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Last updated 9/16/2025 - Originally published 9/16/2025
Written by SimpleTire, Expertly reviewed by Brett Antosh
When it comes to tackling extreme winter conditions, you should opt for the safest tire options in this category. The Continental and the Nokian are two of the most sought-after winter tire manufacturers that have earned the reputation of rolling out tires with exceptional steering response, control, and stability in low temperature conditions. While Continental is a tire giant with a vast array of categories, including all-season, all-terrain, all-weather, winter, summer, UHP, UHP all-season, and UHP summer, Nokian has a presence in categories such as all-season, winter, and all-weather, albeit in limited numbers.
The VikingContact 8 from Continental and the Hakkapeliitta 10 from Nokian are two great winter tires that promise enhanced control, handling, traction, and braking in deep ice and snow conditions. While both are Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified for assurance on improved winter performance, they both lack a limited mileage warranty like most of their winter tire counterparts. So, which one is a better option than the other, and which one suits your requirements better? Let’s compare them head-to-head on the basis of their traction, handling, and longevity traits – scaling them on our proprietary SimpleScore mechanism that calibrates each trait on a scale of 0-10. It’s time to do a Continental VikingContact 8 vs Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 comparison. Keep reading!
Continental VikingContact 8 tires
Recently introduced in 2024, the Continental VikingContact 8 is a premium winter tire designed for passenger cars, SUVs, and electric vehicles, and offers great performance in unpredictable challenges of cold weather conditions. The Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified tire offers exceptional performance in moderate to severe winter conditions. Its new Nordic tread compound remains flexible in low temperatures, providing outstanding grip and a confident feel on ice, snow, and slush. The VikingContact 8 also features an advanced tread design with 3D sipes and gripping edges that enhance braking and handling while minimizing road noise, making for a quiet and comfortable ride.
With an 8.8 overall SimpleScore, the Continental VikingContact 8 returns reassuring grip, braking, traction, handling, and durability in extreme winter conditions.
Get Continental VikingContact 8 tires at the best deals for your vehicle here
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 tires
Launched in 2021, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 is a studded winter tire that’s engineered for coupes, sedans, and minivans, and offers unparalleled grip and safety in deep snow and ice. Utilizing Double Stud Technology, the Nokian tire features strategic studs in the center tread and shoulder area for superior acceleration, braking, and cornering on ice. Its directional tread pattern, combined with a unique rubber compound, maintains flexibility in freezing temperatures for excellent traction on snow and slush. The Hakkapeliitta 10 expels water and slush out of the tread for consistent grip, shorter braking distances, and great maneuvering attributes in areas with temperatures of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
With an outstanding overall SimpleScore of 9.0, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 has all the attributes of a capable winter tire – great handling, traction, grip, braking, and longevity.
Get Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 tires at the best deals for your vehicle here
Continental VikingContact 8 vs Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 tires on traction
Traction is highly essential in winter conditions of ice and snow. A tire with maximum traction and grip will keep you safe in the Nordic conditions. The Continental and Nokian tires compared here are Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified. Both tires put their ‘heart’ out to win the gripping battle, but one returns a marginally better score than the other. Let’s find out who wins here.
With an exceptional 9.3 traction score, the Continental tire is right on the money with traction as its main asset in this comparison. Thanks to its unique, aesthetically pleasing tread design with directional grooves, the VikingContact 8 expels water and slush from the tread to resist hydroplaning while the advanced rubber compound maintains flexibility in freezing temperatures for effective grip even in slick regions.
On the other hand, the Nokian winter tire stuns the Conti with its incredible 9.4 traction score. Armed with studs, the Hakkapeliitta 10 features deep and wide grooves for quick water and slush outflow in deep snow conditions. Meanwhile, the Double stud technology maintains maximum safety on ice and snow by improving acceleration and braking grip, even during cornering.
With a marginally better score, the Nokian proves why the Hakkapeliitta series is a winter champion.
ADVANTAGE: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
Continental VikingContact 8 vs Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 tires on handling
Handling has more to do with the control, stability, and steering response of a tire. In winter, it becomes far more critical to opt for a tire that offers strong control and precise steering response. The Continental and Nokian tires promise the same.
Securing an 8.8 in handling, the VikingContact 8 offers accurate steering response, stability, and grip in moderate to extreme winter conditions of deep ice and snow. Thanks to its 3-layer sipe design, the Continental tire adds more biting edges, leading to enhanced handling and traction.
Similarly, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 scores the same 8.8 in handling thanks to its heavily siped tread design and stiff center tread region. The longitudinal center rib and shoulder region are joined by ribs between the tread blocks to achieve the stiffness for enhanced steering response.
The handling tussle is neck and neck and ends in a tie with scores levelled up.
ADVANTAGE: Tie
Continental VikingContact 8 vs Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 tires on longevity
Most winter tires wear faster due to their rubber compound, and the same is true for the VikingContact 8 and Hakkapeliitta 10. But, surprisingly, one of the tires is way too ahead in the longevity department than the other, making it a favourite for tread life seekers. Let’s analyse the longevity trait of the two.
The Continental VikingContact 8 scores a fine 8.2 in longevity, which is a pretty decent score for a winter tire that delivers exceptional grip and traction. Featuring the next-generation rubber compound, the VikingContact 8 ensures reduced tire deformation for extra durability. The use of multiple sipes resists uneven wear and promotes uniform wear throughout its lifecycle.
Leading the longevity race is the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 with a superb 8.8, assuring a longer tread life. The use of a special rubber compound utilizing bio-based material, pine resin, and canola oil maintains flexibility in extreme cold conditions and boosts wearability. Moreover, the Winter Safety Indicator (WSI) features a snowflake symbol that allows drivers to visually inspect whether it’s safe to travel in the winter.
With an exceptional longevity score for a winter tire, the Nokian beats the Conti comprehensively.
ADVANTAGE: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
When to use each
Winter tires are designed for cold temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, snow, and ice. Their specialized rubber compound stays flexible in the cold, and aggressive tread patterns with deep sipes provide effective grip. This design ensures enhanced traction, braking, and control, giving drivers confidence in severe winter conditions.
While both tires have their basic spot on – delivering excellent grip and traction – the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 is tailored more towards drivers seeking a prolonged tread life from their winter tire, the Continental VikingContact 8 offers a balance of everything, including grip, traction, handling, and durability. However, if the temperature is unpredictable and switches from shine to rain to extreme winter, you may opt for all-weather tires that return a longer tread life, bear a warranty, and can be used year-round.
Which one should you choose?
In a nutshell, it’s the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 that earns a better overall SimpleScore than the Conti (9.0 vs 8.8). Both are top-tier winter tires, but they offer distinct strengths. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 prioritizes maximum grip and performance on snow and ice, while the Continental VikingContact 8 balances exceptional winter traction with a smoother, quieter ride and better on-road feel.
Let’s check their prices to see which has an edge. While the price of the Continental VikingContact 8 starts at $116 per tire, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 is priced at $170 onwards. This means that four tires of Conti will cost $464 while the Nokian will cost $680.
Based on SimpleScore, you should consider the Continental VikingContact 8 if you:
- Drive a vehicle like the Mazda CX-5, Chevrolet Equinox, or Nissan Sentra
- Want an aesthetically good-looking tire
- Need a studdles winter tire
- Prefer a tire that offers great steering response and solid traction
- Want a world-class tire at a much lower price
On the other hand, you should go for the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 if you:
- Drive a vehicle like the Audi A4, BMW Z4, or Ford Focus Electric
- Want a tire that’s better in traction (9.4 vs 9.3)
- Prefer a winter tire that lasts long (8.8 vs 8.2)
- Want a studded winter tire
Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help as our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.