What criteria are you looking for in your winter tires? Drivers facing difficult winter conditions will surely say "confident traction, superb control skills on slippery surfaces, and durability". If you are one of those who are looking for these criteria in your winter tires, then this article is for you.
The heroes of today's article are the BFGoodrich Winter Slalom KSI and Kumho WinterCraft WP72 tires. We thought it would be useful to make a close comparison between them, as these 2 products are very often mentioned by drivers in various tire rating forums and platforms. In most cases, both products receive very good reviews. However, many drivers are not sure which one suits them better.
In this sense, today we will discuss various performance aspects of the BFGoodrich Winter Slalom KSI and Kumho WinterCraft WP72 tires. At the end of the article, you should have a clearer vision about them and better understand the differences and, obviously, the benefits.
Kumho VS BFGoodrich
Before evaluating the products, let's go over the historical background of these 2 tire brands: BFGoodrich and Kumho. BFGoodrich is an American brand that became popular through its variety of tires for all types of terrain. At the same time, it proves superior quality in each of its models.
The BFGoodrich team focuses on innovations and tire-advanced technologies. As proof, this tire maker was the first to develop the radial tire concept in America. Today, BFGoodrich has a special passion for all-terrain tires - a segment in which it simply shines. The other segments are also of superb quality. The Winter Slalom KSI model is a good example of this.
On the flip side, Kumho enjoys a solid reputation for its quality combined with affordable prices. This tire brand has been on the list of the most trustworthy affordable tire makers for over 50 years. It makes constant efforts in the development and technological advancement of its products.
Kumho has a wide variety of models in its catalog. While BFGoodrich is somewhat more focused on adventurous driving, Kumho is somewhat more universal, offering a wide range of tires for any need. Today, its winter model WinterCraft WP72 falls under the spotlight, as it's one of the most famous winter tires from the brand's portfolio.
BFGoodrich Winter Slalom KSI
The tire industry offers drivers a wide range of winter products. However, each model has unique features that make them stand out from the crowd. If we talk about the BFGoodrich Winter Slalom KSI tire, it stands out for its sporty tenacity.
BFGoodrich thought to complement this model with agile manners in addition to excellent winter properties. Thus, the tire brings the benefit of a solid performance in which traction, grip, and agility are found together. The Winter Slalom KSI tire has an optimized rubber in which the multi-grooved architecture leaves a wide footprint on the road surface. Thanks to this, the tire inspires confidence and reliability in various winter conditions.
Traction Test: BFGoodrich Winter Slalom KSI vs Kumho WinterCraft WP72
A winter tire cannot be considered reliable if its traction is not regular and consistent. Tire makers are always looking for solutions to ensure confident and stable traction through various rubber technologies and formulas. In this sense, the Wintercraft WP72 tire stands out through a special rubber formula that does not allow the traction to suffer drops.
This is possible thanks to the special grooves, among others. They have an angular and wide architecture that helps in quick self-cleaning of ice, snow, and slush. Thus, the tire quickly restores its traction power, or rather, maintains it constantly, preventing syncope.
On the flip side, the BFGoodrich Winter Slalom KSI has a different but equally efficient technology in terms of traction. Turns out that BFGoodrich opted for the integration of micropores in the construction of the tire. They are responsible for maintaining traction, which is aided by an effective grip due to the special tread pattern.
At the end of the day, both tires enjoy a high rating in terms of winter traction. While each tire maker used different technologies, both tires provided the same capabilities. As such, both BFGoodrich Winter Slalom KSI and Kumho WinterCraft WP72 score a score of 9.0 out of 10 in winter traction terrain.
Handling Test: BFGoodrich Winter Slalom KSI vs Kumho WinterCraft WP72
While the traction of the 2 compared models is similar, the handling aspect is slightly different. To understand the difference between them, we must draw attention to the structure and UTQG ratings of each model.
The Wintercraft WP72 tire is V-rated. This speaks of the tenacity of the product and its solid resistance to high speed and load. In this sense, Kumho offers us a product that promises confidence and agile but stable manners through the asymmetric tire pattern. In the same sense, the Wintercraft WP72 has 3D sipes that aid handling in severe winter conditions and ensure solid braking.
The various tests and reviews give the Wintercraft WP72 model a score of 9.2 out of 10 in terms of handling. It's worth mentioning that we see a similar rating for Michelin winter tires. But the benefit of Wintercraft WP72 lies in its much lower price compared to Michelin models.
As for the Winter Slalom KSI, the product stands out through superb feedback and steering precision. This model yields a slightly lower rating, i.e. S-rating, which speaks of a softer manner in terms of handling and tenacity. For this, the Winter Slalom KSI product receives a score of 8.3, slightly losing in terms of handling compared to its Wintercraft WP72 counterpart.
Longevity Test: BFGoodrich Winter Slalom KSI vs Kumho WinterCraft WP72
The longevity of the 2 models compared here also differ slightly. This is explained by the different patterns of the 2 tires. The Wintercraft WP72 product has an asymmetric tread, while its rival Slalom KSi- has a symmetrical one. Statistics show that asymmetric tires are more sensitive to wear in the long term. Instead, the symmetrical ones maintain better and develop a more gradual and even wear in the long run.
Starting from this premise, one of the 2 tires promises a slightly longer service life with less prowess to uneven wear. It is about the BFGoodrich Winter Slalom KSI model that accumulates a longevity score of 9.1 compared to 8.2 for its rival Kumho WinterCraft WP72.
Kumho WinterCraft WP72
This tire, like the BFGoodrich Winter Slalom KSI model, is a studless product. As such, Kumho has integrated the possible properties for the tire to be reliable in any winter conditions even without studs.
This means that the Kumho WinterCraft WP72 has a flexible compound resisting at the lowest temperatures. This allows it to remain pliable in extreme conditions, which translates into great adaptation to various winter surfaces including harsh snow and ice.
Apart from that, the Kumho WinterCraft WP72 stands out for its superb stopping abilities. This is due to the special zig-zag pattern. It increases the grip of the road and, consequently, reduces the braking distance. Last but not least, Kumho has integrated special technologies for noise reduction, which equates to a refined ride.
And Yet: BFGoodrich Winter Slalom KSI Or Kumho WinterCraft WP72?
The close comparison shows us that each of the 2 models has both advantages and disadvantages. Thus, it would be correct to choose the tire whose advantages best suit your driving needs.
The common points of the 2 targeted models are their studless tread and 3PMSF certification. This speaks of the fact that both are sufficiently prepared for winter conditions. In this sense, you should only use them when the temperatures do not go above 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
If we go into details, Wintercraft WP72 seems a better option for when traction and handling are part of the list of priorities. This product is convenient for drivers looking for tough and stable tires in severe conditions.
On the other hand, the BFGoodrich Winter Slalom KS seems a better option for when longevity is on the priority list. Some drivers prefer more modest and quiet driving and look for safety, but not necessarily tenacity. In this case, the Winter Slalom KS sounds like a great idea. Either way, the differences in ratings between the 2 models are minimal. Below, you have some recommendations from Neotires that will help you make the right decision.
Tips for BFGoodrich Winter Slalom KSI and Kumho WinterCraft WP72
Even with a clear comparison between the 2 models, sometimes it can be difficult to make a choice. The Neotires experts have illustrated below the conditions in which the 2 tires make better sense. Check this out.
From what you can see in the infographic above, the BFGoodrich Winter Slalom KSI appears as a more affordable tire than its Kumho counterpart. Indeed, BFGoodrich is a bit more generous in terms of price. So if price is at the top of priorities, then WinterCraft WP72 might not be the best option. Still, sometimes Neotires offers great deals, which would allow you to benefit from their performance at a reduced price.
That's about all you need to know about the 2 models. Our final thought is to remind you that there is no such thing as a bad tire, only an incorrectly chosen one. So be cautious in your choice and opt for the model that best fits your needs. If you are still not sure, let us make the process easier. Contact our friendly assistants for any questions. We will be glad to make the selection process easier for you.
Winter Tires: FAQs
Do I Really Need Winter Tires?
Winter tires are the most suitable choice in winter conditions with constantly low temperatures accompanied by snow and ice. These tires provide the best traction, grip, and safety of all the existing ones. Their special pattern with deep grooves and low-temperature-resistant rubber make them the most optimal for winter conditions. The price of winter tires is usually higher than other types of tires. However, we recommend that you prioritize safety and only then the price.
What Is the Purpose of Winter Tires?
The winter tire's purpose is to cope with winter conditions as other tires cannot. Tire makers use special rubber and design to make winter tires superbly resistant to low temptations without sacrificing performance and grip. The other types of tires such as all-season are meant for milder weather conditions and could be insufficient for harsh winters.
Do Winter Tires Make A Difference?
In short, they do. A winter tire is defined by its ability to bite through snow and ice through its specific tread. No other type of tire is as deep as winter tires to dig confidently in snow. In addition, the winter tire rubber resists extreme temperatures better than any other, which makes it remain flexible and therefore performant. The winter tread pattern is more aggressive which empowers better traction.
Is It OK to Use Winter Tires in the Summer?
Winter tires are specially designed to be used exclusively in snow conditions. If you use them during the summer, their rubber becomes too flexible, which leads to early wear. In addition, their performance is significantly reduced and the rolling resistance increases substantially. Experts recommend against using winter tires in the warm season for the safety and good condition of your tires.
How Many Miles Do Winter Tires Last?
The lifespan of winter tires is usually shorter than that of other types of tires. This is because their priority is traction and winter confidence, and not longevity. On average, they last around 25,000-35,000 miles, with small variations depending on the manufacturer, road conditions, and driving style.
Why Trust Us?
Neotires is a team of enthusiasts and professionals in the tire and automotive field. Each member of the team is proud of his vast experience in this industry. Our goal is to educate drivers so that they can improve their driving experience and increase their level of safety.
For this, we spend a lot of time studying, evaluating, and comparing various tire models in various conditions. Our trained technicians and content writers pay close attention to the tire industry's evolution, news, and technologies. This helps us to offer high-quality services and products. In more than 5 years of assistance in the field of tires, we have won the trust of thousands of drivers in the U.S. Feel free to join them because our team is delighted to serve you at the highest level. Drive safe and choose your tires wisely!
