75
/ 100
Objective (60%)
96/100
35 professional tests
User signal (40%)
71/100
110 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 vs Continental WinterContact TS 860 — Compared (September 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
VS
81
/ 100
Objective (60%)
79/100
8 professional tests
User signal (40%)
84/100
49 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Continental WinterContact TS 860 — better treadwear and handling. Pick the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 if comfort and dry matter most to you.
Read full
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made via links on this page.
Category breakdown
7 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Score (0–100)
Blizzak LM005 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | WinterContact TS 860 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 89 | 76 |
| Tire Rack owners | 87 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 77 | 89 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 100% | 100% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 99% | 100% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 860 leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | WinterContact TS 860 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 91 | 89 |
| Tire Rack owners | 88 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 92 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 86% | 93% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 85% | 100% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 860 leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | WinterContact TS 860 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 80 | 77 |
| Tire Rack owners | 81 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 72 | 80 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 99% | 99% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 100% | 92% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 84% | 99% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Blizzak LM005 leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | WinterContact TS 860 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 84 | 67 |
| Tire Rack owners | 81 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 74 | 86 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Blizzak LM005 leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | WinterContact TS 860 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 63 | 62 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 860 leads by 24
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | WinterContact TS 860 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 64 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 59 | 83 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 860 leads by 13
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | WinterContact TS 860 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 86 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 | Continental WinterContact TS 860 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 75 | 81 |
| Dry | 84 | 81 |
| Wet | 88 | 90 |
| Snow | 77 | 78 |
| Comfort | 80 | 75 |
| Noise | 63 | 62 |
| Treadwear | 59 | 83 |
| Handling | 73 | 86 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Personalize
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Recomputed
Headline score
75
/ 100
Tire A
81
/ 100
Tire B
Test data
The professional test results behind the scores
Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.
| Discipline | Category | Tire A | Tire B | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 100% #4/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 100% #2/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | -0.2 | Same test |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% #8/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 100% #1/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | -1 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 94% #2/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | 85% #4/9 · 2018 AMS All Season Tyre Test | +8.7 | Different tests |
| Ice Braking | Ice | 88% #15/15 · 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test | 93% #6/10 · 2019 Auto Center Winter Tyre Test | -5.1 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 97% #7/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | 99% #1/2 · All Season vs Winter vs Nordic vs Studded Tyres | -1.3 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 82% #7/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | 96% #19/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | -13.9 | Different tests |
| Value | Other | 91% #15/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 93% #16/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | -2.7 | Different tests |
| Wear | Other | 82% #5/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 65% #6/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +17.2 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 50% #2/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 50% #2/2 · All Season vs Winter vs Nordic vs Studded Tyres | 0 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 99% #7/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | 99% #3/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | -0.3 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 100% #1/9 · 2023 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test | 92% #1/2 · All Season vs Winter vs Nordic vs Studded Tyres | +8.2 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 84% #5/8 · 2022 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 99% #8/10 · 2019 Auto Center Winter Tyre Test | -14.5 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 95% #3/7 · 2022 Sport Auto All Season Tyre Test | 96% #4/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | -1 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 100% #2/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | 80% #4/10 · 2019 Auto Center Winter Tyre Test | +20 | Different tests |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 97% #2/8 · 2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 60% #7/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | +36.7 | Different tests |
| Subj. Snow Handling | Subj | 100% #1/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 90% #2/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | +10 | Same test |
| Subj. Wet Handling | Subj | 100% #3/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 100% #1/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Total | 0% #9/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 0% #6/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 86% #1/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 93% #8/44 · 2019 Winter Tyre Test Market Overview | -6.7 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 85% #1/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | 100% #2/2 · All Season vs Winter vs Nordic vs Studded Tyres | -14.7 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 is widely regarded as a class-leading winter tire for wet and slushy conditions, offering exceptional grip and braking performance that rivals summer tires. While it performs reliably in fresh snow, user consensus indicates a significant decline in performance and tread life after the first two seasons, with many owners reporting premature wear and increased noise levels as the tire ages.
Pros
- Exceptional wet-weather grip and aquaplaning resistance.
- Predictable and stable handling on dry roads.
- Strong performance in slush and fresh snow when new.
- High levels of ride comfort and low noise levels during the initial phase of ownership.
Cons
- Rapid and premature tread wear, often failing to last beyond 15,000–20,000 km.
- Significant performance degradation in snow and ice after the first or second season.
- Development of loud humming or buzzing noises as the tire ages.
- Reports of tread deformation, wobbly blocks, or uneven wear patterns.
Observations
- Heavy vehicles, including EVs and large SUVs, appear to accelerate the rapid tread wear observed by many users.
- Users with RWD vehicles noted that while the tire is predictable, it can struggle with traction on steep inclines once the tread depth drops below 5mm.
- Drivers of performance-oriented or heavier cars reported noticeable understeer during spirited driving in dry conditions.
The Continental WinterContact TS 860 is widely regarded as a top-tier, balanced winter tire that excels in wet and snowy conditions while maintaining impressive comfort and low noise levels. While the vast majority of users report high satisfaction with its safety and handling, a minority of owners noted a significant drop in performance as the tires aged or after several seasons of use.
Pros
- Exceptional grip and safety in wet and slushy conditions
- Outstanding performance on snow, providing high levels of confidence
- Remarkably low noise levels and high ride comfort
- Strong fuel efficiency and balanced overall performance
- Predictable handling on dry roads, often compared favorably to summer tires
Cons
- Performance degradation noted by some users after 3-4 seasons
- Soft sidewalls can lead to a slight loss of steering precision or 'wobble' in tight corners
- Tread pattern prone to picking up and throwing stones/sand
- Inconsistent reports regarding tread wear, with some users experiencing faster-than-expected depletion
Observations
- Users with high-torque vehicles noted that the tire can struggle with traction under heavy acceleration on snow if the vehicle lacks advanced torque management.
- Drivers of smaller, lighter vehicles (e.g., VW Polo, Golf) reported excellent handling and confidence in varied winter conditions.
- Some users noted that the tire's soft sidewall is more noticeable on larger rim sizes or during spirited driving.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 | B · Continental WinterContact TS 860 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Premium Touring tires | Winter Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 11 | — |
| Rim diameters | 17″ – 21″ | — |
| Tread depth | 9/32″ | — |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | — |
| Max pressure | 50 psi | — |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
75
/ 100
Bridgestone
81
/ 100
Continental
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 860 — better treadwear and handling. Pick the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 if comfort and dry matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Continental WinterContact TS 860 scores 83 vs 59 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Continental WinterContact TS 860 scores 86 vs 73 on handling.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 scores 80 vs 75 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 scores 84 vs 81 on dry.
Tire A · Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
Tire B · Continental WinterContact TS 860
More comparisons
Also compared with
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 also compared with
Continental WinterContact TS 860 also compared with
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.