Reviews & Comparisons

Winter driving challenges even the most seasoned drivers. Will the impressive siping technology and enhanced snow traction of the Goodyear WinterCommand Ultra stand up to the multi-cell compound and optimized footprint of the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90? Let’s find out.

Tire Sizes

The Goodyear WinterCommand Ultra comes in 15 to 18 inches with following.

• Speed ratings: H only.
• Load ratings: SL and XL.
• Tread depth: 11/32″ on all.
• Weight: 18 to 28 lbs.

Review this tire in greater detail: https://snowytires.com/goodyear-wintercommand-ultra-review/

On the other hand, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 offer 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.

Review this tire in greater detail: https://snowytires.com/bridgestone-blizzak-ws90-review/

Tread Appearance

The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 distinguishes itself with its robust and meticulously designed directional tread pattern. Allow me to delve into its intricate details.

At first glance, one can observe three pronounced ribs on the tread, where the middle (most) rib stands out, with its, you can say, continuous, unbroken structure, devoid of conventional blocks (you mostly see).

This central rib presents numerous intriguing features. And starting with the most evident one, it sports an abundance of wave-like siping.

Additionally, it incorporates lateral slits that thicken as they extend towards the edges, connecting with the V-shaped outer notches.

These dual-facing V shaped notches, provide great longitudinal traction, as they are facing both sides.

The remaining two ribs host the shoulder lugs, which while may appear bisected, they aren’t entirely so, due to their slits’ limited depth, so consequently, they function as in-groove biters.

Furthermore, these ribs also encompass biters facing laterally, so their notches directed towards the central rib.

And yes, complementing these features are the zigzag longitudinal slits, found towards the edges of the tire.

On the other hand, Goodyear WinterCommand Ultra also features a 3 rib design.

In the center, the lugs may appear divided, but since these incisions aren’t full depth, they are identified as in-groove notches.

These lugs seamlessly connect with the incoming blocks, resulting in a V-shaped design.

In addition, these blocks are adorned with a wealth of laterally arranged, interlocking sipes.

Furthermore, you can observe numerous in-groove biters, and it’s clear to see how the lugs are separated by curving lateral grooves as well as longitudinal channels that bisect the shoulders.

Speaking of which, these shoulder blocks are the biggest. And they present sharp chamfered edges, yet maintain a siping pattern similar to lugs in the middle.

And yes, worth reminding, you can see unique T-shaped biters at the at the outer edges (sidewalls, you can say).

Snow Performance

When it comes to fluffy snow, although both tires are pretty impressive, the Goodyear WinterCommand Ultra still gets to have the upper hand.

And looking at its tread it makes sense. The tire features much wider tread voids, and in-groove notches which trap in the snow particles.

This basically allows for ground contact with the lodged snow (in the tread voids). And its better significant, as snow stick better on snow, compared to tread’s rubber.

Moreover, the tire also features swooping V shaped lugs, which provide better snow scooping abilities, throwing back thicker snow and creating forward momentum. This allows the tire to have slightly better acceleration times in comparison.

Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 on the other hand, shows up with smaller braking and handling efficacy.

The tire is pretty closed up, with central most rib running continuously, and in-groove notches not having enough width to them.

And yes, although the tire has a directional tread pattern, it does not offer proper swooping arms like its competitor. And so its paddling abilities on snow are limited.

Ice Performance

When evaluated on icy conditions, the tables turn, with the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 taking the lead, as the tests show its impressive 11 feet (on average) shorter braking distance, when compared to its counterpart.

And yes, same was seen in terms of acceleration abilities too, where the tire was 1 second faster (going from 0 to 40 mph).

The tire basically gets to offer a multitude of intricate biters spread across its tread.

It’s central rib is decorated with slanted incisions of varying widths, V-shaped notches (facing both directions laterally), and a lot of siping.

And yes, worth mentioning, all of these biters also have dual angles to them too, so you get epic biting efficacy out of them when it comes to packed up snowy terrains.

All of these features basically help the tire to achieve shorter braking distances.

While the shoulders, which offer superior handling times, feature biting edges in both lateral and longitudinal directions, promising improved grip from every angle. And here again, the sipes play a significant role with their two distinct angles too, just as seen on the lugs in the middle.

In contrast the Goodyear WinterCommand Ultra lacks a little with its larger tread voids, and less in number, notches.

For effective braking where central area of the tread is significant, the tire with wider lateral tread voids can’t seem to grip in the packed up ice.

Moreover, it’s missing multi-angles siping is not helping it a lot either.

Same goes for the handling area, where it’s missing notches don’t offer better handling times in comparison.

Wet Traction

Wet traction is primarily dictated by two factors: the design of the tread and the rubber compound used. And these elements influence two crucial aspects: grip and resistance to hydroplaning.

In terms of grip, both tires feature an abundance of siping and soft tread rubbers, so they do pretty great here. Though still the Blizzak WS90 still manages to take the lead.

This is because the tire offers the use of both rectilinear and interlocking sipes, which have superior water absorption capabilities, providing exceptional wet grip. Furthermore, their multi-angled structures enhance the tire’s cornering and braking abilities, especially when the sipes are parallel to the tire’s movement.

In contrast, the Goodyear WinterCommand Ultra, which primarily uses laterally oriented sipes, doesn’t offer the same level of overall traction. As a result, it generally produces longer wet braking distances and handling times.

Though, when considering hydroplaning resistance, which is an integral part of overall wet traction as well, the tire does pretty great.

Its V shaped lugs offer superior clearing of water, allowing for higher float speeds on average in both straight and curved aqua tests.

Dry Traction

Dry traction is determined by the tire’s overall contact with the ground, and its sub-categorized on two element, directional grip and lateral traction.

And in both these areas, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 takes the lead.

The tire’s central-most continuous running rib actually forms a great and consistent contact with the road, resulting in shorter braking distances and faster acceleration times in tests.

Though, when it comes to dry handling, the Goodyear WinterCommand Ultra outperforms its competitor.

Although both tires exhibit similar shoulder footprints, making contact with the surface, the WinterCommand Ultra manages to make more of its rubber come into contact with the road.

This is because it has minimal tread features compared to the WS90, which comes with numerous tread features such as lateral and longitudinal incisions.

Comfort Levels

The comfort level of a tire is generally influenced by factors such as road noise and the capacity to absorb vibrations.

These characteristics can vary depending on the tire’s construction, materials employed, the design of its tread, and the sidewall structure.

And here both tires perform equally great, I mean they both offer pretty smooth ride, cushioning bumps.

And they both are equally bald, and so offer similar noise reduction performance as well.

This is significant as noise gets generated when air particles strikes on the walls of the tread.

Fuel Economy

Fuel consumption is influenced by factors such as tire’s adherence to the surface, and overall tread pattern and considering these factors, one can see why the Blizzak WS90 offers a superior overall performance.

With longitudinally aligned central rib, its tread basically features a more streamlined design, that allows the tire to roll straight in a much better way.

On the other hand, on Goodyear WinterCommand Ultra, the directional tread pattern with lateral tread voids cause more hurdles for the tire as it maneuvers, producing greater overall rolling resistance, which then consumes more fuel.

This is because on this tire, lugs are more prone to flex/bend relatively, which then consumes, or you can say, wastes more energy.

In other words, energy is used in to molding of the blocks, instead of rolling the tire.

Conclusion

In a performance comparison between the two excellent winter tires, distinct advantages were observed for each.

The Goodyear tire excelled in fluffy snow due to wider tread voids and in-groove notches, alongside V-shaped lugs for superior snow clearing, and offered amazing capabilities when it came to lateral traction on dry roads.

Whereas the Blizzak WS90 offered superior icy traction, with its numerous biting edges and varied incisions, and provided much better braking and handling efficacy on wet roads.

Moreover, the tire also offered slightly better fuel economy too.

Though in terms of comfort, both tires are equally great.

Up for comparison are the Cooper Discoverer True North, renowned for its sturdy construction and dependability, and the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90, celebrated for its comprehensive winter performance. Who will come out on top in this tire tug-of-war?

Tire Sizes

The Cooper Discoverer True North comes in 15 to 20 inches, having following.

• Speed ratings: H and T.
• Load ratings: SL and XL.
• Tread depth: 11/32″ on all.
• Weight: 21 to 34 lbs.

On the other side, 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.

Review this tire in greater detail: https://snowytires.com/bridgestone-blizzak-ws90-review/

Tread Appearance

The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is a strong winter tire with a carefully planned tread pattern. Let’s take a closer look at its features.

The outside of the tire, or the tread, has three parts, where two outer ribs are shoulders and then we have the one in the middle.

Talking about the outer ribs first, you see a lot of biting edges there.

There are slanted full depth notches facing the middle. And then there are similar types of notches, though they face longitudinally.

(This way, the tire is able to bite in both directions).

Moreover, further out, you get zigzag longitudinal slits, and of course bedsides that there’s ton of siping.

In the middle, you have continuous running rib, so no lugs are formed there.

But just like the shoulders, you get full depth notches, joined up with slits.

Moreover, these biters have V shaped openings, facing both directions, further adding to overall tire’s biting abilities.

On the other hand, Cooper Discoverer True North features an asymmetric pattern.

But when you consider the shoulder lugs, you get to see that those are symmetrical.

Though all these blocks on either sides, don’t carry a lot of features, I mean as you can see, they only get to have wave-like sipes a long with sharp edges.

Coupled with the adjacent rib (on the left of image), you see very powerful zigzag circumferential groove formations.

This rib contains squared and L shaped lugs, with a lot of edges and snow vices. And with combination to the following rib, it makes a straight longitudinal channels.

The rest of the blocks have multiple angles, and they form a web of interconnected grooves, allowing for superior self cleaning capabilities.

Snow Performance

Both tires performed well all types of snowy conditions, delivering competitive performance.

However, the Cooper Discoverer True North still demonstrated superior traction, particularly when it comes to slightly fluffy terrains. And looking at its tread, it makes sense.

As the tire features asymmetric tread pattern, with lugs having a more open design, they get to provide better snow to snow contact.

The fluffy snow gets easy picked up buy the interlocking grooves and snow-vices, and is trapped there. This allows for the tread to provide contact with the ground with the lodged snow.

And this provides superior traction, as snow sticks better on other snowflakes instead of rubber.

Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is more closed up, forming continuous running rib in the middle and missing interlocking groove structure.

So its tread isn’t able to pick up as much snow as its competitor.

Ice Performance

When testing in icy conditions, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 emerges as the superior option, as it showcases a better average braking distance compared to its counterpart.

On average it came out 10 feet shorter.

Same was the case when it came to acceleration tests, where the tire was able to hit 40 mph from a standstill a full second faster (on average).

So why is that?

Well, all of this is credited to the Blizzak’s intricate biters all over the tread.

Its central rib presents slanted incisions of various widths, V-shaped notches that face both lateral directions, and abundant siping. All of these offer much better gripping/biting abilities on ice.

It’s noteworthy that all of these biters feature dual angles as well, so that grip gets further aided, allowing for shorter braking efficacy.

And in case of handling, where the tire’s shoulder lugs are key components, you get biters in both lateral and longitudinal directions, assuring improved grip from every angle.

And yes, same goes for sipes here too. Those also features two distinct angles to them, as seen in the central lugs.

In comparison, the Cooper Discoverer True North takes the back seat, with its larger tread voids and fewer notches.

For effective braking, the central tread area is crucial, and here, the tire, with its wider lateral tread voids, struggles to secure a better grip on packed ice.

And yes, the lack of multi-angled siping doesn’t do the tire any favors either.

This deficiency extends to the handling as well, where the absence of notches translates to longer handling times compared to its competition.

Wet Traction

Wet traction depends on two main features tread design and rubber compound.

Now here, although both tires have a ton of siping, and a pretty soft thermal adaptive rubbers, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 still takes the lead.

This is because, this tire features a lot of both rectilinear and interlocking sipes, which soak up water particles coming beneath, in a better way.

And as they also get to have multiple angles to them, you also get superior gripping values, as the tire corners, for example. Water gets soaked up in the slits, and biters/sipes parallel to the direction of tire’s movement provide the needed grip.

In case of Cooper Discoverer True North, you only get siping having lateral orientation.

Though the tire does better in hydroplaning, no doubt about that, and its also a key component of overall wet traction.

Upon testing the tire came out with slightly better speeds, on both curved and straight aqua tests.

And looking at its tread it makes sense as with its interconnected web of grooves, water is diapered off, in all directions, much better compared to its counterpart, which has continuous central rib, blocking the way.

Dry Traction

Dry grip depends on the overall rubbers contact with the ground. Here there are two main key components to note. Directional grip, and lateral traction.

The directional grip depends on the central area of the tread, and here the Blizzak WS90 with its continuous running rib provides much better efficacy, as it consistently stays connected with the surface, as the tire rolls straight.

And so because of that you get shorter braking distances on tests, along with acceleration times.

As for the tire’s overall handling capabilities, the Cooper True North, with its wider grooves, doesn’t quite match up to the Blizzak. However, this is just one part of the story.

A more significant factor undermining the Cooper’s performance is its heavier structure.

This weight leads to increased lug movement as the tire corners, which in turn diminishes steering feedback, and so you get longer handling times when compared to Blizzak.

Comfort Levels

Comfort in a tire often involves factors such as road noise, and vibration absorption, which can be influenced by the tire’s construction, materials used, tread pattern, and sidewall design.

Let me talk about all of them one by one.

So in case of tread noise, you get slightly better performance out of Blizzak WS90, and that’s because the tire’s tread is not as voided up as its counterpart.

This is significant as air particles hitting the tread walls is whats creating noise in the first place.

On the other hand, the Cooper True North offer slightly better cushioning to the bumps.

So overall, you can say its a tie between the two, when it comes to overall comfort levels.

Fuel Economy

Fuel usage depends on tire’s stickiness with the surface, and overall structural weight, and both of these are negatively impacting the performance on Cooper Discoverer True North.

In essence, the substantial weight of the tire intensifies the overall rolling resistance, and its relatively broader tread voids yield increased friction values, as the tire rolls on the tar surface.

(Though a significant increase in performance was seen, on extreme winter temperatures).

In contrast, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is not only lighter, but also features longitudinally aligned ribs, allowing for better streamlining compared to the asymmetric pattern seen on its counterpart.

This design facilitates smoother straight-line travel, such as on highways, leading to a more efficient fuel consumption by minimizing energy expenditure.

Tread Life

Tread longevity is also influenced by rolling resistance, and in this regard, the Blizzak outperforms its competition, yet again.

The tire’s lighter weight results in reduced force exerted by its blocks (on the surface), which in turn generates less friction, hence limiting faster overall rubber burning rate.

On the other hand, the Cooper True North not only carries more weight, but also places this additional load on a smaller rubber surface, as its tread voids are wider, comparatively.

This results in each of its lugs bearing more weight pressure on itself, thereby contributing to quicker tread wear and subsequently, limiting its overall lifespan.

Nonetheless, its noteworthy, that the difference here between the two tires’ performance is not a lot. And it makes sense why both don’t offer any warranties.

Summing Up

So overall, it all comes down to this.

The Cooper Discoverer True North is a better tire when it comes to fluffy snowy terrains, however, on packed up snow, and ice, its counterpart gets to show much better performance, coming out with shorter braking distances and handling times.

On tar, the Blizzak Ws90 again has a upper hand, in both wet and dry conditions, though the Cooper tire has the advantage when it comes to hydroplaning resistance.

Other than this, both tires perform great when it comes to overall ride comfort, where the Blizzak offers a quieter ride, and its counterpart features superior bumps absorption.

A chilling duel ensues as Continental VikingContact 7, known for its great fuel efficiency, squares up against the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90, famed for its consistent winter performance. Who will weather the storm to reign supreme?

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 or12/32″.
• Weight: 17 to 29 lbs.
• Tread warranty: None.

Review this tire in greater detail: https://snowytires.com/bridgestone-blizzak-ws90-review/

On the other side, the Continental VikingContact 7 comes in

• Speed ratings: H and T.
• Load ratings: SL and XL (mostly).
• Tread depth: 10/32″ on all.
• Weight: 14 to 35 lbs.

Review this tire in greater detail: https://snowytires.com/continental-vikingcontact-7-review/

Tread Appearance

Showcasing a robust and intricate directional tread design, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is a testament to superior tire engineering, no doubt about that. Let’s look at its tread pattern in more details.

So this tire’s tread is dominated by three marked ribs, with the central rib acting as a continuous band, (as it’s not broken up all the way, with voids).

This rib is punctuated with wave-like sipes, and rectilinear, thicker slits, which meet with the in-groove notches.

Moreover, as these notches have V shaped openings (facing both sides, laterally), you further get enhancements to the overall bite.

Moving towards shoulders, the lugs here are elongated and carry multiple tread features too.

They feature notches of both lateral and longitudinal orientations, along with multiple wave-like sipes of various angles.

Note, that these lugs are not divided up all the way, by the longitudinal slits you see, so these act as in-groove notches.

On the other hand, Continental VikingContact 7 features a more packed up tread design, though its also directional.

So, this tread can be understood by considering it’s two parts, central area, and shoulders.

The central part of the tread has very blocky, squared-off lugs.

These blocks have numerous wave-like sipes, and chamfered edges to them.

And as they are sitting on secondary rubber layers (acting as reinforced foundations), the gaps between these blocks act as in-groove notches.

Moving towards the tread extremities, these (shoulder) blocks here are elongated, and run in pairs (joined up with each other).

And besides forming sharper edges, these blocks have thicker, and prominent siping pattern on them.

And yes, one more thing, they are separated form each other with wide lateral voids, which aid a lot in tread’s self cleaning.

Snow Performance

In assessing performance on fluffy snow, while both tires showcase notable competence, the Continental VikingContact 7 stands out as the more superior choice. And a closer examination of its tread design reveals why.

The VikingContact 7 is basically characterized by a larger count of tread voids, predominantly in the form of in-groove notches.

These voids skillfully trap snow particles, enhancing snow to snow contact. Basically the trapped snow meets with the ground as the tire rolls, and as snow sticks better on itself, compared to rubber, you get an enhanced gripping efficacy.

In addition to this, the tire provides you with sweeping V-shaped lugs that excel in clearing away heavy snow, thereby enabling forward momentum (by throwing the snow backwards, as the tire rolls).

This unique feature contributes to the tire’s marginally superior acceleration times.

On the contrary, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 delivers somewhat lesser efficiency in braking and handling. The design of this tire is relatively closed-off, with a continuous central rib and narrower in-groove notches.

Moreover, despite possessing a directional tread pattern, the Blizzak WS90 does not present comprehensive swooping arms like its counterpart.

So it’s not able to paddle through the snow with as much effectiveness.

Ice Performance

On ice, things take the U turn, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 gets to provide 6 feet shorter braking distances compared to its counterpart.

And same is the case, when it comes to acceleration, with Blizzak being faster.

So why is that?

Well, that’s because of the tire numerous intricate biters all over the tread.

It’s central rib features slanted incisions of varying width, and these combined with V shaped notches (on this rib), you get superior longitudinal ice traction.

And aiding to that, are it’s multi-angled sipes. If you consider its tread pattern again, you’d note that the sipes has two slanted lateral angles on the rib. This accounts for extra gripping on icy terrains.

Moreover, the tire’s shoulder lugs offer incisions/biting edges in both lateral and longitudinal directions, supply you with a great grip form all sides. And yes, here the sipes also have two different angles to them as well (just like in the middle part of the tread).

These shoulder blocks basically provide the tire with superior handling abilities, showcasing smaller handling times and faster steering feedback.

Continental VikingContact 7 on the other hand, as you can see, comes with wider tread voids, which aren’t able to grip in to the ice with as much efficiency, as its counterpart.

Moreover, the tire is also missing with notches, and multi-angled siping, on both central and shoulder lugs, so it comes out with a longer average braking distance and handling time.

Though subjectively, its steering feedback is almost the same as its peer.

Wet Traction

Wet traction relies primarily on two aspects: the tread design and the composition of the rubber. And these tell about two things grip and hydroplaning resistance.

In regard to grip, although both tires feature ample siping and soft tread rubbers, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 still emerges as the front-runner.

So why is that? Well, this can be attributed to the tire’s extensive array of rectilinear and interlocking sipes.

These offer much better water absorbing capabilities, allowing for superior wet grip. Their multi-angled structures allow for superior cornering and braking abilities, as the sipes get to be parallel to the tire’s direction of the motion.

On the other side, as the Continental VikingContact 7 only features laterally oriented sipes, it falls short in providing as much of the overall traction abilities. So you get longer wet braking distances and handling times with this tire (on average).

But in the other half of overall wet traction, hydroplaning resistance, the tire does much better.

With it’s wider grooves and swooping arms, the tire allows much better float speeds (on average), in both curved and straight aqua tests.

And its interconnected web of grooves efficiently disperses water in all directions, allowing for much better resistance to aquaplaning overall (in comparison).

Dry Traction

The effectiveness of dry grip largely hinges on the tire’s surface contact with the ground, with the directional grip and lateral traction being the key determinants.

Here, the Blizzak WS90, with its continuous central rib, holds an advantage.

This is because the tire’s design ensures a much better, and constant surface contact as it moves straight, (primarily on highways). And this in turn contributes to shorter braking distances and quicker acceleration times in tests.

It continuous running rib gets the most credit here, as well, as closed up surrounding lugs, though those help in handling. Though that has more to do with the tire’s lighter weight.

You see, the heavier structure of the VikingContact 7 is a critical element compromising its performance.

This increased weight basically triggers greater lug movement, as the tire takes corners, reducing steering feedback and resulting in longer handling times in comparison to the Blizzak.

Comfort Levels

Comfort in a tire can be largely attributed to factors such as road noise and vibration absorption. These attributes are largely influenced by the tire’s construction, the materials used, the tread pattern, and the overall sidewall design (which basically tell cornering smoothness).

And since I’ve covered the cornering part above, I’d look at the other two here.

In terms of noise, although you can’t expect a lot from winter tires, the Blizzak WS90 still takes a bigger piece of the pie.

This is mainly because the tire’s tread is less voided, and this feature plays a critical role as noise primarily results from air particles colliding with the tread walls.

On the other side, the Continental VikingContact 7, although gets to be louder, it still features better performance in the other half of overall comfort, as the tire offers marginally superior shock absorption for a smoother ride over bumps.

So overall considering all of the above, both tires are on par with each other.

Fuel Economy

Fuel consumption in tires is closely linked to their adhesion to the road surface and the overall structural weight, both of which are areas where the VikingContact 7 could improve.

This is because this tire’s significant weight basically increases its overall rolling resistance, while its broader tread voids lead to heightened friction as the tire rolls over the tar surfaces.

On the other side, the Blizzak WS90 being lighter puts less pressure on the surface, thereby reducing overall friction.

And as its tread comes equipped with longitudinally aligned ribs, which are streamlined with the tire’s rolling straight, it faces less overall hurdles in maneuvering, thereby conserving energy and enhancing fuel economy.

Tread Life

Tread longevity is greatly impacted by rolling resistance, at least when it comes to these two tires.

And in this regard, the Blizzak is taking the lead.

The tire with its lighter weight basically exerts relatively smaller force/pressure on the tread blocks, as they rub against the road. This consequently produces less friction and slows down the rate of rubber degradation.

On the flip side, the Continental VikingContact 7, while heavier, concentrates this extra load on a smaller rubber surface due to its wider tread voids.

This leads to each lug bearing more weight, accelerating tread wear and reducing its overall lifespan.

However, it’s important to note that the difference in performance between the two tires is relatively minor, which explains why neither offers any warranties.

To Conclude

In the assessment of snow performance, the Continental VikingContact 7, with its unique tread design and larger count of tread voids, demonstrates superior capabilities for gripping and clearing away snow.

However, in icy conditions, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 surpasses its counterpart, thanks to its intricate biters, slanted incisions, and multi-angled sipes offering greater traction and handling.

On tar, the Blizzak takes the lead in gripping area, though the VikingContact 7 exhibits superior hydroplaning resistance.

But overall Blizzak Ws90 is what you’d want, as the tire offer slightly superior fuel and tread economy, and is quieter.