The best winter tires R15

For safe and comfortable driving on snow and ice, summer tires are changed to special ones that can withstand low temperatures and strong shock loads. Such rubber can be both studded and non-studded. We analyzed the market offers and prepared a rating that included the best R15 winter tires according to customer reviews. The TOP describes all the advantages and possible disadvantages of each model, which should minimize mistakes when choosing.

Winter tires R15 which company is better to choose

In winter, the car most of all needs high-quality rubber, which is largely responsible for overall traffic safety. A lot of companies make good R15 tires, but only a few manufacturers make the best tires. Every driver needs to know good brands of tires, with which it is not scary to drive either in heavy snow or on an icy track.

Here are the TOP 7 winter tire manufacturers:

• Nokian - a brand "originally" from Finland with numerous production facilities, including in Russia. The uniqueness of the company lies in its focus on all northern countries with a harsh climate. A special rubber compound improves traction on icy, snowy roads and reduces rolling resistance.
• Pirelli Is a company focused on the production of innovative tires. The company has a research center and constantly collaborates with universities, which has helped to improve the running characteristics of products. Its products are characterized by consistently high wear resistance, elasticity, resistance to low temperatures and a modern tread pattern.
• Goodyear - a leader in the implementation of innovations, including: FuelSaving for fuel economy, a unique lightweight structure, efficient channels for water drainage, a special CoolCushion coating, etc. All this together allows you to reduce rolling resistance by 15%, provide excellent handling on a wet road and shorten the braking distance. The approximate fuel economy is 1.5-2%.
• Gislaved Is a Swedish company that manufactures tires for harsh climatic conditions. The tires of the manufacturer tolerate temperature extremes well and always confidently hold on to ice-covered tracks. They do not need to be "warmed up", immediately after the start of the movement, the tires give the car reliable grip. The company's products are in great demand in Siberia and other northern regions of Russia.
• Bridgestone Is a Japanese company producing tires with steel cords for various purposes and seasons. The assortment of the company includes studless winter tires R15 made of special microporous rubber, which improves the quality of grip throughout the entire period of use of the product. In addition, they have good load distribution, which has a positive effect on optimized rolling and fuel consumption.
• Yokohama - a company from Japan, which belongs to the market leaders in the production of tires for cars. The brand's catalog contains both premium models and representatives of the economy class. Regardless of the price point, the products guarantee excellent grip and effective braking on difficult surfaces. Special tread patterns allow the wheel to confidently hold the road and prevent slipping and skidding.
• Toyo - a popular manufacturer of rubber for luxury cars. The tires of the company provide a comfortable ride on the road with maximum noise comfort.Due to the unique tread patterns, the tires are distinguished by good running characteristics on wet surfaces and during slush. Toyo products are focused on high-speed off-road driving. In addition to responsive handling, the rubber features abrasion resistance and a spiral cords to reduce deforming loads.

Best Chinese Tires

Rating of the best winter tires R15

Due to the variety of tires, it is quite difficult to choose the optimal model for a car. To correctly distribute the best and mediocre tires, you need to take into account all their characteristics - type (studded or non-studded), profile, dimensions, rubber composition, speed and load index.

When compiling the rating, it was taken into account:

• Resistance of the rubber compound to low temperatures;
• The quality of adhesion to the road surface;
• Low noise level;
• Ease of control and vehicle obedience;
• Efficiency of moisture and slush removal from the contact spot;
• Safe movement on ice - no skidding when cornering and at high speed;
• Durability of rubber, that is, its resistance to abrasion in contact with the roadway;
• Easy to replace.

In addition to the basic parameters of tires, the selection was significantly influenced by owner reviews, expert reviews, as well as an acceptable price-performance ratio.

The best budget winter tires

The best winter studded tires R15

The spikes on the rubber significantly improve the traction on slippery surfaces. If you often need to move on ice or muddy snow, then you should buy just such tires. Taking into account all the performance characteristics, 4 best models were selected for the rating.

Nokian Tires Nordman 5 195/65 R15 95T

These are the best mid-price R15 winter tires for SUVs and 4WD vehicles. Thanks to the system of directional four-sided studs, the rubber provides a reliable grip on the track. Due to its strength, the rubber is quite comfortable when driving and is highly wear-resistant. A car with Nokian tires can easily overcome snowy roads and ice, while being responsive on asphalt.

The tread is based on a double block pattern in the central area and large blocks in the shoulder area. Wide lamellas make it easy to remove large volumes of water from the contact spot. To prevent dense snow from clogging the grooves, the company polishes them, reducing the friction force and simplifying the removal of moisture.

Advantages

• High traction ability when driving in deep snow;
• Soft move;
• Stable and predictable behavior at low temperatures;
• Confidently "holds" the road and does not scour;
• Low rolling resistance (consumption is almost equal to summer tires).

disadvantages

• Some noise appears at a speed of 100 km / h;
• By the end of the season, with active use, up to 10% of the thorns may fall out.

Consider slightly longer braking distances on clean asphalt. Already at a speed of about 60 km / h the first time you can not stop at the line at the intersection. To compensate for this, it is better to start braking a couple of seconds earlier than on summer tires.

Pirelli Ice Zero 195/65 R15 95T

These are tires for cars with powerful engines of different price classes, they are also suitable for crossovers and SUVs. At the heart of the model are double-cored studs that provide first-class grip throughout the entire life cycle, right up to the complete abrasion of the tread. On clean asphalt, transport behaves well, and noise is a natural manifestation of studding.

Dual Stud technology has resulted in increased stud length and number of edges for greater ride safety. Thanks to the use of tungsten carbide, the hooks are durable, wear-resistant and able to withstand strong shock loads.The V-shaped tread pattern is positively manifested on surfaces with poor grip. The abundance of drainage grooves gives the rubber a high resistance to aquaplaning.

Advantages

• Effective grip on any road surface;
• The quality of braking is not inferior to summer tires and Velcro;
• The rubber is soft, it compensates well for the shortcomings of the road;
• Strong fastening of thorns, if they fall out during the season, then only a few pieces;
• There are many slush slats.

disadvantages

• There is noise at a speed of 80 km / h and above;
• Slightly increased softness in warm weather.

The tires are suitable for driving at high speeds, the maximum value is 190 km / h. With them, you can drive absolutely comfortably and safely at speeds up to 160 km / h. Rubber has no tendency to drift or anything like that.

Goodyear Ultragrip 600 195/65 R15 95T

These mid-priced tires are aimed at passenger cars in active use. Distinctive features of the model: high grip qualities, increased cross-country ability and fast braking. Compared with the previous modification of the Ultragrip 500, the tires in question are made from a higher quality rubber compound.

The innovation is reflected in a 7% reduction in braking and a 16% increase in durability. The tread pattern is based on wide blocks with 3D wave-shaped sipes that form edges for better grip. Sawtooth lugs in the shoulder areas improve snow flotation and stability on ice.

Advantages

• Effective drainage system;
• Stable and predictable behavior on wet and slippery roads;
• Optimal stud height - balance between softness and noise;
• Resistant to wear and tear;
• Reliable fastening of hooks in rubber.

disadvantages

• Longer braking distances on ice.

Goodyear R15 winter studded tires are not recommended for extreme and fast driving. There are two reasons for this - braking on slippery surfaces is more difficult than on asphalt, and the body may also slightly sway.

Gislaved Nord Frost 200 195/65 R15 95T

Testing of these winter tires was carried out in frosty Sweden, so they are also adapted for cold regions of Russia. To improve grip on ice, the tires are embedded with Eco Tri-Star studs, which guarantees reliable grip on slippery surfaces in all directions.

The carbide insert provides more predictable behavior than conventional tapered elements. To prevent skidding and slipping due to crumbling ice chips, the rubber has special grooves near the studs. The tread pattern is asymmetric and is equipped with 3-dimensional sipes, which increase the quality of control on any surface, optimizing braking on snow and ice.

Advantages

• Exchange rate stability;
• Moderate noise level;
• Reliable fastening of spikes;
• Excellent cross-country ability on snow;
• Soft rubber, which is comfortable to ride on both ice and asphalt.

disadvantages

• Slightly "drives" on icy roads.

A car with Gislaved tires easily drives off the ice and gets under way even on a snowy slurry without slipping, you just need to gently press the gas pedal and the car will calmly leave a place of any difficulty.

The best winter studless tires R15

The lack of studding has a positive effect on the acoustic ride comfort, but negatively affects the traction on slippery surfaces. If the winter is mild in the region of residence and most of the cold season you have to drive on asphalt, then it is better to prefer tires without hooks. The R15 winter tire rating is supplemented by studless analogs in the amount of 3 models.

Bridgestone Blizzak VRX 195/65 R15 91S

These are soft and quiet tires, thanks to which the car rides confidently on a snowy slush and keeps well on ice. The model is characterized by stability on the road of any type and confident handling. The tires are adapted for high speed, therefore, with sufficient comfort, they can accelerate to 150 km / h.

They are based on a microporous rubber compound with an abrasive filler; this technology promotes better moisture removal and shows better grip characteristics on slippery surfaces. The asymmetrical tread pattern with S-shaped sipes is responsible for the high traction of the rubber on wet and icy roads.

Advantages

• Brakes quickly both on ice and snow;
• High cross-country ability;
• Strong sidewalls;
• Wear-resistant rubber;
• Soft, smooth running without noise and vibration.

disadvantages

• Easy yaw at high speeds.

An important nuance of rubber is a long run-in, for which you need to drive about 1500 km. Despite the duration of this process, even in a new state, the tires allow you to move comfortably not only in the city, but also on highways.

Yokohama Ice Guard IG50 + 185/65 R15 88Q

Yokohama R15 winter studded tires are aimed at passenger cars of all price classes. They provide good traction on ice, predictable handling on snow and fuel economy. The tires have an asymmetric tread pattern. The central part of the rubber with a large contact patch is responsible for timely braking and quick water drainage. The shoulder part, made up of large grooves and rigid blocks, improves traction on a snow-covered track, as it has an “edge effect”. The special formula of the water-absorbing mixture guarantees confident grip on icy and wet roads.

Advantages

• Soft move;
• Acoustic comfort;
• Easily overcomes the rut;
• Excellent cross-country ability on snow;
• Economical fuel consumption.

disadvantages

• Dislikes sudden movements: turns, braking and acceleration.

The peculiarity of soft rubber is the deterioration of traction with the track after the temperature rises to 10 ° C and higher. It is important to change tires for summer tires in a timely manner, otherwise it will not be very comfortable to ride at speeds above 60 km / h.

Toyo Observe GSi-5 195/65 R15 91Q

In the production of such tires, an innovative lamination technology is used for comfortable movement on snow, ice, slush, and it is also responsible for high wear resistance. Directional tread pattern includes longitudinal and lateral grooves for snow evacuation and better grip on ice. Smaller sipes improve the traction characteristics of the car, but are effective only on tires with low mileage. The Snow Claw system guarantees a comfortable ride on heavily snowy roads and increases the rigidity of the rubber blocks. The swept shape of the tire ridges helps maintain control over the movement of the car in ruts.

Advantages

• The car easily comes out of the snowdrifts;
• Virtually silent;
• Predictable and responsive controls
• The track is practically not felt;
• Wear resistant rubber.

disadvantages

• Excessive softness after exceeding the temperature of 0 degrees.

If you adhere to the established speed limit, the car does not lose controllability in any conditions. True, on the ice you need to be a little more careful, but on the snow and slush it goes easily.

Which winter tires R15 is better to buy

Choosing between studded rubber and Velcro, you need to focus on the climate. For a region with mild weather conditions, without severe frosts, where most of the time you have to drive on asphalt, ordinary tires are better suited, they do not make noise and have good cross-country ability on snow. Studded car tires are ideal for use on ice, their hooks knock out small holes in the icy and securely fix the car on the road. On the other hand, the protruding elements add stiffness and noise, and the sound increases with acceleration.

Here are some tips for buying rubber:

• For villagers, frequent off-road travel and travelers who own crossovers and jeeps, there is nothing better than Nokian Tires Nordman 5 195/65 R15 95T. Their cross-country ability and stability on the road are striking, but on the asphalt they behave a little worse.
• Fans of high-speed driving in the cold season should take a closer look at the Pirelli Ice Zero 195/65 R15 95T. The main advantage of rubber is its stable behavior on all types of surfaces.
• If you want to take durable tires that will last for at least 3 seasons, it is better to buy Goodyear Ultragrip 600 195/65 R15 95T. These durable tires are ideal for urban conditions, completely safe and comfortable when driving on asphalt.
• If a vehicle's cross-country ability is a priority, then the Gislaved Nord Frost 200 195/65 R15 95T tires will be an excellent option. They allow you to overcome high bumps and show themselves positively on ice covered with snow.
• For a comfortable ride and reliable traction, it is appropriate to choose Bridgestone Blizzak VRX 195/65 R15 91S. These studless tires are safe even on ice.
• Yokohama Ice Guard IG50 + 185/65 R15 88Q is a soft, economical rubber with high performance. Features of the tread pattern ensure tire wear resistance and their stability on the tracks.
• For city dwellers who value travel safety, it is better to buy a Toyo Observe GSi-5 195/65 R15 91Q. The quality of car handling with this rubber is practically not inferior to summer tires in the warm season.

When choosing which winter R15 studded tires to buy, you should focus on the quality of movement on ice and asphalt, as well as the strength of the stud attachment and the level of noise emitted. All models with hooks produce a distinctive sound, but their strength is different. Non-studded rubber is worth taking because of the same ride comfort on mixed types of surfaces, due to good cross-country ability and durability.