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This Beloved Nordic Brand Might’ve Just Change The Winter Tire Game

Nokian’s new studded tire basically gets rid of the concept’s biggest drawback.

Close-up of a white car's front tire with winter tread pattern on snow-covered ground at sunset.Nokian Tires
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By Chris Chin

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Nokian, the leader in world-class winter tires, might’ve just turned the entire category on its head. Specifically, through its new studded tires.

The highly-revered Finnish tire manufacturer just revealed a completely innovative kind of studded shoes for your car. And they have the potential to solve the two biggest drawbacks for the best tires suited for extremely harsh winter conditions.

The tire is called the “01,” or specifically Hakkapelita 01. But while they’re named after the tire maker’s award-winning model, the “O1” represents an industry first: a winter tire with active studs.

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Leave it to the Finns to figure this out

When it comes to choosing winter tires, especially if you live in an area with brutal winters, studded ones are some of the best you can get for your car. But they aren’t without their drawbacks.

The two being road discomfort and noise. Like a set of ice-climbing or hiking shoes, integrated spikes or studs line the main patch, chewing into frozen water like tiny picks.

Close-up of a black metal object with a central bolt and engraved patterns, with blurred similar objects in the background.
Nokian’s new Hakkapeliita 01 potentially solves the two biggest drawbacks to studded tires.
Nokian Tires

But when there isn’t ice on the road and the surface becomes asphalt again, studded tires are an absolute nuisance. Those grippy studs then just become racket-makers.

So studded tires aren’t ideal for people who live in areas where it snows only a few times out of the year.

Close-up of a black tire sidewall showing winter tire symbols and the word "STUDDED" near a silver wheel rim.
The “Three-Peak Standard” is the universal standard for winter tire testing in snowy and ice conditions.
Nokian Tires

However, Nokian’s might’ve just completely eliminated that problem. Leave it to the Fins, who are also known for churning out some of the world’s best professional drivers.

Like something from a Bond film

Close-up of a black studded winter tire tread with small ice particles on the surface.
In an industry’s first, the Hakkapeliita 01 features studs that extend and retract based on ambient and surface temperatures.
Nokian Tires

The highlight of the Hakkapeliita 01s is its bespoke “On-Demand Grip” with “Double Action Stud Technology.” Except, it’s not just a bunch of marketing jargon.

Unlike other studded tires, the ones integrated into the 01s actually extend when the ambient and surface temperatures drop near or below freezing. And when those temperatures rise to much milder ones, the studs actually retract.

Three yellow Audi LMS Racing cars with Nokian Tyres branding driving on a snowy track surrounded by snow-covered trees.
If you regularly see snowy and icy conditions like this but often venture into places with regular pavement, these tires will likely be your best bet.
Nokian Tires

So when the surface becomes hard, these tires don’t cause a ruckus. Nokian says the 01 reduce noise by up to one decibel compared to conventional studded tires.

Additionally, studded tires accelerate wear on paved roads. But with this technology, the roads don’t have to be subjected to as much abuse.

Black and silver studded winter tire with close-up inset showing studs in "ON" and "OFF" positions on icy and dry surfaces.
Nokian says the tires can provide up to 30% more grip on demand, depending on conditions.
Nokian Tires

Unlike typical studded tires, the studs are permanently static in place. Meaning, you’d have to live with noisy rubber and wait until you fit a separate set of tires.

Nokian hasn’t announced pricing. But studded winter tires typically run on the high side, as they require more engineering and materials to design and manufacturer.

Though the company said they launch in the third quarter this year.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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