Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 VS Michelin X-Ice SNOW

Winter driving can be challenging and dangerous, mostly in heavy snow and ice areas. That’s why choosing the right winter tire is crucial for your safety and comfort on the road. But how do you know which winter tire is best for your vehicle and driving conditions? This Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 VS Michelin X-Ice SNOW article will compare two of the most popular winter tires on the market: Michelin X-Ice SNOW and Bridgestone Blizzak WS90. We will examine their features, performance, pros, and cons and help you decide which tire is right for you.
We also reviewed the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 tire. You can read the complete review.

Bridgestone – Blizzak ws90 VS Michelin – x-ice snow: Unveiling the Features

Michelin – x-ice snow vs Bridgestone – Blizzak ws90 are studless ice and snow tires designed to deliver incredible traction and handling on snowy and icy roads. They both have the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, which means they meet the industry’s severe snow service requirements. They also have M+S ratings, which indicate they are suitable for mud and snow.
However, their tread patterns and technologies affect their performance differently. Let’s take a closer look at their features:

Bridgestone Blizzak WS90

The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is the latest generation of the Blizzak line, which has been one of the most trusted winter tires for over 25 years. The WS90 features a directional tread pattern with a continuous center rib, two wide circumferential grooves, multi-directional zigzag sipes, and traction slits along the shoulder lugs. The tread pattern enhances steering stability, water evacuation, ice and snow grip, and hydroplaning resistance.
The WS90 also uses Bridgestone’s proprietary NanoPro-Tech Multicell compound, which contains microscopic bubbles and tubes that absorb water on the surface of ice and snow, creating a thin layer of dry rubber that improves contact with the road. The compound also remains flexible at low temperatures, which helps prevent cracking and hardening.
The WS90 has a tread depth of 11 or 12/32 inches, depending on the size, which is more profound than most winter tires. This tread depth allows the tire to maintain its biting edges longer and extend its tread life. However, unlike some competitors, the WS90 has no mileage warranty.

Michelin X-Ice SNOW

The Michelin X-Ice SNOW is the newest addition to the X-Ice family, known for its superior performance in winter conditions. The X-Ice SNOW features a V-shaped directional tread pattern with two large central ribs, four wide circumferential grooves, interlocking sipes, and full-depth blocks. The tread pattern design optimizes traction on snow and ice, braking on wet and dry roads, and stability at high speeds.
The X-Ice SNOW also uses Michelin’s innovative Flex-Ice 2.0 compound, which combines silica and sunflower oil to create a rubber that adapts to different temperatures and road conditions. The mix also contains EverGrip technology, which consists of functional polymers that enhance grip on wet and slippery surfaces.
The X-Ice SNOW has a tread depth of 10.5/32 inches, slightly shallower than the WS90 but still more profound than most winter tires. The X-Ice SNOW comes with a 40,000-mile treadwear warranty, one of the longest in its category.

Performance

Various sources have tested Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 and Michelin X-Ice SNOW to evaluate their performance in different scenarios. Here are some of the results from these tests:

Dry Traction

Both tires performed well on dry pavement, with similar braking distances from 50 mph to 0. However, the WS90 had a slight edge over the X-Ice SNOW in terms of acceleration from 0 to 50 mph and lap time around a dry handling course. The WS90 also had a higher subjective score for dry handling than the X-Ice SNOW.

Wet Traction

The WS90 had a clear advantage over the X-Ice SNOW in wet braking performance, stopping 7.5 feet shorter from 50 mph to 0. The WS90 also had better-wet acceleration from 0 to 50 mph than the X-Ice SNOW. However, both tires had similar lap times around a wet handling course and subjective scores for damp handling.

Snow Traction

The X-Ice SNOW outperformed the WS90 regarding handling, braking, and acceleration in snow. On snow, the X-Ice SNOW stopped 4.6 feet faster from 25 mph to 0 mph and accelerated from 0 to 12 mph in 2.3 feet less time. In addition, the X-Ice SNOW outperformed the WS90 regarding lap time on a snow-handling course and had a higher subjective score.

Ice Traction

Both tires had similar performance on ice, with the WS90 having a slightly shorter braking distance from 12 mph to 0 and the X-Ice SNOW having a somewhat faster acceleration time from 0 to 60 feet on ice. Both tires had the same lap time around an ice handling course and subjective scores for ice handling.

Michelin – x-ice snow VS Bridgestone – Blizzak ws90: Unveiling the Advantages and Drawbacks

Based on the features and performance of both tires, here are some of the pros and cons of each tire:

Bridgestone Blizzak WS90

Michelin X-Ice SNOW

Choosing the Right Winter Tire: Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 vs Michelin X-Ice SNOW

Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 and Michelin X-Ice SNOW are high-quality winter tires that can handle various challenges. However, you may find one tire more suitable depending on your driving preferences and needs.

If you prioritize wet braking performance, dry traction, and tread life, you may prefer the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90. However, if you value snow traction, handling, warranty, and noise level, you may opt for the Michelin X-Ice SNOW.

Ultimately, the choice is yours. We hope this article has helped you compare these two winter tires and make an informed decision. Stay safe and happy driving!