Bridgestone Reviews & Comparisons

The Toyo Observe GSI 6 equipped with an innovative tread compound for optimal grip, squares up against the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90, with its superior multi-cell compound. Who will emerge victorious in this showdown of the snow?

Info on Sizes

The Blizzak WS90 (review) comes in 52 total sizes in 15 to 19 inches (wheels) with following specs.

• Speed ratings: T or H.
• Load ratings: SL or XL.
• Tread depth: 11 or 12/32″.
• Weight: 17 to 29 lbs.
• Tread warranty: None.

On the other side, the Toyo Observe GSI 6 comes in 14 to 22″ with following.

• Speed ratings: H and V.
• Load ratings: SL and XL.
• Tread depth: 11 to 12.6/32″.
• Weight: 17 to 41 lbs.
• Tread warranty: None.

Tread Structure

The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is a tough winter tire with a special design on the surface, or tread. Let’s look more closely at its parts.

So on the tread, you’ll notice three sections, or ‘ribs. The one in the middle is continuous running, so there aren’t any proper blocks there. Though you do get a lot of tread features there, nonetheless.

So besides a lot of wave like siping, you also get small cuts or slits here, which get wider as they reach the edges.

They then join with V-shaped notches that look like teeth, or “biters”, which help with traction a lot.

This also goes for the lateral notches on the shoulder lugs. These combined with the longitudinal slits (in the middle of these lugs), yield amazing traction values.

Moreover, these shoulder blocks also have zigzag slits running along near the edges of the tire. And like other winter tires, you get a ton of siping here as well.

On the other hand, Toyo Observe GSI 6 also features a directional pattern.

Looking at its tread, we can see it has three parts, or ribs, (consider them columns of blocks in the middle).

So these 3 create 4 longitudinal channels, of equal width, though the outer ones are more biting.

The central-most rib is made continuous, as its not divided all the way by those slits you see.

And they are a lot, they make zigzag pattern all along.

Moreover, you can also see sharp notches and a mixture of rectilinear and interlocking siping on this rib.

The surrounding ribs are open, forming interconnected grooves, and these have a ton of biters.

You can see the snow-vices facing the shoulders, then you can see multiple notches, and off-set edges, along with siping. And yes, you can not miss the flower/snowflake shaped deep incisions.

The shoulder lugs also have the same story. They have snow-vices, zigzag slits in the middle, and of course wave-like siping.

Snow Performance

When discussing performance in soft snow, the Toyo Observe GSI 6 manages to nudge ahead slightly, because it features more gaps/biters, which essentially function to trap snow particles, enhancing snow-to-snow contact.

The trapped snow, basically, creates the contact patch with the ground as the tire spins, fostering improved traction. And this occurs because snow bonds more effectively to itself than to rubber.

Moreover, with the tire’s tread having a directional pattern, you also get a paddling effect, where snow is scooped and thrown backwards, and forward momentum is created.

The Blizzak WS90 on the other hand is missing with both of these features. It’s pattern is symmetric, and it doesn’t offer as effective of a snow to snow contact.

Wet Traction

Wet traction is largely influenced by two factors: tread configuration and rubber formulation. These in turn determine the tire’s grip and resistance to hydroplaning, the two dimensions of wet performance. Let’s dive into each one.

Wet Grip

Even though both these tires feature abundant siping and flexible tread rubber, the Blizzak is still overall lacking here.

So why is that?

Well because the WS90, although features numerous biters, they are still not as abundant when seen alongside with Toyo Observe.

The Toyo’s central rib can be seen with zigzag longitudinal slits, along with an array of rectilinear and interlocking sipes, along with notches. Moreover, you can also see snowflake shaped slits on the surrounding blocks, along with snow vices facing the shoulders (which by the way also have those, apart from zigzag slits).

All of these provide much better water absorption capabilities.

Basically these tread voids expel/blow out air, when meeting with the surface, essentially creating a type of vacuum, which allows for a suction, soaking water particles ability.

And with more in number of these voids/biters, you get a superior performance on Toyo GSI 6.

The Blizzak WS90 on the other hand, although also features dual siping design, and multi-angled biters, it’s performance still takes the back seat, as the tire shows up slightly longer handling lap times (on average).

So overall in case of wet girp, you get a supeiror performance on Observe GSI 6

Side Note: All of these features which make Toyo better here, also can be used to explain its more commendable ice traction performance too.

Hydroplaning resistance

Hydroplaning is a phenomenon that occurs when water forms a barrier between the tire tread and the underlying surface.

This “barrier” effectively causes the tire to levitate slightly, resulting in a complete loss of traction, which is a significant safety hazard.

And so when it comes to this aspect, the Toyo Observe GSI-6 takes center stage with an impressive performance.

Its wide channels, coupled with sweeping arms, permit increased average hydroplaning speeds.

This holds true for both straight and curved aquaplaning scenarios.

Furthermore, its elaborate maze of channels is designed to efficiently disperse water in all directions, contributing to an overall superior hydroplaning resistance.

So overall hydroplaning resistance is seen better on Toyo GSI 6.

Tread Life

Tread life is significantly impacted by rolling resistance, which is a function of the tire’s weight and rubber composition.

So it’s logical that the Toyo Observe GSI 6 falls short in this area as well.

The tire’s heavier weight exerts increased stress on the tread, and since the lugs are more spaced apart, each lug has to endure more weight pressure, as they grind against the road with greater force.

Indeed, the tire’s relatively softer rubber compound exacerbates this situation.

In contrast, the Blizzak WS90 benefits from being lighter and having closely-packed lugs, which encounter less friction as the tread contacts the road.

So overall treadwear is seen faster on Toyo.

Comfort Levels

Tire comfort is primarily influenced by factors such as the level of road noise and the ability to absorb vibrations.

Speaking of noise first, which basically originates from the collision of air particles against the walls of the tread, you get a lacking performance on Toyo. As simply put, the wider the tread voids, the higher the noise produced.

And Toyo GSI 6 with relatively spacious tread design falls short in keeping the ride quiet.

Contrastingly, when we venture into the realm of shock absorption, the Toyo Observe GSI-6 outshines its counterpart, the Blizzak WS90.

Due to its softer tread compound, this tire is exceptionally well-suited to cushion shocks, ensuring a smoother ride overall.

Fuel Economy

Tire fuel efficiency is fundamentally linked to tread design and structural weight. These things basically tell you about the rolling resistance.

For the sake of simplification, the tire’s greater weight, coupled with larger tread voids, contribute to increased lug flexing during cornering, braking, or accelerating.

And this flexing or molding of the lugs results in extra energy consumption, which is exactly what we see on Toyo Observe GSI 6.

On the other side, the Blizzak WS90, equipped with more streamlined, longitudinally aligned ribs, doesn’t generate as much rolling resistance, so you get a better MPG here.

Dry Traction

Dry traction can be divided into two parts: directional grip and handling. Let’s examine each one.

Directional Grip

Dry grip is dependent on the central area of the tread since it forms the most contact with the ground, especially when it comes to winter tires, given their rounded contact patch and directional design, for the most part.

Hence, in this case, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 emerges victorious, as it features a “wider” continuous-running central rib, ensuring an uninterrupted connection between the rubber and the road.

This results in superior braking distances, indicative of directional grip.

In contrast, Toyo Observe GSI 6 falls short with its broader tread voids, and narrower central rib (however continuous).

Handling

A tire’s cornering abilities or overall sideways traction depends on its shoulder lugs.

Here, two things are evaluated.

First, how effectively these lugs connect with the ground as the tire rotates.

And second, the extent to which these lugs bend during this process.

And in both aspects, the Blizzak WS90 outperforms its counterpart.

Its compact pattern forms a larger contact with the ground, and due to its lighter weight, its lugs don’t tend to flex too much as the tire corners.

During cornering, most of the tire’s weight shifts towards the shoulders, and their bending disrupts the balance between oversteer and understeer, resulting in a slower steering response.

Therefore, with heavier structures and broader channels, the Toyo Observe GSI 6 displays longer handling lap times.

To Conclude

Both premium winter tires are very notable, with each excelling in different areas.

The Observe GSI-6 shows superiority in wet traction and soft snow performance, thanks to its abundant sipes and tread voids. However, its wider grooves compromise comfort by increasing road noise.

Conversely, the Blizzak WS90 shines in dry traction and fuel economy due to its continuous central rib and lighter weight, but it lacks hydroplaning resistance.

Moreover, despite their unique advantages, the Observe GSI-6 suffers quicker treadwear, while the Blizzak WS90 offers a smoother ride, illustrating that each tire serves specific needs depending on driving conditions.

Bringing together engineering excellence and innovation, both the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 and the Blizzak DM V2, offer exceptional winter tire designs, to master the most challenging snow and icy conditions. But how well these tires do in other areas? Well let’s find out!

Tire Sizes

The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 (review) comes in 52 total sizes in 15 to 19 inches rims, with following specs.

• Speed ratings: T or H.
• Load ratings: SL or XL.
• Tread depth: 11 or 12/32″.
• Weight: 17 to 29 lbs.

On the other side, the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 (review) comes in 15 to 22 inches with following.

• Speed ratings: R, S and T.
• Load ratings: SL and XL.
• Tread depth: 13 or 14/32″.
• Weight: 27 to 45 lbs.

Tread Appearance

The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 captivates with its compelling and meticulously configured directional tread pattern.

The tread predominantly features three bold ribs, with the central one designed as a continuous unit.

Decorated with a host of wave-like sipes, the central rib also showcases linear, interconnected sipes which are integrated flawlessly with in-groove notches.

And these lateral grooves are then joined up with V shaped notches facing on both sides.

The shoulder lugs surpass typical design norms with notches, aimed towards the central rib, and additional biters on the sides, aligned with wide, angled longitudinal slits.

Further versatility in these shoulders is provided by zigzag-shaped slits on the lugs.

And yes, mirroring the central blocks, you also see similar wave like siping over here as well.

On the other hand, Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 comes with a very different and yet again unique tread pattern.

There are 3 ribs in the middle area of the tread, which is separated from the shoulder lug by wide prominent circumferential grooves.

All 3 ribs have triangular shaped blocks, though the central ones have slighter smoother edges compared to surrounding ones.

Nonetheless, they all carry aggressive wave-like siping, along with in-groove notches, joined up with rectilinear thick siping slits.

Moving towards shoulders, lugs are very blocky here, though they have off-set edges.

Moreover, they also have wider lateral groove in between.

And like the middle lugs, they also have similar siping.

Ice Performance

On icy roads, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 stands as the superior option when compared to its little brother.

The WS90 basically employs innovative design elements, such as specialized biters dispersed across the tread and fitted with V-shaped notches.

This unique construction, coupled with multiple siping angles, empowers the WS90 with superior braking and acceleration capabilities on icy tracks.

Furthermore, the tire’s comprehensive grip from all angles contributes significantly to its performance when handling or braking on icy terrains.

In contrast, the Blizzak DM-V2, although also features multiple biters, having a lot of angles to them as well, the tire still lacks, as those biting edges are relatively wider.

So it makes sense why Dm-v2 is designed for SUV and heavier vehicles. It’s wider tread voids, aren’t able to properly grip on the packed up icy surface, where tiny aggressive siping and narrower biting slits are needed.

Moreover, as you can see form its tread (scroll up), the tire is missing with any kind of notches on the shoulders, where you get multiple-angled ones on its counterpart.

So overall the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 takes the lead when it comes to icy terrains.

Snow Performance

When the terrain shifts from ice to snow, however, the Blizzak DM-V2 clearly surpasses the WS90.

So why is that?

Well in case of fluffy snow, you need tires that are capable of making greater snow to snow contact. And with wider grooves, that happens more efficiently on DM V2.

The tire’s symmetric tread with numerous triangular shaped lugs featuring multiple in-groove notches holds on to the snow particles in a better way, creating a layer of captive snow, which connects with the ground to produce greater traction.

This happens because snow really likes to stick on other snowflakes, instead of rubber.

The Bridgestone Blizzak with its slightly more closed up pattern lacks in this regard, where its grooves aren’t able to accumulate as much snow.

Though in the tire’s defense, where you see a lot of margin in directional grip and acceleration, its very little in the handling department. In fact, subjectively it feels the same.

On snowy terrains, the Blizzak DM-V2 has the upper hand.

Wet Traction

Wet traction performance depends largely on two elements: the tread pattern and the rubber compound. These components significantly affect the tire’s ability to grip wet surfaces and resist hydroplaning. Let’s delve deeper into these elements.

Wet Grip

While both tire models feature ample siping and flexible tread rubber, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 still emerges superior in terms of grip.

Though to be more specific, you get a superior handling performance on this tire, and its a more overall dominating traction factor. But yes, you can say, both tires are almost equal in case of wet directional grip.

So why the handling then?

Well, because Blizzak WS90 features more effective water cleaning abilities from its shoulders, where you see multi angled sipes, along with notches facing both lateral and longitudinal directions.

This allows for grip in all directions as the tire corners, allowing for minimal slippage.

On the other hand, the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 is equipped with only laterally oriented sipes on its shoulders, and so the tire gives out lacking overall handling times (on laps, during testing).

Hydroplaning

Hydroplaning happens when water hinders the tread from making proper contact with the ground (as thin layer of it forms in between), leading the tire to ‘float’, and resulting in complete loss of traction, which is a considerable safety issue.

In this regard, among the two tires, the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 excels overall, with its broader grooves offering water dispersing in all directions.

Whereas in case of Blizzak WS90, you don’t get any interconnected lugs, so water is restricted more to move out, especially in the lateral direction (with the tire’s continuous running middle most layer).

So overall wet traction is better on WS90.

Dry Traction

Dry traction, a significant performance aspect of any tire, is influenced by the extent of rubber in contact with the road surface.

And here, two integral factors have to be considered, namely, directional grip and lateral traction. Let’s talk about them both one after another.

Directional Grip

The efficiency of the directional grip predominantly resides in the tread’s central area. This is because when rolling on highways (staright), most of the weight (the tire carries) is focused there.

That’s the reason why you see a better performance on the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90, with the tire’s continuous-running middle rib, making a more proper contact with the tar, and resulting with shorter braking efficacy.

In contrast, the Blizzak DM V2 lacks here, with not only its wider grooves, but also with its less overall streamlined structure.

So overall dry traction is better on Blizzak WS90.

Handling

The quality of handling is primarily dictated by the tire’s shoulders and overall weight. This is because during cornering, the weight, the tire carries is shifted/focused on to the edges of the tread (this is because of inertia).

And so here, the Blizzak WS90 is again taking the lead, mainly because of two things.

One, its shoulder blocks are more packed up, which allow for better rubber to road contact.

And two, the tire features lighter structure, combined with shallower tread depth.

Both of these features basically allow for smaller lug play (bending of the blocks, as the tire corners). And so you get a more balanced under and oversteering abilities.

The DM V2 on the other side, with wider grooves, and larger tread depth induces more lug movement during cornering, thereby reducing steering feedback.

So overall handling and braking efficacy is superior on Blizzak WS90.

Tread Life

Tread endurance is an aspect that’s heavily influenced by rolling resistance, and in this sphere, the Blizzak WS90 pulls ahead of the competition.

But before I explain the reasoning behind it, understand, that there is a difference between durability and treadwear. Both of them are different subjects, and one has nothing to do with the other, well for the most part.

Having said that, even though the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is a less durable tire off the two, it gives out superior tread life with its lighter weight emphasizing less pressure on its lugs, as the rub against the ground.

On the other hand, the DM-V2 wears down faster compared to its counterpart, with its larger weight pushing lugs to rub with greater friction, even though the tire features one of the largest tread depths in the winter (on-road) category.

Generally speaking, greater tread depth means more time to reach down to 2/32″, which is the legal limit with which you can drive in US, for example.

So anyways, with greater friction, it also means bigger rolling resistance value, and that also affects the fuel economy of the tire.

So in essence, you can say, that the Blizzak WS90 features better MPGs and overall tread life, even though both tires don’t come with any sort of warranty.

Comfort Levels

Riding comfort in a tire is predominantly determined by the degree of road noise it produces and its proficiency in dampening vibrations. These traits are shaped by the tire’s construction for the most part.

Let’s check them out one by one.

Tread Noise

Noise is produced when air particles collide with the walls of the tire tread. So you can say, the larger the tread voids, the more pronounced the noise.

Now lets see why comparing both tires, you see more quietness on Bridgestone WS90.

The tire for one features more closed up shoulder lugs, where most of the air enters, and in a similar manner, you also get crowded lug design in the middle, where the air particles have less room to move around.

So less noise gets generated in the first place.

Moreover, the remaining noise is further dampened down with tire’s superior pitch sequencing.

Both of these features are missing on its counterpart, so you get a quieter ride on WS90.

On-Road Vibration

The Blizzak DM-V2 may be louder, but the tire really does well when it comes to impact comfort.

This is because for one, its tread rubber is more absorbing to the bumps. And two, it features greater tread depth, so you get a larger rubber layer between you and the bumps.

So bumps absorption is better DM V2.

Summing Up

In snow-filled conditions, the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2excels due to its unique tread design and a larger number of tread voids, delivering superior snow grip and clearance.

However, on icy surfaces, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 outperforms its rival. This is thanks to its variety of intricate biting edges, slanted incisions, and multi-angled sipes, all of which enhance overall traction and handling.

Furthermore, the tire exhibits superior grip on both wet and dry surfaces, but the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 excels in its hydroplaning resistance.

Taking all factors into account, the Blizzak WS90 slightly outperforms, thanks to its slightly superior fuel economy, longer tread life, and less noisy performance.

Out of both tires, the Continental WinterContact SI features a commendable traction on snow, though the tire lacks to its counterpart, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90, when it comes to ice. Let’s see why, along with how these tires do in other areas. Though first, let’s look at the tire sizes and their designs.

Available Sizes

The Continental WinterContact SI comes in 15 to 20″ with following.

• Speed ratings: H and T.
• Load ratings: XL only.
• Tread depth: 10/32″ on all.
• Weight: 15 to 36 lbs.

On the other hand, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 offers 52 total sizes in 15 to 19 inches rims. They come with following specs.

• Speed ratings: T or H.
• Load ratings: SL or XL.
• Tread depth: 11 or 12/32″.
• Weight: 17 to 29 lbs.
• Tread warranty: None.

Tread Design

The Blizzak WS90 (review) is a marvel in tire technology, when it comes to winter performance. Let’s consider its tread pattern closely.

So you get an intricate directional tread pattern here.

Where 3 prominent ribs are featured, with the central rib forming a continuous band.

This rib comes with a combination of wave-like and rectilinear sipes.

And apart from that you also see in-groove notches connected with V shaped ones (facing in both lateral directions).

Moving towards shoulders, the lugs are also equipped with a lot of biters.

You see notches facing central lugs, a long with longitudinal incisions of varying widths (which seem to be dividing these blocks up).

Moreover, you also get a combination of zigzag longitudinal sipes at the end there. Though most of the siping is interlocking just like seen in the middle.

On the other hand, Continental WinterContact SI comes with a very unique pattern as well.

You see a directional design here, where central most area consist of a continuous running rib made up with unaligned blocks (which resemble leaves on a wine, leaves being blocks).

These lugs have chamfered edges, and full depth interlocking sipes.

The surrounding lugs also showcase similar tread features, though they are bigger and their siping (pattern) have different angles to them (which enhances overall bite).

All these lugs form 3 ribs in total, which also make 4 longitudinal grooves as well, (interconnected by slanted lateral tread voids, allowing for excellent tread cleaning capabilities).

The shoulder lugs are elongated and have wider later gaps in between though. So these lugs make longer siping pattern as well (though having similar wave-like pattern).

And yes, one more thing, unlike central blocks, shoulder blocks’ sharper edges are not chamfered.

Ice Traction

When it comes to icy surfaces, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 confidently asserts its dominance, outperforming the Continental WinterContact SI by stopping a whole second quicker on average, which by the way, is also the case when it comes to acceleration (up to 40 mph).

So why is Continental lacking here?

Well, because the tire is missing with expertly designed biters as you see on its competitor.

The tire is characterized by larger tread voids and fewer notches, seems less prepared for icy conditions. And its central tread area, crucial for effective braking, struggles to maintain an adequate grip on packed ice due to the tire’s wider lateral tread voids.

Moreover, the tire also is lacking features such as multi-angled siping, which further detracts from its performance.

And yes, this deficiency extends to ice handling too, where the scarcity of notches leads to longer handling times.

The Blizzak WS90 on the other side, offers superior biters. Its central rib consists of a variety of slanted cuts, V-shaped notches in both lateral directions, and an abundance of siping, all adding up to outstanding ice-biting performance.

The dual-angle design of these biters further enhances the grip, thus facilitating efficient braking. When it comes to handling, the tire’s shoulder lugs are key and they come equipped with biters facing both laterally and longitudinally, providing a comprehensive grip from every possible angle.

So Ice Traction is better on Bridgestone WS90.

Dry Performance

Dry grip is determined by the extent of the rubber’s contact with the surface, and two key components are at play here, namely, directional grip and lateral traction.

Let’s check them all out.

Directional Grip

The efficiency of the directional grip is determined by the central tread area (configuring how much rubber to road contact is made from there).

This is because when a tire rolls straight, this middle area gets the most weight concentration on itself.

And Blizzak WS90 with its continuous running rib, ensures continuous surface contact as the tire moves straight, resulting in superior performance.

In comparison, although the WinterContact SI also features a almost continuous running layer there, it’s not as streamlined as it’s counterpart, hence you see almost 9 feet longer braking distance here.

So overall, one can easily conclude Blizzak to be a better choice here.

Handling

Handling is dependent on the tire’s shoulder areas and overall weight. Let me explain why that’s the case.

So like the directional travel puts pressure on the middle lugs, while cornering, the weight shifts towards shoulders (because of inertia), and how well those lugs connect with the road is much more significant.

That’s why the Blizzak WS90 with it’s closed up shoulder lugs offer better performance, relatively.

In this regard, the Continental WinterContact SI on the other hand, besides having wider grooves also feature a heavier structure.

This basically causes the tire’s lugs to flex more, leading to weakened steering feedback (and reduced balance between under and oversteering).

So you get superior handling on Blizzak WS90.

Snow Traction

In the snowy landscapes, both tires truly display their prowess with impressive performances, though still, the Continental WinterContact SI provides slightly better traction, particularly when it comes to fluffy snow.

The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 basically comes with a more closed design with a continuous running rib in the middle (part of tread), and the tire lacks any kind of interlocking grooves. This configuration means its tread is not capable of snow collection, giving its competitor the advantage.

But why is that important? Well simply put, because snow sticks better on snow, compared to rubber.

Here, the Continental tire with its wider tread voids allow for better snow-to-snow contact, where its lug voids easily retain the fluffy snow particles within their interconnected grooves and snow-vices.

Moreover, its bolder directional pattern also provides you with paddling, scooping snow backwards and generating a far superior forward momentum, relatively.

So overall snow performance is better on Continental.

Comfort Levels

The overall ride comfort is two parts, noise and tire’s ability to absorb the shocks of the road.

Let’s start with the noise factor.

To put it simply, noise is created when air particles hit the walls of the tread, so this means, the larger the tread gaps, the noisier the tire would get.

This is why the Blizzak WS90, with its compact tread gaps, offers a better overall performance.

Moreover, the tire also features superior pitch sequencing technology. Its tread blocks vary in geometry a little bit, allowing for air particles hitting the walls, to create different tones, which later then cancel out each other.

The Continental WinterContact SI on the other side, does better in regard to dampening vibrations.

Its comparatively softer tread compound gives it a superior ability to absorb shocks, ensuring a more comfortable ride.

So its a tie between two tire giants.

Wet Traction

Wet traction is primarily driven by two elements: the tread pattern and the type of rubber compound used in the tire. These factors essentially determine the tire’s grip on wet surfaces and its capacity to resist hydroplaning.

I’ve talked about them both below.

Wet Grip

While both tires are fitted with significant siping, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 still manages to offer slightly better performance.

The tire features a more aggressive siping pattern with a combination of rectilinear and interlocking (siping) slits.

Moreover, you also get a ton of biters on its tread as well, which grip the wet surface more efficiently.

These features render this tire a little better overall in the gripping department.

Sipes basically work by expelling air out, and forming a vacuum, which then sucks water particles coming underneath.

And here the Continental WinterContact, with its less effective siping lacks overall to its counterpart.

Though the tire does better in the hydroplaning performance, which is also a key part of overall wet traction.

Hydroplaning resistance

Hydroplaning is another word for floating, because it happens when water starts to float with a thin layer of water forming between the tread and the road.

And its caused by in-effective dispersal of water form the grooves. So the wider the better.

That’s why the Continental WinterContact SI shows remarkable performance in this area. Its wide grooves and sweeping arms enable higher average speeds without hydroplaning, both in straight and curved aquaplaning tests.

Moreover, its connected up system of grooves effectively dispels water in all directions, providing excellent hydroplaning resistance.

So Aquaplaning is better on Continental’s tire.

Summing Up

So what did we learn here? Well A lot.

In case of snow, or should I say fluffy snow, the Continental WinterContact SI stands out with its distinct tread design. Though this very design doesn’t allow the tire to excel when it comes to ice, and wet conditions.

And yes, its wider grooves which although offer superior snow scooping, also puts the tire in the backseat when it comes to dry traction. Though the difference is very low here, between the two tires.

Other than this, both tires are rated as equals when it comes to comfort, as its two part, where one being noise, and the other one, being vibrations absorption capability.

Here the Continetal does better with the later, whereas the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is a superior pick when it comes to overall road quietness.

Stepping into the frosty fray is the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005, known for its exceptional ride comfort, up against the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90, famous for its superior traction. Let’s see which of these contenders stand tall, when winter winds whip?

Tire Sizes

The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 comes in 52 total sizes in 15 to 19 inches (wheels) with following specs.

• Speed ratings: T or H.
• Load ratings: SL or XL.
• Tread depth: 11 or 12/32″.
• Weight: 17 to 29 lbs.
• Tread warranty: None.

On the other side, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 comes in just 18 sizes in 18 to 20 inches rims, with following specs.

• Speed ratings: H and V.
• Load ratings: XL only.
• Tread depth: 8 to 11/32″.
• Weight: 24 to 36 lbs.
• Tread warranty: None.

Tread Appearance

The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 distinguishes itself with a sturdy and intricately engineered directional tread pattern. Allow me to explore its complex features in depth.

So, upon first glance, the tread showcases 3 distinct ribs, and here the central one shows up with a continuous running design, meaning there aren’t any proper lugs formations there.

So this rib comes with interesting attributes, besides carrying a lot of siping, like any other winter tire.

It includes lateral slits that progressively widen as they reach the edges, merging with V-shaped outer notches.

(These V shaped notches basically serve as dual-facing biters, augmenting traction).

The two additional ribs are home to the shoulder lugs. These lugs, although seemingly divided, are not completely so, given the limited depth of the slits. So they don’t split up the blocks and act as in-groove biters (just as seen on the middle rib).

Moreover, these ribs house biters that face laterally, (see how their notches are facing towards the central rib).

On the other hand, Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 also features a directional design with a total of 6 ribs.

The central pair of ribs constitute squared-off blocks that interlock with each other. These lugs exhibit sharp edges accompanied by wave-like siping.

The outer ribs maintain a squared-off structure as well, but they host larger, rectangular-shaped lugs, similarly endowed with wave-like sipes.

All these lugs are longitudinally interconnected, thereby enhancing the tire’s directional and lateral grip and stability.

The shoulder lugs are the most prominent on the tread, or to be more precise, the most elongated.

Although these lugs bear similar sharp sides and wave-like sipes, they also feature lateral slits that significantly contribute to handling, as we’ll discuss in the following sections.

Of course, these lugs are spaced apart laterally, lending the tire an additional feature of self-cleaning on the tread.

Fuel Economy

The fuel efficiency of a tire is essentially related to its traction and overall weight, areas where the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 could use a little polishing.

The tire’s increased weight and broader tread voids lead to more lug flexing when cornering, braking, or accelerating.

And with greater weight being divided on a smaller surface area, each of its lug bears more pressure on itself, leading of extra expenditure of overall energy.

This flexing, or bending of the lugs, ends up consuming additional energy.

On the flip side, the Bridgestone Blizzak, equipped with longitudinally aligned ribs and a more streamlined design, produces lesser rolling resistance values.

This is another way of saying, its lugs aren’t forced to rub against the road with as much force. Its compact tread structure focuses energy on moving the entire tire rather than bending individual blocks, leading to better energy efficiency.

By the way, this is also the reason, why the overall tread life of this tire is better too.

So overall, to summarize in a line, the Blizzak LM005 wear faster and shows up with greater miles per gallon.

Ice Performance

In icy conditions, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 confidently asserts its superiority, with an average of 7 feet shorter braking distance compared to its counterpart.

And, in a similar manner, the tire is also slightly faster, seen in the acceleration tests.

So why the Blizzak LM005 is lacking here?

Well this is because the tire is marked by larger tread voids and fewer notches, seems less equipped for icy conditions. Its central tread area, critical for braking, struggles to grip packed ice due to the tire’s wider lateral tread voids.

And the tire’s lack of multi-angled siping further undermines its performance. This shortfall is also seen in handling, where fewer notches lead to slower handling times.

On the other side, the Bridgestone Blizzak comes out superior wit its detailed biters spread throughout the tread.

The tire’s central rib, for example is featured/equipped with a range of slanted incisions, V-shaped notches facing both lateral directions, and plenty of siping.

And all of these are contributing to the tire’s excellent ice-biting abilities.

Furthermore, the tire’s unique dual-angle design further enhances grip and leads to more effective braking and handling.

Dry Traction

Dry grip is about the degree of rubber contact with the ground, with directional grip and lateral traction playing vital roles. So let me talk about these two one after another.

Directional Grip

The effectiveness of the directional grip is all about the central area of the tread. This is because as the tire rolls straight, for example on highways, the central section is where most of the weight (the tire carries) gets concentrated.

And Blizzak with longitudinal rib there offer superior lug to road connectivity resulting in shorter braking distances compared to its counterpart.

(Braking distance is the direct measure of directional grip, for those of you, who don’t know).

On the other side, with directional pattern having wider lateral tread voids, the longitudinal movement of the blocks is hindered a little bit, and so you get slower braking times.

Handling

Handling is influenced by the tire’s shoulder areas and the overall weight.

As the tire corners, its weight moves towards the edges of the tread (or shoulders), and the quality of their contact with the ground becomes crucial.

Having said that, here, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005, with its wider grooves, doesn’t quite match the performance seen on its counterpart.

Moreover, the tire’s extra also further hampers the overall performance.

This added weight leads to increased lug movement as the tire tackles corners, subsequently weakening steering feedback.

So overall, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is taking the lead.

Wet Traction

Wet traction is chiefly influenced by two factors: the design of the tread and the rubber compound used in the tire. These components, in turn, control the tire’s grip on wet surfaces and its resistance to hydroplaning.

Let’s examine each aspect.

Wet Grip

Even though both tires come armed with ample siping and flexible tread rubber, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 holds an advantage in grip, showing up with less overall slippage on corners.

The tire basically employs a dual siping design, featuring a dense network of rectilinear and interlocking slits, which are also angled. So you get a grip from all sides.

On the other side, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005, equipped only with laterally oriented sipes, falls a bit short in delivering comprehensive traction, leading to extended wet braking distances and handling times.

So overall, wet grip is better on Blizzak.

Hydroplaning

Hydroplaning occurs when water prevents the tire’s tread from making proper contact with the road, causing the tire to skim over the water and losing all traction – a serious concern.

And here, among the two tires, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 excels with its wider grooves.

Those grooves combined with swooping arms disperse water off the tread faster, and facilitate higher average speeds without hydroplaning, in both straight and curved aquaplaning tests.

In contrast, the Blizzak WS90 falls behind with its longitudinal rib, which doesn’t allow, or you can say restricts for efficient sideways water displacement, compared to its competitor.

So the LM005 takes the lead here.

Fluffy Snow Performance

In a snowy backdrop, both tires exhibit their skills with laudable performances. But if you have to pick one here, I would go with the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005, particularly when it comes to fluffier snow terrains.

And this superior traction is all due to its tread design.

The tire carries a slightly more aggressive tread pattern, with spaced apart lugs that reach out to the snowy surface.

These tread blocks are then able to establish snow-to-snow contact, as they effectively pick up and hold the fluffy snow particles within their interlocking grooves and snow-vices.

This process forms a layer of ensnared snow, which helps the tread maintain ground contact through this snowy buffer. As snow bonds better with itself than with rubber, generating enhanced friction.

On the other hand, the Bridgestone Blizzak takes a more minimalist approach to snow, featuring a relatively more closed up design with a continuous running rib at the center and lacking the interlocking groove structure.

This leads to its tread being less eager in gathering snow, hence giving its competitor the advantage.

So, the Blizzak LM005 comes out better on snowy roads.

Summing Up

The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 shines in snowy conditions with its unique tread design and larger number of tread voids, delivering an impressive snow grip and clearance capability.

However, when it comes to icy terrains, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 takes the lead. This is thanks to its array of intricate biting edges, slanted incisions, and multi-angled sipes, which enhance overall traction and handling.

And these biters also helps the tire to demonstrate superior grip on wet roads.

And yes, sames the case when we look at dry traction, fuel economy and tread life.

Cold weather showdown begins as the Nexen WinGuard Sport 2, with its innovative sipe design for superior traction, confronts the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90, revered for its low-temperature flexibility. Let’s see which tire takes the cake in all of my tests below.

Sizes Info

The Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 comes in 15 to 20 inches with following.

• Speed ratings: H and V.
• Load ratings: SL and XL.
• Tread depth: 10.5/32″ on all.
• Weight: 15 to 30 lbs.
• Tread warranty: None.

On the other hand, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 offers 52 total sizes in 15 to 19 inches rims. They come with following specs.

• Speed ratings: T or H.
• Load ratings: SL or XL.
• Tread depth: 11 or 12/32″.
• Weight: 17 to 29 lbs.
• Tread warranty: None.

Tread Design

The Blizzak WS90 (review) shines in its class with a sturdy and uniquely designed directional tread pattern.

The tread prominently features three ribs, with the central one being a continuous band.

This main rib is furnished with various wave-like sipes and also features straight, interconnected sipes, flawlessly connected with in-groove notches.

Moreover, the V-shaped cuts on the ribs, aimed towards both sides, also contribute to the tire’s improved traction, along with those notches.

The shoulder lugs demonstrate exceptional design, featuring notches that target the central rib and additional ones on the sides that correspond with thick, angled, longitudinal slits.

Moreover, you also see zigzag slits towards the end there, which can also be categorized as in-groove notches.

Apart form that, you get similar siping pattern as seen on the lugs in the middle.

On the other hand, Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 also features a directional pattern, but its unique as well.

The tire’s central area consists of elongated lug arms with multiple sides.

They get pretty closed up together towards the central most area, and separated by slightly slanted longitudinal slits towards shoulders.

These lugs features numerous wave-like sipes, and rectilinear longitudinal slits, as well as chamfered edges along with sharp sides.

Moving towards shoulders, the lugs here are also elongated, and carry similar tread features like seen on the blocks in the middle, well almost…

These lugs have sharp edges and wave like siping, though they have less overall sides to them, and their edges are not chamfered.

Moreover, the longitudinal slits they form, are also thicker and you can say, curving.

Ice Performance

On icy terrains, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 emerging as the victor.

This tire outperforms its counterpart with a notably shorter braking distance and faster acceleration time, (as seen on measured tests, and then averaged).

Blizzak basically comes with a very well engineered design, with biters featuring just the right angles.

The slanted incisions combined with V shaped biters facing both lateral directions, all offer superior gripping abilities on icy surfaces.

Moreover, with tire’s greater flexibility and multi angled sipes, that gripping capability is boosted further.

On the flip side, the missing notches on the smoothed out (edges), of Nexen WinGuard Sport 2, however, falls short in this regard.

Although the tire offer good enough grooves, and ample sipes, they just can’t offer as much biting capability as its counterpart.

So overall the Blizzak WS90 is taking the lead here.

Wet Grip

Tread design and rubber compound are two pivotal factors dictating wet traction. And considering both, the Blizzak WS90 is taking the lead, although both tires features an abundance of siping, all over their treads, aiding their grip.

This advantage is due to the tire’s utilization of both rectilinear and interlocking sipes, which possess superior water absorption capabilities, and which are missing on the Nexen’s tire.

With multi-angled sipes basically, the water is wiped/cleared off in all directions.

So it makes sense why the Nexen WinGuard Sport 2, with its primary reliance on laterally oriented sipes, fails to match the overall traction of the Blizzak WS90, leading to longer wet braking distances and handling times.

Snow Performance

In snowy conditions, the Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 edges ahead due to its particular design features.

The tire possesses wider tread voids and in-groove notches that aid in trapping snow particles.

This design promotes increased traction as the lodged snow provides a superior grip than the rubber tread itself.

Additionally, the tire’s swooping V-shaped lugs excel at displacing thick snow, enhancing forward momentum and contributing to better acceleration times.

In contrast, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 presents somewhat limited braking and handling capabilities due to its relatively closed design, with a continuous central rib and narrower in-groove notches.

The tire’s directional tread pattern, lacking the swooping arms like seen on its competitor, limits its efficiency, when it comes to snow paddling.

So the Nexen is better here.

Fuel Economy

Fuel economy is influenced by several factors, including the tire’s adherence to the road surface and its overall tread pattern.

And assessing these aspects reveals both tires feature similar rolling resistance values, hence producing similar MPGs.

Though its because of very different reasons.

The Blizzak WS90 lacks with it’s softer compound, which causes extra lug bending. And since energy is required in to bending/molding the lugs, the overall economy is lowered.

However, with the tire’s longitudinally aligned rib, that fuel economy is equal to what is seen on Nexen’s tire.

The Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 features although features a directional tread pattern with lateral tread voids, lowering fuel economy.

But as it’s lugs are firmly placed as the tire corners, brakes or accelerates, you get similar fuel economy compared to its counterpart.

Dry Traction

Dry performance is two parts, grip, and handling.

Grip is the tire’s ability to roll or brake when moving straight. That’s why it gets measured with braking distances.

And here the Blizzak WS90 comes out with shorter stopping and handling times, thanks to it’s longitudinal central rib which offer a lot more contact with the ground.

On the other side, the Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 may not be so great in gripping, it’s handling is better.

Handling depends on two things, contact form the shoulders and lug bending, and in both cases the Nexen takes the lead.

The tire although weighs close to its counterpart, its lugs stay firm as the tire corners, and this allows for faster overall steering response.

On the other side, the Blizzak WS90 with its relatively softer compound lacks here, and is not able to show up with similar results.

On tests, it a 0.5 seconds slower to its counterpart.

So to summarize, the Nexen comes out better when it comes to dry handling, whereas the Blizzak takes the lead with its shorter braking distances.

Comfort Levels

Comfort levels of a tire are largely influenced by factors such as road noise and vibration absorption capability. And these characteristics can vary significantly, depending on the tire’s construction.

In terms of noise the Nexen Winguard Sport 2 has the overall upper hand.

The tire is relatively quieter because, noise is just air colliding the walls of tread, and with swooping arms, the air particles face a more streamlined channel, where they mostly pass through without impacting.

On the other side, the relatively louder Blizzak WS90 comes out better in the department of bumps absorption ability.

The tire’s thermally adaptive softer rubber compound allows for more effective cushioning of the bumps.

So in case of impact comfort the Bridgestone WS90 takes the lead.

Conclusion

Upon comparing these two formidable winter tires, each demonstrates specific advantages.

The Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 shines in fluffy snow conditions due to its wider tread voids, in-groove notches, and superior snow-clearing V-shaped lugs, but lacks in ice compared to its counterpart.

Moreover, in terms of dry performance it takes the lead in the handling department but again lacks in directional gripping ability.

And yes, the Blizzak WS90 comes out superior in wet conditions.

Both tires are rated as equals when it comes to comfort and fuel economy.