Nokian Rotiiva AT

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Nokian Rotiiva AT Tire Review
Winter Tire / All Weather Tire


When it comes to specialized winter and all weather tires, there is a company based out of Finland that comes to mind. That company is Nokian. For those that are a bit geographically challenged (don't worry I am too) Finland has some mean cold temperatures right up there with Iceland and Russia. What this means is that they need tires that can withstand some winters with ridiculous amounts of cold, snow, and ice. 

The Nokian Rotiiva AT is built with tread compound for extreme winters and stays malleable so it can conform to the road no matter what the temperature is outside. The great thing about this tire, which is rare for most tires that provide dedicated snow / ice traction, is that you can still drive it during the summer months once all that snow melts away. 

This tire is designed to be stable on and off road with an aggressive style tread pattern to give grip in all types of situations. This is a great tire for SUV's and trucks looking for good durability and sturdy tire structure. If you click on the image of the tire to the left you can see the tread pattern in more detail. There are plenty of large grooves for channeling out water and providing rugged traction, as well as lots of small sipes for winter traction in ice and snow. 

When tires get too hot, they start to break down and wear out much more quickly. Extreme heat can also impact the tires structure and deform it, making it dangerous to drive on. The Rotiiva AT has cooling ribs which help out the shoulder of the tire, making it much more durable. Stone ejectors also make it much harder for rocks and sharp object to puncture the tire. 

Tire Test Results
Alright so how do these tires perform when we take them out on a Toyota Tundra in all sorts of fun conditions?

Pros:

• First we hit some regular side roads in dry conditions to see how the tires handled and the amount of tread noise they produced. Steering response and handling was good, even when cornering and driving pretty aggressively. Tread noise was not too bad but definitely audible.
• When braking hard at 45 mph, like you would in an emergency if something ran out in front of you, the tires gripped the road well and stopped in a timely manner. 
• We then headed to some mild off road conditions to see how these performed in the dirt. Traction and handling was good when encountering dirt, mud, and some debris. Over some hills and potholes the tires give good support and cushion. 
• Last but not least we tested these in winter conditions once the snow and ice hit

Cons:

• The tread on these seems to wear pretty quick which I'm guessing is due to the material used which increases winter traction.
• Cornering can be a bit soft at times which I'm also assuming is due to tread make for low temperature winter conditions. 

Conclusion:
This a great tire for those who want great on and off road traction and handling in all conditions, especially harsh winters with snow and ice. There are not too many tires that are designed like the Nokian Rotiiva AT. This basically a blend of an all season tire and a dedicated winter / snow tire. It grips well in all conditions including dry, wet, and snow which is rare. I have been told that Nokian tires can be hard to find, so check around if this is a tire you plan on going with.

Nokian Rotiiva AT Sizes 

31X10.50R15 109 S 
235/75R15 109 T 
225/75R16 115/112 S 
235/85R16 120/116 R 
235/70R16 109 T 
245/75R16 111 S 
245/75R16 120/116 S 
245/70R16 111 T 
255/70R16 111 T 

265/75R16 116 S 
265/75R16 123/120 S 
265/70R16 112 T 
285/75R16 122/119 S 
235/80R17 120/117 R 
235/70R17 111 T 
235/65R17 108 T 
245/75R17 121/118 S 
245/70R17 110 T 
245/65R17 111 T

 255/70R17 112 T 
265/70R17 115 T 
265/70R17 121/118 S 
265/65R17 116 T 
275/70R17 114/110 S 
285/70R17 121/118 S 
265/70R18 124/121 S 
265/60R18 114 T XL 
275/65R18 123/120 S 
275/55R20 117 T 

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