With the approaching cold season, winter tires are on the agenda of the car owner. Choosing the right tires is necessary not only among the many models and manufacturers, but also taking into account the efficiency and individual conditions.
Features of the use of studded rubber in winter
Any automotive expert will tell you that the comparison itself - spikes or Velcro - is flawed. According to the principle of operation, these are wheels of two different systems. Additional protruding elements built into the tire body have proven themselves well on roads with rolled snow or with a dense ice crust.
It is not uncommon for a different situation to arise during the winter. Due to a sudden thaw or after active application of reagents, a snow slurry is observed on the asphalt, or there is a layer of melt water at all.
Different conditions allow you to reveal the pros and cons of studded tires. In the offset of studded wheels, the following indicators say:
- The main disadvantage of studded tires is their increased noise level. As soon as the car drives out onto clean asphalt, the intrusive noise haunts you constantly. In addition, other disadvantages stand out:
Deceleration efficiency. This indicator is especially noticeable on ice cover. In case of exceeding the height of the spike by 0.1 mm from the standard, an additional reduction is up to 3% per one share.
Accelerating dynamics. The performance is improved with better grip on ice.
Limiting efficiency by temperature. It is noted that at a web temperature of less than -20 ° C, a sharp decrease in adhesion properties is noted.
Wet or clean asphalt. Studs protruding as an interlayer prevent effective braking and normal grip of the tire with the road.
Do not forget that it is forbidden to use studded tires in the warm season, while this rule does not apply to winter wheels. In addition, studded tires have a limited resource and will not last 4-5 seasons.
Features of Scandinavian type rubber in winter
As you know, in the Scandinavian countries, road reagents are practically not used. On a cleared snow-covered road, other means of wheel-to-road traction are required. To answer the question, which is better than spikes or Velcro, you need to understand how the tread works. In the process of movement, individual blocks not only push through the snow cover, but also increase the contact patch when expanding.
Additionally, Velcro rubber has the following advantages:
High softness and elasticity due to the use of natural rubber. Properties are maintained over a high temperature range.
Low rolling resistance. Thanks to this indicator, Velcro tires demonstrate excellent fuel efficiency even on snowy roads.
Noise level. When driving on a snowy flooring, it will only annoy the crunch of snowflakes in the cold.
Taking into account the use of natural rubber, you should not use a new tire in the summer and on clean asphalt. Emergency braking and unnecessary acceleration lead to accelerated tread wear. And when the height of the pattern approaches the critical value of 4 mm, the protruding elements cannot effectively push through the snow crust - the advantages of velcro are lost.
Which is better than spikes or Velcro - what the tests say
Taking into account the above features, in resolving the dispute, which is better in winter, spikes or Velcro, the main thing is still the effectiveness of braking. Specialists in winter tires note that more equal conditions for the two types of tires are frost at the level of "-15 ° C".
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In other conditions, the alignment is as follows:
In warmer weather, studded wheels will be effective. Rough ice will help to keep some efficiency for "Scandinavians".
With a decrease in temperature, Velcro winter tires will perform better. True, even in frosty under the rays of the sun, a thin layer of water will play against the "stickies".
Winter ice road test results
For comparison, which is better - Velcro or spike, reflect the results of two tires from the same manufacturer. The spiked Michlen X-Ice North tires oppose the Michelin X-Ice 2. Braking results from 50 to 5 km / h at various temperatures are shown:
- Frost -19 ° С. The braking distance is 30.3 m for Velcro versus 40.1 m for studded tires.
- Temperature -13 ° C. Braking distance: 33.2 m and 37.7 m, respectively.
- Light frost -5 ° С. Indicators: 56.5 m and 33.2 m, respectively.
Thaw -1 ° С. Indicator: 86.7 and 33.7 meters.
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As you can see, it becomes simply unsafe to use Velcro winter tires on wet ice surfaces. At the same time, the thorns definitely lose on ice during frost.
How rubber behaves on dry asphalt
Driving on clean, dry asphalt in winter is rare and therefore not often judged about the superiority of a particular type of rubber. However, Velcro rubber is said to be the best option for a clean finish.
Taking into account the design on dry asphalt, one should expect a slight decrease in the controllability of studded tires, an increase in the braking distance.
Tire test results show the following performance in different disciplines for two classes of tires:
Braking from 80 km / h to a stop. The braking distance for the "linden" is from 33.1 m to 41.1 m, and for the spikes - from 35.3 m to 38.7 m.
When performing the exercise "rearrangement" the spread is also close: 62.4-60.0 km / h for studded tires, 63.7-59.7 km / h for stickies.
As you can see, the results are not completely contrasting. In practice, the best winter tires, Velcro, will outperform studded tires. But the best spiked designs outperform the budget Scandinavian type rubber.
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TOP 5 modern Scandinavian tires
Given the variety of models, it is difficult to single out a leader among the Scandinavian tires. It is more convenient to name individual models in different nominations and choose Velcro for the winter, taking into account your own preferences:
Best rating. The Continental Conti Viking Contakt tire with index 6, in addition to excellent performance on snow, has good lateral grip and braking performance on ice. The price for a sample for the dimension of 16 inches will not exceed 6 thousand rubles.
We take into account the reviews. The Dunlop SP Winter Maxx model has no significant drawbacks, and is recognized as an excellent option for every day for urban conditions. Among the advantages are low noise, economy, predictable behavior in any weather. The price for a 16-inch wheel is about 6 thousand rubles.
Famous brand. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 tire. Has some complaints about the behavior on the asphalt. The price exceeds the indicator of 7.3 thousand rubles. for dimension 16 inches.
For those with four-wheel drive
As you know, all-wheel drive cars are more obedient in the normal cycle, but unpredictable in critical situations. It is better to use tires with balanced properties here.
The Pirelli Ice Zero model is classified as an alternative. It has balanced properties, and only slightly inferior to its rivals in terms of lateral stability on ice. The price is also average - about 5.2 thousand for dimension 16 (in inches).
TOP 5 modern studded tires
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Among the studded models, there are also leaders in their nominations:
Positive reviews. The Pirelli Winter Ice Zero has a non-studded sister. It is inferior to other models only on snow cover. The price is almost the same as the non-studded version.
In terms of price / quality ratio. The Gislaved Nord Frost 200 handles slightly worse on snowy roads. Price - from 4.5 (for dimension 16 ") thousand rubles, has an option for crossovers with a reinforced sidewall.
For cars that are rear-wheel drive
As you know, cars with rear-wheel drive "suffer" the most in winter. The Nokian Nordman 7 is a reliable alternative. The model has good side lugs. The price will not exceed 4 thousand rubles. For a wheel with a dimension of 16 inches.
What conditions are thorns or linden suitable for?
Regardless of the quality of the wheel, the choice should be made taking into account the conditions for the predominant use of the car. If the car is used more often in the urban cycle, then the best Velcro for the winter will have an advantage here.
Long kilometers on a suburban snow-covered highway will go better with studded tires. The wheel seems to be pulling on the icy asphalt, and directional stability will be at its best.
When starting to use the winter wheel, remember that a minimum 500 km break-in is required first. Then the wheel will demonstrate its best qualities.
In most of the territory of Russia, winter is rather severe, it is snow, frost, ice, extremely low temperatures. Of course, you need to prepare your car for such weather conditions, and perhaps the very first problem that confronts the driver is winter tires. Previously, everything was quite simple (they put a snowflake and that's all), but now there is just a "bunch" of rubber, manufacturers, and technologies (about how to choose), often the head is spinning. However, one question is, perhaps, the most difficult and unsolved so far - which is better than spikes or Velcro. WE have somehow come to terms with the "palm tree" of studded wheels, and now we are presenting a "sticky" tire! So is she good, and is it worth looking in her direction, let's figure it out. As always, there will be video and voting at the end ...
At the very beginning, I would like to say that both tires are winter, that is, they are "sharpened" specifically for the winter period and they cannot be used in the summer period, this is really fraught (REMEMBER approximately in October - November, you need to clean up the summer and). Winter tires are much softer and simply not designed for high summer temperatures, they will simply "float", your car will be much worse handling. I think this is understandable, but as I wrote above, there are two technologies for winter - thorns or velcro and we need to figure out which one is better for.
The chemical composition of the rubber itself is much softer than that of the summer analog, but it should be noted that studded rubber is coarser than Velcro.
It is clear that this rubber has special inserts in its surface, the notorious spikes. Often from opponents of this type you can hear - "Yes, they are erased on the asphalt, and also tend to fly out." This is all true, but technologies do not stand still, now more and more often you can find modern studded tires that are able to "hide" a stud on the asphalt surface (overpressure acts on them), but how does a snow-covered track meet (pressure from asphalt decreases) and it appears from the depths of the tire and literally bites into ice, compressed snow, etc.
Also, between the tire and the surface itself, there may be a water film (after all, the wheel heats up), especially if the temperature overboard is not so low, say about - 10 degrees Celsius. This greatly reduces the effectiveness of the grip of the tire on the ice surface. The spikes serve as "teeth" that cut this "film" greatly improving the traction characteristics.
This is a very effective design, which is why they have spread in such huge numbers across countries with harsh climates. I suggest thinking about the positive and negative points.
pros
1) Excellent grip on ice and snow under any load (turning, acceleration, braking)
2) Shorter braking distances on ice compared to non-studded tires
3) Good cross-country ability in deep snow
Minuses
1) Very noisy. Yes indeed metal inserts create noise, especially on the asphalt surface.
2) Poor grip on wet asphalt (said by the protrusion of the spike, and, accordingly, a decrease in the contact zone)
3) At -20, grip deteriorates, because the ice becomes very strong and dense and the spike cannot effectively break through it, although it scratches it like a "claw".
4) Increased fuel consumption (rubber is coarser, otherwise it can be made from soft compounds, but the tread is high)
5) Light vibration of the steering wheel, due to the presence of spikes and high tread
6) Spikes can fly out and grind
7) The service life of winter tires is 4 - 5 seasons, maximum. Then, most likely, the thorns will either be lost or worn off.
You might think - "how many disadvantages", but guys, such a tire does not give comfort, but confidence, cross-country ability, handling. Although you have to deal with noise, slight vibration and loss of studded elements (over time).
This is a completely different rubber than a studded one. It solves two problems - it keeps the car on wet asphalt, with rare ice; it also has to keep the car on the ice surface. To do this, it must be soft enough so that it literally sticks to the surface, and hard enough so that the car's handling remains at a decent level.
Dry road surface (dry asphalt) is contraindicated for such rubber, it starts to overheat and, so to speak, “float”. Vehicle handling deteriorates in the entire range (set speed, turns, braking).
So how does it work? It's all about the unique chemical composition of the rubber itself. In cold weather, on snow and ice, the rubber becomes very soft, which allows for very efficient driving. And in warm weather, rubber, as it were, acquires a surface hard layer, which leaves high handling even on a dry warm road surface. Velcro, unlike studded winter rubber, is cut with small patterns (lamellas), as if it has a sharpening in one direction, with which it clings (sticks) to a poor coating (ice or snow). But also this pattern is very effective in removing water that can form during warming.
pros
1) Does not make noise. Just nothing
2) Fuel consumption is slightly more than on summer tires, but less than on spikes
3) No vibration in the steering wheel
4) Good stability on wet asphalt. This is really a plus.
5) The service life is much higher than that of the "spike". It can be up to 7 years old.
Minuses
1) Worse handling on ice / snow roads when compared with the opponent
2) Increased braking distance on ice compared to competitor
3) Permeability on snow also loses to spikes
Why was not studded winter tires created, just Velcro? YES everything is simple - in some countries of Europe, Asia, Japan and others (by the way, our south can also be attributed there), winter is very conditional, snow and freezing temperatures appear, but this is literally a couple of days or, for example, ice in the morning. If you install studded tires in such countries, then it will literally grind down the road surface! THIS IS NOT NECESSARY FOR THEM. This is why Velcro was created, but personally in my opinion it will never replace spikes in harsh conditions.
So which is better?
Guys, both types of rubber have a place to be in our market. Why? Making it easy - because the operating conditions of cars in different cities can be completely different.
For example, let's take megacities, Moscow, St. Petersburg, again the south of Russia. In such cities there is very little snow, in the capitals all roads are filled with reagents, they are intensively cleaned, therefore, even during snowfalls, there is little snow. And in the South, it simply melts, if it drops out at all.
In such regions it is logical to use LIPUCHKA! Why is there a “spike”, it will be inconvenient, and it will break down faster, corny all the elements will fly out after one or two seasons.
We take smaller cities to the north, and also do not forget the village area. Often, if snow has fallen, it is not only not watered with reagents, it is simply not removed. That is, the cars roll in, "ice" is formed, later ice, and the whole "road shines in the rays of the sun." Moreover, these are not necessarily unclean courtyards, they can also be central streets. Here, of course, studded rubber appears in all its glory, it will bite into the ice coating, piercing it, the Velcro will be much less effective, you will just grind, especially if there is an "ice" rise.
Which tires are better suited for the Russian winter - studded or friction? Many Russian motorists have the opinion that spiked tires are irreplaceable on snow or ice, but dangerous on clean asphalt, but Velcro is necessary when driving mainly on city roads, cleared of snow. But both judgments are erroneous, which is proved by modern "rubber".
If everything is clear with studded tires, then an educational program on friction options will not be superfluous.
"Velcro" are divided into two types- "arctic" (aka Scandinavian ") and" European ". The former, in terms of their characteristics, are focused on use in harsh winter conditions, and the latter are suitable for warm regions where the air temperature is kept in the near-zero zone.
Distinguishing between "European" and "Arctic" wheels is quite simple, you should know only a few rules:
- "Scandinavians" have many small slits, soft tread and angular edges,
- while the "Europeans" have a tougher protector (even to the touch) and a more rounded shape.
More precisely, different types of "sticky" can be distinguished by the speed index - tires for warm regions are designated by the letters "H" and "V" (210 and 240 km / h, respectively), and the "severe" options are slower and are indexed "Q", " R "and" T "(160, 170 and 190 km / h).
“Arctic” tires are more common on Russian roads, so we will focus on them.
And the first question is how the “spikes” and “Velcro” behave when braking from a speed of 80 km / h on wet asphalt surfaces? And here, to the surprise of many motorists, spike and friction tires perform about the same: the spread of results is not very noticeable.
And when passing the exercise called "moose test" on dry asphalt, the results turned out to be similar: both "toothed" wheels and "Velcro" coped with it at a similar speed.
But when braking on a dry surface, the situation changes somewhat - friction tires spend much less distance to stop than “spikes”.
One conclusion can be made: modern studded tires are not much inferior to Velcro on the asphalt, so it is impossible to say with certainty which of the categories of “rubber” is preferable on this surface.
But on snow tests, friction tires showed unexpectedly good results, ahead of their "toothy counterparts". On the snow"Rubber" without spikes allows you to accelerate faster to a certain speed, and when passing a winding track - spend less time and feel much more confident.
But after all, rolled snow on the roads of Russian cities practically does not occur, but snow-water porridge(or "suga") is a regular! And on such a surface, Velcro behaves much more stable than spikes - they lose grip at higher speeds, which has a positive effect on traffic safety.
On ice, of course, the leadership of the studded rubber is obvious - the metal "teeth" bite into such a cover, providing confident braking. So in order to stop, for example, from a speed of 25 km / h, most of the "spikes" need an average of 13 meters, while the main part of the "stickies" falls far beyond this figure (and this is despite the "Arctic" specification, on On "European" wheels, the car slows down even longer).
Another demonstrative test is the passage of the icy track. And here again, without surprises, the advantage of tires with spikes became even more obvious - when overcoming the ice ring, and the winding road, it took them much less time than friction "brothers". Yes, and safer "toothy" on the ice.
In terms of acoustic comfort"Rubber" without spikes, of course, literally "smashes" tires with metal "teeth" - so lovers of silence should still opt for the first option.
After a series of tests, a completely logical question arises - why are not only inexperienced, but also experienced drivers mistaken about winter tires? With "spikes" on the asphalt, everything is clear - there is such an opinion that they rest on the roadway not with a tread, but with spikes. But in reality, everything is completely different - under the weight of the car, the "teeth" are sunk into the tread, and all because of the peculiarities of the design of such "rubber". This means that the area of contact with asphalt for studded and friction tires is practically the same. But the "toothed" options are usually made of harder rubber, which is why they performed better than "sticky" in some "asphalt procedures".
But one very interesting effect was missed during the tests, since they were carried out at rather sparing air temperature indicators. Everything is very simple - in severe frosts, when the thermometer drops below "-20 ° C", the ice cover becomes very hard, which is why the metal "hooks" under the weight of the car go into the tread, losing their functionality. In addition to this, the tough rubber of the tread hardens even more, which negatively affects traction.
From the above it follows that soft friction tires with a "big minus" are often preferable to studded options, and not only in words, but also in deeds - this was confirmed by tests. And for cities where snow and snowy-water mash dominate the roads during the winter period, Velcro is better.
But in settlements where the roads are more like a skating rink, studs are definitely indispensable, and no matter how hard tire manufacturers try, they cannot bring friction models to the level of classic "studs" in "ice" disciplines.
That is why many drivers, driving mainly on cleaned surfaces, choose exactly "toothed" wheels - this is something like additional insurance. But it must be remembered that the payment for such insurance is an increased fuel "appetite" and a low level of acoustic comfort.
As the saying goes: prepare the sleigh in the summer and the cart in the winter. This popular wisdom is fully consistent with today's realities in preparing a car for use in the most difficult period - winter.
Buy in the summer, when prices are not yet driven by seasonal increases. So
As soon as car owners have a choice, this question arises every time. Although there remains a small proportion of reckless drivers who do not change tires depending on the season and continue to drive in winter, not much concerned with the question: which winter tires are better. However, even at low temperatures below zero, there are many times more cars on summer wheels than on a similar one, but with winter tires. This has been proven by repeated crash tests. You cannot save on your own safety, as well as on the life and health of those around you.
Winter tires are of two types: non-studded and studded.
So which winter tires are better: studded or velcro, that is, non-studded?
Performance tests have been carried out by rubber manufacturers. At temperatures below minus 20 degrees, oddly enough, studless tires showed shorter braking distances. It was just that at such low temperatures, the spikes simply did not have time to break through the ice and catch on. However, at temperatures from minus 10 to minus 15, the characteristics of both types of tires were approximately the same. Well, at temperatures close to zero, the studded tires definitely won. Since at such temperatures, the sticky tape simply slid on the melted ice and snow, and the spikes softly bit into the ice and braked very well.
Thus, knowing what constant winter temperatures are in your region, we can already conclude: which rubber is better - Velcro or spikes, is for you.
In addition, the quality of the rubber itself and, of course, the tread pattern greatly affects the performance of winter tires. They are distinguished by two: Scandinavian (or Finnish) and European.
The European pattern on winter tires is intended for the use of rubber on European winter roads with rare snow coverage, at temperatures around zero. Therefore, such rubber is suitable for use in the southern regions of our country, but not in the middle and central part of it.
The Scandinavian tread was developed specifically for northern European countries and takes into account the peculiarities of operation at low winter temperatures and high snow cover, and ice formation conditions.
Which winter tires are better is still quite difficult to decide. Studded tires are quite noisy in operation. In addition, when driving within a large city, where the roads are constantly cleaned and treated with deicing agents, the asphalt is almost always clean in winter. And when driving on asphalt on studded tires, spikes are lost, rubber deteriorates.
In addition, the braking distance on asphalt is significantly longer than that of non-studded winter tires.
However, if you drive outside the city or in an area where there is snow on the roads in winter, it is better to still prefer studded tires, which behave safer and more manageable than Velcro at average Russian winter temperatures on snow and ice.
Decide what temperatures are in your region in winter, what is the quality of snow removal, how often you will go to suburban areas of roads or off-road, and then decide which winter tires are best for your car.
Many car owners are concerned about the question: "Which winter tires are better: spikes or Velcro?" The choice of winter rubber studs or Velcro will depend on each individual. But there are some secrets and features that we will talk about. Here it is necessary to take into account the operating conditions of the car.
About thorns
This tire is ideal for driving on snow or ice. The braking distance on ice with such rubber will be 30-50 percent shorter when compared to Velcro. When used on snow, the braking distance can be reduced by 10%. At the same time, on clean asphalt, the braking distance may increase (on average 5%).
Experts note that a studded tire, regardless of its cost, will be better than a non-studded tire. If you have to operate a car mainly on a snowy or icy road, then you should opt for studded models.
Reviews of winter rubber spikes or Velcro indicate that the best option when buying will be the model that has a square contour. Spikes on the surface of the tire should be scattered randomly.
Ideal for the city
But what to do if in winter you have to drive mainly around the city, where roads are periodically cleared of snow? In this case, which winter tires are more suitable: spikes or Velcro? Reviews about which winter tires are better, spikes or Velcro confirm that you should give your preference to Velcro if you ride around the city.
Advantages of studding:
- Reduces braking distances in icy areas.
- Reduces acceleration time.
- Allows you to smoothly enter turns in icy sections of the track.
The disadvantages include the fact that it is not recommended to move on clean asphalt with such a tire, since the spikes will quickly wear out.
Velcro work
This product is a regular tire that has a grooved tread. Moreover, there are no thorns on its surface. Such a tire will provide good grip on the road due to the tread, which has a large number of rectangles located at different angles. This tire is ideal for those who often move on "porridge".
The ribbing on the surface of the product allows the car to stay on course, prevents skidding, and also provides good grip on the road surface, shortening the braking distance and acceleration time.
Based on these features of rubber, everyone will be able to determine for himself which winter rubber is more suitable for him, spikes or Velcro.
Advantages of Velcro:
- Low cost compared to studded models.
- There is an opportunity to overcome snowdrifts.
- You can drive on clean asphalt.
The disadvantages include the fact that on ice such a tire will not provide adequate grip on the road surface. 
Based on this, we can draw conclusions about which winter tires are better for the city, Velcro or spikes. If the streets in the village are regularly cleared of snow, then Velcro should be preferred. When you have to drive on an uncleared road, you should buy a studded tire.
Off-road options
It should be noted right away that there is no ideal rubber that will equally well make it possible to move, both on snow and on ice. This rubber differs from analogues in that it has deep grooves between the treads. They are mostly oriented across.
Thanks to this pattern, the wheel will more efficiently rake snow, so the car will have increased cross-country ability. This type of tire will be relevant for big cities, when immediately after a snowfall there is snow on the road, and after it has been removed, snow piles are formed. 
Weaknesses of this model:
- Increased noise.
- Insufficiently good handling on clean asphalt.
- Average braking performance on clean asphalt.
- The model is not intended for high speeds.
Based on this, everyone must independently decide whether he will have winter tires with spikes or not.
But what about high-speed tires. Such rubber makes it possible to perfectly drive a car at high speed on a snowy track. It also has good braking performance on clean surfaces. Rubber makes the car resistant to aquaplaning.
At low temperatures, effective braking is also ensured in snow or ice. Features: medium depth of grooves between the tread, small size of the suction cups, sporty look. Cons: Average handling on a heavily snowy road.
Universal tire
And what winter tires will be better for the SUV - spikes or Velcro? This issue is also of concern to many SUV owners. Experts note that here, too, everything will depend on the features of the operation of the car, and therefore there is no definite answer to this question.
It is recommended to use universal rubber for jeeps. It combines a compromise of qualities found in the previous two types of tires. As a result, the passability indicators are at the proper level for any type of road surface. 
Strengths: the average depth of the grooves between the tread, the average size of the tread, there are longitudinal and transverse sipes.
There is another option - a tire with an asymmetric pattern. To improve the performance of the previous type of rubber, specialists have created a tire with an asymmetric tread pattern. As a result, several zones are formed on the surface of such rubber. Some of them are responsible for the handling of the car, while others are responsible for the cross-country ability.
A video about which winter tires is better, Velcro or spikes, is below.
It should also be added for those who doubt which winter tires are better - Velcro or spikes. Studded models have some peculiarities. Advantages:
- Improved traction performance in packed snow.
- Improved handling on ice and packed snow.
- The best dynamic performance in ice and packed snow.
All of the above indicators also depend not only on the presence of studs, but also on the performance characteristics of the rubber.
Disadvantages:
- Poor dry grip. The risk of driving on such a surface increases.
- Longer dry braking distances.
- There is a greater risk of burrowing in loose snow.
Based on this, it can be judged that a studded model is not always better for driving on winter roads. Therefore, it is up to each individual to decide what is better for winter tires, spikes or Velcro, we only pushed you to the right choice depending on your situation and region of residence.
TOP 5 best studded winter tires
TOP 5 best tires without studs.
Based on these tables, you can yourself determine which winter tires are best for you: spikes or Velcro. It is impossible to give unequivocal advice here, and therefore the choice of winter studded rubber or Velcro will depend only on you.
