Tests 72 · 1 test Owners 78 · 14 reviews
Best test result: #4 of 11 in 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test (dry braking)
Head-to-head
Updated
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S vs Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.
WinterContact TS 860 S is ahead, 75–67
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Tests 73 · 1 test Owners 63 · 21 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 15 in 2022 Consumer Reports Winter Tires (overall ranking)
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
-
75
Dry
WinterContact TS 860 S +174Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 860 S Blizzak WS90 Professional tests (TWG score) 74 88 Reviews found online 78 54 Dry Braking (% of best) 98% 90% -
74
Wet
WinterContact TS 860 S +866Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 860 S Blizzak WS90 Professional tests (TWG score) 70 63 Reviews found online 80 70 Wet Braking (% of best) 91% 79% -
74
Snow
WinterContact TS 860 S +173Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 860 S Blizzak WS90 Professional tests (TWG score) 71 69 Reviews found online 78 79 Snow Braking (% of best) 96% 70% Snow Handling (% of best) 98% 85% -
74
Comfort
WinterContact TS 860 S +866Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 860 S Blizzak WS90 Professional tests (TWG score) – 71 Reviews found online 79 58 -
73
Noise
WinterContact TS 860 S +964Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 860 S Blizzak WS90 Professional tests (TWG score) 74 71 Reviews found online 70 53 -
72
Treadwear
WinterContact TS 860 S +1062Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 860 S Blizzak WS90 Reviews found online 77 60 -
83
Handling
WinterContact TS 860 S +1865Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 860 S Blizzak WS90 Reviews found online 83 65
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental WinterContact TS 860 S | Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 75 | 67 |
| Dry | 75 | 74 |
| Wet | 74 | 66 |
| Snow | 74 | 73 |
| Comfort | 74 | 66 |
| Noise | 73 | 64 |
| Treadwear | 72 | 62 |
| Handling | 83 | 65 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
75
/ 100
WinterContact TS 860 S
67
/ 100
Blizzak WS90
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 | WinterContact TS 860 S | Blizzak WS90 | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 98% #4/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 90% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | +7.3 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 25% #4/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/15 · 2022 Consumer Reports Winter Tires | −75.0 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 96% #7/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 70% #7/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | +25.5 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 98% #7/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 85% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | +12.6 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 91% #6/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 79% #7/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | +12.3 | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A WinterContact TS 860 S
Pros
- Exceptional handling and feedback on dry and wet roads in cold temperatures
- Strong performance and confidence in snow and icy conditions
- Stiffer sidewalls compared to predecessors, offering improved cornering stability
Cons
- Long break-in period required before optimal grip is achieved
- Potential for traction control interference on staggered RWD setups due to circumference variances
- Limited lateral grip in wet conditions compared to some competitors
Tire B Blizzak WS90
Pros
- Outstanding grip and acceleration on ice and hard-packed snow
- Excellent braking performance in hazardous winter conditions
- Strong capability in slush and deep snow
Cons
- Increased road noise during highway driving
- Less responsive or 'softer' handling feel on dry pavement
- Potential for minor rubbing depending on vehicle fitment
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental WinterContact TS 860 S | B · Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Ultra High Performance tires | Winter Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 4 | 45 |
| Rim diameters | 18″ – 22″ | 15″ – 19″ |
| Tread depth | 10 - 11/32″ | 11/32″ |
| Sidewall | Black Side Wall | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | 50 - 51 psi | 51 psi |
Which one should you actually buy?
75
/ 100
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
67
/ 100
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 860 S — better handling, treadwear and noise. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 83 vs 65 on handling.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 72 vs 62 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
You want a quieter cabin
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 73 vs 64 on noise.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 74 vs 66 on wet.
Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
Tire B · Bridgestone Blizzak WS90
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How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.