Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 and WS90 are both studless ice/snow tires. Due to their wide product range, both can be used on sedans, coupes, minivans, and crossovers. Yet, Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 is discontinued. As a former Bridgestone engineer, I can confidently say that Bridgestone never discontinues a product unless having a new one with better performance. Let’s dig into it and see what changed in the new generation tire Blizzak WS90!
| Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 | Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 | |
|---|---|---|
| Better for | Traction and performance-focused drivers, icy conditions | Riding comfort, the regions with mild winter conditions |
| Pros | Best stopping distance on ice and snow, satisfying wet and dry traction, great winter performance, durability, long-lasting rubber | Wet and light snow performance, comfy riding |
| Cons | Slightly noisy but better than previous WS80 series | Poor tread life, average severe winter performance |
As a former Bridgestone engineer, from my standpoint, Both tires are fuel-efficient. Blizzak WS90 has a longer tread life and a quieter ride. Moreover, its wet and dry ground performance is superior. Deep snow and ice are its expertise. On the other hand, Blizzak WS80 is a slightly better tire for light snow. It offers a slightly smoother ride than Blizzak WS90.
Note: Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 and Blizzak WS80 are rated with severe snow labels (3PMFS). However, Bridgestone decided to discontinue Bridgestone Blizzak WS80.
Table of Contents
Dry Performance
Dry performance isn’t hard to reach for winter tires. Due to their notched rubbers and softer compound, winter tires have a huge grip ability.
Due to their gripping ability, both tires have satisfying traction on dry grounds.
Where they separated is steering response and handling. In that case, a wider tread pattern always has an advantage. Hence, Blizzak WS90 takes one step ahead. Moreover, it has a stiffer compound. The stiffer compound provides better stability. However, it causes loosing of grip.
Blizzak WS90 has a better steering response and handling. On the other hand, Blizzak WS80 with a softer compound has a slightly better grip.
Wet Performance
Wet performance is all about gripping and hydroplaning resistance.
Due to its narrower grooves, Blizzak WS90 can evacuate water more quickly and offer better hydroplaning resistance for high-velocity driving.
On the other hand, Blizzak WS80 with a softer compound has a better grip on wet. It supports this feature with well-placed sipes.
They both have different advantages in this section. Both are trustworthy options. Let’s say draw for this time.
Winter/Snow Performance
Snow performance is a priority of winter tires. It has two different dimensions. First, light snow. Second, deep snow.
Let’s start with light snow. Light snow performance is generally similar to wet performance. When heated tires touch the snow, it melts. Hence, instead of grip, tires tend to evacuate water. Due to its zigzag and huge amount of notches, Blizzak WS80 has a better performance on light snow. Moreover, its soft compound increases its gripping ability.
About the deep snow, the table turns. Blizzak WS90 with a closed center section can clean itself better than Blizzak WS80. Moreover, its staggered shoulders support the traction on deep snow.
Blizzak WS80 is a slightly better tire for light snow.
Blizzak WS90 is a slightly better tire for deep snow.
If you’re debating between all-weather and winter tires, I recommend you check this article out!
| Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 | Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 |
|---|---|
| Slightly better wet grip | Longer tread life |
| Slightly better light snow traction | Better ice tracion |
| Better thick snow traction | |
| Less vocal tire |
Ice Performance
Bridgestone redesigned Blizzak WS80 and made Blizzak WS90 only but only to improve the ice traction.
Wider and more solid contact patch increases Bridgestone Blizzak WS90’s ice traction significantly. For this reason, it’s the winner of this section.
Tread Appearance
These two fellow looks similar at the first look. Yet, when you elaborate on them, you can see the differences in the patterns.
First, contact patch. Blizzak WS90 has a narrower groove and less void area. Bridgestone made this alteration due to increased noise reduction. Moreover, it has a positive effect on frozen surface performance. They were aware that Blizzak WS80 is a vocal tire and has a poor ice grip. Well, alterations make sense. Yet, this change might cause lower traction on loose grounds.
About the width, Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is a wider tire. It absorbs the traction disadvantages of a less void area with a broader design.
Secondly, center blocks. Blizzak WS90 has a wider and stiffer center section. Therefore, it has better stability and handling potential. On the other hand, the narrower center block of Blizzak WS80 offers a smooth ride.
Lastly, shoulders. A broader shoulder block of Blizzak WS90 offers better traction. Moreover, staggered outside shoulders increase the loose surface traction.
Blizzak WS90 promises better overall performance with its optimized tread pattern. Yet, other variables like compound or internal structure might change this inference.
Tread Life
Bridgestone has already announced that Blizzak WS90 has 30% stiffer tread blocks. That means it has at least 30% better tread life. Moreover, unlike Blizzak WS80, Blizzak WS90 has connected blocks. This feature prevents uneven wearing. Evenly wearing always has a positive effect on tread life.
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 has longer tread life. Worth reminding, using winter tires under 7-celsius degrees will decrease your tire’s tread life.
Getting maximum wear life from a tire is related to you as well as your tire,
If you’d like to learn how to get maximum tread life:
Warranty
Bridgestone doesn’t offer a treadwear warranty for these products. Yet, if you face uneven wearing at the first 2/32” of wear, you can replace your tire with the new one.
Comfort
Comfort is mostly aligned with rubber stiffness. Well, I’ve already mentioned that Blizzak WS90 has a stiffer compound. Yet, a wider contact patch encounters the stiffness of its compound.
Due to their block-type design, these don’t offer the smoothest ride. Yet, they are both above average. If I have to pick one, I will go with Blizzak WS80 but the difference is fractional.
Road Noise
Due to its weensier void area, Blizzak WS90 is a less vocal tire. Moreover, its connected center section blocks work like a rib and make less noise.
Fuel Efficiency
Increased gas mileage is the enemy of winter tires. Due to their over-siped rubbers, they need more energy than touring tires to move on.
Since both tires are winter tires, I’ve also checked the weight of these tires. Well, they are also equal in that case.
Due to long-term users, both tires are decent regarding fuel-efficiency. You can confidently go both ways.
Specs
| Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 | Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Studless Winter/Snow Tire | Studless Winter/Snow Tire |
| Vehicle | Sedans, coupes, minivans, crossovers | Sedans, coupes, minivans, crossovers |
| Available Sizes (Rim) | 15’’, 16’’, 17’’, 18’’, 19” | 14”, 15’’, 16’’, 17’’, 18’’, 19”, 20” |
| Weight | 16 – 31 lbs | 17 – 29 lbs |
| Made In | Joliette, Quebec , Canada | Joliette, Quebec , Canada |
| Severe Snow Rated (3PMSF) | Yes (3PMSF) | Yes (3PMSF) |
| Warranty (P-metric) | N/A | N/A |
| Warranty (LT Sizes) | N/A | N/A |
Conclusion
Both tires are perfect picks for severe winter conditions.
| Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 | Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 | |
|---|---|---|
| Better for | Traction and performance-focused drivers, icy conditions | Riding comfort, the regions with mild winter conditions |
| Pros | Best stopping distance on ice and snow, satisfying wet and dry traction, great winter performance, durability, long-lasting rubber | Wet and light snow performance, comfy riding |
| Cons | Slightly noisy but better than previous WS80 series | Poor tread life, average severe winter performance |
I hope this article is helpful for those who are debating. If you have any further questions, please let me know. Have a safe ride!