Hankook Reviews & Comparisons

Both Nokian Nordman 7 and the Hankook I PIKE showcase their unique strengths, and weaknesses, when it comes to handling snowy and icy roads. So let’s discuss things to find a better pick for your needs.

Dry Traction

Dry traction depends on the tire’s overall contact with the ground and can be divided into two components: directional grip and lateral traction.

And here, the Hankook I PIKE surpasses its counterpart, with its more reliable and consistent rubber to road contact, resulting in shorter braking distances and quicker acceleration times during tests.

However, the Nokian Nordman 7 (review) tire makes a comeback when it comes to dry handling, offering greater lateral g forces.

But why is that? I mean both tires offer similar footprint from shoulders (as we measured it).

Well, this has to do with the Nokian Nordman 7 offering a lighter strcuture which offers superior steering response.

So in essense, the Hankook is better in driectional dry grip, while the Nordman 7 is superior when it comes to handling.

Snow Performance

When it comes to handling in snow, both tires demonstrate commendable performance. However, upon careful consideration, the Nokian Nordman 7 still gets a slight advantage, thanks to its wider gaps and notches, as seen on its tread.

These particular design elements are crucial as they effectively catch and hold snow, to create a snow to snow contact.

But why that matters?

Well, because, snow has a tendency to adhere better to itself rather than to rubber, so that aids in providing the tire with excellent gripping efficacy.

Moreover, the Nordman 7 tire boasts a special V-shaped lug design, which is a feature that aids in pushing snow away from the tire and propelling it forward, resulting in slightly quicker acceleration.

Conversely, the Hankook I PIKE tire performs slightly less admirably in snowy conditions due to its tread design, which includes a continuous center rib and narrower notches.

In the realm of snow performance, the clear winner is the Nokian Nordman 7 tire.

Ice Performance

In terms of ice performance, the Hankook I PIKE takes the lead, where our extensive tests have consistently shown that it outperforms the Nordman 7 tire by stopping 8.6 feet shorter, on average.

Similarly, the tire also showed superior acceleration capabilities on a average 0 to 40 mph drag test.

And both of these have to do with the tire’s unique biting edges distributed across the tread, which offer better gripping efficacy on hard packed up snow.

Conversely, the Nokian Nordman 7 tire encounters some difficulties on ice due to its wider tread gaps and fewer biting edges.

Fuel Economy

Fuel consumption is significantly influenced by factors such as the tire’s adherence to the road surface and the overall tread pattern. And considering these aspects, it easily understandable, why the Hankook I PIKE tire delivers slightly superior overall performance.

Its longitudinally aligned central rib translates to a more streamlined tread design, promoting better and straighter rolling of the tire, resulting in lower fuel consumption.

On the other hand, the Nokian Nordman 7 tire’s less “streamlined”, you can say, directional tread pattern, featuring lateral tread voids, poses more challenges for the tire, as it rolls. This leads to increased rolling resistance and subsequently higher fuel consumption.

Verdict: When it comes to fuel economy, the winner is the Nokian Nordman 7.

Wet Traction

The traction on wet surfaces is greatly influenced by two key factors: tread design and the type of rubber compound used in the tire’s tread. These factors significantly impact the tire’s (wet) grip and its resistance to hydroplaning.

In terms of grip, the Hankook I PIKE manages to get ahead, thanks to its more aggressive mix of linear and interlocking sipes.

These sipes possess the capability to absorb water more effectively, and provide exceptional wet grip, both in lateral and directional line tests.

In contrast, the Nokian Nordman 7 tire primarily relies on laterally oriented sipes, which fall short in providing comparable overall traction. Consequently, it often exhibits longer handling times, though braking efficacy is similar to its competitor.

And yes, the tire also does better in the hydroplaning resistance testing, where its lugs are more efficient in providing faster float speeds on both curved and stragith aqua tests.

Comfort Levels

Tire comfort is primarily determined by factors such as road noise generation and vibration absorption capabilities. These attributes can vary based on the tire’s construction, materials used, tread design, and sidewall configuration.

In this regard, both tires offer remarkably similar performances. They provide a supremely smooth ride and excel in cushioning against road bumps.

Moreover, both tires exhibit comparable noise reduction abilities, which is significant as noise primarily stems from air particles colliding with the tire’s tread walls.

Verdict: In terms of comfort levels, both tires are equally impressive, making it a tie between them.

Verdict?

After conducting a thorough comparison of these two exceptional winter tires, it is clear that each tire possesses unique strengths.

The Nokian Nordman 7 tire excels in deep snow conditions, thanks to its wider tread voids, notches, and V-shaped lugs, which ensure superior snow displacement. Furthermore, it demonstrates impressive lateral traction on dry roads.

The Hankook I PIKE tire, on the other hand, showcases superior traction capabilities on icy terrain, owing to its abundance of biting edges and varied incisions. Additionally, it offers better braking and handling efficiency on wet roads and slightly outperforms in terms of fuel economy.

In terms of comfort, both tires provide equally outstanding performances.

Considering all factors, it is evident that both the Nokian Nordman 7 and Hankook I PIKE tires have their respective strengths and excel in different areas.

Hankook Winter Icept RS2, renowned for its excellent snow traction, and Hankook Winter Icept RS3, praised for its superior handling on ice, are both set to put their best foot forward. But who will rule the winter roads? Let’s find out!

Quick Takeaway

Hankook Winter Icept RS3 excels in:

• Ice Performance: Due to slanted incisions, V-shaped biters, enhanced flexibility, and multi-angled sipes, offering shorter braking and faster handling.
• Wet Grip: Utilizes both rectilinear and interlocking sipes for superior water absorption and clearing, leading to enhanced traction.
• Impact Comfort: Soft rubber compound provides effective cushioning, ensuring a more comfortable ride over uneven surfaces.
• Dry Grip: Superior due to the longitudinal central rib, providing increased ground contact and resulting in shorter stopping times.

Hankook Winter Icept RS2 excels in:

• Snow Performance: Wider tread voids and in-groove notches trap snow particles, enhancing grip and displacement of thick snow.
• Tread Noise: Offers a quieter ride due to more streamlined channels for air particles.
• Dry Handling: Lug firmness during cornering allows for faster overall steering response.

Also note, that both tires perform equally in fuel Economy, where similar rolling resistance values were seen on both.

Ice Performance

In the realm of icy terrains, the Hankook Winter Icept RS3 emerges as the victorious tire, surpassing its counterpart with exceptional prowess.

As my testing show, the tire offered 5 feet shorter braking, and a whole second faster handling, comparatively.

So why is that?

Well, this tire offers slanted incisions, combined with V-shaped biters facing both lateral directions, and all these features offer unparalleled gripping abilities on icy surfaces.

Furthermore, the tire’s enhanced flexibility and multi-angled sipes amplify its gripping capability, providing an even greater advantage.

Conversely, the Hankook Winter Icept RS2 falls short in this regard, lacking notches on its smoothed-out edges. While it offers adequate grooves and ample sipes, it cannot match the biting capability of its counterpart.

Verdict: Overall, the Hankook Winter Icept RS3 takes the lead in ice performance.

Snow Performance

In snowy conditions, the Hankook Winter Icept RS2 takes the lead due to its unique design features. The tire’s wider tread voids and in-groove notches prove invaluable in trapping snow particles.

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

Furthermore, the Hankook Winter Icept RS2’s better swooping V-shaped lugs excel at displacing thick snow, enhancing forward momentum and contributing to better acceleration times.

In contrast, the Hankook Winter Icept RS3 presents somewhat limited braking and handling capabilities due to its relatively closed design, featuring a continuous central rib and narrower in-groove notches.

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

Hence, the Hankook Winter Icept RS2 outperforms its counterpart in snowy conditions.

Wet Grip

When it comes to wet traction, two pivotal factors play a significant role: tread design and rubber compound. And considering both aspects, the Hankook Winter Icept RS3 emerges as the frontrunner.

Although both tires feature an abundance of siping across their treads, aiding their grip, the Hankook Winter Icept RS3 holds a distinct advantage.

This advantage stems from the tire’s utilization of both rectilinear and interlocking sipes, which possess superior water absorption capabilities. And these combined with its multi-angled sipes, the tire clears water in all directions, further enhancing its traction.

On the other side, the Hankook Winter Icept RS2’s tire lacks these features.

And it heavily relies on laterally oriented sipes, leading to longer wet braking distances and handling times.

Verdict: The Hankook Winter Icept RS3 excels in wet conditions, surpassing its counterpart.

Fuel Economy

Fuel economy hinges on several factors, including the tire’s adherence to the road surface and overall tread pattern. And evaluating these aspects reveals that both tires feature similar rolling resistance values, resulting in similar miles per gallon (MPG) figures.

However, the reasons for this similarity differ between the two.

The Hankook Winter Icept RS3’s softer compound leads to extra lug bending, which requires additional energy, ultimately reducing fuel economy. Nevertheless, the tire’s longitudinally aligned rib compensates for this drawback, resulting in fuel economy similar to that of the Hankook Winter Icept RS2’s tire.

On the other hand, the Hankook Winter Icept RS2 features a directional tread pattern with lateral tread voids, which can lower fuel economy. However, its lugs remain firmly in place when the tire corners, brakes, or accelerates, allowing for comparable fuel economy to its counterpart.

Therefore, both tires perform equally in terms of fuel economy.

Comfort Levels

Comfort levels of a tire largely depend on factors such as road noise and vibration absorption capability, which can vary significantly based on the tire’s construction.

Regarding noise, the Hankook Winter Icept RS2 holds the upper hand, offering a relatively quieter ride, where the tire’s swooping arms create a more streamlined channel, allowing air particles to pass through without colliding the walls, (which generates noise in the first place).

On the other hand, the Hankook Winter Icept RS3 is although relatively louder, it excels in absorbing bumps, the 2nd main part of overall comfort.

Its thermally adaptive softer rubber compound provides effective cushioning, ensuring a more comfortable ride over uneven surfaces.

Thus, when it comes to impact comfort, the Hankook Winter Icept RS3 takes the lead.

Dry Traction

Dry performance encompasses two essential aspects: grip and handling. Grip refers to the tire’s ability to roll or brake when moving straight, often measured through braking distances.

In this domain, the Hankook Winter Icept RS3 stands out with its shorter stopping and handling times, owing to its longitudinal central rib, which provides increased ground contact.

Conversely, while the Hankook Winter Icept RS2 may not excel in gripping, its handling is superior. (Tests indicate that it is 0.5 seconds slower than its counterpart).

Handling relies on two factors: contact from the shoulders and lug bending, and in both cases, the Hankook Winter Icept RS2 takes the lead.

Despite weighing similarly to its counterpart, its lugs remain firm during cornering, allowing for faster overall steering response.

In contrast, the Hankook Winter Icept RS3, with its relatively softer compound, lacks in this aspect and fails to deliver comparable results.

Verdict: The Hankook Winter Icept RS2 demonstrates better dry handling, while the Hankook Winter Icept RS3 excels with its shorter braking distances.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these two formidable winter tires each demonstrate specific advantages. The Hankook Winter Icept RS2 shines in fluffy snow conditions, thanks to its wider tread voids, in-groove notches, and superior snow-clearing V-shaped lugs. However, it falls short in terms of ice performance compared to its counterpart.

Moreover, the Hankook Winter Icept RS2 excels in dry handling but lacks in directional gripping ability. On the other hand, the Hankook Winter Icept RS3 outperforms its counterpart in wet conditions.

Moreover, both tires are rated equally when it comes to comfort and fuel economy.

The Hankook Winter Icept EVO2, celebrated for its impressive winter handling, and the Hankook Winter Icept Evo3, acclaimed for its excellent traction, are set to go head-to-head. So it’s time to find a better pick, out of them, for you!

Sizes Takeaway

The Hankook Winter Icept EVO2 comes in 14 to 18 inches with following.

• Speed ratings: V only.
• Load ratings: SL and XL.
• Tread depth: 10.5/32″.
• Weight: 15 to 30 lbs.

On the other side, the Hankook Winter Icept EVO3 comes in 18 and 21 inches only, with following.

• Speed ratings: V on all.
• Load range: SL/XL only.
• Tread depth: 10.5/32″ on all.
• Weight: 14 to 33 lbs.

Tread Pattern

Hankook Winter Icept EVO2 features an asymmetrical tread pattern. Let’s look at its design features in details, (it really helps with the tire selection, trust me).

So to understand the tread of this tire, its best you consider the 4 ribs on it.

The one on the right (most), is seen with elongated, very laterally oriented lugs, with wave-like siping on them.

These lugs provide amazing handling, as they are kept firm, by reinforced foundations underneath them.

Moreover, helping to that are the connectors in between these lugs, and the ones on the following rib.

Speaking of which, this rib is the most aggressive with sharp in-groove biters/notches, and multi-angled interlocking sipes.

Though the other two ribs are very less aggressive, and more streamlined.

The middle (almost) rib features lugs with squared-shaped designs. And here you can see in-groove notches and of course similar siping, like seen elsewhere.

And yes, sames the case with the shoulder rib, though lugs are elongated there.

Moving on towards the Hankook Winter Icept EVO3…

This tire features a very aggressive directional tread pattern, with sharp lugs having tons of features.

In the middle most, the lugs have very edgy in-groove notches, and (almost) rectilinear full depth siping.

And the surrounding lugs are elongated and have interlocking (wave-like) siping, besides having chamfered edges towards their outer area.

Moreover, all these lugs are separated form the shoulders with the help of wide, and prominent, longitudinal grooves.

Speaking of which, the shoulders are the most elongated, and have a mixture of interlocking and rectilinear siping pattern.

But other than that, they don’t carry any other features.

Tread Longevity

When it comes to tread longevity, both tires exhibit commendable effectiveness. However, they achieve this in different ways.

The Hankook Winter Icept EVO3 gains an advantage in weight. Its lighter structure exerts less pressure on the lugs as the tire rolls, resulting in an extended lifespan.

But its overall tread life (on average), is very similar to its counterpart, the Evo 3, which benefits from having larger tread depth, allowing it to take a longer time to wear down to the legal limit of 2/32″.

So you can say, both tires are winners in this section.

Ice Performance

In icy conditions, the Hankook Winter Icept EVO3 clearly outshines its competitor. It incorporates advanced design features such as unique biters scattered across the tread and enhanced with snow vices. These innovations enable the tire to deliver slightly better overall traction on icy surfaces.

The EVO3’s innovative design, complemented by multi-angle siping and snow vices, facilitates faster braking and improved handling efficacy on various types of snowy terrain. On the other hand, the Hankook Winter Icept EVO2, despite having multi-angle biters, falls short in comparison. Its wider biters hinder their efficiency on compacted ice, where narrower and more aggressive siping is required.

Consequently, the design of the Hankook Winter Icept EVO2 is better suited for heavier vehicles like SUVs due to its broader tread voids.

Winner: Hankook Winter Icept EVO3 exhibits superior ice performance.

Wet Traction

Wet traction is primarily influenced by two key components: tread design and rubber compound. These factors play a crucial role in determining a tire’s ability to clear water away from the sipes and grooves.

The grooves in the tire design are primarily responsible for water clearance, providing resistance to hydroplaning. On the other hand, the sipes contribute to wet grip by clearing water at a micro level. They effectively draw water particles into their slits.

Let’s delve into these dimensions in more detail.

Wet Grip

Both tires feature ample siping and flexible tread rubber, but the Hankook Winter Icept EVO3 gains an edge in terms of wet handling. However, both tires perform equally well in terms of wet directional grip.

The Hankook Winter Icept EVO3’s superiority in wet handling can be attributed to its superior water expulsion capabilities from the shoulders. This is made possible by the presence of multi-angle sipes and snow vices facing in both lateral and longitudinal directions on the tire’s tread. These design elements ensure a relatively more effective grip during cornering, reducing overall slippage.

In contrast, the Hankook Winter Icept EVO2’s shoulder sipes are oriented only laterally, resulting in somewhat underwhelming handling performance during testing.

Winner: Hankook Winter Icept EVO3 demonstrates better wet grip.

Hydroplaning

Hydroplaning, a condition where water prevents the tread from making proper contact with the road, poses a significant safety concern. In this regard, the Hankook Winter Icept EVO2 outperforms its competitor. Its wider grooves effectively disperse water in all directions, minimizing the risk of hydroplaning.

On the other hand, the Hankook Winter Icept EVO3, lacking interconnected lugs and featuring more closed-up lugs positioned longitudinally, restricts water movement, particularly laterally.

Winner: Hankook Winter Icept EVO2 excels in hydroplaning resistance.

Snow Performance

When it comes to snow-covered terrains, the Hankook Winter Icept EVO2 outperforms nearly all other winter tires, including the Hankook Winter Icept EVO3. This superiority stems from the tire’s broader grooves, which enhance its ability to make better contact with the snow.

The Hankook Winter Icept EVO2’s multiple triangular lugs spread across the tread provide excellent snow-clinging grooves, resulting in superior traction in fluffy snow conditions. Snow sticks better to snow, and the tire’s design facilitates this interaction, providing enhanced snow-holding abilities.

In contrast, the Hankook Winter Icept EVO3’s relatively closed pattern struggles to accumulate as much snow, hampering its traction.

Winner: Hankook Winter Icept EVO2 exhibits superior snow performance.

Dry Traction

Dry traction, a vital performance measure for any tire, depends on the extent of rubber in contact with the road surface. Two key factors play a role in achieving this: directional grip and lateral traction.

Let’s discuss them individually.

Directional Grip

Efficiency in directional grip primarily depends on the central region of the tread. This is because, while cruising on straight highways, the majority of the tire’s load is concentrated in this area.

The Hankook Winter Icept EVO3 excels in this aspect due to its interlocking central lugs, maximizing contact with the road surface. This design enables shorter braking distances when compared to the Hankook Winter Icept EVO2, which falls short due to its wider grooves and less streamlined structure.

Winner: Hankook Winter Icept EVO3 demonstrates better directional grip.

Handling

The quality of tire handling is significantly influenced by the tire’s shoulder design and overall weight. When cornering, the weight load shifts towards the edges of the tread due to inertia.

The Hankook Winter Icept EVO3 emerges as the winner in this aspect, thanks to two primary factors. Firstly, its more compact shoulder blocks enhance rubber-to-road contact during cornering.

Secondly, the tire’s lighter structure, combined with a shallower tread depth, minimizes lug movement or block bending, providing balanced understeering and oversteering capabilities.

In contrast, the Hankook Winter Icept EVO2, with its wider grooves and larger tread depth, experiences more lug movement during cornering, diminishing steering feedback.

Winner: Hankook Winter Icept EVO3 exhibits superior handling.

Comfort Levels

The degree of comfort provided by a tire largely depends on its noise generation and its ability to dampen vibrations. These characteristics are primarily governed by the tire’s construction. Let’s examine each of these elements.

Tread Noise

Tread noise occurs when air particles collide with the tread walls of the tire. In general, larger tread voids tend to generate more noise.

When comparing the Hankook Winter Icept EVO3 and its counterpart, the former emerges as the quieter option.

This can be attributed to its densely packed shoulder lugs, serving as the primary entry point for air.

Additionally, its crowded central lug design allows less room for air particles to move around. These design attributes not only reduce noise generation at the source but also work in conjunction with the tire’s superior pitch sequencing to further dampen any residual noise.

Winner: Hankook Winter Icept EVO3 offers a quieter ride.

On-Road Vibration

While the Hankook Winter Icept EVO2 may generate more noise, it excels in mitigating road vibrations, providing superior impact comfort.

This is due to its more absorbent tread rubber and greater tread depth, which provide a thicker buffer layer between the tire and any road irregularities.

Winner: Hankook Winter Icept EVO2 offers better on-road vibration dampening.

Summing Up

In snow-covered conditions, the Hankook Winter Icept EVO2 stands out due to its unique tread design and a greater number of tread voids, ensuring superior snow grip and clearance.

On the other hand, when traversing icy terrains, the Hankook Winter Icept EVO3 takes the lead. It utilizes intricate biting edges, angled slits, and multi-angled sipes to enhance overall traction and handling capabilities.

Both tires demonstrate excellent grip on wet and dry surfaces, with the Hankook Winter Icept EVO2 excelling in hydroplaning resistance.

Considering all factors, the Hankook Winter Icept EVO3 slightly edges ahead due to its enhanced fuel economy, extended tread life, and quieter operation.

Hankook Winter Icept EVO2, with its stellar performance on snowy roads, and Hankook RS2, known for its superior handling on icy paths, are ready for the winter tire showdown. But who will be crowned the king of winter tires? Let’s find out!

Quick Takeaway

Hankook Winter Icept RS2 excels in:

• Fuel Economy: With its longitudinally aligned ribs and a streamlined design, it exhibits lower rolling resistance and improved energy efficiency. Plus, it has better overall tread life.
• Fluffy Snow Performance: Thanks to its unique tread design, the tire efficiently scoops snow and maintains good snow-to-snow contact, creating amplified friction and traction for better grip.
• Hydroplaning Resistance: Its tread design allows for much easier flow of water out of the tread, offering better resistance to hydroplaning.

Hankook Winter Icept EVO2 excels in:

• Ice Performance: Outpaces its counterpart with a shorter average braking distance and subtly faster acceleration on icy terrains, thanks to a tread design with detailed biters and abundant siping.
• Dry Traction: Its central longitudinal rib ensures superior connectivity and shorter braking distances, thus providing more steadfast road contact.
• Wet Traction: Its dual siping design reduces slippage, providing better grip on wet surfaces.

Areas for Improvement:

• Hankook Winter Icept RS2 could improve its performance on icy surfaces and dry traction, given its design of larger tread voids, scarce notches, and less aggressive sipes.
• Hankook Winter Icept EVO2 could benefit from an enhanced design for better performance on fluffy snow and improved hydroplaning resistance.

Fuel Economy

The fuel economy of a tire is intricately tied to its ability to provide traction and its overall weight. These are areas where the Hankook Winter Icept RS2 could benefit from some refinement.

Due to its increased weight and wider tread voids, the tire experiences more flexing of its lugs during maneuvers such as cornering, braking, and accelerating.

As a result, the weight distribution is spread over a smaller surface area, causing each lug to bear more pressure. This additional pressure leads to a higher expenditure of energy.

The flexing or bending of the lugs ends up consuming extra energy, which adversely affects the fuel efficiency of the tire.

On the other hand, the Hankook Winter Icept RS2, equipped with longitudinally aligned ribs and a streamlined design, exhibits lower rolling resistance values.

In simpler terms, the lugs of this tire do not exert as much force against the road. The compact tread structure efficiently channels energy towards propelling the entire tire forward instead of bending individual blocks. This results in improved energy efficiency.

Furthermore, this design attribute contributes to the tire’s better overall tread life.

Verdict: The Hankook Winter Icept RS2 wears down at a slower rate while providing greater miles per gallon, making it a favorable choice in terms of fuel economy.

Ice Performance

In the harsh reality of icy terrains, the Hankook Winter Icept EVO2 emerges victorious, confidently outpacing its counterpart with an impressive 7-feet shorter average braking distance and demonstrating subtly faster acceleration.

Moreover, the tire also offered faster handling times on laps (it was a whole second faster on average).

The Hankook Winter Icept RS2’s weaker performance on icy surfaces is anchored in its design. The tire, with its larger tread voids and scarce notches, is ill-prepared to grapple with the challenges of icy roads.

A lack of multi-angled siping cripples its performance further, especially during handling, with fewer notches translating to slower response times.

By contrast, the Hankook Winter Icept EVO2 displays pretty commendable traction in icy conditions, not only here, but compared to other famous snow tires out there as well, thanks to a tread design that artfully incorporates detailed biters and an abundance of siping.

These design elements, paired with a unique dual-angle design, significantly enhance grip and enable more effective braking and handling on icy surfaces.

Verdict: Hankook Evo 2 takes the lead, in both handling and directional icy grip.

Dry Traction

Dry traction is a critical component of tire performance, even when it comes to winter tires. And it hinges largely on the extent of rubber contact with the road, and is further divided in to two, the directional grip and the lateral traction.

Now when it comes to directional grip, which has to do with rolling straight, the Hankook Icept evo2 provides you with a more steadfast connection with the road, where its central longitudinal rib, ensures superior connectivity and shorter braking distances.

Meanwhile, the Hankook Winter Icept RS2’s design, featuring wider lateral tread voids, hinders the longitudinal movement of the blocks, thereby elongating braking times.

Furthermore, as for handling, the Hankook Winter Icept RS2’s additional weight and wider grooves prove to be a disadvantage, impeding its performance yet again.

As the tire corners, the weight shifts towards edges of the tread, and the RS2 with wider voids, and weight, pushes lugs to bend relatively more with the road, resulting in limited steering feedback, and with it, a compromised handling.

Verdict: Overall, in terms of both directional grip and handling, the Hankook Winter Icept EVO2 stands as the superior performer.

Wet Traction

The efficacy of wet traction is predominantly guided by the tread design and the rubber compound utilized in the tire. These elements greatly influence the tire’s capacity to cling to wet surfaces and defy hydroplaning.

In terms of grip on wet surfaces, the Hankook Winter Icept EVO2 has an edge, thanks to its dual siping design offering grip from multiple directions and thereby reducing slippage.

The Hankook Winter Icept RS2, equipped with less aggressive sipes, on the other hand, can’t quite match up, resulting in extended braking distances and handling times.

By less aggressive, I mean, that its sipes aren’t as interlocking internally, as its competitor.

Though the tire still offer better resistance to hydroplaning, nonetheless, where its swooping arms allow for much easier flow of water out of the tread.

Verdict: The RS2 offers better aquaplaning resistance, while the EVO2 offers better wet grip.

Fluffy Snow Performance

When it comes to snowy conditions, both tires put up a commendable performance. However, as we sift through just the fluffier snow, the Hankook Winter Icept RS2 starts to outshine its counterpart.

And its superior traction can be attributed to the tire’s unique tread design, where it’s directional pattern, allow for efficient snow scooping abilities.

This provides paddling on the snow, where snow is thrown backwards and a more powerful forward momentum is created.

Moreover, the tire also offers a better snow to snow contact with that too, effectively trapping and holding the fluffy particles within their interlocking grooves.

This generates a snowy buffer layer between the tire and the ground, playing on snow’s propensity to bond better with itself than with rubber. The end result is an amplified friction and traction, allowing for better grip on snowy surfaces.

In contrast, the Hankook Winter Icept EVO2 exhibits a more minimalist approach, sporting a continuous central rib and lacking the interlocking groove structure. Consequently, it falls short in gathering snow, granting its competitor the upper hand in fluffy snow performance.

Verdict: The Hankook RS2 offers better fluffy snow traction.

To Sum Up

In conclusion, both tires display strengths in different areas. So the ideal choice would depend on the driver’s predominant driving conditions and specific needs.

The RS2 excels in fuel efficiency and resisting hydroplaning, while the EVO2 performs better on icy surfaces, dry traction, and wet grip.

In fluffy snow conditions, the RS2 demonstrates superior traction.

In the arena of winter tires, Hankook Winter Icept RS2 and Kleber Krisalp HP3, each offering unique strengths in handling, endurance, and ride comfort, are set to compete. Which one will steal the show? Let’s find out!

Key Takeaway

Hankook Winter Icept RS2 excels in:

• Ice Traction: The Winter Icept RS2’s smaller voids, more notches, and multi-directional sipes provide superior ice traction.
• Dry Performance: The Winter Icept RS2’s compacted running rib provides more rubber-to-road contact, offering better directional grip.
• Handling: The Winter Icept RS2’s closed-up shoulder lugs and weight distribution provide superior handling, especially during cornering.
• Noise Reduction: The Winter Icept RS2’s compact tread gaps and superior pitch sequencing technology minimize noise generation.
• Wet Traction: The Winter Icept RS2’s aggressive siping pattern and multitude of biters on the tread offer better wet grip.

Kleber Krisalp HP3 excels in:

• Snow Traction: The Krisalp HP3’s wider tread voids and bolder directional pattern allow for better snow-to-snow contact, providing superior traction in fluffy snow.
• Shock Absorption: The Krisalp HP3’s softer tread compound offers superior shock absorption, ensuring a more comfortable ride.
• Aquaplaning Resistance: The Krisalp HP3’s wider grooves provide superior resistance to aquaplaning.

Areas for Improvement:

• The Hankook Winter Icept RS2 could improve in terms of snow traction and shock absorption, given its more closed design and harder tread compound.
• The Kleber Krisalp HP3 could enhance its ice traction, dry performance, handling, noise reduction, and wet traction, given its lack of notches, streamlined running layer, open shoulder lugs, larger tread gaps, and less aggressive siping.

Review Krisalp Hp3 in detail: https://snowytires.com/kleber-krisalp-hp3-review/

Ice Traction

When it comes to navigating icy surfaces, the Hankook Winter Icept RS2 confidently asserts its dominance.

This is because the tire is characterized by relatively smaller voids, filled with a lot more notches, and coupled with multi-directional sipes.

Moreover, speaking of sipes, its tread also offers a combination of lateral and longitudinal slits, which allows it to provide superior braking and cornering abilities.

On the flip side, the Kleber is lacking all these features, where you don’t see V-shaped notches in both lateral directions, and only less aggressive siping.

Verdict: The Hankook Winter Icept RS2 excels in ice traction due to its superior design and features compared to the Kleber Krisalp HP3.

Dry Performance

Dry grip is determined by the extent of the rubber’s contact with the surface, influenced by two key components: directional grip and lateral traction.

Let’s take a closer look at these aspects.

Handling

Handling is greatly influenced by the tire’s shoulder areas and overall weight distribution. Let me explain why this is the case.

During directional travel, pressure is exerted on the middle lugs. However, when cornering, the weight shifts towards the tire’s shoulders due to inertia. It is crucial for these lugs to connect effectively with the road surface to ensure optimal handling.

The Hankook RS2, with its closed-up shoulder lugs, offers better performance in this regard. In contrast, the Kleber Krisalp HP3, in addition to having wider grooves, features a heavier structure. Consequently, the tire’s lugs flex more, as it corners, resulting in weakened steering feedback and a reduced balance between understeering and oversteering.

Therefore, superior handling can be expected from the Hankook.

Directional Grip

The efficiency of directional grip depends on the central tread area, which determines how much rubber-to-road contact is established. When a tire rolls straight, this middle area experiences the most weight concentration.

That’s why the Hankook Winter Icept RS2, with its continuous, more compacted up running rib, there, ensures consistent surface contact as the tire moves straight, resulting in superior performance.

On the other hand, the Kleber Krisalp HP3, although featuring an almost continuous running layer, is not as streamlined as its counterpart, leading to a noticeable braking distance that is nearly 9 feet longer.

Verdict: Hankook Winter Icept RS2 is a better choice in terms of directional grip.

Snow Traction

In snowy landscapes, both tires exhibit impressive performances, although the Kleber Krisalp HP3 provides slightly better traction, particularly when it comes to fluffy snow.

The Hankook Winter Icept RS2 features a more closed design with a continuous running rib in the middle part of the tread. However, this configuration lacks interlocking grooves, limiting its ability to collect snow.

In contrast, the Kleber Krisalp HP3, with its wider tread voids, allows for better snow-to-snow contact. Its lug voids effectively retain fluffy snow particles within their interconnected grooves, creating a favorable traction environment.

Moreover, the tire’s bolder directional pattern provides paddling action, scooping snow backward and generating superior forward momentum compared to its counterpart.

Overall, the Kleber Krisalp HP3 demonstrates better snow performance.

Wet Traction

Wet traction primarily depends on two elements: the tread pattern and the type of rubber compound used in the tire. These factors play a crucial role in determining the tire’s grip on wet surfaces and its ability to resist hydroplaning.

Now, while both tires are equipped with significant siping, the Hankook Winter Icept RS2 manages to offer slightly better performance in wet grip. The tire gives out a more aggressive siping pattern, incorporating a combination of rectilinear and interlocking slits.

Additionally, it features a multitude of biters on its tread, enhancing its ability to grip wet surfaces effectively.

Sipes work by expelling air and creating a vacuum, which helps in sucking away water particles from underneath. And here, the Kleber Krisalp HP3, with its less effective siping design, falls behind its counterpart.

Though one thing to note here, is that this tire has the advantage of superior resistance to aquaplaning, due to its wider grooves.

So overall, the Hankook is superior in wet grip, while its counterpart does better with hydroplaning, as seen with straight and curved aqua tests.

Comfort Levels

The overall ride comfort consists of two factors: noise reduction and the tire’s ability to absorb road shocks.

Let’s begin with the noise factor.

To put it simply, noise is created when air particles collide with the walls of the tire’s tread. So, the larger the tread gaps, the noisier the tire becomes.

This is where the Hankook Winter Icept RS2, with its compact tread gaps, offers better overall performance by minimizing noise generation. Additionally, the tire incorporates superior pitch sequencing technology, where the slight variation in geometry among its tread blocks allows the air particles hitting the walls to create different tones that cancel each other out.

On the other hand, the Kleber Krisalp HP3 excels in dampening vibrations. Its comparatively softer tread compound grants it superior shock absorption capabilities, ensuring a more comfortable ride.

Therefore, when it comes to comfort, both tire options from these giants have their strengths.

Summing Up

In summary, both tires offer different scenarios.

The Kleber Krisalp HP3 stands out in fluffy snow conditions with its distinct tread design. However, this very design limits its performance on icy and wet surfaces.

The wider grooves that offer superior snow scooping put this tire at a disadvantage when it comes to dry traction. Nonetheless, the difference in dry traction performance between the two tires is minimal.

Moreover, the Kleber Krisalp HP3 performs better in vibration absorption, while the Hankook Winter Icept RS2 provides superior road quietness.

When it comes to wet traction, the Hankook Winter Icept RS2 offers slightly better wet grip, while the Kleber Krisalp HP3 excels in hydroplaning resistance.