TopTire Review

    Continental WinterContact TS 860 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

    2026 test data · 30 independent tests

    → See full Continental vs Michelin brand comparison

    Continental WinterContact TS 860 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 Continental WinterContact TS 860 and Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 appear in 30 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 Continental WinterContact TS 860 performs. It takes the win in wet, ice, noise / comfort. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 91/100, based on 10 tests.

    How the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 performs. It takes the win in dry, snow, 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 dry and Tire Lab Score. The Continental WinterContact TS 860 still wins on wet, making it the right pick if that matters most to you.

    Which one should you buy?

    Choose Continental WinterContact TS 860 if

    • You prioritise wet
    • You prioritise ice
    • You prioritise noise / comfort

    Choose Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 if

    Overall winner
    • You prioritise dry
    • You prioritise snow
    • You prioritise mileage

    Test profile

    MetricContinental WinterContact TS 860Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    SegmentPerformance WinterPerformance Winter
    TypeWinterWinter
    Tests used1020
    Best rank#1#1
    Avg rank5.25.0
    Latest test20202025
    Tire Lab Score9195.4

    Tire Lab Score

    91
    Excellent · Winter
    95.4
    Excellent · Winter

    Performance overview

    Category-by-category results

    CategoryContinental WinterContact TS 860Michelin Pilot Alpin 5Winner
    💧Wet
    Avg rank 3.3
    74
    Avg rank 5.6
    197
    Continental WinterContact TS 860
    ☀️Dry
    Avg rank 4.4
    531
    Avg rank 2.7
    17112
    Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    ❄️Snow
    Avg rank 4.5
    452
    Avg rank 3.2
    24106
    Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    🧊Ice
    Avg rank 3.0
    11
    Avg rank 4.5
    1
    Continental WinterContact TS 860
    🔇Noise / Comfort
    Avg rank 6.0
    32
    Avg rank 6.2
    765
    Continental WinterContact TS 860
    📏Mileage
    Avg rank 7.7
    1
    Avg rank 7.5
    3
    Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    🔋Efficiency
    Avg rank 9.4
    1
    Avg rank 7.3
    3
    Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

    💧 Wet: Continental WinterContact TS 860 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

    The Continental WinterContact TS 860 wins this category with an average rank of 3.3, compared to 5.6 for the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.

    ☀️ Dry: Continental WinterContact TS 860 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

    The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 wins this category with an average rank of 2.7, compared to 4.4 for the Continental WinterContact TS 860.

    ❄️ Snow: Continental WinterContact TS 860 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

    The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 wins this category with an average rank of 3.2, compared to 4.5 for the Continental WinterContact TS 860.

    🧊 Ice: Continental WinterContact TS 860 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

    The Continental WinterContact TS 860 wins this category with an average rank of 3.0, compared to 4.5 for the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.

    🔇 Noise / Comfort: Continental WinterContact TS 860 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

    The Continental WinterContact TS 860 wins this category with an average rank of 6.0, compared to 6.2 for the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.

    📏 Mileage: Continental WinterContact TS 860 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

    The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 wins this category with an average rank of 7.5, compared to 7.7 for the Continental WinterContact TS 860.

    🔋 Efficiency: Continental WinterContact TS 860 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

    The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 wins this category with an average rank of 7.3, compared to 9.4 for the Continental WinterContact TS 860.

    Frequently asked questions

    Which is better in the wet, Continental WinterContact TS 860 or Michelin Pilot Alpin 5?

    Across independent wet-braking tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 860 ranks higher on average than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.

    Which has shorter dry braking distance?

    The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 averages a better dry-braking rank than the Continental WinterContact TS 860 across the tests where both appeared.

    Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?

    On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Continental WinterContact TS 860 ranks better than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.

    Which tire lasts longer?

    Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 shows better mileage performance than the Continental WinterContact TS 860.

    How many tests were used in this comparison?

    Continental WinterContact TS 860 appears in 10 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 →