Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT2 vs Blizzak winter tires

Canadian drivers certainly experience some of the worst winter driving weather in the world. So, it’s important to think about what kind of tires you might need as we face another winter. Does your area get more slush and ice, or do you experience heavy snowfalls and snow accumulation on roadways?

If you are doing your research into what is the best tire for driving in winter, two of the brands you should look into are the Bridgestone Blizzak vs the Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT2.

Both of these models suit more heavy duty performance SUVs and some CUVs. In terms of ratings, both of these tires rate highly for excellent traction in snowy, icy and slushy conditions, and both have been extensively tested by their manufacturers on some of the world’s most well-known winter driving tracks.

However, there is fairly major difference between these two tires that is worth looking at, and that is that the Blizzak is a non-studded winter tire, whereas the Hakkapeliitta LT2 is a studded winter tire. Of course, there are drivers who prefer a non-studded winter tire over a studded tire, and vice versa, but it is important to note that in some areas in Canada – such as Southern Ontario, the use of studded tires on roadways and highways is not permitted.

Bridgestone introduced Blizzak tires for winter in 1988 in Japan, because that market was looking for an alternative to studded winter tires. These drivers wanted all the traction and grip of a studded tire, but also wanted the longer lasting durability that non-studded winter tires bring. As a result, the Bridgestone team launched its studless Blizzak brand to the market. The Blizzak brand of tires is Bridgestone’s best-selling model of winter tires, and these tires are available in a huge range of sizes and models, so that you can be sure that you will be able to find the right size to fit your vehicle, at the right price.

The Bridgestone Blizzaks are also available for sale at great prices online at blackcircles.ca. And, if you like to comparison shop for your tires online – in the comfort of your own home, you can check out all the different Blizzak models that are available for sale, and if you have questions, all you need to do is reach out to the blackcircles team by email, phone or online chat and your questions will be answered in minutes.

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT2 was launched by Nokian in 2012, in response to the increasing popularity of drivers driving heavy duty 4×4 SUVs who were looking for a studded winter tire to fit their vehicles. This speciality winter tire is only available at select retailers in Canada. Nokian tires are designed and engineered in Finland, and the company manufactures its tires in Europe and Russia for distribution worldwide.

The Bridgestone Blizzak tire is one of the world’s best tested tires for offering excellent traction and handling in extreme snow and ice conditions. It was developed as an alternative to studded tires, and offers the same high performance and traction that studded tires can. In addition, the Bridgestone Blizzak tires price is in the mid range if you are looking for a high end winter performance tires, and is comparable in many ways to other higher priced tire brands. And, no matter what kind of vehicle you are driving, whether it is a high end performance coupe, to a regular family passenger car, to a light truck or even heavy 4×4, there will be a Blizzak that can fit your vehicle and your budget. The Blizzak models include:

• The Blizzak WS90 suitable for passenger cars and SUVs
• Blizzak DM-V2 – a very popular winter tire for passenger cars, SUVs, CUVs and light trucks that features “bite” particles for additional traction on ice
• Blizzak LM-32 for drivers of luxury cars who are looking for high end, premium performance in a winter tire
• Other models also include the Blizzak LM001, Blizzak W965 and the Blizzak LT – each with slightly different specifications and each one more suited for a specific type of vehicle

If you are looking at the Hakkapeliitta LT2 tire, then this studded, aggressively treaded tire has been manufactured specifically for heavy duty 4×4 trucks such as Jeep Wranglers, or other similar vehicles that are often taken off road, or are used in extremely hazardous winter driving conditions, such as snowstorms or ice storms. These tires are a premium studded winter tire, and as such, they may come at a slightly higher price than other tires in this class.

If you are still unsure which winter tire to choose, the Bridgestone Blizzak vs the Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT2, then you may want to learn more about the technology and tread that come with this tire. Here are the details:

• An optimized contact patch that allows more of the surface of the tire to make a connection with the roadway that gives drivers better control in winter conditions
• Better traction is assisted by the aggressive block edges that are built into the tread of the tire
• An advanced hydrophilic coating helps increase stopping power on snow and ice
• A proprietary multicell compound helps evacuate water from the tire surface which allows for better braking on ice
• Includes coverage under Bridgestone’s special Winter Tire warranty (see website for details)

Some of the tread and technology features of the Nokian Hakkapeliittaa LT2 include:

• A directional tire that features a continuous center rib that balances the tire on the road center (Please ensure that you install this directional tire correctly, or you may not experience the right level of satisfaction with this tire)
• Reinforced internal structure with additional fibers placed within the sidewall
• Extensive sipping detail and V-shaped groove pattern helps increase grip and decrease hydroplaning

So, if you are in the market for a premium brand winter tire, and you are trying to decide between the Blizzak vs the Nokian Hakkapeliittaa LT2, and are still not sure which brand to choose, then it’s worth noting that these tires are quite similar in terms of high level performance in snowy and icy conditions, but there are differences in price, warranty and potentially selection.

Of course, if you want to speak to a tire expert before making your decision on the Nokian vs the Blizzak, then feel free to reach out to the tire experts at blackcircles.ca. Our friendly and experienced tire team is easily reached by phone, email or online chat, and will be happy to help you make your decision.