Winter tire time... Avalanche RT / Evolution Winter / North 9 SUV ?

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Sep 29, 2024
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Hi all, first post!

I've got a '22 Buick Encore AWD that I'm looking for winter tires for... I live in the Hamilton area of Ontario, Canada but travel out of the suburbs to various work locations and ice fishing etc.

I've narrowed the range to 3 tires; Cooper Evolution Winter, Hercules Avalanche RT, and Nordman North 9; in 215/70r16 size. All are very similar installed price (rebates start Oct1 for the Cooper and Hercs).

Any chance anyone has used two of these models and can make a direct comparison? I am assuming the Evolution and Avalanche would be similar but what about the Nordman 9 (same pattern as Hakka 9, but is it same compound etc?)? Its difficult to find any direct comparisons online for these models..

Thanks for your help!

Nordman North 9.webp
Cooper Evolution Winter.webp
Hercules Avalanche RT.webp
 
Welcome to BITOG 🎉

You should also consider the studless Nokian R5. If you still want one of the three you mentioned, get the Nordman.

And yes, the Nordman line is just older Nokian tires with a new name. The Nordman North 9 is the old Hakka 9, and the Solstice 4 is the old WRG4. Unfortunately, the Nordman line doesn't include the studless R-series at this time.
 
I'd go with the COOPER Evolution Winter (T) , HERCULES Avalanche RT or the MASTERCRAFT Glacier Trex . All have deep sipes to base of the tire and are studdable . Have been using the EVOLUTION Winter with studs since they were intrduced . Very good on ice , snow and slush . Thinking of trying the MASTERCRAFT Glacier Trex with studs this winter . There should be rebates at this time , if not , sometime in OCTOBER . Let us know on your choice and their performance . Go here ( https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/best-winter-tires-ive-ever-owned.382164/ ) for pictures on new EVOLUTION Winter with studs ( scroll down ) .
 
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Only studless, we are not allowed to run studs in Southern Ontario….
Continental, Bridgestone, Michelin, Pirelli, they will all be better. Just because they look rough, doesn’t mean they are good. Cheaper snow tires like one you listed usually trade off some performance to emphasize one or two variables.
I mean if you are really stuck on those three, I guess Nordman and Cooper.
 
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Continental, Bridgestone, Michelin, Pirelli, they will all be better. Just because they look rough, doesn’t mean they are good. Cheaper snow tires like one you listed usually trade off some performance to emphasize one or two variables.
I mean if you are really stuck on those three, I guess Nordman and Cooper.

I’ve run Michelin xi2 and xi3 in the past on fwd Buicks and liked them, run the X Ice Snow on a Cruze and found them way too soft and squishy in handling so they are out.
Reason I am looking at the mentioned models are also the deep tread depth of 12 or 13/32” which tend to last longer when I ditch my winters when they get to less than 7/32”.
All the “better” friction winters tend to start around 10/32” and don’t take too long to wear to 7/32”. I drive approx. 20K Km per year on the winters so a couple seasons and I’m through them. Want to get 3 seasons out of a set if I can.
 
I’ve run Michelin xi2 and xi3 in the past on fwd Buicks and liked them, run the X Ice Snow on a Cruze and found them way too soft and squishy in handling so they are out.
Reason I am looking at the mentioned models are also the deep tread depth of 12 or 13/32” which tend to last longer when I ditch my winters when they get to less than 7/32”.
All the “better” friction winters tend to start around 10/32” and don’t take too long to wear to 7/32”. I drive approx. 20K Km per year on the winters so a couple seasons and I’m through them. Want to get 3 seasons out of a set if I can.
However, for winter performance, you want a softer compound. Those that you listed will have performance issues in wet and anything that is not deep, soft snow.
There is absolutely no way those tires you listed will outhandle Michelin X-SNow.
But, if you want top tier tire with deep thread, Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 starts around 13/32.
 
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