There’s no mistaking Nokian’s priorities. The Hakkapeliitta 10 is the top studded tire in this test for winter roads, delivering the best performance on both ice and snow. What stands out the most is its ability to maintain high cornering speeds on these surfaces. The tire responds swiftly and precisely to steering inputs, with an active rear that aids in handling. However, this might not suit drivers looking for a completely stable rear without any hint of oversteer. While it dominates on ice and snow with the highest scores in the test, the performance dips on asphalt. On dry roads, steering feels less linear, and straight-line stability is compromised. Wet braking distances are extended, and the tire is more susceptible to hydroplaning. Even with these drawbacks on asphalt, the best-in-class winter grip crowns the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 as the overall test winner.

The newcomer Spike 3 wins several test categories. It boasts the best resistance to hydroplaning and excellent longitudinal grip on ice, both in acceleration and braking. However, the studs on the test tires were poorly mounted, with noticeable movement—the most of any test tire—which could lead to issues. The hard rubber compound contributes to solid stability during the asphalt driving tests, and Bridgestone also performs well on wet roads. In icy and snowy corners, however, it loses grip more abruptly than the top competitors and is harder to control at the grip limit, though it doesn’t cause major issues. This solid mix of ice and wet grip earns Spike 3 a shared second place in the overall standings.

Michelin’s studded tire, launched back in 2018, is now one of the oldest on the market. Despite competitors updating their rubber compounds, the XiN4 remains among the elite in its segment. Michelin impresses by performing exceptionally well across many different areas. No other tire can balance high ice grip with low noise, fuel efficiency, and smooth handling on bare asphalt as effectively as Michelin. The only drawback is its grip on wet asphalt. The driving characteristics are calm, with good straight-line stability on dry roads, though cornering grip is lower than the best, showing a clear understeering balance on all surfaces. High comfort and solid winter grip earn it a shared second place.

Goodyear delivers a consistently high performance across all surfaces. Its braking capabilities are particularly impressive on both winter roads and asphalt. This year, however, the stud protrusion is slightly lower than in previous versions, causing it to lose a few points in the ice tests compared to the very best, though it still performs well. The tread depth is the highest among the group, which may explain why the steering feel is somewhat vague and lacks precision. This is noticeable on all surfaces but is most pronounced on asphalt. Safe and reliable, but other tires offer more driving enjoyment for discerning drivers. With average scores in noise and fuel consumption, it finishes in fourth place, just missing the podium.

Despite a strong overall score, IceContact 3 stands out for an unusual reason—it struggles on ice, a surprising shortcoming for a studded tire. At just 25 km/h, its stopping distance on ice is already a car length behind the top competitors, and this gap increases significantly as speed rises. However, Continental shines on dry roads, delivering class-leading braking distances on both wet and dry asphalt. The steering feel on dry surfaces is also the best, providing calm and predictable behavior in corners or during sudden emergency situations—qualities that carry over to snowy conditions as well. Unfortunately, its ice grip remains a major disappointment.

Nordman, Nokian's more budget-friendly brand, brings an unexpected update this year. With production moved from Russia, the old Nordman 8 has been replaced by the 9, now branded "North." The tread pattern is inherited from the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9, but the rubber compound is harder, likely a deliberate choice to avoid competing with Nokian's top-tier status. On dry surfaces, the Nordman performs on par or even better than the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10, but its winter grip is slightly weaker. It can’t handle the same high cornering speeds and loses grip more suddenly when the limit is reached. The test’s poorest sound comfort secures its sixth-place finish, just behind the premium tires.

Here’s how the studless tire performed when matched against studded tires in the same tests. On rougher ice surfaces, the soft studless tire demonstrated higher cornering grip than studded competitors, but it struggled to regain traction once it lost grip. Ice performance fluctuates with weather conditions. When testing starting and braking on smooth, polished ice, it couldn't match the best studded tires. However, it stands among the top performers on snow. Its soft construction results in a pronounced understeering balance across all surfaces. On asphalt, it feels "sluggish" with reduced lateral stability in driving tests. The dense tread pattern leads to early hydroplaning and extended braking distances on wet roads. This studless tire holds its own on winter roads but loses significant points on asphalt tests.

The Chinese Mazzini Ice Leopard performs much as expected from a budget option. It struggles the most under harsh conditions, with significantly reduced ice grip compared to the more established brands. The turning grip vanishes suddenly, without warning. Even on smooth, polished ice, it fails to outgrip Nokian’s studless tire. The Mazzini performs best on tarmac, where it delivers short braking distances. However, despite the hard rubber compound, straight-line stability and steering feel remain average. In evasive maneuver tests, the tire shows clear skidding tendencies, though they are easy to control. With its limited winter grip, last place is inevitable.