Nokian One HT vs Michelin Defender LTX M/S2

O

Oldswagon

Joined
Jan 23, 2003
Messages
928
Location
ON, Canada
I am looking at getting some new 3 season tires for my truck this spring, which still has the terrible OEM 275/55R-20 Dunlops. I am looking for a good all around performer, but I primarily use the truck on road, so don't really want an AT. I have had great luck in the past running Michelin LTX tires, and was just going to do so again with the latest Defender LTX M/S2 tires. However, I noticed that the tire prices have gone way up since I bought my last set of Michelins and the tire dealer mentioned Nokian One HT tires as a much cheaper alternative, about $400 for the set. On paper, they look to be comparable to the Michelins, and any of the user reviews I have seen are very positive. However, I have yet to see a professional review of these tires with some objective testing. There is very little infromation about these tires online.

Does anyone have any experience with this Nokians? Anyone know how they compare to the Michelins ore other premium highway tuck tires?
 
The price is indicative of what you get in this case.
Nokian is OK. But just that. I would pick it before Kumho, Hankook etc. It won’t last as long, and for me at least, the most important part, Michelin retains initial performance longest of all brands.
 
edyvw said:
The price is indicative of what you get in this case.
Nokian is OK. But just that. I would pick it before Kumho, Hankook etc. It won’t last as long, and for me at least, the most important part, Michelin retains initial performance longest of all brands.
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Thanks, I have read lots of your tire opinions over the years on this forum and appreciate your input. I do value longevity balanced with decent all around performance which is why I have chosen Michelin LTX variants in the past.
cheesepuffs2 said:
What about Falken?
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I was more interested in these Nokians due to their significantly lower price and seemingly similar specs to the Michelins. I don't know much about Falkens and not sure if they are available locally.

I found it odd there was so little information on the intranet about the Nokians since the release from about 5 years ago. I was hoping someone here could share their experience with them. I figured if I could save over $400 without sacrificing anything significant, it might be worthwhile purchase.
 
Oldswagon said:
Thanks, I have read lots of your tire opinions over the years on this forum and appreciate your input. I do value longevity balanced with decent all around performance which is why I have chosen Michelin LTX variants in the past.

I was more interested in these Nokians due to their significantly lower price and seemingly similar specs to the Michelins. I don't know much about Falkens and not sure if they are available locally.

I found it odd there was so little information on the intranet about the Nokians since the release from about 5 years ago. I was hoping someone here could share their experience with them. I figured if I could save over $400 without sacrificing anything significant, it might be worthwhile purchase.
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Is One HT still in production? Check that. I think they discontinued it. Maybe it is old DOT, hence cheap.
 
edyvw said:
Is One HT still in production? Check that. I think they discontinued it. Maybe it is old DOT, hence cheap.
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As far as I know they are still in production. The website still shows them as well:

https://na.nokiantyres.com/all-season-tires/nokian-tyres-one-ht/


Astro14 said:
Thread 'Another option for HT LT tires Nokian HT 1'
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/another-option-for-ht-lt-tires-nokian-ht-1.356538/
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Thanks for that thread and videos. I had found those on searches prior to posting and unfortunately there isn't much info in the thread or the videos. The thread did have a member that purchased them, but he didn't update the longer term experience. Both videos test the Michelin and the Nokian in winter conditions, which isn't really useful for me as I have dedicated winter tires. While I'd like some winter abilities for those freak snow falls, longevity, comfort, and decent braking and rain performance are probably my bigger concerns.

surfstar said:
I highly doubt the Michelins are $400 better. I wouldn't hesitate on the Nokians.
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Probably not, but I was just hoping to figure out where there did not match up the the Michelins. It would be nice to know what the compromise in the design is so I can make an informed decision. I am sure part of it is the markup on Nokian tires that aren't winter tires is less as it seems they are trying to become a more mainstream tire. The Nokian One car tires are also significantly cheaper than say a Michelin Defender car tire.

I might just bite the bullet and but the Michelins. I have had three sets on my old truck and they were good tires. There was one set of LTX M/S2s when they first came out that wore prematurely, but they were warrantied. The last set were Defender LTX M/S tires and they seemed to be wearing well when I sold the truck. The newer Defender LTX M/S2s are supposed to be better for chip resistance and have 12/32s vs 10/32s tread depth. I drive on a pretty abbrasive chip and tar road every day, so maybe they will wear even better.
 
Oldswagon said:
As far as I know they are still in production. The website still shows them as well:

https://na.nokiantyres.com/all-season-tires/nokian-tyres-one-ht/




Thanks for that thread and videos. I had found those on searches prior to posting and unfortunately there isn't much info in the thread or the videos. The thread did have a member that purchased them, but he didn't update the longer term experience. Both videos test the Michelin and the Nokian in winter conditions, which isn't really useful for me as I have dedicated winter tires. While I'd like some winter abilities for those freak snow falls, longevity, comfort, and decent braking and rain performance are probably my bigger concerns.



Probably not, but I was just hoping to figure out where there did not match up the the Michelins. It would be nice to know what the compromise in the design is so I can make an informed decision. I am sure part of it is the markup on Nokian tires that aren't winter tires is less as it seems they are trying to become a more mainstream tire. The Nokian One car tires are also significantly cheaper than say a Michelin Defender car tire.

I might just bite the bullet and but the Michelins. I have had three sets on my old truck and they were good tires. There was one set of LTX M/S2s when they first came out that wore prematurely, but they were warrantied. The last set were Defender LTX M/S tires and they seemed to be wearing well when I sold the truck. The newer Defender LTX M/S2s are supposed to be better for chip resistance and have 12/32s vs 10/32s tread depth. I drive on a pretty abbrasive chip and tar road every day, so maybe they will wear even better.
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Have you checked Continental TerrainContact HT?
 
Gasbuggy said:
Nokian is made in Indonesia right? Not exactly a beacon of standards and quality
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Many are made in Finland, but they opened a factory in Tennessee a couple years ago, so most of the tires that you would buy here are made here. Their Hakapelliitta snow tires are simply the very best.

I've had several sets of their "all weather" tires, which can be used in summer and are decent in the snow, and they've all been good. WRG3 and WRG4. Still have a set of WRG4 on the Volvo V70 XC and they have lasted longer than any other tire I've run on that car (and with over 300,000 miles, there have been many) while still provided good winter traction.

For the OP - I would run those HTs for three seasons if you have dedicated winter tires. Nokian, in my experience, makes a good tire, and with US production, I think that will continue.
 
Gasbuggy said:
Nokian is made in Indonesia right? Not exactly a beacon of standards and quality
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The Nokians I bought a couple years ago were made in Dayton Tennessee. They recently built a massive factory there. Most production for sale in USA is made in USA, I believe.

I’d be conflicted about this because I’ve had superb luck with both the Nokians and the LTX MS2 Defenders.

What I’d say is this: if the vehicle is getting a lot of miles and will clear 60k miles within 4-5 years, get the michelins. Otherwise if you’re only doing 10k miles or less per year, go Nokian.

One thing I really like about the Nokians is that most models have kevlar sidewalls and a pothole protection guarantee. The WRGs are physically very tough but ride nice and soft. They aren’t the most responsive, so maybe not the tire for a sports car. But for a commuter and daily driver, I found the WRG Nokians to be darn near perfect.

And I picked up an honest 4mpg going from 225/45r17 BFGs to 205/60r16 Nokian WRGs.
 
I believe this Nokians are made in USA. I am considering them, but still undecided.

edyvw said:
Have you checked Continental TerrainContact HT?
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Yes and I would absolutely consider them too. They seem to be very comparable to the Michelins. So far though, they are priced about the same as the Michelins, but I am just starting to shop.

I found this test, but the Nokians were not included (I assume because tire rack does not carry them). The Continentals did really well in this test, probably better overall than the Michelins. I wonder if they will have similar longevity?

 
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