Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 vs Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
- TR Score
- 9.2/10
- Owners say
- 91% · 1
- TR Score
- 8.8/10
- Owners say
- 75% · 10
In the 7 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 finished ahead 6 times and the UltraGrip Arctic 2 once. The UltraGrip Arctic 2 stopped 4.4% shorter in the wet; the Hakkapeliitta 10 stopped 3.7% shorter on ice.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 if you routinely drive on polished ice and hard-packed snow and want the strongest traction/handling authority in the worst conditions. Choose Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 if your winters are mixed (wet highways, slush, frequent bare asphalt) and you want a studded tyre that repeatedly tests better for wet braking, wet handling, and aquaplaning resistance-i.e., the more versatile everyday studded option.
Where the UltraGrip Arctic 2 is stronger
- Wet-road performance leadership for a studded tyre: repeatedly shorter wet braking (e.g., 36.0m vs 37.3m in 2025; 35.94m vs 38.58m in 2023) and faster wet handling times (e.g., 40.6s vs 41.5s in 2025).
- Aquaplaning resistance advantage in multiple tests, with sizable gaps (70.7 vs 63.0 km/h in 2024; 64.6 vs 57.6 km/h in 2025), aiding stability in slush and standing water.
- Very consistent 'balanced' behavior across surfaces in qualitative feedback-calm reactions and confidence on snow, plus controlled manners on wet/dry asphalt.
Where the Hakkapeliitta 10 is stronger
- Top-tier ice traction and drive-away grip across tests (e.g., 4.8s vs 5.7s in 2025; 5.38s vs 6.19s in 2024), translating into easier starts and stronger acceleration on glare ice.
- Frequent winner on ice handling and overall winter cornering metrics, with test feedback highlighting predictable, precise steering on icy roads.
- Strong snow/ice handling orientation-often edging Goodyear on subjective snow/ice handling in the 2025 class-ranked test and across multi-year studies.
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.
UltraGrip Arctic 2 vs Hakkapeliitta 10 at a glance
| Category | UltraGrip Arctic 2 | Gap | Hakkapeliitta 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won7 shared tests | 1 | 6 | |
| Dry8 measurements | 3 | Level between the two. | 3 |
| Wet15 measurements | 14 | The UltraGrip Arctic 2 stopped 4.4% shorter in the wet (5 tests) | 0 |
| Snow15 measurements | 8 | The UltraGrip Arctic 2 was 0.9% quicker in the snow traction test (5 tests) | 5 |
| Ice15 measurements | 1 | The Hakkapeliitta 10 stopped 3.7% shorter on ice (5 tests) | 14 |
| Comfort7 measurements | 3 | 1 | |
| Value3 measurements | 0 | The Hakkapeliitta 10 used 1.4% less fuel (2 tests) | 3 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.2/10 | The UltraGrip Arctic 2 by 0.4 | 8.8/10 |
| Owner rating1 and 10 reviews | 91% | The UltraGrip Arctic 2 by 16 points | 75% |
| Pricein the 4 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Hakkapeliitta 10 was dearer in 4 of 4 | +7.3% |
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 7 tests, 2021 to 2025
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 | UltraGrip Arctic 2 | Field | Hakkapeliitta 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test | P1 of 8 | P2 of 8 | |
| 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | P3 of 7 | P1 of 7 | |
| 2024 Studded Tyre Test | P4 of 8 | P1 of 8 | |
| The Best Studded / Friction Winter Tyres for 2024 | P5 of 6 | P2 of 6 | |
| 2023 Studded Tyre Test | P3 of 8 | P1 of 8 | |
| 2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tyre Test | P3 of 8 | P1 of 8 | |
| 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | P2 of 9 | P1 of 9 |
Performance profile
16 measurements from the 7 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
UltraGrip Arctic 2
Hakkapeliitta 10
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. 3 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
UltraGrip Arctic 2
Hakkapeliitta 10
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.
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 | UltraGrip Arctic 2 | Gap | Hakkapeliitta 10 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32.26 | 0.6% | 32.45 | 3-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 16.7% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 35.61 | 4.4% | 37.24 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 40.09 | 1.1% | 40.53 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 16.3% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 64.2 | 9.5% | 58.57 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 28.26 | 0.5% | 28.49 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.09 | 0.9% | 5.14 | 4-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 72.3 | 0.3% | 71.98 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 11.1% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 22.53 | 3.7% | 21.46 | 1-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.38 | 11.8% | 4.74 | 0-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 51.73 | 1.9% | 50.69 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 11.1% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 25% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 73.4 | 0.3 dB | 73.73 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.7 | 6.1% | 5.35 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.83 | 1.4% | 5.75 | 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 UltraGrip Arctic 2 scores 9.2 and the Hakkapeliitta 10 8.8 out of 10.
| UltraGrip Arctic 2 | Category | Hakkapeliitta 10 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | Dry | 36 | ||
| 75 | Wet | 22 | ||
| 67 | Comfort | 47 | ||
| 23 | Value | 61 | ||
| 81 | Snow | 86 | ||
| 83 | Ice | 89 | ||
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
| UltraGrip Arctic 2 | Category | Hakkapeliitta 10 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Dry Grip | 7.3 | ||
| 10 | Wet Grip | 7.1 | ||
| 9 | Road Feedback | 6.5 | ||
| 7 | Handling | 7.8 | ||
| - | Wear | 7.4 | ||
| 9 | Comfort | 6.3 | ||
| 10 | Snow Grip | 9.2 | ||
| 10 | Ice Grip | 8.8 | ||
Owners rate the UltraGrip Arctic 2 91% from 1 reviews and the Hakkapeliitta 10 75% from 10. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
- 91%from 1 reviews
- 1,500 milesdriven by reviewers
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
- 75%from 10 reviews
- 70%would buy again
- 83,700 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers generally describe the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 as a top-tier studded winter tyre, delivering outstanding traction and confidence on hard-packed snow and ice, with several owners calling it “bulletproof” in harsh conditions. The most consistent drawback is noticeable road noise on dry pavement, and multiple users also report weaker dry/wet handling feel or wet braking compared with premium studless alternatives. A smaller subset report that winter performance can drop off markedly after 2-3 seasons/around 20k miles despite remaining tread, which hurts perceived value for some.
- Exceptional snow and ice traction (braking, acceleration, cornering)
- High confidence and stability in severe winter conditions
- Strong performance in deep snow vs studless competitors
- Good tread life/low wear reported by several owners
- Noticeable road noise/“racket” on dry pavement (typical of studded tyres)
- Dry/wet handling feel and wet braking not as strong as some premium alternatives (less feedback, can feel wobbly)
Summarised by AI from 9 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 10 Hakkapeliitta 10 reviewsBought these for northeast winter and 2025/26 was a bear (2023 CX-5). I travel over High Point mountain NJ up and down and Wurtsboro mountain NY up in morn down at end of day daily over 40 miles one way (look them up, not fun). NJ does a great job clearing the roads NY O boy not so much. These were bullet proof unplowed NY roads no problem up the mountains and down I drank my coffee calmly. Held the track on one lane each way country road unplowed while crazy trailer driver flying in from the other way (had me checking my life ins. in my head) but no problem the Hakka's and CX-5 just did their thing despite his stupidity. Never a slip never a slit slide never a wheel spin. My buddies and I refer to them as the beasts, loud in the dry yea couples miles less MPH (2) yup , who cares!
Bought a set of sharp alloy rims for them to boot no tire changes, bad for your tires.My one friend going to take them for 400 USD (a gift after one season) and I am going for the Hakka 01 with new retractable stud tech, we shall see........yes I am a rubber head I have tire problem!
Sizes, EU label and lineage
| Category | UltraGrip Arctic 2 | Hakkapeliitta 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Replaced | - | Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 |
| Replaced by | - | Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01 |
| Price in the shared tests | The Hakkapeliitta 10 was the dearer tyre in 4 of the 4 tests that listed prices, by 7.3% on average. Each test priced the tyres in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
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.
Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 and Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 are both premium studded winter tyres aimed at drivers who face real Nordic-style winters-regular ice, packed snow, and sub-zero temperatures-yet still need to cope with wet and dry asphalt between storms. With both sitting at the “top shelf” of the studded category, the deciding factor isn't whether they're good, but where each one places its emphasis: maximum winter-surface bite versus broader everyday usability.
Across seven shared professional tests (sizes ranging from 205/55 R16 up to 235/45 R18), the pattern is clear. Nokian more often takes the overall class win (6 wins to Goodyear's 1), driven by standout traction/handling on ice and strong winter cornering confidence. Goodyear, however, repeatedly strikes back on wet-road safety metrics-especially aquaplaning resistance and wet braking/handling-often by margins large enough to matter in slushy, above-freezing conditions.
Conclusion
If your winter reality is dominated by polished ice, frequent freeze-thaw cycles that create glare ice, or steep/curvy roads where lateral grip matters most, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 keeps earning its reputation. It leads the key “mobility” metrics on ice again and again-ice traction advantages such as 4.8s vs 5.7s (2025, 205/55 R16) and 5.38s vs 6.19s (2024, 225/45 R17) indicate a meaningful step up in pull-away and acceleration grip. It also tends to edge snow/ice handling, and multiple reports describe its steering as precise and predictable on slippery surfaces-exactly what reduces stress when conditions are truly bad.
Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 is the more “all-round studded” choice when your winter includes plenty of wet asphalt, standing water, and slush-conditions where studs don't automatically save you. It consistently beats Nokian on wet braking and wet handling (e.g., 36.0m vs 37.3m wet braking in 2025; 35.34m vs 37.22m in 2024), and it repeatedly posts clearly higher aquaplaning speeds (e.g., 70.7 vs 63.0 km/h in 2024; 64.6 vs 57.6 km/h in 2025). The practical takeaway: Nokian is the specialist for maximum ice authority, while Goodyear is the safer bet for mixed winter climates where wet-road security is the daily driver.
Value-wise, both are premium, but the “right” value depends on your conditions: if ice traction is your limiting factor, Nokian's advantage is hard to replicate; if your risk comes from wet/slush and highway water clearance, Goodyear delivers more usable safety more often.
UltraGrip Arctic 2 vs Hakkapeliitta 10: your questions
Is the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 or the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 the better tyre?
In the 7 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 finished ahead 6 times and the UltraGrip Arctic 2 once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the UltraGrip Arctic 2 scores 9.2 and the Hakkapeliitta 10 8.8 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the UltraGrip Arctic 2 or the Hakkapeliitta 10?
The UltraGrip Arctic 2 led 14 of the 15 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 4.4% shorter in the wet across 5 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
Across the shared tests the dry measurements are split 3-3 between the UltraGrip Arctic 2 and the Hakkapeliitta 10.
Which is better in snow?
The UltraGrip Arctic 2 led 8 of the 15 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it was 0.9% quicker in the snow traction test across 5 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Hakkapeliitta 10 used 1.4% less fuel (2 tests).
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 9/10 for the UltraGrip Arctic 2 and 6.3/10 for the Hakkapeliitta 10.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the UltraGrip Arctic 2 91% from 1 reviews and the Hakkapeliitta 10 75% from 10.
Which is more expensive?
In the 4 tests that listed prices, the Hakkapeliitta 10 was the dearer tyre in 4 of them, by 7.3% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
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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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