Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 vs WS90 (Tire Comparision)

When a model is proven to work exceptionally well in its intended applications, the manufacturers often take the same design and tweak it for the next release. Bridgestone is known for perfecting and upgrading its models to achieve perfection with each new model. We can confidently say that this happened with the  Blizzak WS80 and Blizzak WS90 tires.

As we know, Bridgestone’s Blizzak models are made to perform in winter conditions. Their models utilize many versatile technologies to ensure their performing capability and driving safety. However, when talking specifically about the Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 vs WS90 debate, the difference between the models is miniscule, yet still extremely relevant.

Check price for Bridgestone Blizzak WS80.

Check price for Bridgestone Blizzak WS90.

So, What Are These Tires?

They are touring, winter models manufactured as part of Bridgestone’s Blizzak line. They utilize their tread design and winter compound to securely grip the winter weather road surface, while providing superb controllability. They use their different manufacturing elements to ensure the driver has full control over the vehicle, even in severe winter situations.

To the untrained eye, they are identical. The difference between their tread patterns consists of just a few siping placement variations. Still, the Blizzak WS90 is the new and improved version of the Blizzak WS80.

Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 vs WS90 - Likeness

Let’s first talk of the similarities.

Tread Design

Both models feature a lightly directional tread pattern with a continuous center rib or tread block sequence and stabilized shoulder tread blocks. Their optimized siping placement increases the number of biting edges to firmly grip the road surface, even when driving on ice- and snow-covered surfaces. This enables the tires to secure the winter weather driving safety levels, even without the use of studs. Both of these models are manufactured with Bridgestone’s patented Multi-Cell compound.

Controllability

These tread elements also upgrade the tire’s controllability. The maintained road contact of the center tread area enhances the steering responsiveness and the driving stability, guaranteeing the driver’s constant control over the vehicle. The detailed block placement along the tread boosts the maneuvering capability by improving the cornering and braking capacities significantly. As a result, the tires provide secure performing capabilities.

Tread Life

Tires are only as good as the length of their tread life. For most everyday drivers, it is of the utmost importance to purchase tires which will withstand everyday driving well.

The Blizzak WS80 and the WS90 both provide excellent usability. While Bridgestone does not offer treadwear warranties with their winter tires, they still ensure their optimal service life. Both of these models feature stabilized footprints. The secured tread block placement prevents tread flexing while the tires are in motion. This actively prevents premature and irregular wear formations as the tires are able to balance out the driving pressure along the tread area. In this manner, both the WS80 and WS90 promote a significantly lengthened tread life

Tread Wear Indicators

Both models feature special snow platforms on their tread area. These are used to visually portray the end of the model’s winter traction. In other words, the snow platforms serve as tread wear indicators, signifying when the tires are about to lose their winter traction.

The snow platforms are placed in a way that the tread reaches them when the Multi-Cell compound is about to wear out. As a result, the drivers are able to follow the tires’ tread wear rate, preventing the Blizzak WS80 and the Blizzak WS90 from being driven on after they use their stronger winter traction.

Our Favorite: Bridgestone Blizzak WS90

Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 vs WS90 – Contrast

Now, let’s look at the differences between these models. We will divide these into various categories to make them easier to look through. As we have stated before, the contrast between the Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 vs WS90 is minimal.

Tread Pattern

When it comes to the tread pattern between the Blizzak WS80 and Blizzak WS90, Bridgestone has updated its design a bit. While both models feature a detailed directional pattern with a high-density zigzag sipe and notch placement and optimized circumferential and lateral grooves, the Blizzak WS90 is more detailed than the Blizzak WS80.

What do we mean by this?

Well, simply speaking, the Blizzak WS90 features more sipes and notches than its predecessor. Furthermore, its surface contact area is flatter, which allows the tire to closely follow the road surface at all times. The tread design extends over the tire’s shoulders. This increases the Blizzak WS90’s capability to perform in deeper snow.

While the Blizzak WS80 does feature an optimal number of 3D Zigzag Sips and block edges that act like microscopic studs along the tread area, the Blizzak WS90’s tread is further enhanced. The enhancements in the tread from the Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 vs WS90 include:

• 15% more block edge sipes to firmly grip the ice- and snow-covered rod surface.
• 30% more tread block stiffness to increase the traction and to extend the tread life
• Stronger ice traction provided by the larger road contact area and the previously mentioned siping and notch detail
• Multi-Cell technology which uses bite particles to optimize the ice traction and to prevent slippage

Compound

While Bridgestone mentions the Multi-Cell technology with both models, only the Blizzak WS90 features the full technology.

The Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 was manufactured with a special compound blend of the advanced Multi-Cell compound with the Nano Pro-Tech to increase the molecular rubber flexibility in freezing temperatures. On the other hand, the Blizzak WS90 utilizes the complete Multi-Cell technology in order to increase the ice traction.

The Multi-Cell technology helps to improve the slippery ice traction. This technology utilizes the special Multi-Cell compound to enhance the ice grip by spreading and diffusing water on the road surface when the tire comes into contact with ice. Basically, this compound enables the tire to disperse the thin layer of water between the tire and the ice, which effectively enables the footprint to firmly grip onto the ice. This ups the traction and the tire’s overall control.

Therefore, when it comes to the Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 vs WS90 debate, the Blizzak WS90 has a safer ice and snow traction, thanks to the ideally strong winter compound.

Conclusion

While the difference between these tire models is minimal, they still provide different performing capabilities. If you are thinking of purchasing one or the other, you can take into consideration the driving conditions you will subject the tires to.

Check price for Bridgestone Blizzak WS80.

Check price for Bridgestone Blizzak WS90.

In case you still can't decide which tire to pick our detailed Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 review might help, make sure to check it out.Both the Blizzak WS80 and the Blizzak WS90 are marked with the three mountain peak and snowflake symbol, which is given to tires that are able to withstand and perform in severe winter conditions. Therefore, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 vs WS90 debate comes down to manufacturing upgrades. Simply put, the Blizzak WS90 is the enhanced and renewed version of the Blizzak WS80.