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The Best All Terrain Tyres For Winter 2025 Tested

Compare each discipline in the tested size. See the measured result, position and gap to the best tyre, then read the verdict for the trade-offs behind the finishing order.

Tested size
265/70 R17
Tyres tested
5
Disciplines
7
Test vehicle
Ford F-150

Read the measurements, not just the rank

Lower is better for braking distances and lap times; higher is better for subjective scores and aquaplaning speed. Bars start at zero. Read the gap alongside the position: adjacent tyres can be separated by very different margins.

Positions and gaps always refer to the full test field within each group. Selecting tyres does not recalculate rankings or change the best-in-test benchmark.

Snow

5

Snow Braking

Snow braking in meters (40 - 5 km/h) [Average Temperature -13c]

Lower is better ↓
Snow Braking
Position / TyreResultGap to bestResidual speed
21.44 m Best 0 km/h
21.79 m +0.35 m 16 km/h
22.63 m +1.19 m 30 km/h
23.57 m +2.13 m 39 km/h
23.74 m +2.30 m 40 km/h

The difference between best and worst was 10.7% (2.3 m ≈ 0.5 Car Lengths). From 130 km/h, the Toyo Open Country AT III would still be travelling at 40 km/h when the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT had stopped.

Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.

Snow Traction

Snow acceleration time (5 - 40 km/h) [Average Temperature -13c]

Lower is better ↓
Snow Traction
Position / TyreResultGap to best
3.55 s Best
3.64 s +0.09 s
3.64 s +0.09 s
3.77 s +0.22 s
3.98 s +0.43 s

The difference between best and worst was 12.1% (0.43 s).

Snow Handling

Snow handling time in seconds [Average Temperature -7c]

Lower is better ↓
Snow Handling
Position / TyreResultGap to best
RefReference Winter Nordic
92.7 s -6.12 s
98.82 s Best
101.09 s +2.27 s
101.5 s +2.68 s
101.78 s +2.96 s
107.93 s +9.11 s

The difference between best and worst was 16.4% (15.23 s).

Subj. Snow Handling

Subjective Snow Handling Score

Higher is better ↑
Subj. Snow Handling
Position / TyreResultGap to best
10 Points Best
10 Points Best
10 Points Best
9.25 Points -0.75 Points
8.75 Points -1.25 Points

The difference between best and worst was 12.5% (1.25 Points).

Snow Circle

Snow Circle Time in Seconds

Lower is better ↓
Snow Circle
Position / TyreResultGap to best
RefReference Winter Nordic
31.53 S -1.55 S
33.08 S Best
33.55 S +0.47 S
33.69 S +0.61 S
34.27 S +1.19 S
35.96 S +2.88 S

The difference between best and worst was 14.1% (4.43 S).

Ice

2

Ice Braking

Ice braking in meters (20 - 5 km/h) [Average Temperature -9c]

Lower is better ↓
Ice Braking
Position / TyreResultGap to bestResidual speed
11.33 m Best 0 km/h
12.8 m +1.47 m 44 km/h
12.89 m +1.56 m 45 km/h
12.94 m +1.61 m 46 km/h
13.14 m +1.81 m 48 km/h

The difference between best and worst was 16% (1.81 m ≈ 0.4 Car Lengths). From 130 km/h, the BFGoodrich All Terrain TA KO3 would still be travelling at 48 km/h when the Nokian Outpost nAT had stopped.

Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.

Ice Traction

Ice acceleration time (5 - 20 km/h) [Average Temperature -9c]

Lower is better ↓
Ice Traction
Position / TyreResultGap to best
1.8 s Best
1.89 s +0.09 s
2.03 s +0.23 s
2.06 s +0.26 s
2.11 s +0.31 s

The difference between best and worst was 17.2% (0.31 s).

Test setup & methodology

The test setting, the conditions recorded and how the results contribute to the score.

Show full testing methodology

Recorded test conditions

Snow Braking
40 → 5 km/h · -13 °C
Snow Traction
5 → 40 km/h · -13 °C
Snow Handling
-7 °C
Ice Braking
20 → 5 km/h · -9 °C
Ice Traction
5 → 20 km/h · -9 °C

Score Weighting

Weights express the scoring priorities, not how much each discipline actually changed the finishing order. The size of the performance gaps matters too. Category weights contribute to the overall score. Within each category, discipline weights divide that category’s share. Published finishing positions also need to be read alongside the editorial verdict.

TestWithin categoryShare of overall score
Snow · 75%
Snow Braking30%22.5%
Snow Traction25%18.75%
Snow Handling25%18.75%
Subj. Snow Handling10%7.5%
Snow Circle10%7.5%
Ice · 25%
Ice Braking50%12.5%
Ice Traction50%12.5%

Our standard methods

The conditions above are recorded for this test. The descriptions below explain our standard procedures; measurement windows and run counts can vary by test.

Snow Braking

For snow braking, I drive the test vehicle at an entry speed of 50 km/h and apply full braking effort to a standstill with ABS active on a groomed, compacted snow surface, measuring 45-5 km/h. I generally use a wide VDA (vehicle dynamic area) and progressively move across the surface between runs so that no tyre ever brakes on the same piece of snow twice. My standard programme is twelve runs per tyre set, although the sequence can extend further if the data justify it. I analyse the full set of runs and discard statistical outliers before averaging. The surface is regularly groomed throughout the session. To correct for changing snow surface conditions, I run reference tyres repeatedly — typically every two candidate test sets.

Snow Traction

For snow traction, I accelerate the vehicle from rest on a groomed snow surface with traction control active and measure speed and time using GPS telemetry. I typically use a 5–35 km/h measurement window to reduce the influence of launch transients and powertrain irregularities. I use a wide VDA (vehicle dynamic area) and progressively move across the surface between runs so that no tyre ever accelerates on the same piece of snow twice. The surface is regularly groomed throughout the session. I complete multiple runs per tyre set and average the valid results. Reference tyres are run typically every two candidate test sets to correct for changing snow surface conditions.

Snow Handling

For snow handling, I drive at the limit of adhesion around a dedicated snow handling circuit with ESC disabled where possible. The circuit is groomed and prepared after every run while tyres are being changed, so each set runs on a consistently prepared surface. I usually complete between two and five timed laps per tyre set, excluding laps affected by clear driver error or obvious environmental inconsistency. Because snow surfaces degrade more rapidly than asphalt, control runs are carried out more frequently — typically every two candidate test sets.

Subj. Snow Handling

I also carry out a structured subjective handling assessment at the limit of adhesion on a dedicated snow handling circuit. The circuit is groomed and prepared after every run while tyres are being changed, so each set runs on a consistently prepared surface. I score steering precision, turn-in behaviour, mid-corner balance, corner-exit traction, breakaway characteristics, and overall confidence on snow using a standardised 1–10 scale used consistently across my testing. The final assessment combines numeric scoring with written technical commentary. I complete familiarisation laps on the control tyre before evaluating each candidate.

Snow Circle

For snow lateral grip testing, I use a circular snow track of fixed radius, broadly aligned with ISO 4138 principles. The surface is regularly groomed throughout the session. I progressively increase speed until the maximum sustainable cornering speed is reached. I normally record multiple laps in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions to reduce the influence of surface bias. Because snow surfaces degrade more rapidly, the control tyre is retested at regular intervals and I often use multiple sets of control tyres.

Ice Braking

For ice braking, I drive the test vehicle at an entry speed of 35 km/h and apply full braking effort to a standstill with ABS active on a prepared ice surface. Surface temperature is continuously monitored as ice friction properties vary substantially with temperature. My standard programme is twelve runs per tyre set but with ice testing, you often do many more. I analyse the full set of runs and discard statistical outliers before averaging. Reference tyres are run typically every two candidate test sets to correct for changing surface conditions.

Ice Traction

For ice traction, I accelerate the vehicle from rest on a prepared ice surface with traction control active and measure speed and time using GPS telemetry. I typically use a 5–35 km/h measurement window to reduce the influence of launch transients. I use a wide VDA (vehicle dynamic area) and progressively move across the surface between runs so that no tyre ever accelerates on the same piece of ice twice. Surface temperature is continuously monitored. I complete multiple runs per tyre set and average the valid results, with reference tyres run typically every two candidate test sets.

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