Rating of the best winter tires 2024 for Russian roads

There is very little time left before winter, so it is time for every motorist to think about winter tires. After all, it is on the selected type of rubber that with the onset of cold weather will depend not only on the safety of the driver in icy conditions and heavy rainfall, but also on the comfortable driving on domestic roads. Considering many important factors, we have compiled a rating of the best winter tires 2024 for Russian roads.

How to choose

Before settling on any particular brand, you must first understand the type that will suit your situation.
There can be two varieties:

• Studded. Suitable for areas where the driver regularly needs to deal with ice and heavy rainfall during winter. The spikes on the tires are designed to cut into the road surface and thus allow the driver to avoid slipping. The disadvantage of these tires is that they are very damaging to the asphalt.
• Frictional or Velcro. They do not have studs, but are distinguished by greater siping of the tread blocks. Adhesion to dry asphalt with Velcro is worse than spiked rubber.

Other selection criteria

There are some important tips that drivers shouldn't forget:

• If a driver decides to give preference to all-season Russian R14 tires, instead of getting even inexpensive winter tires, he must understand that such a decision can be very risky. Universal tires for all seasons harden faster, since they are not made of such flexible rubber as winter tires. Subsequently, "all-season" badly adhered to the road surface, and driving on ice or snow will be more difficult.
• In order not to get confused when choosing, you need to pay attention to the designations that are on the side of the tire. They will help you determine what weather conditions are optimal for a given tire type.
• It is necessary to pay attention to the tests and reviews of experienced motorists, they carry out tests for rubber in various areas, including on wet and dry asphalt. The tests are characterized by measuring acceleration, fuel consumption and noise. The braking properties and comfort conditions for a certain type of tire are also determined.

Winter roads

Before thinking about which company is better to choose tires for the winter season, you need to decide what type of roads prevails in the area where the car is constantly located, for example, icy or snowy asphalt, slush or ordinary dry surface.

If rubber is selected for a car that constantly drives in a mild winter in a city where road services work stably and well, then frictional ones will come in handy, driving with them will be more comfortable, and the road surface is more intact.

But in northern winter conditions, with poorly cleaned roads and frequent driving on unpaved and off-road surfaces, it is better to stop your choice on rubber with spikes, and of the best quality, because the safety and ease of use of the vehicle depend on it.

Driving style

For drivers who prefer a calm, slow ride, friction tires are suitable, but reckless drivers with an aggressive driving style, frequent abrupt starts and choosing speed modes are definitely better off using studded tires.

Experience

Beginners driving better take a closer look at rubber with spikes, they are safer and will help to avoid many critical situations on the road. And for drivers who are confident in their professionalism with good driving experience, Velcro will be just right.

Standard size

After the type of tires you need is determined, you need to start choosing the size for your car and wheels. In order not to guess for a long time, you can use the recommendations of the manufacturers, they are usually displayed on the tires themselves next to the indices.

Indexes

There are two indices that you need to determine for yourself before buying winter tires.

• Speed ​​index. For each type of tire, it is determined at the test drive stage and later marked on the rubber itself. This is a parameter of the maximum permissible speed limit to ensure safety and gentle operation. If, while driving, the speed is exceeded above the parameter value, there is a risk of an accident, as well as early wear and deformation of the tires.

The speed indices assigned to different types of rubber can be as follows:

• T (up to 190 km / h) - typical for studded tires.

All other indices are assigned, as a rule, to different types of Velcro:

• S - up to 180 km / h;
• R - up to 170 km / h;
• Q - up to 160 km / h;
• H - up to 210 km / h;
• V - up to 240 km / h;
• W - up to 270 km / h.

2. Next to the first index, an index is usually indicated, which determines the permissible load. It is calculated based on the maximum possible weight of the car. For passenger cars, this figure is not as important as for crossovers or SUVs.

By price

When all the other selection criteria are determined, you can pay attention to the cost of the most suitable brand in all respects.

Sales statistics

According to the indicators of previous years, it is clear that motorists for the winter period largely prefer studded models - almost 75%. Velcro usually accounts for about a quarter of total sales each year.

average price

Popular models of winter tires can be divided into three pricing classes:

1. Budgetary - inexpensive, with different functionality and level of quality, they can do within:

• R14 up to RUB 2500;
• R15 up to 3000 rubles;
• R16 up to 4000 rubles;
• R17 up to RUB 6000

2. Middle class. Here, the minimum cost starts from 3000 rubles and can go up to 8000 rubles.
3. Premium class - these are the most expensive and high-quality tires from well-known brands, the range of their pricing policy can be in the range of 4000-10000 rubles. the country and the popularity of the manufacturer's models are affected.

Video tips on how to make the right choice of winter tires:

Quality winter tires rating

NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA R2 SUV

A new product from the Finnish manufacturer for SUVs and crossovers. In this model, it is possible to emphasize good braking properties on almost any road surface. All the advantages of a similar product for cars are present, but other properties are also noticeably improved. They are distinguished by a symmetrical tread with crystal particles in the rubber, the number of sipes is increased, ideal for driving in any winter conditions.

How much it costs - 10,800 rubles.

• Good road holding;
• you can not be afraid of falling into a rut;
• confident braking on any kind of asphalt;
• excellent handling;
• almost silent;
• rather soft;
• the sidewall is durable;
• reliability;
• long service life.

• There is a slight yaw on the asphalt;
• price;
• designed more for urban conditions.

A professional review of the tires of this brand - in the video:

GOODYEAR ULTRA GRIP ICE 2

Considered ideal based on the ratio of the two parameters, affordable price for good quality. Production - Poland. Excellent braking properties are noted as for Velcro.

In the world market, they have established themselves as a reliable, durable and safe product. Modernized technologies, which were successfully used in previous models and innovations, made GOODYEAR ULTRA GRIP ICE 2 tires in demand among motorists throughout Russia.

Price - 5600 rubles.

Video overview of characteristics:

• Directional tread pattern;
• thoughtful arrangement of hybrid lamellas;
• excellent self-cleaning;
• optimized tread pressure;
• confident acceleration.

• Acoustic discomfort in case of unevenness on the road surface;
• Sidewall fineness.

Bridgestone Blizzak Revo GZ

One of the most popular models among domestic motorists, with above average quality at an affordable price. When creating, a modern rubber compound was used, as a result of which the rubber has a microporous structure, which is capable of breaking a thin water film, thereby increasing the grip of the wheels on wet surfaces.

The unique tread pattern has an asymmetrical design. Due to the small grooves, excess water cannot get to the contact patch and thus the aquaplaning effect is prevented, which means greater safety when driving on wet road surfaces.

Average price - 6500 rubles.

• Excellent traction and grip on wet roads;
• good directional stability in different driving modes, including speed and maneuvering;
• comfort with low noise and vibration;
• short braking distance regardless of environmental conditions and the quality of the road surface;
• modest fuel consumption when driving at high speed.

• Low lateral grip on ice;
• weak braking on wet asphalt.

Michelin alpin 5

The novelty from the French brand is focused on use in regions with mild winters. The main emphasis is made to ensure increased safety when driving, these tires are not suitable for driving on ice, but they will perform well on wet and snowy asphalt.

The Michelin A5 features a high grooved directional pattern that helps create its own footprint on the snow and provides increased stability. The location of the lateral grooves in the shoulder areas contributes to effective water drainage and reduces the risk of aquaplaning. And the multiple sipes improve traction on snow.

Average price up to 9,000 rubles.

• Good grip;
• A rubber compound with a high content of silicon-containing components, providing elasticity at low temperatures;
• The increased number of tread blocks provides excellent traction when driving on snowy roads;

• Not intended for driving on ice;
• Noisy;
• Price.

Review of Michelin Alpin 5 winter tires - in video:

Michelin X-Ice Xi3

It is appreciated for the stability of performance in all criteria in any winter conditions. The manufacturing company is located in France and deservedly ranks among the leaders in the production of car tires. This model is a novelty that includes a complex of innovative technologies. Manufacturers have managed to implement the “Smart Spike” concept and have created a truly unique product.

The inner tread layer consists of a thermoactive rubber compound that can change its elasticity under the influence of the environment. Ice crumbs are removed using Ice Powder Remover technology, which is a system of 6 wells around each spike, which absorb the crumbs into themselves. The cleat is designed as a cylinder with a tapered tip on a wide base, which provides a more reliable fixation of the cleat.

Price - up to 8500 rubles.

• Shows itself well on snowy road surfaces;
• Excellent handling;
• Braking performance at a high level;
• Exchange rate stability;
• Comfort in operation;
• Good cross-country ability;
• Quiet work.

• Grip and directional stability on ice are still rather weak;
• Increased fuel consumption.

Professional assessment of the merits and demerits of these tires - in the video:

Hankook W419 iPike RS

The manufacturer of these tires is one of the top companies in this field from South Korea. The tires of this model have a V-shaped directional symmetrical tread, it consists of three longitudinal rows, which provide directional stability and grip on winter road surfaces.

Also on the tread on each side there are separate shoulder blocks that are responsible for cross-country ability on a snowy road. The rubber compound used in this model does not lose its elasticity even at rather low temperatures; it contains silicon, which helps to improve adhesion to asphalt.

Average price - up to 6000 rubles.

• Excellent braking performance on any road surface;
• Good grip when driving on rolled and light snow cover;
• Exchange rate stability;
• Long service life.

• Not suitable for driving on slush or high snow;
• uncomfortable noise is present.

Dunlop SP Winter Ice02

This English brand is the oldest in the tire industry. It is renowned for its constant innovation in this segment and therefore the new development will undoubtedly delight many motorists.

The first thing that can be noticed is the unique quirky tread pattern, which consists of a large number of drainage grooves located against the traffic and at an acute angle. The tires guarantee resistance to slipping on the snow, and the studs, which are located in 16 rows, provide optimal grip on ice.

Price - up to 7500 rubles.

• Excellent braking on a snowy road;
• Normal cross-country ability.

• On ice, grip is poor;
• Not very good braking when driving on wet asphalt;
• Noise;
• Perceptible fuel consumption.

Video review of Dunlop SP Winter Ice02 rubber:

Continental ContiIceContact 2

This is an upgraded model of one of the most popular products from German manufacturers. The number of studs in a new tire reaches almost two hundred. Clever studs are designed with smaller dimensions to minimize damaging impact on the road surface.

Also, in the manufacture of the spikes, an even more reliable adhesive was used, which is able to withstand a greater load than the previous model of the brand. The rubber compound is also of improved quality, which allows the tire to remain flexible over an extended temperature range.

Price - up to 11,000 rubles.

• Excellent braking performance in all conditions;
• Good grip on ice and snow
• Comfort in management;
• Passability;
• Silence.

• Cost.

A detailed video review of this rubber:

Types of winter tires

1. Rubber with a directional image on the tread means increased and lateral stability of the car. Also, such tires, as a rule, have very good aquaplaning resistance, due to the fact that the pattern structure contributes to the timely and high-quality drainage of water from the place of contact between the tire and wet asphalt. This type of tire has a significant drawback - they are installed on a strictly defined side of the machine.
2. With the omnidirectional image, things are a little different, these are versatile and affordable models. They are easy to operate and can be installed on either side of the machine. However, for the winter season, tires with a non-directional pattern are practically not produced.
3. For off-road treads, the tire treads are distinguished by large blocks that are at a noticeable distance, the sipes are wide and deep with an orientation mainly across the tire. This is done so that the vehicle has the possibility of high cross-country ability.
4. But for high-speed tires, the treads look, on the contrary, with a large number of compact and low blocks and shallow sipes. The character of the image in such tires is mainly directional, there are also deep discharge channels located longitudinally, which contributes to a more tangible directional stability.
5. Symmetrical tread is typical for versatile inexpensive models, without any special advantages or disadvantages, the indicators for all characteristics are usually average.
6. But if the protector is asymmetrical, then it combines quite a few different qualities. The blocks of such a protector consist of two parts, each of which is responsible for its own area of ​​action. Both parts can also differ in rubber stiffness to achieve better lateral stability when cornering and changing lanes. Such tires have drawbacks - the contact area with the road is smaller, which means that the effectiveness of the properties of each part of the tire also decreases, moreover, due to the complexity of production, models with an asymmetric image are quite expensive.

Which is better to buy

Based on what characteristics to make a choice, we described above. For motorists living in standard winter conditions of the Russian Federation, who want to purchase a model of winter tires that is optimal in terms of cost and compliance with the usual characteristics for this area, while preferring to drive at a moderate speed, tires with a directional symmetric tread pattern for off-road driving are ideal.

Run flat

This is a technology that is used in the manufacture of tires for medium and premium classes, thanks to which a car will be able to drive even with a complete loss of pressure in the wheel in case of force majeure. The presence of this technology in the tire can be determined by the thickened side tires, which differ in the heat-resistant rubber composition. Thanks to this design, the weight of the car is held by the rest of the wheels, preventing the flat tire from deforming.

When is it better to change shoes

According to the recommendations from tire manufacturers, it is necessary to switch to winter tires when the average daily air temperature is kept at around 5-7 degrees for several days.