Sumitomo Ice Edge Review of 2023: Solid Entry for the Price

Pros
- Outstanding traction and stopping power on snow both packed and unloaded.
- Exceptional grip on ice thanks to the studs that are connected
- Performs admirably on roadways that are coated with slush.
- Very high resistance to hydroplaning, as well as very good traction in wet conditions
- Able to maintain stability over undulating terrain
- Extremely reasonable in price for a studded winter tire
Cons
- accelerates wear and tear faster than premium winter tires
- Ice traction that does not have studs attached to it.
- The handling in dry conditions is only ordinary, and the steering lacks a lot of response.
- Can cause a disturbance on the freeway.
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Because standard winter tires are now so effective on snow and ice, studdable winter tires are not as common as they used to be. This is the primary reason for the decline in popularity of this type of winter tire. Despite this, there is still a market for them, particularly in locations that have exceptionally severe winter weather. On snow, studs continue to offer superior traction, and this is not likely to change very soon.
However, do you require a winter tire that can be studded? In order to provide an answer to that question, we put the Sumitomo Ice Edge, which is one of the most reasonably priced studded tires currently available on the market, through its paces. In the following paragraphs, you will discover everything there is to know about this reasonably priced Japanese equipment, with particular emphasis on how well it operates in severe arctic circumstances. Let’s get down to business without further ado, shall we?
What are the features of the Sumitomo Ice Edge?
In order for Sumitomo to accomplish this goal, the company utilized their most cutting-edge winter tread compound. This resulted in a “outstanding combination of cold-weather grip and superior stability, handling performance, and smooth ride comfort.”
In addition to this, the tire makes use of Sumitomo’s 3D sipe technology, which provides the necessary biting edges for maneuvering on icy, snowy, and slushy surfaces. Naturally, you can always add studs to boost traction even further. This is always an option.

What are the maintenance indicators?
The Sumitomo Ice Edge is equipped with tread wear indicators (TWIs), which are a standard in the industry and allow you to keep track of the amount of tread remaining on your tires. These are thin rubber bars that are inserted into the grooves of the tire and stick out 5/32 inches from the base.
The tread wear indicators (TWIs) will become more obvious as your tires wear down. The minimum tread depth for winter tires is 5/32 of an inch; once this depth has been reached, you will need to change the tires or risk having significantly reduced traction in the winter. When the tread has reached the appropriate depth, the TWIs will, as expected, be entirely flush with the surface to indicate this to you.
The Ice Edge cannot compete with the finest of the class when it comes to the treadlife of its tires. Expect to travel around 20,000 miles, which is equivalent to nearly two winters. If you go any farther than that, the tires will lose their ability to grip the snow.
How does it behave on a dry tarmac?
On dry pavement, the Sumitomo Ice Edge’s driving performance is not going to be something to write home about. The majority of winter tires perform poorly on dry roads, if the truth be known. Because of the tremendous bending that soft rubber is capable of, it is unable to maintain solid grip and traction. It’s a fact of physics.
Despite the fact that these considerations have been taken into account, the Ice Edge is still unable to compete with the finest of the class. Absolutely not even close. This is especially the case when compared to non-studdable tires, which offer a driving experience that is far more pleasant on the whole.
So, the question is, where exactly does the Sumitomo Ice Edge fail? To begin, it is not even close to being the most responsive tire available. There is no getting around the fact that you have to become accustomed to the way in which this tire drives. But even if you do that, you still won’t achieve the finest grip imaginable. Although the traction on the straightaways is satisfactory, the grip in the corners leaves a lot to be desired. In addition, the stopping distances are a little further than we would want them to be. It’s not terrible or dangerous, but it’s a bit on the lengthy side.
Now, you need to bear in mind that the Sumitomo Ice Edge is a tire that is on the cheaper end of the price spectrum. As a result, you cannot anticipate that it would work wonderfully in all circumstances because such qualities are exclusive to premium products. And it’s not like you won’t be safe – we constantly choose distinctions that aren’t that significant on our page, so it’s not like the changes are huge.
How is it over wet and slippery roads?
The Sumitomo Ice Edge tread has no trouble at all diverting water away from the tread blocks due to the deep grooves and many sipes that are distributed throughout the tread. Because of this, the hydroplaning resistance is great, which means that you will not experience a loss of control of your car even if you drive over large puddles of water at a high speed. On roads that are covered with slush, this is especially helpful.
However, resisting hydroplaning is only one aspect of traction in wet conditions; there are others. In addition to this, the quality of the rubber has a significant influence, notably how well it grips the pavement. You can see that even when all of the water is drained by the tire, there is still a wet area underneath it. If the tread rubber on the tire is of greater grade, the tire will therefore stick better. This is especially the case on surfaces that are moist.
Then, how does the Sumitomo Ice Edge react when faced with such challenges? It’s excellent. Although not remarkable in the same way that some premium tires are, these tires are nevertheless extremely decent. Taking into account the cost, I’d say that it’s up there with the very finest in its price range. The vehicle has adequate grip in the bends, and its longitudinal traction is outstanding. The braking performance is good.
With that being said, how is it on snowy roads?

Since it is a winter tire, you have to at the as least anticipate that it will provide traction that is secure and dependable. As a matter of fact, it does, particularly when contrasted with all-season tires. The Sumitomo Ice Edge is a fantastic option to go for if you want to change your all-season tires throughout the winter and save some money at the same time.
Does this imply that it is comparable to high-end winter tires? No, obviously not. There will be a distinction between it and other similar products, such as the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 and the Michelin X-Ice Snow. To our relief, though, the disparity won’t be of a very significant magnitude.
What’s more significant is that while you’re driving normally, you probably won’t even notice the difference anyhow. A few feet longer stopping distances, somewhat more anxious handling, and slightly less longitudinal traction are the only changes that have been observed. To answer your question, the Sumitomo Ice Edge will serve you well throughout the winter; there is no doubt about it. However, these tires are not as excellent as premium tires. However, you shouldn’t expect it to if you pay that much for it.
However, let’s begin with the tire’s actual handling characteristics. You will feel entirely in control whether you are on compacted or unpacked snow. The Sumitomo Ice Edge moves forward at a rapid pace without experiencing any slippage. It also brakes rather effectively, providing you with considerably more confidence when driving in the snow. When it comes to the way it handles, it does not provide the driver with any unexpected challenges or hazards. One more time, you will have complete command of your car at all times.
Having stated that, every characteristic has the potential to be significantly enhanced by mounting studs on the Sumitomo Ice Edge. The snow traction, handling, and braking all increase noticeably when you have them. The main drawback is that certain states won’t let you use them, while the vast majority of regions that experience severe winter weather do. On the other hand, you shouldn’t use them on the pavement, so make sure to take them away as soon as the snow melts.
What about ice, though? So this is where things start to get interesting, I guess. If you remove the studs from the Sumitomo Ice Edge tire, you will notice that it performs no better than an average ice tire. This is especially true when you consider that Bridgestone, Michelin, and Continental are some of its main rivals. However, after the studs are installed, its performance is much improved. You won’t have any trouble accelerating, steering, or stopping the vehicle as a result of the bite that the studs give.
Is it suitable for off-road driving?
Because of its more aggressive tread compound and many sipes, the Sumitomo Ice Edge can be an excellent choice for those looking for off-road traction. And despite the fact that it may, we won’t advise you to do it. Winter tires are constructed with a softer and more malleable rubber, making them significantly more susceptible to damage. The tread rubber of your winter tires can suffer damage if they come into contact with any sharp stones, which will dramatically reduce the treadlife of the tires. If you want to retain the condition of your Sumitomo Ice Edges in good form, you should avoid travelling off-road as much as possible, with the exception of snowy conditions.
Is it comfortable and refined?
The riding quality of the Sumitomo Ice Edge is really rather comfortable, and this is due to the use of soft rubber in its construction. There will be the occasional thump, but other than that, you shouldn’t have any problems with it at all. There is not much more to say about this aspect of the tire other than the fact that it provides comfort on both smooth and fractured terrain.
When we talk about noise, though, the situation completely shifts. Even while traveling at slower speeds, the aggressive tread design that includes holes for studs results in a large amount of noise from the tread. Even though the majority of winter tires make noise, the Ice Edge is noticeably louder than the competition. On the highway, in particular, where the tread noise may become unbearably obtrusive, you will notice this more than anywhere else.
Additional information on the Sumitomo Ice Edge review may be found at: Videos that were produced by Scott Levin
Should I buy the Sumitomo Ice Edge?
It is dependent on the things that you desire and require. The Sumitomo Ice Edge is not the finest winter tire on the market, nor is it the best studded tire that is currently available. Simply put, it does not perform well enough in a sufficient number of categories to compete with the premium alternatives.
Should you even worry about that, though? I don’t think so. If you are willing to give up some things, the Sumitomo Ice Edge will be an excellent tool for you to have throughout the winter months. On top of that, it is a lot less expensive than the “perfect” premium competitors, which means that you at least receive a discount for the concessions you make.
Most importantly, the Sumitomo Ice Edge is a fantastic tire for the kinds of situations it was meant to be used in. Whether the snow is packed or unloaded, it works really well. When the studs are installed, not only does it become even better, but it also excels on surfaces that are covered in ice. Taking into consideration the cost, I am hard pressed to think of a tire that would perform better in severe winter circumstances. This is a very high compliment indeed.