Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 Review: How These Winter Tires Handle Snow, Ice, and Slush

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The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is a studless ice and snow tire designed for drivers who demand exceptional winter traction and control in the harshest winter conditions.

This tire is engineered specifically for cars, crossovers, and minivans, providing superior performance on snow-covered and icy roads while maintaining reliable handling on dry and wet surfaces.

Bridgestone’s Blizzak line has been a trusted name in winter tires for decades, and the WS90 continues this legacy with its advanced tread compound and innovative tread design.

Whether you’re navigating through heavy snowfall, sleet, or icy patches, the Blizzak WS90 delivers confidence-inspiring grip and braking performance when you need it most.

Ideal for drivers in regions with harsh winters, the Blizzak WS90 is an excellent choice for those seeking a tire that prioritizes safety and control without compromising ride quality or treadwear.

Its versatile nature makes it suitable for a wide range of vehicles, from compact cars to larger crossovers and minivans, ensuring a reliable and secure driving experience in winter conditions.

Design and Construction

The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is engineered with a directional tread pattern that features deep, zigzag grooves and biting edges to provide exceptional traction on snow and ice.

The tread blocks are designed with a high density of lateral grooves and 3D zigzag sipes to maximize the tire’s ability to bite into slippery surfaces.

The tire’s rubber compound is specially formulated with a high silica content, which enhances flexibility and grip in cold weather conditions.

This compound remains pliable at low temperatures, allowing the tread blocks to conform to the road surface and maintain optimal contact.

Reinforced with a polyamide reinforcement belt and twin steel belts, the Blizzak WS90 delivers improved stability, handling, and durability.

The polyamide reinforcement belt enhances the tire’s resistance to deformation and uneven wear, while the twin steel belts provide strength and rigidity for responsive steering and cornering.

Additionally, the tire features a unique hydrophilic coating on the tread surface, which enhances water evacuation and improves wet grip performance.

This coating helps the tire maintain traction on slippery, wet surfaces, providing added confidence and control in inclement weather conditions.

Performance in Snow and Ice

The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is designed to excel in winter conditions, providing exceptional traction, braking, handling, and stability on snow and ice.

The tire’s advanced tread compound and unique tread pattern work together to deliver outstanding performance when the roads are covered in winter’s treacherous elements.

On snowy surfaces, the Blizzak WS90 bites into the snow with its deep, aggressive tread blocks and numerous biting edges.

The tread’s 3D zigzag sipes and high-density multi-cell compound enhance grip, allowing the tire to maintain traction even on packed snow. This translates to confident acceleration, cornering, and braking, even when the snow is piled high.

When it comes to ice, the Blizzak WS90 shines with its ability to grip frozen surfaces.

The tire’s specialized compound remains pliable in extreme cold, allowing the tread to conform to the icy surface for maximum contact.

Additionally, the tread pattern features unique zig-zag grooves that help evacuate water and slush, reducing the risk of hydroplaning on icy patches.

In terms of handling and stability, the Blizzak WS90 excels. The tire’s rigid tread blocks and optimized footprint ensure even pressure distribution, promoting stable and predictable handling in snowy and icy conditions.

The tire’s internal structure also contributes to its winter prowess, with a reinforced casing and specialized belts that enhance steering response and overall stability.

Whether you’re navigating through a fresh snowfall or encountering unexpected icy patches, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 provides the confidence and control you need to tackle the harshest winter conditions with ease.

Dry and Wet Road Performance

The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is designed primarily for winter driving, but it also delivers reliable performance on dry and wet roads.

On dry pavement, the tire’s advanced tread compound and optimized tread pattern provide excellent grip and cornering stability.

The directional tread design enhances traction and handling, allowing for confident maneuvering in various driving conditions.

When it comes to wet road performance, the Blizzak WS90 excels in hydroplaning resistance.

Its unique tread pattern features wide circumferential grooves and lateral notches that effectively evacuate water from the contact patch.

This design helps maintain a firm grip on wet surfaces, ensuring improved braking and steering responsiveness.

Additionally, the tire’s silica-enriched compound enhances wet traction, providing reliable grip even on slippery roads.

While the Blizzak WS90 may not match the dry and wet performance of dedicated summer or all-season tires, it offers a well-balanced compromise.

This winter tire delivers a reassuring driving experience, providing competent handling and braking capabilities on dry and wet roads, while still excelling in its primary purpose – winter driving conditions.

Comfort and Noise

The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 delivers a remarkably comfortable and quiet ride for a dedicated winter tire.

Its advanced tread design and specialized compound work together to minimize road noise, even on rough or uneven surfaces.

The tire’s internal structure also contributes to a smooth, well-dampened ride quality that soaks up bumps and irregularities with ease.

While some winter tires can feel harsh or jarring, the WS90 strikes an excellent balance between winter traction and ride comfort.

Road noise is well-controlled, making for a relatively serene cabin experience, even at highway speeds.

The tire’s noise levels are on par with many quality all-season tires, which is impressive given its aggressive winter tread pattern.

Comfort is further enhanced by the tire’s ability to maintain its pliable characteristics in cold temperatures.

Unlike some winter tires that can feel stiff and unyielding in freezing conditions, the WS90 retains its suppleness, delivering a smooth, compliant ride regardless of the temperature.

This consistent comfort level is a major advantage, especially for drivers who frequently encounter varied winter conditions.

Overall, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 offers a remarkably civilized and comfortable driving experience, even in the harshest winter weather.

Its ability to provide both exceptional traction and a quiet, well-damped ride is a testament to Bridgestone’s expertise in winter tire engineering.

Durability and Treadlife

The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is designed to provide exceptional durability and treadlife, ensuring that you get the most out of your investment.

The tire’s tread compound is engineered to resist wear and tear, even under the harshest winter conditions.

One of the standout features of the Blizzak WS90 is its impressive resistance to punctures and cuts.

The tire’s reinforced casing and robust construction help protect against damage from road debris, potholes, and other hazards.

This added protection not only enhances safety but also contributes to the tire’s overall longevity.

In terms of treadlife, the Blizzak WS90 is a true performer. Its advanced tread design and optimized rubber compound work together to minimize wear, even with extensive use on snow and ice.

Many drivers report getting thousands of miles out of their Blizzak WS90 tires, making them a cost-effective choice in the long run.

Furthermore, the Blizzak WS90 features Bridgestone’s innovative tread design, which helps maintain traction and performance as the tire wears down.

This means that you can enjoy consistent performance throughout the tire’s lifespan, without sacrificing safety or handling.

Overall, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is a tire that delivers on durability and treadlife, providing peace of mind and reliable performance for many winter seasons to come.

Sizing and Fitment Options

The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is available in a wide range of sizes to fit most passenger cars, crossovers, and smaller SUVs.

Sizes range from 15-inch wheel diameters up to 20 inches, with various widths and sidewall heights to accommodate different vehicle specifications.

When it comes to fitment, it’s crucial to match the tire size precisely to your vehicle’s recommended specifications.

Bridgestone provides a comprehensive fitment guide on their website, allowing you to input your make, model, and year to find the correct tire size for your specific vehicle.

One notable aspect of the Blizzak WS90 is its emphasis on maintaining the original equipment (OE) specifications.

This ensures that the tire’s dimensions, load-carrying capacity, and speed rating align with the manufacturer’s recommendations, preserving the intended driving dynamics and safety characteristics of your vehicle.

It’s worth noting that some vehicles, particularly those with limited wheel well clearance or specific suspension setups, may require special consideration when selecting tire sizes.

In such cases, it’s advisable to consult with a professional tire installer or refer to the vehicle owner’s manual for guidance on compatible tire sizes and any potential clearance issues.

Overall, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 offers a wide selection of sizes to cater to various vehicle types, ensuring a proper fit and maintaining the intended performance characteristics of your vehicle when transitioning to these winter tires.

Pricing and Value

The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is a premium winter tire, and its pricing reflects the high-quality construction and impressive performance it offers.

Compared to many competitors in the studless ice and snow tire category, the Blizzak WS90 tends to be priced slightly higher.

However, this added cost is often well-justified by the tire’s exceptional grip, handling, and durability in harsh winter conditions.

While the exact pricing can vary based on size and retailer, the Blizzak WS90 typically ranges from $120 to $200 per tire, before any discounts or promotions.

This places it in the upper-mid to premium tier of winter tire pricing. For many drivers, the peace of mind and improved safety provided by the Blizzak WS90’s capabilities make the investment worthwhile, especially in regions with frequent snow and ice.

It’s important to note that Bridgestone frequently offers promotions, rebates, and discounts on the Blizzak WS90, particularly during the fall and winter months when demand is highest.

These offers can significantly reduce the overall cost, making the tire a more attractive value proposition.

Savvy shoppers can often find deals that bring the per-tire price down to the $100 to $150 range, which is more in line with some mid-range winter tire options.

Overall, while the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 may have a higher initial cost than some competitors, its exceptional performance, durability, and Bridgestone’s reputation for quality make it a compelling value for drivers seeking a top-tier winter tire solution.

With potential discounts and promotions factored in, the Blizzak WS90 can be an excellent investment for those prioritizing safety and handling in harsh winter conditions.

Customer Reviews and Ratings

The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from customers, with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars across multiple retail and review sites.

Many customers praise the exceptional snow and ice traction provided by these winter tires, with several reporting impressive stopping distances and handling even in the most challenging winter conditions.

A common theme among positive reviews is the confidence and peace of mind these tires inspire when driving in harsh winter weather.

Customers frequently mention feeling safe and secure, even on icy or snow-packed roads, thanks to the Blizzak WS90’s advanced tread compound and design.

Reviewers also highlight the tires’ impressive durability and treadlife, with many reporting that the tires maintain their performance over multiple winter seasons.

However, some customers note that the softer compound can lead to slightly faster tread wear compared to some competitors, especially if used in warmer temperatures.

Negative reviews are relatively few, but some customers express disappointment with the tires‘ performance on dry or wet roads, citing reduced grip and longer stopping distances compared to dedicated all-season or summer tires.

Additionally, a small number of reviewers report experiencing excessive road noise, particularly on rougher road surfaces.

Overall, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 receives high praise from customers for its exceptional winter performance, inspiring confidence and safety in even the most challenging winter driving conditions.

While some trade-offs in dry and wet performance are noted, the vast majority of reviewers consider these tires an excellent choice for drivers seeking reliable winter traction and peace of mind.

Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 Pros and Cons

Here are the pros and cons of the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 tire to help you make an informed decision when considering this tire for your vehicle:

Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 Video Review

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Frequently Asked Questions for Bridgestone Blizzak WS90

Conclusion and Recommendations

The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is an exceptional winter tire that delivers outstanding performance in snow, ice, and cold weather conditions.

Its advanced tread compound and directional tread pattern provide excellent traction and handling, ensuring a safe and confident driving experience.

While it excels in wintry conditions, the WS90 also performs admirably on dry and wet roads, making it a versatile choice for year-round use in regions with milder winters.

One of the standout features of the Blizzak WS90 is its impressive snow and ice traction.

The tire’s unique tread design and high-density sipes effectively bite into snow and ice, providing reliable grip and control.

This makes it an excellent choice for drivers who frequently encounter challenging winter conditions.

In terms of comfort and noise, the WS90 strikes a good balance. While it may produce slightly more road noise than some premium all-season tires, the level of noise is still reasonably low and should not be a major concern for most drivers.

Regarding durability and treadlife, the Blizzak WS90 performs well, offering a decent tread life expectancy for a dedicated winter tire.

However, it’s important to note that winter tires generally have a shorter treadlife compared to all-season or summer tires due to their softer compound and more aggressive tread design.

Overall, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is an excellent choice for drivers seeking a reliable and high-performing winter tire.

Its impressive capabilities in snow and ice, combined with its respectable dry and wet road performance, make it a versatile option for those living in areas with harsh winter conditions.

While it may come at a premium price point, the enhanced safety and peace of mind it provides can be well worth the investment for many drivers.

List of Other Bridgestone Tire Reviews

• Bridgestone DriveGuard Plus Review
• Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack Review
• Bridgestone Insignia SE200 Review
• Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 Review
• Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 Review