Which winter tires should you choose? Nokian Tyres provides a few pointers to simplify the choice between studded tires and non-studded tires.
Nokian Tyres studded tires have small stainless steel studs embedded in the tread that bite into icy surfaces, giving you maximum grip in extreme winter conditions.
Non-studded winter tires use advanced rubber compounds and tread designs to stay flexible and provide strong traction on snow and slush.
Both are designed for winter, but studs are best for consistently icy roads, while non-studded is more for snowy roads that only experience ice occasionally. Watch our video on TikTok or here on YouTube Shorts to learn more:
Take a moment to think about the key question related to choosing winter tires: studded or non-studded? Now, consider the following questions:
- How much do you drive in the winter?
- What sorts of roads do you regularly drive on?
- What are you like as a driver, and do you have a lot of winter experience?
- Do you sometimes use public transport, or do you always need your own car?
- Is your car equipped with special safety accessories (stability and traction control, ABS brakes)?
Nokian Tyres wants to help you simplify the choice between studded and non-studded tires. And whichever you pick, it's important to remember that winter driving takes skill. A predictable and calm driving style, the correct speed, and relaxed schedules improve safety and comfort of winter driving.
Snowy or icy roads?
If you drive more on icy roads than on snowy ones in winter, studded tires are the choice for you. Studded tires are especially suitable if you live near the coast, where roads tend to be icy during the winter. Non-studded winter tires are a good choice for snowy roads.
Wet ice and packed snow
If you have non-studded winter tires, you need to be particularly careful at crossroads, intersections , and bends in the road where there may be wet ice or hard-packed snow. Studded tires are superior to non-studded winter tires on wet ice and hard-packed snow.
Quiet tires
If you appreciate tires that are quiet on bare roads, non-studded winter tires are the right choice for you.
Unpredictable autumn conditions
Non-studded winter tires can be mounted earlier in the autumn than studded tires. Once you have mounted non-studded winter tires, you don't need to worry about rapidly changing road conditions during the fall season. Non-studded winter tires are also a good choice in spring, when temperature changes can be surprisingly rapid.
Non-studded winter tires all-year round?
Coarse spring roads can be particularly wearing on all tires, and non-studded winter tires are primarily designed and intended for winter use. Non-studded winter tires that have been unevenly worn by coarse spring roads are no match for good all-season tires. Therefore we do not recommend the use of non-studded winter tires as all-season tires. All season tires are the safest and most economic choice for summer driving.
Ready for a new set of winter tires? Consult a Nokian Tyres dealer near you:
Please remember that it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure their tires are safe and suitable for their vehicle and to follow the vehicle’s manufacturer´s guidelines for proper use and maintenance. Consult your closest Nokian Tyres dealer or your vehicle’s manufacturer for specific advice.
