Those look awesome - very similar to the Gislaved too.

Did you notice where they are made?

I run four studded snows on steel wheels (minus one sizing) every winter for six months. I'm interested in looking at these this winter, especially after the glowing review Hankooks got here.

My Gislaved Nordforst 3's were $69 before studding in 195/65 15 size (stock is 205/55 16). This is also a very good snowtire, and my local dealer includes balancing. They are made in Germany lately, formerly Sweden. I have gotten two full winters (late Oct. to Late April), and they might be able to go one more.

The Nokians cost 60 percent more and I cannot tell why. I have also ripped the studs out of Nokians before trying to get out of an icy hole.


To all those reading if you really want bomb-ass winter traction "minus one" your setup: go one inch smaller wheel, 10mm narrower tread and ten percent taller apsect ratio. This is not my formula, but it is the correct one IMHO.

The Hankook website (in the original post of this thread) has an excellent table to compare tire rotations per mile. Compare stock to minus one size on this chart. It should be the closest size using these guidelines.

I mention this because I frequently see people on this site buying smaller tires for the same rim, or using some other size. The goal is to preserve spedometer/odo calibration, and suspension geometry compared to the stock size.

Also, using a smaller diameter tire increases torque at the wheel, making it easier to break loose when accelerating from a stop on snow.

The previous owner of my lovely and well maintained 745t also gave me the 15 inch steels with 185/65 15 Gislaveds. I used this for one winter and I can tell you first hand the handling sucked by comparison to the 195/65 15.

Finally, using a smaller diameter tire lowers your gearing and gives you worse mileage.

If you don't "minus one" stay with stock size and buy a snow tire. This will not give quite as good snow traction, but better dry handling.

Just my humble opinion.