Winter tires for the 2019-2020 season - new products, recommendations

Although October brought us exceptionally warm weather, the forecast for November isn't as optimistic. Therefore, we should now consider replacing our tires with ones that will allow us to cover the next few kilometers safely. To make choosing your next set of winter tires a little easier, we've prepared a few recommendations, supported by our observations and customer feedback.

First up, we'd suggest taking a look at the new model from Nokian, a brand that has accustomed us to the excellent quality of its products and exceptionally good driving characteristics over the years. The model in question is called the WR Snowproof and is equipped with a range of new technologies that translate into both comfort and safety. All Sense Grip technology is designed to provide grip in all weather conditions and improve vehicle predictability, both in rain and snow. Silent Sidewall Technology further enhances the tire's vibration-absorbing properties while offering lower noise levels. The tires are available in a variety of sizes, and in the most popular sizes—205/55/16 and 205/50/17—they offer C and B ratings for rolling resistance, a B rating for wet performance, and a noise level of just 69 dB across all sizes.

Another new product worth considering is the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-005. Its innovative Nano Pro-tech compound, which incorporates a higher silica content, provides greater stability by maintaining continuous tread flexibility while reducing the tire's sidewall deformation. The new tread pattern improves traction between snow in the tire's grooves and the road. These tires can easily compete with models like the Continental TS860.

For users who approach all new products with a degree of caution, we can definitely recommend the Nokian WR D4. The tire has managed to attract a huge number of satisfied customers. Our customers also speak very positively about this model. The tire's label guarantees excellent performance on wet surfaces, assigning it an "A" rating in this category. Noise emissions are also excellent at 69 dB.

The next places on our podium are also occupied by our favorites from last year: the Continental TS860 and the Dunlop Winter Sport 5. It should be noted that the former may be a bit noisier, but the performance of both models is exemplary, both on wet and snowy surfaces.

We'd also like to briefly discuss all-season tires. While we've always been cautious about this type of tire, based on our customers' feedback, we can also recommend tires that are perfect for users who drive short distances, primarily in urban driving. Additionally, this solution will save you some money on seasonal tire replacements. The models we recommend in this category are the Michelin CrossClimate Plus and the Bridgestone Weather Control A005 DriveGuard. The latter is a completely new model, and our recommendation is based primarily on our previous experience with this manufacturer and the tire labeling.