The Nokian Hakkapapeliitta 10 excels in icy conditions and showcases proficient snow handling, maintaining good control at grip limits. While it performs admirably on smooth corners in both ice and snow, its performance on wet surfaces and resistance to aquaplaning are areas of concern. The tire offers a slightly reduced wet grip, leading to longer braking distances on wet pavement. Its capabilities shine in snowy and icy terrains, making it ideal for drivers prioritizing maximum grip in these conditions.

The Michelin X-Ice North 4 ranks second, delivering high levels of grip on ice and snow, along with impressive dry pavement handling. Notable for its reduced tread depth and multitude of small studs, the tire initially stood out for its low noise levels, though it now aligns with competitors in this aspect. The tire's drawbacks include its performance in snow braking and wet pavement handling, along with considerations regarding economy.

The Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2, in third place, showcases impressive ice performance and excels in snow traction, wet braking, and handling, including strong resistance to longitudinal aquaplaning. It stands out for its very short braking distances on wet surfaces and effective performance on snow/ice. However, it falls short in dry handling, with lateral stability and steering response being less than ideal, impacting its ability to maintain the desired trajectory. Despite these drawbacks, the tire remains stable overall, ensuring a safe driving experience.

The Falken Winterpeak F-Ice 1, positioned at fourth, has overcome previous issues with stud loss and now offers commendable performance in winter conditions, closely following premium brands. It boasts good grip and exceptional resistance to longitudinal aquaplaning. However, its performance is compromised by less precise steering responses on cleared roads and an elevated noise level. The tire's braking and handling on dry pavement are additional areas of concern.

The Continental IceContact 3, ranking fifth, excels in snow handling, wet and dry pavement handling, and maintains a low noise level. However, its performance in ice traction and braking is notably inferior, falling behind other premium tires and even comparable to lower-priced brands like Goodride. While these tires adeptly inform the driver about reaching adhesion limits and maintain control at the onset of a skid, their weak performance on ice and high price point make them a less attractive option despite their excellent asphalt performance, which includes ease of handling and stability.

The Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2 W429, positioned sixth, marks a shift from its traditional winter focus, showcasing improved wet pavement grip. The tire performs exceptionally in wet braking and offers economic efficiency. However, it falls short in ice braking, snow traction, and handling, with a tendency to skid under load on all surfaces. Dry pavement performance is also compromised, evidenced by blurred responses to driver inputs and insufficient directional stability. Despite these drawbacks, the tire is notable for its low rolling resistance and noise levels, making it a viable choice for budget-conscious consumers.

The Goodride IceMaster Spike Z-506, ranked seventh, offers commendable snow braking, dry pavement braking, and is economically efficient. Despite being developed in Finland and featuring 200 studs, its ice performance is disappointingly weak, with grip and cornering abilities inferior even to older tire models. This shortfall is likely attributable to the tire's excessively stiff rubber compound. While snow grip is somewhat better during braking, cornering remains poor. Surprisingly, these stiff tires also underperform on wet pavement, contradicting expectations of better asphalt handling.

The Nokian Hakkapapeliitta 8, while ranking eighth in the current test, also serves as an intriguing example of how winter-worn premium tires can perform outside of the test standings. This particular model, being eight years old, offers valuable insights into the long-term durability and evolving performance characteristics of premium winter tires. Despite its age, it demonstrates commendable dry braking efficiency and economic advantages, highlighting the potential longevity and sustained performance of quality winter tires over time.