alpine4

Going to be purchasing snow tires for A3, I hear the Nokian Hakkapelitta are the best out there. Anyone have experience with them? Blizzaks are a contender too. My commute is up and over Teton pass 5 days a week.

uberwgn

The Hakkas have been around for years. Based on your commute and frequency, I would select them over the Blizzaks.

alpine4

Great that I was thinking too. I think it's worth the extra cost for my commute. Will see how well they do in gnarly blizzards.

uberwgn

The Hakkas are an aggressive snow tire. However, that is likely to come at a cost: short life-span and potential noise as they wear

alpine4

I assume they wear fast due to the soft rubber compound. Think I can get two season out of them driving at usual speed of 60 to 65 mph? Well even slower in the winter months like 40-45 mph.

uberwgn

I sure hope so. (It's going to be based upon how many miles you are doing/week.)

alpine4

Copy that, only one way to find out.

uberwgn

An alternate plan would be to check in with Tire Rack, tell them you are a hi-mileage driver and require excellent traction given the roads you must travel. They may come up with a completely different solution.

alpine4

Wasn't aware you could do that. Not a bad idea. I could get a tire and wheel combo as well. I still think the Nokina is the answer, but I will see what Tire Rack has to say. To bad Tire Rack doesn't carry Nokian.

alpine4

Update, These tire and rock solid, went up and over Teton Pass, WY with the road being mostly a solid sheet of ice and snow. I lost traction once or twice but the tires found traction and kept on rolling. I didn't purchase studded tires. So far these Hakkapeliitta 8 have been great! Teton Pass pass has a medial grade of 10% I go up and over it 5 days a week.