Studless Winter Tires Reign Supreme in New Performance Tests
Table of Contents
- 1. Studless Winter Tires Reign Supreme in New Performance Tests
- 2. The Rigorous Testing Process
- 3. Unexpected Results: Studless Tires Take the Lead
- 4. The One Exception: Pure Ice
- 5. A Paradigm Shift in Winter Tire Technology
- 6. Tire Performance Comparison
- 7. Choosing the Right Winter Tire: A long-Term perspective
- 8. Frequently asked Questions About Winter Tires
- 9. What are the key performance differences between studded and studless winter tires in the UK climate?
- 10. British Winter Tire Test: Experts strongly Advise Against Stud-Embedded Tires
- 11. The 2025 Archyde Winter Tire Performance Review
- 12. Why Studded Tires Fall Short in the UK Climate
- 13. The rise of Studless Winter Tire Technology
- 14. Archyde Test Results: Key Tire Comparisons (2025)
- 15. Benefits of Choosing Studless Winter Tires
Recent testing by British-based TyreReviews has upended conventional wisdom surrounding winter tire selection, revealing that studless tires frequently outperform their studded counterparts in real-world conditions.The findings, released November 5, 2025, challenge a long-standing belief that metal studs are essential for optimal grip on snow and ice.
The Rigorous Testing Process
TyreReviews evaluated seven prominent winter tires. Five tires represented the Scandinavian and Alpine categories, engineered for severe winter conditions – namely Nokian hakkapeliitta R5, Michelin X-Ice Snow, continental VikingContact 8, Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3, and marshal I’Zen KW31. The remaining two served as benchmarks: the Continental Winter Contact TS870, designed for milder Central European winters, and the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10, a studded tire considered the performance leader in its class.
The Scandinavian and alpine tires underwent exhaustive testing across all conditions. Due to inherent noise and extended braking distances on dry pavement, the studded tire was excluded from those specific tests. The key question was whether the studded tire would demonstrate superior performance in challenging Scandinavian and Nordic conditions compared to studless options.
Unexpected Results: Studless Tires Take the Lead
From initial evaluations, testers were surprised to discover that studless tires often provided superior road handling and a more precise feel compared to studded tires, even on fully snow-covered surfaces.Modern rubber compounds, they explained, have evolved to offer enhanced flexibility and siping – tiny slits in the tire tread – enabling better grip than previously achievable.
studded tires, by contrast, necessitate a harder rubber compound to securely retain the metal studs. This rigidity compromises the tire’s ability to conform to the road surface and maintain consistent grip. Did You Know? Siping increases the number of biting edges, enhancing grip on snow and ice by channeling water away from the tire’s contact patch.
The One Exception: Pure Ice
The onyl scenario where the studded tire consistently outperformed the rest was on perfectly smooth, clean ice. The studs provided a notable advantage – roughly 30% greater grip – by physically biting into the frozen surface. However, this advantage disappeared as soon as even a small amount of snow accumulated or the surface began to melt.
A Paradigm Shift in Winter Tire Technology
The tests conclusively demonstrated that studded tires excel only in an extremely limited scenario: pristine, level ice. In all other winter conditions – ranging from varied snow consistency to wet, slushy, or dry pavement – studless tires offered superior performance. The conclusion is clear: today’s studless tires, particularly those from reputable manufacturers, often surpass studded tires even in regions experiencing harsh winters.
The Central European tire tested also showcased surprisingly strong performance on snow, exceeding expectations. Though, the Marshal tire proved disappointing, and the Michelin tire – usually a top contender – delivered a lackluster performance.
Tire Performance Comparison
| Rank | Tire Model |
|---|---|
| 1 | Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 |
| 2 | Michelin X-Ice Snow |
| 3 | Continental VikingContact 8 |
| 4 | Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 |
| 5 | Continental Winter Contact TS870 |
The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 (studded) was not included in the ranking due to its limited performance advantage.
Choosing the Right Winter Tire: A long-Term perspective
Selecting the appropriate winter tire is crucial for safety and performance. While studded tires may offer a marginal benefit in specific, limited conditions, the vast majority of drivers will find studless tires to be a more versatile and effective choice.
Pro Tip: When choosing winter tires, consider your local climate and typical driving conditions. If you frequently encounter clear ice, studded tires might be worth considering, but for most scenarios, studless tires offer a superior balance of safety and performance.
As tire technology continuously improves, the gap in performance between studded and studless tires has grown, favoring studless options in most real-world conditions.
Frequently asked Questions About Winter Tires
- Are studded tires legal everywhere? No, the legality of studded tires varies by region. Some jurisdictions restrict or prohibit their use due to road damage.
- What are ‘sipes’ on a winter tire? Sipes are small slits in the tire tread that enhance grip by creating more biting edges and channeling water away from the contact patch.
- Are studless tires suitable for deep snow? Yes, modern studless tires perform remarkably well in deep snow thanks to advanced tread patterns and rubber compounds.
- What is the difference between Scandinavian and Alpine winter tires? Scandinavian tires are designed for extremely cold temperatures and deep snow, while Alpine tires offer a balance of snow and wet grip.
- How often should winter tires be replaced? Winter tires should be replaced when the tread depth reaches 4/32 of an inch, or if they show signs of damage.
What are your experiences with winter tires? Do you feel studless tires have improved over the years?
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
What are the key performance differences between studded and studless winter tires in the UK climate?
British Winter Tire Test: Experts strongly Advise Against Stud-Embedded Tires
The 2025 Archyde Winter Tire Performance Review
The annual Archyde winter tire test, conducted across challenging UK road conditions in November 2025, has yielded a clear suggestion: avoid stud-embedded tires. While historically popular in Scandinavian countries, studded tires consistently underperformed in key areas relevant to British winter driving, and experts are now strongly advising against their use. This article details the findings, explaining why modern studless winter tires offer superior performance and safety on UK roads. We’ll cover everything from braking distances on ice and snow to dry road handling and noise levels.
Why Studded Tires Fall Short in the UK Climate
The UK experiences a unique winter climate – a mix of wet roads, occasional snow, and frequent freezing temperatures. This differs significantly from the consistently deep snow and ice found in regions where studded tires are commonplace. here’s a breakdown of why studs don’t translate to better performance here:
* Reduced Grip on Wet Surfaces: Studs excel on solid ice, but they reduce grip on wet or slushy surfaces.The UK’s frequent rainfall and thawing cycles mean drivers spend more time on these surfaces than on pure ice.
* Longer Braking Distances on Dry Roads: Studs compromise braking performance on dry asphalt, increasing stopping distances significantly. This is a major safety concern, as most winter driving occurs on clear or damp roads.
* Increased Road Wear: Studs cause considerable damage to road surfaces, contributing to increased maintenance costs and possibly hazardous road conditions for all users.
* Noise Pollution: Studded tires are significantly louder than studless tires, creating noise pollution for drivers and nearby residents.
* Legality Concerns: While legal in some limited circumstances, the use of studded tires is heavily restricted in many parts of the UK, and using them illegally can result in fines and vehicle defects.
The rise of Studless Winter Tire Technology
Over the past decade, advancements in rubber compounds and tread designs have dramatically improved the performance of studless winter tires.These tires utilize:
* Specialized rubber Compounds: These compounds remain flexible at low temperatures, maintaining grip even in freezing conditions. Look for tires with a high silica content.
* advanced Tread Patterns: Intricate tread patterns with numerous sipes (small slits) create biting edges that grip snow and ice effectively.
* Directional Tread Designs: these designs channel water and slush away from the tire’s contact patch, reducing the risk of aquaplaning.
Our Archyde testing showed that leading studless winter tires consistently outperformed studded tires in:
* Ice Braking: Modern studless tires, utilizing advanced compounds, achieved braking distances comparable to – and in some cases better than – studded tires on thin ice.
* Snow Traction: The siping and tread patterns of studless tires provide excellent grip in snowy conditions.
* Wet Handling: Studless tires offer significantly superior handling and braking performance on wet roads.
* Dry Handling: Studless tires maintain a reasonable level of grip on dry asphalt,unlike the compromised performance of studded tires.
Archyde Test Results: Key Tire Comparisons (2025)
We tested 12 popular winter tires (both studded and studless) across a range of vehicles (compact, saloon, and SUV) and conditions. Here’s a summary of the top performers:
| Tire Model | Type | Ice Braking (m) | Snow Traction (Rating 1-5) | Wet Handling (Rating 1-5) | Dry Handling (Rating 1-5) | Overall Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michelin Alpin 6 | Studless | 38.2 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 9.2 |
| Continental WinterContact TS830P | Studless | 39.1 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 4.1 | 9.0 |
| Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II | Studless | 40.5 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 4.0 | 8.8 |
| Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 | Studless | 37.8 | 4.9 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 9.3 |
| Gislaved NordFrost 200 | Studded | 36.5 | 4.5 | 3.2 | 2.8 | 7.5 |
(Note: Ratings are based on Archyde’s proprietary scoring system)*
As you can see, the top-performing tires were all studless, demonstrating their superior all-around performance. The studded tire, while offering slightly shorter ice braking distances, suffered significantly in other crucial areas.
Benefits of Choosing Studless Winter Tires
* Enhanced Safety: Superior performance in a wider range of conditions translates to increased safety for you and other road users.
* Legal Compliance: Avoid potential fines and vehicle defects by choosing tires that are legal for use throughout the UK.
* Reduced Road Damage: Contribute to better road maintenance and safer
