A practical guide to saving on winter tires by choosing the right option for a vehicle in harsh conditions
Buying tires that fit well and perform reliably can cut overall costs. The goal is to select tires that offer solid value, not just high price. Testing from Za Rulem, a long-standing and trusted automotive publication, highlights how understanding strengths and weaknesses helps drivers choose better tires. Researchers Dmitry Testov and Sergey Mishin consistently test a wide range of tires to identify not only the best performers but also those that offer surprising value at lower costs.
In the latest round, eight studded winter tires suitable for crossover sizes 195/65 R15 were evaluated across different price points. The lineup included:
- Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10P (Russia, 8960 rubles each),
- Michelin X-Ice North 4 (Russia, 8440 rubles each),
- Nordman 8 (Russia, 6920 rubles each),
- Pirelli Formula Ice (Russia, 5960 rubles each),
- Cordiant Snow Cross 2 (Russia, 3910 rubles each),
- Kama Alga (Russia, 3440 rubles each),
- Kormoran Stud 2 (Serbia, 4800 rubles each),
- GT Radial Ice Pro 3 (China, 4450 rubles each).
The results singled out three tires as particularly underrated. All three are produced in Russia and stood out for delivering notable value relative to their price. These tires are Kama Alga, Cordiant Snow Cross 2, and Nordman 8, earning strong recognition for performance in everyday winter conditions.
Nordman 8
Value appears modest at first glance with about a 5 percent savings when bought in bulk or during promotions. Yet these tires earned a respectable third place overall in the test. They performed notably well for braking on icy surfaces and for accelerating on snow. Handling on ice and buoyant behavior on snow were also strong points, contributing to solid overall confidence in winter driving. One clear drawback noted by testers is that braking on dry roads does not reach the same high standard as some peers, which is an important consideration for drivers who encounter mixed conditions.
Kama Alga
On balance Kama Alga delivered performance that outpaced more expensive options in several key areas. When compared against the GT Radial Ice Pro 3, Kama Alga showed stronger braking and more controlled drifting on snowy surfaces. However, the tires exhibited weaker behavior on ice and wet pavement, where they did not grip as assertively as some rivals. Testers also observed a modest cost increase, with Kama Alga running about ten percent higher than some budget alternatives, a factor buyers should weigh against the gains in dry and winter traction.