The best studded tires 225/45 R17

Vredestein Wintrac Ice studded winter tires are designed for use on passenger car wheels. They have excellent maneuverability and endurance on different types of road surfaces in changeable winter weather.

For the tire tread, we chose a traditional approach, which consists of using a symmetrical directional pattern. The direction of the blocks allows for efficient snow removal. And anti-skid studs help the tire to hold on tenaciously to the slippery road surface. The steel “claws” are securely fixed in the blocks, which prevents them from falling out ; in addition, the special design of the mounting sockets and the base of the studs softens the movement on dry roads.

Taking a closer look at the tire tread, one notices the high density of multi-directional 3D lamellas, which self-lock when moving. The edges of the slots form sharp engagement edges. As a result, Vredestein Wintrac Ice can boast excellent grip properties, good maneuverability, fast acceleration dynamics and braking efficiency in all weather conditions.

The rubber formula of the model is characterized by a high silica content, which allows the tire to literally “stick” to winter roads. It also has increased adhesive properties, good wear resistance and elasticity, which is maintained at low outside temperatures. The only complaint about the tire is oversteer on dry roads. But with proper skill, this does not cause problems at all.

Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-02 is a high-quality winter tire with anti-skid spikes, which focuses on maximum winter driving safety.

The second edition of the model managed to solve the main problem of its predecessor - the Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-01 tire. She lost her metal “claws,” which caused the tread to wear out faster. The solution to this issue was the use of expanded oval flanges at the tenon landing points. In general, the “steel teeth” are oriented in such a way that the grip area on the slippery road surface is as wide as possible.

Bridgestone tires perform best on snowy and icy roads. A solid “five” is given to it for improved braking characteristics and transmission of traction forces when starting off. But in terms of handling on ice, the tire is very mediocre. There are also complaints about the increased braking distance of the tire when driving on dry asphalt.

The tread pattern of the tire is made in the traditional winter V-shaped design. The tread blocks of the model are also dotted with many wavy lamellas. They are tasked with both improving traction properties and removing snow from anti-skid spikes. The tire picture is complemented by the high throughput of the aquadrainage system, but at the same time, Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-02 cannot be called the most economical tire. However, the model turned out to be optimally balanced for harsh winter driving conditions on slippery, snowy and uncleared roads.

In the winter portfolio of Continental, one of the first steps of the podium is rightfully occupied by the studded model IceContact 3 - this is a premium tire for passenger cars of various classes.

The tire has a classic directional tread pattern with a V-shaped design of the central ridge of blocks. In sizes R17 and larger, the model is equipped with rubber-coated ContiFlexStud studs. Moreover, the studs in the central core of the tread and the shoulder areas are different: the first are responsible for the longitudinal traction properties, the second for the transverse ones. With the sharp “teeth” of the studs, the tire reliably clings to slippery and icy surfaces, thereby ensuring high travel safety in winter.

Innovative studding technology allows the tire to demonstrate truly excellent grip on loose snow and icy conditions, as well as effective braking in all weather conditions. However, in practice it turned out that the model often loses its anti-skid spikes. To avoid their premature loss, Continental engineers replaced the “teeth” with standard ones - with an aluminum body and a core based on a tungsten carbide alloy. Since the very beginning of rubber production, such studs have been used in model sizes from R14 to R16.

Continental IceContact 3 provides excellent cornering stability thanks to its compact outer shoulder. There is also a highly developed network of drainage channels for quick and effective cleaning of the contact spot from water, water-ice mixture and melted snow. Finally , the model will please car owners with low noise, which is an important factor when choosing studded tires.

The Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 tire was produced with a view to safe movement on the roads of Northern and Eastern Europe, as well as the Baltic countries in snowy winter conditions.

The model is designed to replace another “stud” from the Goodyear portfolio - UltraGrip Ice Arctic. The second generation of the tire has a more directional tread pattern with wide drainage channels that increase closer to the shoulders. This is done to quickly self-clean the tread from slush and water. And thanks to the optimized distribution of studs along the tread plane, the tire of the second edition had a reduced noise level(by about 9% compared to its predecessor).

The tire is studded using Arctic Eagle Claw Stud “teeth” with sharp pin shapes. Their fastening system allows you to reliably hold the anti-skid spikes in the holes. Side-by-side with them on slippery surfaces, Snow Grip technology works, provided by the high density of cutting edges in the central core of the tread. The synergy of these design know-how allows the tire to demonstrate confident traction on snow, short braking distances on icy roads, and the driver receives sensitive and responsive vehicle handling.

The rubber composition of the model includes additives that increase the wear resistance and frost resistance of the tire. Even in severe frosts, the tire remains elastic and continues to properly perform its assigned functions. In addition, the polymer compounds in the rubber compound give the tire additional strength. Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 represents the segment of premium studded tires with high-quality driving properties on snow, ice, wet and dry winter surfaces.

Michelin X-Ice North 4 tires are one of the most studded winter tires on the market. It’s no joke, in the size 225/45 R17 under consideration there are 250 steel “teeth”, and they are placed in 28 lines.

Abundant studding has a positive effect on the reliability of traction when conquering slippery winter roads. The conical caps of the studs bite deeply into the icy surface, providing the car with excellent traction and a short braking distance. Special “wells” are provided in the holes of the studs, which help to quickly remove crushed ice chips from the contact spot.

The tread pattern of the Michelin X-Ice North 4 is made in a characteristic herringbone pattern. Densely cut lamellas in the tread blocks enhance the tire's grip. And the lugs in the shoulder areas are aimed at increasing the stability of the vehicle during active maneuvering on winter roads. It is also worth noting the increased capacity of the drainage system - the tire is not at all afraid of the phenomena of aquaplaning and slashing.

The rubber mixture of the tire contains traditional silica and adhesive additives. The model has become much stronger and more elastic at any air temperature (up to -65 ° C), and its wear resistance has also been increased. Among other attributes of the tire, it is important to mention fuel efficiency. Based on a combination of factors, Michelin X-Ice North 4 looks like one of the most delicious offers in the segment of top-end winter studded tires for passenger cars.