Nordman North 9 vs Pirelli Ice Zero FR: the full picture
This comparison is built only from published independent tests — no manufacturer claims and no sponsored reviews. Between them, the Nordman North 9 and Pirelli Ice Zero FR appear in 5 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 Nordman North 9 performs. It takes the win in wet, snow, ice. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 92/100, based on 1 test.
How the Pirelli Ice Zero FR performs. It takes the win in noise / comfort, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 85/100, based on 4 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 Nordman North 9 is the stronger all-round choice, leading in wet and Tire Lab Score. The Pirelli Ice Zero FR still wins on noise / comfort, making it the right pick if that matters most to you.
Which one should you buy?
Choose Nordman North 9 if
- You prioritise wet
- You prioritise snow
- You prioritise ice
- You prioritise noise / comfort
- You prioritise efficiency
Test profile
| Metric | Nordman North 9 | Pirelli Ice Zero FR |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Studded Winter | Studded Winter |
| Type | Winter | Winter |
| Tests used | 1 | 4 |
| Best rank | #1 | #1 |
| Avg rank | 4.6 | 6.2 |
| Latest test | 2024 | 2023 |
| Tire Lab Score | 91.6 | 85.2 |
Tire Lab Score
Nordman North 9
Pirelli Ice Zero FR
Performance overview
Category-by-category results
| Category | Nordman North 9 | Pirelli Ice Zero FR | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💧Wet | Avg rank 3.5 1 | Avg rank 7.8 1 | Nordman North 9 |
| ☀️Dry | Avg rank 6.0 | Avg rank 6.0 11 | Tie |
| ❄️Snow | Avg rank 2.3 12 | Avg rank 6.9 1 | Nordman North 9 |
| 🧊Ice | Avg rank 3.5 1 | Avg rank 7.4 | Nordman North 9 |
| 🔇Noise / Comfort | Avg rank 4.5 1 | Avg rank 4.3 4 | Pirelli Ice Zero FR |
| 🔋Efficiency | Avg rank 7.0 | Avg rank 3.5 1 | Pirelli Ice Zero FR |
💧 Wet: Nordman North 9 vs Pirelli Ice Zero FR
The Nordman North 9 wins this category with an average rank of 3.5, compared to 7.8 for the Pirelli Ice Zero FR.
☀️ Dry: Nordman North 9 vs Pirelli Ice Zero FR
Both tires perform similarly in dry, with average ranks of 6.0 and 6.0.
❄️ Snow: Nordman North 9 vs Pirelli Ice Zero FR
The Nordman North 9 wins this category with an average rank of 2.3, compared to 6.9 for the Pirelli Ice Zero FR.
🧊 Ice: Nordman North 9 vs Pirelli Ice Zero FR
The Nordman North 9 wins this category with an average rank of 3.5, compared to 7.4 for the Pirelli Ice Zero FR.
🔇 Noise / Comfort: Nordman North 9 vs Pirelli Ice Zero FR
The Pirelli Ice Zero FR wins this category with an average rank of 4.3, compared to 4.5 for the Nordman North 9.
🔋 Efficiency: Nordman North 9 vs Pirelli Ice Zero FR
The Pirelli Ice Zero FR wins this category with an average rank of 3.5, compared to 7.0 for the Nordman North 9.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better in the wet, Nordman North 9 or Pirelli Ice Zero FR?
Across independent wet-braking tests, the Nordman North 9 ranks higher on average than the Pirelli Ice Zero FR.
Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?
On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Pirelli Ice Zero FR ranks better than the Nordman North 9.
How many tests were used in this comparison?
Nordman North 9 appears in 1 independent tests, Pirelli Ice Zero FR in 4.
Also compare
Nordman North 9 vs…
Pirelli Ice Zero FR vs…
Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →