Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 Review

With winter slowly approaching us, we have decided to shed some light on our most popular winter weather tire models. The first one we will talk about is the Bridgestone Blizzak WS80. This tire offers exceptional winter weather traction, great durability and a lengthened tread life.

Winter Weather Traction

Winter tires utilize their tread design and winter compound to battle severe winter weather conditions and to ensure their secure performing capability.

The Blizzak WS80 features a detailed symmetric pattern which was molded from a special Multi-cell compound. The symmetric tread pattern was designed with a high-density 3D zigzag siping pattern that allows the tire to increase the number of biting edges gripping the road surface, even when driving on ice- and snow-covered roads. The Multi-cell compound keeps the ideal rubber flexibility in colder temperatures. This combination earned the tire its three mountain peak and snowflake symbol. This model is not suited to be driven in summer weather.

The tread design’s wide circumferential grooves prevent hydroplaning. These grooves disperse water and slush from beneath the tire’s footprint throughout their performance. This avoids hydroplaning, as it happens when standing water and slush located on the road surface cut off the tire’s surface contact and cause the vehicle to skid. This increases the wet and winter weather performing capability and power, guaranteeing a safer driving experience.

Longer-Lasting Tread Life

A lengthened tread life is a desired feature of all tires. A longer tread life means that the tire can be used for a lengthened period of time. This makes such tires more cost-efficient in the long run.

The Blizzak WS80 boosts the tread life by optimizing the tire shape and ensuring uniformity throughout its performance. The ideal tire shape enables the tire’s constant road surface contact. The better road contact, along with the symmetric tread pattern, ensures even pressure distribution along the tread area. The equally spread out forces of acceleration, cornering and braking avoids irregular tread wear formations across the tire’s surface. As a result, the tire guarantees a longer lasting tread life and usability.

Tread Wear Indicators

Tread wear indicators are located on the tread area, which visually portray the tread wear rate and manner of the tire. With tread wear indicators the driver can easily follow the wear of the tires. The Blizzak WS80 was designed with such tread wear indicators. They show the tread wear rate of the model and notify the driver when the tire is about to lose its winter weather traction. When the tread is nearing 5/32nds of depth, the tread wear indicators show that the tire is about to wear out and needs to be changed.

Controllability and Performance

Like all models, winter tires must have good controllability. Their road grip, contact and internal structure must boost the vehicle’s controllability even in severe winter weather. This enables the driver’s full control over the vehicle, ensuring a safer performing capability.

The Blizzak WS80’s tread design with the high-density siping pattern improves the tire’s winter weather grip. In this manner, the better road grip and the optimal footprint work together to increase the tire’s road contact. The maintained surface contact significantly upgrades the steering responsiveness and the driving stability. The steering becomes faster and more precise in its response to the driver’s instructions, while the structure is stabilized against the driving pressure affecting the model. This enables the driver to confidently maneuver the vehicle in various winter conditions.

The tire’s optimal casing shape and reinforced construction work together to boost the high speed durability. The casing shape and the structure’s strengthened twin steel belts optimize the tire shape under the high speed driving pressure affecting the tire. This enables the tire to perform without deforming under the pressure, which improves the high speed driving safety and performing capability.

If you’re interested in purchasing Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 tires, you can see our current stock.