 | Gap | WinterCraft WP52+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won3 shared tests | 2 | 1 | |
| Dry4 measurements | 0 | The WinterCraft WP52+ stopped 5.5% shorter in the dry (2 tests) | 4 |
| Wet11 measurements | 4 | The WinterCraft WP52+ stopped 3.8% shorter in the wet (3 tests) | 7 |
| Snow9 measurements | 8 | The Krisalp HP3 stopped 3.2% shorter on snow (3 tests) | 1 |
| Comfort4 measurements | 1 | 2 | |
| Value4 measurements | 2 | Level between the two. | 2 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.1/10 | The WinterCraft WP52+ by 1.2 | 9.3/10 |
| Owner rating38 and 6 reviews | 83% | The WinterCraft WP52+ by 8 points | 91% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 72% | The WinterCraft WP52+ by 28 points | 100% |
| Pricein the 2 tests that listed prices | +13.3% | The Krisalp HP3 was dearer in 2 of 2 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 75 | 61 sizes made in both | 115 |
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 3 tests, 2025 to 2026
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 | Krisalp HP3 | Field | WinterCraft WP52+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | P5 of 20 | P8 of 20 | |
| 2026 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 50 Sets | P7 of 50 | P10 of 50 | |
| 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test | P14 of 20 | P3 of 20 |
Performance profile
15 measurements from the 3 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Krisalp HP3
WinterCraft WP52+
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 94%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow.
Where each scores higher
Krisalp HP3
WinterCraft WP52+
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
Krisalp HP3
WinterCraft WP52+
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the Krisalp HP3 83% from 38 reviews and the WinterCraft WP52+ 91% from 6. 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 | Krisalp HP3 | Gap | WinterCraft WP52+ | Wins | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45.9 | 5.5% | 43.35 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
|
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| 111.8 | 0.8% | 112.7 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 51.57 | 3.8% | 49.5 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||
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| 79.7 | 1.2% | 80.7 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 12.61 | 0.6% | 12.53 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 85.25 | 3.1% | 82.55 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 2.64 | 10.4% | 2.39 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 28.37 | 3.2% | 29.3 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 3,999 | 4.8% | 3,821 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 58.3 | 0.6% | 57.95 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 3.25 | 3.2% | 3.15 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 8.5% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 69.5 | 0.3 dB | 69.2 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 49,675 | 2.7% | 48,335 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 8.34 | 1.2% | 8.24 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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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 Krisalp HP3 scores 8.1 and the WinterCraft WP52+ 9.3 out of 10.
| Krisalp HP3 | Category | WinterCraft WP52+ | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | Dry | 92 | ||
| 72 | Wet | 88 | ||
| 55 | Comfort | 46 | ||
| 51 | Value | 79 | ||
| 90 | Snow | 68 | ||
| 20 | Ice | 35 | ||
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
| Krisalp HP3 | Category | WinterCraft WP52+ | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.4 | Dry Grip | 9.3 | ||
| 8.4 | Wet Grip | 9.3 | ||
| 8.2 | Road Feedback | 9 | ||
| 8.1 | Handling | 9 | ||
| 8.5 | Wear | 8.3 | ||
| 8.8 | Comfort | 8.8 | ||
| 8.9 | Snow Grip | 9.3 | ||
| 8.1 | Ice Grip | 8.4 | ||
Owners rate the Krisalp HP3 83% from 38 reviews and the WinterCraft WP52+ 91% from 6. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Kleber Krisalp HP3
- 83%from 38 reviews
- 72%would buy again
- 486,168 milesdriven by reviewers
Most drivers rate the Kleber Krisalp HP3 highly, praising its strong snow and wet performance, low noise/comfort for a winter tyre, and decent wear/value. Dry grip and handling precision are adequate for normal driving but can feel soft with noticeable understeer if pushed; several users report a 'jelly/boat-like' feel. A minority mention noise at certain speeds, vibration/manufacturing issues in specific batches, and weaker performance on ice or slush at higher speeds. Overall sentiment is positive with safety and winter capability as standout strengths.
- snow traction and braking
- wet grip and aquaplaning resistance
- low noise/comfort for a winter tyre
- good wear and value
- soft sidewalls/boat-like feel; weak handling precision when pushed
- dry grip/cornering weaker vs summer tyres
- ice/slush performance can be limited at higher speeds
Summarised by AI from 26 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 38 Krisalp HP3 reviewsGreat snow and ice grip, much better than any winter tire i had before.
Good durability as well. Dry grip is fine, wet grip not as much and must be kept in mind. Not very noisy for a winter tire either. Would buy again if they are on discount.
Kumho WinterCraft WP52+
- 91%from 6 reviews
- 100%would buy again
- 40,507 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers report the Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus delivers impressively strong winter performance for the price, with repeated praise for confident grip (especially in wet conditions) and secure handling. Reviews consistently highlight low road noise and noticeably improved ride comfort versus some premium or run-flat alternatives, with multiple users describing a premium feel and excellent value. No recurring performance drawbacks were reported across the reviews.
- Strong wet grip and water shedding
- Confident handling and traction in cold/winter conditions
- Low road noise / quiet ride
- Good ride comfort
Summarised by AI from 5 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 6 WinterCraft WP52+ reviewsI bought these after looking at the tests. They offer performance close to premium tires while being very affordable. That's actually the reason I chose this tire. If you don't have extreme winter conditions where you are, you can go for this tire. If the winter conditions are bad, Barum might be a good alternative since it's still reasonably priced.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 75 sizes of the Krisalp HP3 and 115 of the WinterCraft WP52+, 61 of them made in both.
| Category | Krisalp HP3 | WinterCraft WP52+ |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 75 sizes, 14 to 20 inch | 115 sizes, 13 to 21 inch |
| Made in both | 61 sizes 155/65 R14165/65 R14165/70 R14175/65 R14175/70 R14185/55 R14185/60 R14185/65 R14185/70 R14165/65 R15175/65 R15185/55 R15and 49 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B90%C10% | B82%A18% |
| EU label rolling resistance | D50%C48%B2% | C65%D32%B2%E1% |
| EU label noise | 68-71 dB A81%B19% | 70-73 dB B100% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 112 of 112 | 209 of 211 |
| On the market since | 2016 | 2025 |
| Replaced | Kleber Krisalp HP2 (2013) | - |
| Awards | - | Winner: Winter Touring Tyre of the Year (WhatTyre, 2026/27) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Krisalp HP3 was the dearer tyre in 2 of the 2 tests that listed prices, by 13.3% 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.
Three independent Auto Bild tests put the Kleber Krisalp HP3 and Kumho WinterCraft WP52+ side by side: the 2025 winter tyre test, the 2026 50-set winter braking test and the 2026 winter tyre test. Kleber placed higher in both 2026 tests, while Kumho finished well ahead in 2025.
The clearest pattern is in braking. Kleber stopped shorter on snow in all three tests, while Kumho stopped shorter on wet roads in all three and on dry roads in both full tests. Kleber also had the better aquaplaning results in both full tests. The overall reversal is striking: Kumho was third and Kleber 14th in the 2025 test, but Kleber was fifth and Kumho eighth in the 2026 full test. Those tests used different tyre sizes, so neither overall placing tells the whole story for every driver.
Krisalp HP3 vs WinterCraft WP52+: your questions
Is the Kleber Krisalp HP3 or the Kumho WinterCraft WP52+ the better tyre?
In the 3 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Kleber Krisalp HP3 finished ahead 2 times and the WinterCraft WP52+ once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Krisalp HP3 scores 8.1 and the WinterCraft WP52+ 9.3 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Krisalp HP3 or the WinterCraft WP52+?
The WinterCraft WP52+ led 7 of the 11 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.8% shorter in the wet across 3 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The WinterCraft WP52+ led 4 of the 4 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 5.5% shorter in the dry across 2 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The Krisalp HP3 led 8 of the 9 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.2% shorter on snow across 3 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Krisalp HP3 lasted 2.7% longer in the wear tests (2 tests); the WinterCraft WP52+ had 1.2% lower rolling resistance (2 tests). Owners rate wear 8.5/10 for the Krisalp HP3 and 8.3/10 for the WinterCraft WP52+.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 8.8/10 for the Krisalp HP3 and 8.8/10 for the WinterCraft WP52+.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Krisalp HP3 83% from 38 reviews and the WinterCraft WP52+ 91% from 6. 72% of Krisalp HP3 owners would buy it again, against 100% for the WinterCraft WP52+.
Which is more expensive?
In the 2 tests that listed prices, the Krisalp HP3 was the dearer tyre in 2 of them, by 13.3% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Krisalp HP3 is made in 75 sizes (14 to 20 inch) and the WinterCraft WP52+ in 115 (13 to 21 inch). 61 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Krisalp HP3 is graded B for wet grip and D for rolling resistance in most sizes; the WinterCraft WP52+ B and C.
Which is the newer tyre?
The WinterCraft WP52+ is the newer design: it reached the market in 2025, the Krisalp HP3 in 2016. The Krisalp HP3 replaced the Kleber Krisalp HP2.
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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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