The Best Studded Tires for Winter 2024-2025 by TiresVote.com 2025

The Best Studded Tires for Winter 2024-2025 by TiresVote.com

In our relentless pursuit to ensure that drivers are equipped with the most accurate tire information, TiresVote.com has diligently analyzed hundreds of professional tests and tire ratings from around the world. Our commitment to exhaustive research allows us to curate a compilation of the planet's foremost studded tires for the impending winter season. This nuanced ranking is rooted in our CoreScore, an intricate metric system that amalgamates reviews from everyday users with results from seasoned tire testing experts, ensuring a holistic assessment of overall tire excellence.

The verdicts for each tire are rooted in research, and the results derive from a methodical process of subtraction and elimination, ensuring only the finest studded tires earn place on our esteemed list.

  1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 - Winner Recommended
    Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
    94 58
    · Winter · 2021 · Passenger - Studdable Winter / Snow · Studded · For Nordic Winter x
    Verdict:

    The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 excels in icy terrains, providing formidable grip and responsive handling. Designed for wintry conditions, it ensures stability and confidence for drivers. However, on wet and dry pavements, it occasionally demonstrates delayed steering and is prone to understeer. Despite these challenges, the tire offers remarkable braking performance and is characterized by low noise levels and average rolling resistance.

    • Exceptional grip and handling on icy and snowy surfaces.
    • Responsive to driver’s inputs for efficient maneuvering.
    • Impressive braking performance across terrains.
    • Low noise production for a comfortable drive.

    Results of Professional Tests and Custom Top-Charts:

    • Winner - UTAC: Large Winter Tire Test R16 2023.
    • Winner - Tyre Reviews: Best Studded Winter Tires 2021.
    • Winner - Test World: Large Winter Tire Test R16 2021.
    • Winner - Za Rulem: Studded Winter Tire Test R16 2021.
    • Ranked #3rd - Vi Bilägare: Winter Studded Tire Test R16 2021.
    • Winner - Moottori: Winter Studded Tire Test R16 2021.
    Driving Safety   Ice Handling   Snow Braking   Ice Braking   Subj. Comfort / Noise   Snow Handling   Ice Acceleration   Dry Traction   Rolling Resistance   Wet Handling   Aquaplaning  
    North America North America · Europe Europe
  2. Michelin X-Ice North 4 Recommended
    Michelin X-Ice North 4
    92 52
    · Winter · 2018 · Passenger - Studdable Winter / Snow · Studded · For Nordic Winter x
    Verdict:

    Michelin X-Ice North 4, equipped with a substantial number of spikes, consistently stands out in its performance on icy terrains. It offers reliable handling and maintains a dependable grip. On snow, the tire provides a high safety level. However, multiple tests have highlighted challenges in wet conditions, particularly concerning braking and lateral grip. On dry surfaces, the tire offers stable behavior. It's notable that this tire has often been lauded for low noise levels in various tests.

    • Outstanding grip and handling on icy conditions.
    • Consistent performance on snow.
    • Stable behavior on dry pavements.
    • Frequently mentioned as having low noise levels in various tests.

    Results of Professional Tests and Custom Top-Charts:

    • Winner - Test World: Winter Studded Tire Test R17 (2021).
    • Winner - Vi Bilagare: Studded Winter Tire Test R16 (2021).
    • Winner - Moottori: Winter Studded Tire Test R17 (2020).
    • Winner - Motor: Winter Studded Tire Test R16 (2020).
    • Ranked #2nd - Moottori: Winter Studded Tire Test R16 (2021).
    • Ranked #2nd - Za Rulem: Studded Winter Tire Test R16 (2021).
    • Ranked #2nd - Test World: Winter Tire Test R16 (2020).
    • Ranked #5th - UTAC: Large Winter Tire Test R16 (2023).
    Snow Safety   Noise   Snow Handling   Ice Handling   Ice Traction   Dry Stability   Wet Braking   Wet Lateral Grip   Aquaplaning  
    Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
  3. Continental IceContact 2 Recommended
    Continental IceContact 2
    90 26
    · Winter · 2014 · Passenger - Studdable Winter / Snow · Studded · For Nordic Winter x
    Verdict:

    The Continental IceContact 2 is a studded winter tire engineered for reliable performance on icy and snowy roads. While it offers dependable traction and stability in typical winter conditions, it faces challenges in tests against newer models, particularly in competitive categories. This tire excels in ice handling and snow control, delivering predictable driving dynamics, but its overall ranking reflects some limitations compared to more modern alternatives. Its strong points include solid braking performance on snow, though it underperforms in wet conditions and exhibits slightly higher noise levels typical of studded tires.

    • Reliable grip and stability on ice and snow.
    • Predictable handling with effective snow braking.
    • Higher noise levels due to studded design.
    • Underperforms in wet conditions compared to competitors.

    Results of Professional Tests and Custom Top-Charts:

    • Ranked #5th of 5 – Test World: Winter Studded Tire Test R17 (2021).
    Driving Safety   Snow Braking   Snow Handling   Ice Handling   Wet Performance   Noise   Hydroplaning  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
  4. Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 Recommended
    Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
    88 54
    · Winter · 2021 · Passenger - Studdable Winter / Snow · Studded · For Nordic Winter x
    Verdict:

    The Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 is a studded winter tire designed for drivers seeking reliable performance on snow and ice. It excels in snow braking and ice traction, providing a safe and balanced driving experience. While its ice handling is impressive, slight weaknesses are noted in high-speed maneuvers, and the tire shows limited precision in steering, especially on asphalt. Its strengths include short braking distances across winter surfaces and solid aquaplaning resistance, but its high rolling resistance and reduced efficiency on dry and wet roads hold it back. Ideal for drivers who prioritize winter performance over fuel savings, this tire offers dependable grip and safety.

    • Outstanding braking and handling on snow and ice.
    • Reliable aquaplaning resistance and solid wet braking.
    • Slightly vague steering response and reduced lateral stability on dry surfaces.
    • Higher rolling resistance affects fuel efficiency.

    Results of Professional Tests and Custom Top-Charts:

    • Ranked #4th of 8 - NAF Motor: Studded Winter Tire Test R17 (2025).
    • Ranked #2nd of 11 - UTAC Ivalo: Studded Winter Tire Test R16 (2025).
    • Ranked #14th of 16 - Teknikens Värld: Winter Tire Test R17 (2025).
    • Ranked #3rd of 8 - Vi Bilägare: Winter Studded Tire Test R17 (2024).
    • Ranked #5th of 17 - Aftonbladet: Winter Tire Test R16 (2024).
    • Ranked #3rd of 18 - Teknikens Värld: Big Winter Tire Test R17 (2024).
    Comfort   Snow Handling   Snow Traction   Wet Braking   Ice Braking   Aquaplaning Resistance   Driving Safety   Dry Handling   Rolling Resistance   Steering Response   Wet Performance  
    Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
  5. Continental IceContact 3 Recommended
    Continental IceContact 3
    86 51
    · Winter · 2019 · Passenger - Studdable Winter / Snow · Studded · For Nordic Winter x
    Verdict:

    The Continental IceContact 3 is a studded winter tire that excels in snow and asphalt handling but surprisingly underperforms on ice—an unexpected drawback for a studded tire. While it delivers outstanding braking and steering precision on dry and wet roads, providing stability and comfort, its grip on ice is inconsistent, raising concerns during critical maneuvers. The tire achieves high marks for snow performance, but its elevated rolling resistance impacts fuel efficiency. Despite these mixed results, the IceContact 3 remains a suitable option for drivers prioritizing asphalt and snow performance over ice traction.

    • Exceptional snow handling with precise steering feedback.
    • Superior performance on dry and wet asphalt.
    • Underwhelming ice braking, trailing competitors significantly.
    • Elevated rolling resistance compromises fuel economy.

    Results of Professional Tests and Custom Top-Charts:

    • Ranked #5th of 8 - NAF Motor: Studded Winter Tire Test R17 (2025).
    • Ranked #5th of 11 - UTAC Ivalo: Studded Winter Tire Test R16 (2025).
    • Ranked #15th of 16 - Teknikens Värld: Winter Tire Test R17 (2025).
    • Ranked #5th of 8 - Vi Bilägare: Winter Studded Tire Test R17 (2024).
    • Ranked #2nd of 17 - Aftonbladet: Winter Tire Test R16 (2024).
    • Ranked #12th of 18 - Teknikens Värld: Big Winter Tire Test R17 (2024).
    Snow Braking   Dry Handling   Wet Braking   Noise   Driving Safety   Snow Handling   Ice Handling   Wet Performance   Rolling Resistance   Fuel Economy   Ice Braking  
    Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
  6. Cooper Evolution Winter Recommended
    Cooper Evolution Winter
    84 19
    · Winter · 2017 · Passenger - Studdable Winter / Snow · Studded · For Nordic Winter x
    Verdict:

    The Cooper Evolution Winter is designed for reliable winter performance at an affordable price. It offers dependable snow traction, making it well-suited for snowy terrains. The tire maintains stable handling and short braking distances on snow-covered roads, but it shows some limitations on wet and icy surfaces. With moderate hydroplaning resistance and average noise levels, it offers a comfortable driving experience. While it may not match premium competitors in ice grip or wet braking, the Evolution Winter provides solid value for drivers seeking practical, everyday winter performance without the premium price tag.

    • Reliable snow traction with short braking distances.
    • Stable handling on snow-covered roads.
    • Moderate hydroplaning resistance and acceptable noise levels.
    • Struggles with wet braking and limited ice grip.
    Snow Braking   Comfort   Snow Traction   Noise   Driving Safety   Wet Performance   Fuel Economy   Hydroplaning Resistance   Ice Braking  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada
  7. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 Recommended
    Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    83 52
    · Winter · 2017 · Passenger - Studdable Winter / Snow · Studded · For Nordic Winter x
    Verdict:

    The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 is a studded winter tire recognized for its dependable performance on snow and ice. It offers strong grip and control on winter roads, ensuring stability even during challenging maneuvers. However, it shows some drawbacks on dry pavement, with less responsive handling and higher noise levels compared to premium competitors. While it shines in snowy and icy conditions, the Hakkapeliitta 9’s performance on asphalt leaves room for improvement, making it best suited for drivers prioritizing winter grip over dry-road handling.

    • Superior grip and traction on ice and snow.
    • Reliable control during cornering on winter surfaces.
    • Reduced handling precision on dry pavement.
    • Higher noise levels compared to non-studded alternatives.

    Results of Professional Tests and Custom Top-Charts:

    • Ranked #3rd of 5 – Test World: Winter Studded Tire Test R17 (2021).
    • Ranked #3rd of 8 – Vi Bilägare: Studded Winter Tire Test R16 (2020).
    Snow Handling   Snow Braking   Ice Braking   Ice Handling   Driving Safety   Dry Handling   Comfort   Noise  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
  8. Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2 W429 Recommended
    Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2 W429
    83 40
    · Winter · 2018 · Passenger - Studdable Winter / Snow · Studded · For Nordic Winter x
    Verdict:

    The Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2 W429 is a studded winter tire designed to provide dependable traction on icy and snowy roads. It offers excellent ice braking and lateral grip, maintaining control under most winter conditions. However, it falls short in dry handling and demonstrates reduced responsiveness under load, impacting its overall stability on asphalt. While the tire features low rolling resistance and quiet operation, making it attractive for budget-conscious drivers, it lacks the refined handling of higher-tier competitors.

    • Reliable braking and lateral grip on icy surfaces.
    • Commendable snow handling performance.
    • Delayed steering response and reduced stability on dry pavement.
    • Quiet operation and low rolling resistance.

    Results of Professional Tests and Custom Top-Charts:

    • Ranked #6th of 11 – UTAC Ivalo: Studded Winter Tire Test R16 (2025).
    • Ranked #6th of 8 – Vi Bilägare: Winter Studded Tire Test R17 (2024).
    • Ranked #8th of 17 – Aftonbladet: Winter Tire Test R16 (2024).
    Ice Handling   Rolling Resistance   Noise   Snow Handling   Ice Braking   Dry Braking   Cornering Stability   Dry Handling  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
  9. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic Recommended
    Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic
    82 31
    · Winter · 2012 · Passenger - Studdable Winter / Snow · Studded · For Nordic Winter x
    Verdict:

    The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic is a studded winter tire built to handle extreme cold and icy roads. It provides stable handling on ice and snow, although it ranks behind some competitors in grip and overall responsiveness. The tire performs reliably on snowy surfaces, with good traction and safe handling. However, it struggles with precise steering on dry roads and shows signs of reduced efficiency in lateral grip during critical maneuvers. Despite its drawbacks, it remains a solid option for those seeking dependable winter performance with a focus on safety in icy conditions.

    • Stable handling on ice and snow with good traction.
    • Reliable performance in winter conditions with safe braking.
    • Struggles with precise steering and lateral grip on dry pavement.
    • Well-suited for icy terrains but less effective on dry asphalt.

    Results of Professional Tests and Custom Top-Charts:

    • Ranked #4th of 5 – Test World: Winter Studded Tire Test R17 (2021).
    Ice Handling   Snow Handling   Snow Traction   Ice Braking   Steering Response   Cornering Stability   Dry Handling  
    Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
Year
2025
Max Score, points
100
Season
Winter
Auto Type
Passenger
List Type
Top Chart
Region
USA+, Canada, Europe, Russia+
Date added
Sep 26, 2023
Date updated
Oct 30, 2024

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