Barum Polaris 3 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

    2026 test data · 22 independent tests

    → See full Barum vs Michelin brand comparison

    Barum Polaris 3 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: the full picture

    This comparison is built only from published independent tests — no manufacturer claims and no sponsored reviews. Between them, the Barum Polaris 3 and Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 appear in 22 tests, though they have not yet met head-to-head in the same test. Head-to-head results carry the most weight here, because surface, weather and test car all change between events and make raw numbers from different tests hard to compare directly.

    How the Barum Polaris 3 performs. It does not lead any single category outright in this matchup. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 87/100, based on 2 tests.

    How the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 performs. It takes the win in wet, dry, snow, ice, noise / comfort, mileage, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 95/100, based on 20 tests.

    What this means for you. Category wins matter more than the overall score when your driving is weighted toward one condition — a wet-climate commuter should follow the wet braking column, while a high-mileage driver should follow wear and rolling resistance. Also check that both tires are actually offered in your size and load rating: performance can shift between sizes, and availability differs between the European and North American markets.

    Verdict

    The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is the stronger all-round choice, leading in wet and Tire Lab Score. The Barum Polaris 3 making it the right pick if that matters most to you.

    Which one should you buy?

    • You prefer the Barum Polaris 3's brand, sizing or price
    • You prioritise wet
    • You prioritise dry
    • You prioritise snow

    Test profile

    MetricBarum Polaris 3Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    SegmentWinterPerformance Winter
    TypeWinterWinter
    Tests used220
    Best rank#1#1
    Avg rank12.15.0
    Latest test20182025
    Tire Lab Score86.795.4

    Tire Lab Score

    86.7
    Very Good · Winter
    95.4
    Excellent · Winter

    Performance overview

    Category-by-category results

    CategoryBarum Polaris 3Michelin Pilot Alpin 5Winner
    💧Wet
    Avg rank 16.5
    Avg rank 5.6
    197
    Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    ☀️Dry
    Avg rank 12.0
    1
    Avg rank 2.7
    17112
    Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    ❄️Snow
    Avg rank 6.0
    1
    Avg rank 3.2
    24106
    Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    🧊IceNo data
    Avg rank 4.5
    1
    Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    🔇Noise / Comfort
    Avg rank 10.8
    1
    Avg rank 6.2
    765
    Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    📏Mileage
    Avg rank 12.0
    Avg rank 7.5
    3
    Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    🔋Efficiency
    Avg rank 17.0
    Avg rank 7.3
    3
    Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

    💧 Wet: Barum Polaris 3 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

    The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 wins this category with an average rank of 5.6, compared to 16.5 for the Barum Polaris 3.

    ☀️ Dry: Barum Polaris 3 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

    The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 wins this category with an average rank of 2.7, compared to 12.0 for the Barum Polaris 3.

    ❄️ Snow: Barum Polaris 3 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

    The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 wins this category with an average rank of 3.2, compared to 6.0 for the Barum Polaris 3.

    🧊 Ice: Barum Polaris 3 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

    The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 wins this category with an average rank of 4.5, compared to no data for the Barum Polaris 3.

    🔇 Noise / Comfort: Barum Polaris 3 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

    The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 wins this category with an average rank of 6.2, compared to 10.8 for the Barum Polaris 3.

    📏 Mileage: Barum Polaris 3 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

    The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 wins this category with an average rank of 7.5, compared to 12.0 for the Barum Polaris 3.

    🔋 Efficiency: Barum Polaris 3 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

    The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 wins this category with an average rank of 7.3, compared to 17.0 for the Barum Polaris 3.

    Frequently asked questions

    Which is better in the wet, Barum Polaris 3 or Michelin Pilot Alpin 5?

    Across independent wet-braking tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 ranks higher on average than the Barum Polaris 3.

    Which has shorter dry braking distance?

    The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 averages a better dry-braking rank than the Barum Polaris 3 across the tests where both appeared.

    Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?

    On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 ranks better than the Barum Polaris 3.

    Which tire lasts longer?

    Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 shows better mileage performance than the Barum Polaris 3.

    How many tests were used in this comparison?

    Barum Polaris 3 appears in 2 independent tests, Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 in 20.

    Also compare

    Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →