brulaz wrote:
crosscheck wrote:
...
I have read conflicting reports about performance of studded vs non- studded winter tires on wet and dry asphalt. A 2015 Norwegian study shows that because non - studded winter tires use softer rubber compounds and more siping than studded snows for similar performance on ice( never better), the surface of the tire collapses when hard braked on wet and dry road surfaces making them perform with poorer results than the slightly harder rubber, less siped studded snows. (2015 NAF winter tire test).
Dave
Interesting. And it makes sense.
But my understanding is that the Nokian Hakkapelitta LT2 with or without studs is the same tire, same rubber, same sipes & tread design? And if you believe the KAL tire store test results, the unstudded has better Winter cornering and braking on dry and wet pavement. But that's admittedly not much of a test.
There's not a huge selection selection of winter only tires out there in truck sizes and weight categories. And comparisons are even more rare. So I suspect we're mostly guessing about this stuff.
The Norwegian study used SUV and passenger car not truck tires in their results. I think the OP has to do the research and come to their own conclusion.
Non -studded winter tire traction has come a long way in the last 30 years and maybe will replace studded tires some day. Until that time, I will run top of the line studded snow tires when that unexpected section of black ice or freezing rain on the road surface makes driving a matter of life or death.
