Curiosity question- off-roading on winter tires?

[JackNightandDay]

Hi, Everyone!

I've got some Nokian Hakkapeliittaa R3's on my winter wheels in stock size. I was just wondering what they would look like in an off-roading situation. I haven't seen any discussion of this. On one hand, they have pretty aggressive tread, but on another, they're soft and probably not designed to shed mud. It's not urgent, or even anything I really plan on doing. I was just wondering. Thanks!

 

[CharlieS]

Probably depends a lot on what your version of off-roading is. I suspect sidewall strength is a weakness compared to an AT tire. On the other hand, you can off-road with any vehicle or tire, you just might not get as far or through some kinds of obstacles.

 

[liv2bike]

We did some very light off-roading around Moab last winter on our Hakka R3 SUVs. I just was trying too access some petroglyphs and dinosaur tracks. Nothing crazy. Mostly mud, snow and some slick rock. No issues. I didn't push very hard at all. Just eased my way around mostly.

 

[JackNightandDay]

Probably depends a lot on what your version of off-roading is. I suspect sidewall strength is a weakness compared to an AT tire. On the other hand, you can off-road with any vehicle or tire, you just might not get as far or through some kinds of obstacles.

That makes sense. Which conditions do sidewall strength factor more into? Definitely true.