When a customer asks how a studded tyre differs from a friction (studless) tyre, the answer is simple: metal studs. On ice, a friction tyre relies on a soft compound and a fine network of sipes, whereas a studded tyre bites into the ice with hard-alloy tips. The list below shows studded winter tyres from Nokian, Hankook, Goodyear and other brands in a wide range of sizes, for passenger cars, SUVs and commercial (C) vans.
Studded winter tyres
Maximum grip on ice and hard-packed snow - for anyone who drives ungritted rural and coastal roads in winter.
180 tyre models available
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How a studded tyre is built and what it delivers on the road
At the heart of a studded tyre is a tread with dozens of metal studs. Each stud is a metal body with a hard tungsten carbide tip that protrudes a couple of millimetres above the rubber and, as you drive, digs into ice and hard-packed snow. It is this mechanical grip that delivers what a soft rubber compound alone cannot - a shorter braking distance on glare ice. In independent tests, studded tyres on polished ice brake considerably shorter than the best friction tyre; in a 2024 test the difference reached around 38%.
This construction also involves trade-offs. On dry tarmac the studs lengthen the braking distance slightly, fuel consumption rises by a few per cent, and the noise is noticeably higher than with a friction tyre. When choosing a specific model, keep a few things in mind:
- The roads you drive on. Studs are in their element on untreated ice and snow - the rural and coastal roads that no one grits. If you mostly drive on cleared, salted city streets, a quieter friction tyre will wear more slowly.
- The 3PMSF marking. From 1 October 2024, a winter tyre in Latvia must carry the mountain-and-snowflake symbol, not just M+S. Most of our studded models carry it.
- Vehicle type and load. The range includes studded models for passenger cars and SUVs, as well as C-marked versions for commercial vans; heavier vehicles benefit from reinforced XL versions. Match the speed rating and load index to the vehicle manufacturer's data plate.
- Running-in. New studded tyres should be driven gently for the first couple of hundred kilometres, without sharp acceleration or braking, so that the studs settle firmly and are not thrown out.
Studded tyres are also suitable for electric cars; the important thing is simply to choose the right size and load index. Remember that in Latvia studded tyres are allowed from 1 October to 1 May, so they are not suitable as an early-autumn or late-spring tyre.
Frequently asked questions
On sheer, polished ice studded tyres are superior - in independent tests they brake about 30-38% shorter than friction tyres. If your winter is spent more in snow than on clear ice, a good friction tyre is quieter, more economical and barely falls behind on the road.
A passenger-car studded tyre typically has around 60 to 120 studs. Each is a tungsten-carbide tip in a metal body that protrudes about a millimetre above the tread.
No. In Latvia you may not mix studded and non-studded tyres on one car, and each axle must have identical tyres - from the same manufacturer and with the same tread pattern.
In Latvia the minimum tread depth for winter tyres is 4 mm. Below this limit a tyre no longer meets the requirements and grip deteriorates sharply.
Yes, you can, but the permitted periods differ. In Estonia studs are allowed from 15 October to 31 March, in Lithuania roughly from 1 November to 9 April; both countries use the euro.
Yes. Studded tyres are available for off-road vehicles and SUVs as well as for commercial vans with the C marking; many also come in a reinforced XL version.
Special tyre categories
Niche tyre segments for specific applications - from all-terrain and sports tyres to seasonal and technology-focused tyres.