I have had the Nokian Hakkas on since November 2015, and I've experienced a diverse set of road conditions, enough to give an honest review.
The Hakkas are purported to be the ultimate winter tire. While they have their advantages, I simply can't say they are best snow tires I've ever had. Now, here in Western PA we haven't gotten a ton of snow like we did last year, but we got enough, and when we did, the ST was out in it (I don't put my life on hold for snow). I never got stuck in the snow. But I never felt like the Hakkas were really biting the packed snow, and in the softer slush, the ability of this tire to channel moisture is, how do I put this... Not good. Note I had them mounted to the stock snowflakes (2014 ST3). Perhaps if I had downsized to a skinner wheel (and tire) I would feel differently about the snow and wet performance. But it is what it is - as 18 inch tires, these are not great tires for adverse conditions. Certainly they are not worth the $$, if outright performance in snow and rain is what you are looking for. They are better in the rain than they are in the snow. But any kind of puddle or rut, and the tire just can't push the water away fast enough.
It's not all doom and gloom, however!
As I mentioned above, we had a mild winter. And the roads were mostly dry for most of the winter. And in the dry is where this tire shines. While it doesn't have the initial, immediate turn in like the stock F1's have, it almost does. In the twisties, they hold on, and will let you know when you've gone too far. TBH, I haven't done much driving at the limit because I am trying to keep the wear down to a minimum. But in daily driving, I'm taking corners and NOT wishing I had the F1's. They are that good in the dry.
One other nit picky issue with them - speed rated to 106mph. I accidentally (on purpose?) hit 120mph for a couple brief periods, realized it, and backed off quickly. So, they won't explode if you briefly exceed the rating.
All in all, a decent winter tire for mostly dry and cold conditions. Which this year, worked for me. But if you live in an area where you will not see the asphalt until the spring, look elsewhere.
The Hakkas are purported to be the ultimate winter tire. While they have their advantages, I simply can't say they are best snow tires I've ever had. Now, here in Western PA we haven't gotten a ton of snow like we did last year, but we got enough, and when we did, the ST was out in it (I don't put my life on hold for snow). I never got stuck in the snow. But I never felt like the Hakkas were really biting the packed snow, and in the softer slush, the ability of this tire to channel moisture is, how do I put this... Not good. Note I had them mounted to the stock snowflakes (2014 ST3). Perhaps if I had downsized to a skinner wheel (and tire) I would feel differently about the snow and wet performance. But it is what it is - as 18 inch tires, these are not great tires for adverse conditions. Certainly they are not worth the $$, if outright performance in snow and rain is what you are looking for. They are better in the rain than they are in the snow. But any kind of puddle or rut, and the tire just can't push the water away fast enough.
It's not all doom and gloom, however!
As I mentioned above, we had a mild winter. And the roads were mostly dry for most of the winter. And in the dry is where this tire shines. While it doesn't have the initial, immediate turn in like the stock F1's have, it almost does. In the twisties, they hold on, and will let you know when you've gone too far. TBH, I haven't done much driving at the limit because I am trying to keep the wear down to a minimum. But in daily driving, I'm taking corners and NOT wishing I had the F1's. They are that good in the dry.
One other nit picky issue with them - speed rated to 106mph. I accidentally (on purpose?) hit 120mph for a couple brief periods, realized it, and backed off quickly. So, they won't explode if you briefly exceed the rating.
All in all, a decent winter tire for mostly dry and cold conditions. Which this year, worked for me. But if you live in an area where you will not see the asphalt until the spring, look elsewhere.
