According to thomasnet.com, Nokian Tyres has introduced the Hakkapeliitta 01, the world’s first studded winter tire with Double Action Stud Technology. The system uses retractable, on-demand studs that change position automatically with temperature, promising better grip and fewer tradeoffs for drivers who need studs in winter.
The core of the system is an adaptive base layer under the tread. Below a specific temperature threshold the layer hardens and pushes roughly 220 star-shaped metal studs outward into ‘ON’ mode. Nokian says that delivers up to 10 percent better ice grip compared with its predecessor.
When temperatures rise and conditions soften, the base layer becomes pliable and allows the studs to retract into ‘OFF’ mode. That retraction reduces pavement wear by as much as 30 percent, improves wet grip up to 5 percent, and cuts noise by as much as 1 decibel, all of which address the most common complaints about studded tires: road damage, interior noise, and mixed winter conditions.
The Hakkapeliitta 01 pairs the stud system with a directional tread designed for winter work. Aggressive shoulder grooves dig into deep snow, while self-locking 3D sipes improve lateral stability in corners. Nokian also orients studs differently across the tread, with the center focused on acceleration and braking and the shoulders tuned for steering.
Select sizes add Aramid Strong sidewalls for impact resistance and a SilentDrive Technology package to further reduce cabin noise. The tread compound uses sustainable inputs, including natural rubber, bio-resin, and oils derived from pine resin and canola.
Built in Nokia, Finland, the tire carries the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake mark, an Ice Grip symbol, and a ‘Studmode On’ indicator. Nokian will offer the Hakkapeliitta 01 in 124 sizes tailored to Nordic and North American markets, with availability beginning in autumn 2026.
CEO Paolo Pompei called the Hakkapeliitta 01 Nokian’s biggest innovation since the company introduced the winter tire in 1934. The pitch is clear: deliver studded-level ice performance when needed, and pull back when conditions favor lower wear, better wet grip, and a quieter ride.
