Five winter tyres R16 strong middle class

In the segment of winter "shoes" for cars, Finnish tyres Nokian are very popular. The medium class of this rubber is represented by the non-studded model Nordman RS2.

According to the type of tread pattern , the tyre belongs to the category of "Scandinavians" - winter tyres with confident cross-country ability on snowy and icy roads. The excellent grip properties of the model are explained by the high density of siping of the tread blocks. In addition, a separate subspecies of multifunctional sipes is placed in the shoulder areas of the tyre treadmill: with sharp edges they stick into a slippery road, and with special internal cavities they dry the contact patch.

The tyre tread effectively self-cleans from water and snow porridge, quickly adapts to uneven road surfaces and different types of surfaces. The risk of hydroplaning is prevented by a developed drainage system with deep drainage channels. During manoeuvring, the tyre is kept on the road by powerful shoulders with teeth on the side walls of the blocks to improve the grip.

Nokian Nordman RS2 rubber compound is flavored with additives and plasticizers. It is two-thirds silica based on cryosilane. This component allows the tread to maintain elasticity at low sub-zero ambient temperatures. Ride comfort and low noise are a couple more pluses in the karma of the model. But its disadvantages include the tendency of the tread to collect small pebbles like gravel. Nothing critical, but the rubber can “click” a little on the asphalt.

Harsh winters are rare in South Korea. Nevertheless, the tyre of the Korean “breed” Nexen Winguard Ice Plus is perfectly adapted to winter driving conditions and does not disappoint on slippery roads.

The model uses a popular technique with a symmetrical drawing of the tread pattern of the directional structure. The double V-shaped tread pattern is designed to provide confident movement on loose and packed snow. The grip balance of the tyre on snow-covered surfaces is guaranteed by multiple three-dimensional lamellae, with which the tread blocks are streaked. With this nature of the pattern, the Nexen Winguard Ice Plus should also behave well on ice, but the test results from the Finnish Test World in 2020 indicate otherwise - on icy roads the tyre shows poor lateral and longitudinal grip. And on dry and wet pavement, her braking distance turned out to be longer than that of some other subjects.

The drainage system of the tyre is made up of annular zigzag channels and diagonal grooves converging towards the center. It quickly and effectively removes water and slush from the contact patch, thereby increasing the resistance to hydroplaning and slashplaning. The V-shaped grooves in the shoulder blocks increase the endurance of the shoulders and improve the stability of the machine during cornering.

What the tyre will definitely please is the high level of driving comfort. On the shelves of tyre stores, the model is also presented under the name of the sister brand Roadstone. At the same time, it has no differences from the original Nexen. Tyres are produced in popular passenger dimensions for wheel diameters from R13 to R19.

Japanese tyre manufacturers from Toyo know a lot about good winter tyres. The Observe Garit GIZ model is considered to be such a friction tyre that gives confidence to move on winter roads.

The tyre is omnivorous to various types of roadbed under the wheels of the car. It is characterized by responsive behavior both on paved and country roads. All thanks to excellent traction and effective self-cleaning of the tread from snow and dirt. The adhesion of the tyre to the road surface is ensured by the sharp edges of three-dimensional sipes, and the rubber mixture with the addition of walnut shells acts as an additional link to improve the grip of the model.

The self-cleaning of the contact patch of the tyre with the road is “managed” by a developed water drainage network, coupled with micropores in the rubber compound for better liquid absorption. As a result, Toyo Observe Garit GIZ confidently clings to the icy canvas and does not pump the driver into icy conditions. Also, adsorbent substances in the composition of the rubber compound have a positive effect on reducing the braking distance on slippery roads.

In motion, the model demonstrates a high level of driving comfort and low noise when rolling. The reviews about the tyre are dominated by entirely positive reviews. And this, you see, is a weighty argument in favor of a winter tyre, which is presented on the shelves of tyre stores in popular passenger dimensions for wheels with a diameter of R13 to R18.

The Yokohama Ice Guard IG53 tyre has firmly established itself in the middle strata of the winter friction tyre society. It is intended for operation on wheels of cars and minivans in severe winter road conditions.

The model harmoniously combines a directional tread design, a highly efficient drainage system and reinforced sidewalls for the benefit of increased resistance to mechanical damage. The key to excellent tyre grip on snow and ice is dense siping of the tread blocks. Multiple 3D sipes create an edge effect, making the tyre perform predictably on snowy and slippery roads.

The rubber compound of the tyre with air bubbles effectively absorbs the water film and redirects the liquid to the hydro-evacuation channels. Minor claims to the model are presented only in terms of low braking efficiency on wet pavement and regarding directional stability in a straight line. They are not of a critical nature - Yokohama Ice Guard IG53 is just a little inferior to some "classmates" in these parameters.

The tyre retains elasticity over a wide temperature range and is notable for its low rolling resistance. As a result, it boasts high fuel efficiency and long service life, which, coupled with confident driving performance on slippery roads, is required from good winter tyres.

The Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance G1 tyre belongs to the European non-studded guard for cold weather use. The model “steers” well, tenaciously clings to icy and snowy roads, effectively slows down on them. But let's talk about everything in order.

The treadmill of the tyre is divided into three parts: a V-shaped “middle” and elongated shoulder zones. They are separated from each other by two circumferential water-drainage channels, which are adjacent to multiple smaller grooves. The medium segment of the tyre contact patch is formed from a huge number of blocks of reduced size. With their sharp edges, the tyre literally "bites" into a slippery road. Also, the grip qualities of the model are “pumped” with 3D-BIS lamellas with pyramidal protrusions and depressions on the surface of the walls.

When braking, the tyre tread blocks change their shape in order to provide the largest possible area of contact with the roadway. In practice, this results in high braking performance. And long transverse blocks in the shoulder areas of the tyres increase the stability of the car when manoeuvring and laying dashing turns.

In the central part of the tyre tread there is a small "tattoo" in the form of a snowflake. With a residual tread depth of about 4 mm, it is completely erased, which is a signal that the tyre is unsuitable for further operation in winter. The disadvantages of the model include a relatively low potential mileage (compared to venerable peers), but in general, the Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance G1 receives completely laudatory odes from the owners.