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.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Continental WinterContact TS 860 vs Michelin X Ice Snow — 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
80
/ 100
Objective (60%)
71/100
11 professional tests
User signal (40%)
84/100
17 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictToo close to call: Continental WinterContact TS 860 and Michelin X Ice Snow are within 2 points overall. Continental WinterContact TS 860 is stronger on dry, wet and handling. Michelin X Ice Snow is stronger on comfort, noise and treadwear.
Read full
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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)
WinterContact TS 860 leads by 16
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 76 | 56 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | 78 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 94% | 93% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 97% | 100% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 860 leads by 15
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 89 | 71 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 89 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 92 | 81 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 82% | 72% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 98% | 100% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
X Ice Snow leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 77 | 79 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 91 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 94 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 54% | 99% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 100% | 92% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 99% | 100% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
X Ice Snow leads by 15
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 67 | 93 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 87 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
X Ice Snow leads by 12
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 62 | 74 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
X Ice Snow leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 91 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 860 leads by 11
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 75 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental WinterContact TS 860 | Michelin X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 81 | 80 |
| Dry | 81 | 65 |
| Wet | 90 | 75 |
| Snow | 78 | 85 |
| Comfort | 75 | 90 |
| Noise | 62 | 74 |
| Treadwear | 83 | 91 |
| Handling | 86 | 75 |
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
81
/ 100
Tire A
80
/ 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 | 94% #5/9 · 2018 AMS All Season Tyre Test | 93% #16/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | +1.1 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 97% #7/9 · 2018 AMS All Season Tyre Test | 100% #4/5 · The Best Snow Tyres for 2025/26 | -3 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 85% #4/9 · 2018 AMS All Season Tyre Test | 100% #1/8 · 2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | -14.6 | Different tests |
| Ice Braking | Ice | 93% #6/10 · 2019 Auto Center Winter Tyre Test | 89% #8/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | +4.8 | Different tests |
| Ice Handling | Ice | 97% #1/2 · All Season vs Winter vs Nordic vs Studded Tyres | 92% #13/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | +4.7 | Different tests |
| Ice Traction | Ice | 94% #8/10 · 2019 Auto Center Winter Tyre Test | 79% #1/5 · The Best Snow Tyres for 2025/26 | +15 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 99% #6/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 97% #3/5 · The Best Snow Tyres for 2025/26 | +2.1 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 96% #19/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 95% #6/8 · 2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | +1 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 33% #3/8 · 2018 Auto Express All Season Tyre Test | 25% #4/5 · The Best Snow Tyres for 2025/26 | +8.3 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 54% #1/9 · 2018 AMS All Season Tyre Test | 99% #4/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | -45.2 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 100% #1/9 · 2018 AMS All Season Tyre Test | 92% #4/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | +8.5 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 99% #8/10 · 2019 Auto Center Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/2 · Michelin Pilot Sport 4S vs Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 vs Michelin X-Ice Snow | -1.2 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 100% #1/9 · 2018 AMS All Season Tyre Test | 75% #3/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | +24.8 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 80% #4/10 · 2019 Auto Center Winter Tyre Test | 95% #5/8 · 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Studless Winter Tyre Test | -15 | Different tests |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 100% #1/10 · 2019 Auto Center Winter Tyre Test | 80% #4/8 · 2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | +20 | Different tests |
| Subj. Snow Handling | Subj | 90% #2/10 · 2019 Auto Center Winter Tyre Test | 97% #7/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | -7 | Different tests |
| Subj. Wet Handling | Subj | 100% #1/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 78% #5/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | +22.2 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 82% #1/9 · 2018 AMS All Season Tyre Test | 72% #10/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | +9.9 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 98% #6/9 · 2018 AMS All Season Tyre Test | 100% #5/5 · The Best Snow Tyres for 2025/26 | -2 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
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.
The Michelin X-Ice Snow is widely regarded as a top-tier studless winter tire, offering exceptional traction in deep snow, slush, and icy conditions. While users note a slight compromise in dry-road handling and noise levels compared to previous iterations or summer tires, the consensus highlights its superior longevity and confidence-inspiring performance in severe winter climates.
Pros
- Exceptional traction and lateral grip in deep snow and slush
- High level of confidence and stability on icy surfaces
- Excellent tread life and durability over multiple seasons
- Quiet and comfortable ride quality for a dedicated winter tire
Cons
- Average performance and handling on dry or wet pavement
- Increased road noise as the tires wear over time
- Can feel slightly 'twitchy' or less stable at the absolute limit of handling
- Higher price point compared to some competitors
Observations
- Tesla owners report that the tire maintains a quiet cabin environment, effectively managing road noise despite the vehicle's lack of engine sound.
- Users with performance-oriented vehicles like the Lexus IS 350 noted that the tire provides a comfortable ride even in larger 19-inch fitments.
- Drivers of smaller vehicles, such as the Fiat Panda and Mazda MX-5, report high confidence in extreme sub-zero conditions and long-distance winter touring.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental WinterContact TS 860 | B · Michelin X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Premium Touring tires | Winter Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | — |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
81
/ 100
Continental
80
/ 100
Michelin
Too close to call: Continental WinterContact TS 860 and Michelin X Ice Snow are within 2 points overall. Continental WinterContact TS 860 is stronger on dry, wet and handling. Michelin X Ice Snow is stronger on comfort, noise and treadwear.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Continental WinterContact TS 860 scores 81 vs 65 on dry.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Continental WinterContact TS 860 scores 90 vs 75 on wet.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 90 vs 75 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 74 vs 62 on noise.
Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 860
Tire B · Michelin X Ice Snow
More comparisons
Also compared with
Continental WinterContact TS 860 also compared with
Michelin X Ice Snow 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.