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Updated September 2026

Nordman North 9 review

The Nordman North 9 is widely regarded as a high-performance studded winter tire that excels in severe ice and snow conditions, offering traction comparable to premium Nokian models. While users praise its exceptional grip and surprisingly managed noise levels, the overall experience is occasionally marred by significant concerns regarding manufacturing quality control.

Relative score
79/100
tests + owners
Owner reviews
81/100
4 reviews
Road tests
61/100
1 published test

Owners rate it 20.3 points higher than the instrumented road tests do — see the two score breakdowns below for where they disagree.

Nordman North 9
Scores

Two scoring systems, side by side

Owner scores come from reviews on retailer and review sites; road-test scores come from instrumented tests. Where they disagree, it is usually a discipline owners rarely push to the limit.

By owner reviews

80.8%
Would buy again 100%
Dry
Overall dry
77.5%
Wet
Overall wet
82.5%
Snow & ice
Overall snow & ice
100%
Comfort
Overall comfort
72.5%
Noise
Overall noise
73.3%
Treadwear
Overall treadwear
92.5%
Handling
Overall handling
80%

By road tests

60.5%
Dry
1%
Wet
89.3%
Snow
83.4%
Noise
85.6%
From owners

What owners like and dislike

Themes extracted from 4 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.

The Nordman North 9 is widely regarded as a high-performance studded winter tire that excels in severe ice and snow conditions, offering traction comparable to premium Nokian models. While users praise its exceptional grip and surprisingly managed noise levels, the overall experience is occasionally marred by significant concerns regarding manufacturing quality control.

Pros

  • Exceptional traction and confidence on ice and packed snow
  • Effective noise reduction technology for a studded tire
  • Strong performance in diverse winter conditions including sleet and deep snow
  • Proven tread design derived from the premium Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9

Cons

  • Inconsistent manufacturing quality control leading to eccentric or defective tires
  • Noticeable road noise on dry pavement due to the stud configuration
  • Potential for uneven quality across production batches

Worth knowing

  • EV drivers noted that the internal foam lining effectively mitigates the typical noise associated with studded tires.
  • SUV owners reported high reliability and consistent performance across varied winter road surfaces.
Test results

1 published test appearance

Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.

2024 Studded tire Test · 225/45 R17

6th of 8
Best: Fuel Consumption · 2nd Weakest: Wet Handling · 7th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Handling7th of 8
Snow Traction6th of 8
Snow Handling6th of 8
Ice Handling7th of 8
Straight Aqua6th of 8
Subj. Dry Handling6th of 8
Noise7th of 8
Ice Traction3rd of 8
Fuel Consumption2nd of 8
Where to buy

Nordman North 9 specs & sizes

Prices vary by size, so each one links out separately.

Specifications
Tread depth12 - 13/32″
SidewallBlack Side Wall
Max pressure51 psi
SizeRetailer
235/45 R18 Amazon

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