Founded in New Jersey in 1912, Armstrong Tires were once among the top 5 largest tire brands in the world. Owned by Pirelli in the 1980s, Armstrong is now a part of the ZAFCO brand, which is a global tire manufacturer with its roots in the US. Since the revival of Armstrong insignia, the brand has launched several exciting tire lines for passenger cars, minivans, CUVs, SUVs, light trucks, and commercial vans in various tire categories such as all-season, all-weather, all-terrain, summer, winter, and UHP (ultra-high-performance). Armstrong Ski-Trac HP is a tire belonging to the winter tire lines of the American brand.

Designed for performance-oriented sedans and coupes, the Ski-Trac HP is an ultra-high-performance, studless winter tire that comes with a directional, V-shaped tread pattern for improved handling at high speeds on snowy roads. The 3D shoulder sipes and lateral grooves provide extra biting edges for increased traction and grip in wintry conditions. It features Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified which assures its use in severe winter conditions. The tires come with a 6-year limited warranty for any material or manufacturing defects, and they’ll be replaced free of cost for the first 12 months of use. It is available in 16 to 19-inch tire sizes.

So, how does it perform in near-freezing temperatures? Let’s find out in this Armstrong Ski-Trac HP tire review.

Features and Benefits

Winter tires are engineered to provide exceptional grip and traction, even during severe winter weather conditions and on icy and snowy roads. Available at competitive prices, the Armstrong Ski-Trac HP achieves almost similar performance to tires from well-known brands. How? Let’s delve into the details.

• Solid grip and performance – The directional, studless tread pattern offers good grip and traction in sub-freezing temperatures on snowy surfaces. The V-shaped tread design and 3D sipes allow better interlocking of contact patch with the surface. The unique tread shape ensures quick removal of water and slush to resist hydroplaning and returns improved grip and performance during high-speed runs.
• Improved handling and stability – The directional, V-shape tread with two circumferential grooves provide confident handling and improved stability over snowy and regular roads. The solid shoulders with 3D sipes and lateral grooves, too, aid in improving cornering abilities and steering responsiveness.
• Long-lasting tread – The special silica compound withstands near-freezing temperatures without compromising on high-speed performance. The reinforced construction is rigid as well as flexible at the same time to allow consistent performance even during extreme conditions.

Pros and Cons

The Armstrong Ski-Trac HP features a lot of advantages, but it carries some disadvantages too. Let’s have a glance over the pros and cons of Armstrong’s winter tire.

Pros

• V-shaped, directional tread for improved stability and handling
• Solid shoulders with lateral grooves for confident cornering and even wear
• Circumferential grooves for quick water and slush drainage to resist hydroplaning
• Special silica polymer for optimum performance in sub-freezing temperature
• 3D shoulder sipes for extra biting edges
• Reinforced carcass for extra durability
• Covered by Armstrong’s 6-year limited warranty, 30-day no questions asked money back guarantee, 24/7 roadside assistance (for the first two years), and Road hazard repairs (up to 100% reimbursement for the first two years of purchase)

Cons

• It doesn’t come with a limited tread life warranty
• Tread depth could have been a bit deeper for longer, optimum performance
• Cannot be used when temperatures are consistently above 45 degrees Fahrenheit
• Not the quietest or more comfortable ride quality
• Not the most fuel efficient tire
• As a directional tire, it can only be rotated from back to front or from front to back

SimpleTire’s view on Armstrong Ski-Trac HP tires

While the Armstrong Ski-Trac HP does impress with its performance in snowy conditions, its competitive price further makes the deal sweeter. So, if you are an owner of a tuned coupe or sedan and are looking for a performance winter tire that delivers adequate grip and traction, improved handling and stability without burning a hole in your pocket, no need to look any further; the Armstrong tire has those traits.

In its tire category, the Ski-Trac HP locks horns with likes of Antares GRIP 20 (starts around $102), Laufenn I FIT ICE LW71 (starts around $80), and Petlas Explero Winter W671 (starts around $104).

Vehicles the Armstrong Ski-Trac HP is a good replacement tire for

Although Armstrong Ski-Trac HP isn’t an OE-fitted tire, it’s a great alternative in the replacement tire market for performance-oriented coupes and sedans. It can be equipped on Ford Fiesta, Volvo S60, Acura TLX, BMW M6, Buick Regal TourX, Chevrolet Malibu, and many more.