Best Summer Tires |

These tires are best suited for high performance when riding through hot weather, just as the name summer tire implies. With road manners coming in second, the most important trait for these tires is an excellent grip and steering response that should be above everything else. Nevertheless, to get maximum performance, this does not mean, you have to ride around with a very loud or a harsh riding tire. In this article, we will describe the best summer tires that manage to blend in with both high traction levels and an excellent road manner.

Top Summer Tire Brands

A. CONTINENTAL

This Germany Tire manufacturer was founded in 1871. It is famous for making tires that meets and in most cases exceeding safety and performance standards. Continental is a parent company with subsidiary companies under its umbrella. Subsidiary companies include General and ContiTech Tires. Its other specialties include manufacturing powertrain and chassis components, interior electronics, brake systems and other parts required in the automotive industry.

B. MICHELIN

This tire brand has its roots from the two brothers Edouard and Andre Michelin [1889]. This Multinational automotive company is based in Clermont-Ferrand, France. This tire company is specialized in manufacturing and distributing tires for commuters’ vehicles, motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, trucks, and even travel guides. Their logo is the Michelin Man that is quite famous because it looks like a pile of trees that is designed like a man.

C. BFGOODRICH

This is one of the best and well-established American-based tire manufacturers. Before Michelin bought this company in 1988, it used to be run by the Goodrich Corporation. Benjamin Goodrich founded this tire company in 1870. It was the first in America to make both radial and tubeless tires. All-terrain and mud-terrain tires are the flagship tires that have attracted a huge fan base across the globe.

D. HANKOOK

This South Korean tire company is a multinational company that manufactures and distributes tires. When the company started, its original name was the Chosun Tire. In 1968, its name was changed to Hankook. Not only does this company manufacture and distribute tires but they also sell brake pads, alloy wheels, and batteries.

Top 10 Best Summer Tires of 2021

1.Michelin Pilot Sports Performance Radial Tire

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This Michelin model is designed with an intelligent tread design. In addition, this tread life comes with a limited warranty of 30, 000 miles. It is engineered with a twaron belt package and the variable contact patch 2.0. The function of these two technologies is to offer high strength reinforcement while promoting a long and even tread wear. The Pilot Sport is also designed with a compound that enhances the tires cornering capabilities. Moreover, the notched center ribs of this summer tire has an inboard compound. The use of this feature is to maximize performance at high speeds.

Michelin used a Bi-compound tread rubber to design the asymmetric tread of this model. This also includes an outer shoulder that has been molded from a Le Mans inspired dry compound. This tire can handle driving through a heavy downpour on highway because the internal structure has been installed with the latest generation of wet oriented elastomers.

Pros

30, 000-miles treadwear warranty
Handling ability is excellent
The grip and traction are excellent
High-speed stability is excellent
Wet traction and braking are also excellent

Cons

2.Continental ExtremeContact Sport Tire

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The reason Continental launched the ExtremeContact Tire is quite simple. It is enable maximum performance for powerful sport cars, luxury vehicles, and high performing sedans.

It is for this reason that it is designed with Continentals top technology. To provide premium strength, this model makes use of two-ply sidewall construction that is coupled with excellent performance.

The fact that the ExtremeContact was built in 2017, it was built off the original ExtremeContact DW. This improved model has better traction and handling, especially on wet surfaces. It is for a fact that this is the best summer tire for wet grip. Cornering grip is excellent and it has a very good treadlife. For well, rounded maximum performance, it is designed with SportPlus technology.

This model also comes with a 30, 000 miles six-year treadlife warranty. Moreover, for even distribution of pressure, the footprint is optimized. This Continental tire is also designed with +Silane tread compound technology that is much needed for grip.

Pros

The handling is precise
Wet traction is the best in class
Damp condition handling is sure-footed
Outstanding hydroplaning resistance

3.Continental PremiumContact 6 Tire

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This is the best grand touring summer tire in the category. This Continental model not only provides driving comfort but it also offers elevated performance. For a grand touring tire, this model is very responsive on the road. Moreover, it is one of the best summer tire performers on dry surfaces.

Both on dry and wet roads, the PremiumContact 6 provides you with very short braking distances. When driving on this tire you will feel a lot that security will be among them. On a more negative note, the tire performs very well at the limit and has one of the best hydroplaning resistance. In addition, the ride quality of this summer tire is plush. This is because it does not produce a lot of noise on the highway. Moreover, for improved fuel consumption, it is designed with a low rolling resistance.

On a negative note, the wet handling is not the best on class. Even if this is the case, this tire is the best all season tire among the summer tires. The tire also does not come with a treadwear warranty.

Pros

Equipped with short braking distances for both dry and wet pavement
The hydroplaning resistance is also outstanding
Traction and grip is the best in the category
Fuel economy is improved because of the very low rolling resistance

Cons

Not the best when it comes to wet handling
It also does not come with treadwear warranty

4.BFGoodrich g-Force Sport Comp 2 Tire

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These days car manufacturers are making muscled vehicles that are cutting more engines that are powerful. This is left to the tire manufacturers to keep up by making high performing tires; the G-Force Sport Comp 2 is the answer of BFGoodrich to this call. This tire is designed with corner sticking tread compound. In summer, this g-Force Sport tire offers a very high level of performance. It is designed with Comp 2 compound that has been infused with silica. In addition, for added road grip, it has a directional tread design.

This model also comes with an Equal Tension Containment [ETEC] Construction system. It is for this reason that the tire provides excellent steering control and feel. In addition, on wet and dry surfaces, it also has a solid traction. This summer tire offers good value for its lower price point.

Pros

Offers great cornering grip at high speeds
It is also stable on a straight line
Wet traction is also increased
Outstanding hydroplaning resistance

Cons

Does not come with a tread life warranty
The treadwear performance is average

5.Hankook Ventus V12 Tire

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In most weather conditions, the Hankook Ventus V12 is an affordable summer tire that offers traction, control and comfort. The compound of the tires maintains a directional read design. This is accompanied a notched shoulders and 3D intermediate ribs. These are also accompanied with a central continuous rib for maximum dry handling and traction.

The V12 is also equipped with both circumferential and aqua jet lateral grooves for efficient water evacuation and wet traction. These grooves remove water from the tire’s central patch.

On a negative note, this tire comes with an average treadlife of 10,000 miles, and not only do they have poor sidewall stability but you will also notice them bulging overtime.

Pros

Affordable summer tire
Rolling resistance that enhances fuel economy
Grooves remove water from the tires central patch
A central continuous rib for maximum dry handling and traction
Offers traction, control, and comfort

Cons

Average treadlife of 10,000 miles
Bulging sidewalls

6.Bridgestone Potenza RE-11

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The Bridgestone Potenza uses some of the technology that you will find in their Formula 1 and Grand Prix 2 race tires, and for this reason, they deliver excellent dry and wet traction.

This model is also equipped with 3-D seamless stealth technology. The use of this technology is to enhance the cornering grip that adds to the driving enjoyment in summer. This summer tire is also popular among driving enthusiasts because of the better than expected treadlife and rides comfort.

Among Bridgestone’s flagship ultra-high performance tires, this is the best summer tire. The reason for this is that, it is intended to cater to enthusiastic and spirited drivers that typically drive high performance cars. At a high speed, they also give the driver control at limit when they are behind the wheel.

Its hydroplaning resistant feature also increases wet traction. They are designed with strong construction making them high speed capable. The circumferential intermediate rib is also continuous. Like other summer tires, it is also designed with two wide steel belt embedded construction that is equipped with reinforced nylon.

7. Pirelli Cinturato P7 Run Flat Radial Tire

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The feeling of rolling on luxury is best felt on these touring tires from Pirelli. They are equipped with rubber and tread pattern that are engineered to work in a wide range of weather conditions. For high mileage, they are both durable and eco-friendly.

This P7 Run Flat Tires’ tread pattern features four wide circumferential grooves. The use of these four grooves is to channel large amounts of water away from the tire. It is also equipped with smaller grooves for increased edges to grip.

The enhanced grip technology is what makes this tire among the best summer tires. This grip technology will provide you with a secure and stable connection on the road. This is done through the contact patch. On both wet and dry roads, you will probably feel it.

This is because the tread blocks it is designed with wraps around towards the sidewalls. One negative aspect of this tire is that they are not the most responsive in class. This means that they are not ideal for sports and more aggressive driving. In addition, the fact that they are designed for all-season driving, they may not perform better than the tires that are specifically designed for summer.

Pros

Engineered to work in a wide range of weather conditions
Smaller grooves for increased edges to grip
Secure and stable connection on the road
Channel large amounts of water away
They are both durable and eco-friendly

Cons

They are not the most responsive in class

8. Kumho Ecsta PS31

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This is another best ultra-high performance tire in the summer tires category. For drivers on a budget, the PS31 is a very popular summer option. This is one of the cheapest performance tires worthy of consideration when it comes to price. This model feels very responsive and easy to drive hard on the street.

Not only is the grip and traction levels very high for this model, the braking is also very strong. Moreover, when compared to similarly priced summer tires, this Kumho tire performs excellently well on wet surfaces.

Even the comfort levels are great for this ultra-high performance tires the treadwear accelerates quickly. When they have been used for a long time, some reviews shows that they wear higher than usual. Even if this is the case, always keep in mind that this one of the cheapest summer tires you will find on the market.

Pros

The responsiveness of this model is excellent
Grip and traction on both dry and wet surfaces are great
One of the cheapest on the market

9. Federal 595 Evo Tire

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In the summer tires category, there are a number of high performance tires and the Federal 595 is one of them. To provide the ultimate driving experience, this model is formulated using state of the art technology. This will be done when driving at high speeds. The fact that it is designed with an advanced tread design, it makes the list of the best summer tires. This is in due part to its excellent performance.

Not only does this tire designed with a unique 2 in 1 alignment pattern but it is also a lower budget priced summer tire. If we are talking price in correlation with UHP, this might be the best summer tire available. In addition, it comes with a groove within groove technology for enhanced water evacuation. When compared with other top-level tires in this article, it delivers cornering grip that is on par with other top-level tires. This Federal also has a quick and responsive steering. This is the best summer tire for value and price in a row.

Pros

Lateral grip and handling stability is increased
Great hydroplaning resistant
Straight-line stability is increased
On the sidewalls, it has a visually appealing scorching flame design

Cons

It does not come with a treadwear warranty
Wet surface traction is not that good

10.Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 Tire

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This firestone tire is the best ultra-high performance tire in the category. This model is popular for the economical price and outstanding performance across the range. Even the summer tires from rival companies may offer better handling and braking, the Firehawk Indy 500 always delivers the best for casual enthusiastic drivers.

This tire was specially designed for sports cars and performance sedans. For dependable traction and handling, it is designed with race-inspired technology. Moreover, for maximum water evacuation, the tire is designed with three large circumferential grooves and proprietary pulse groove technology.

This model has an excellent response handling, grip and traction. Once the driver is behind the wheel in summer, they in control at the limit of this tire. Keep in mind that that these features not only apply to dry surfaces and on wet roads. The internal feature of this model has high turn up polyester casing and twin high tensile strength steel belts.

The silica-enhanced rubber compound is what makes this tire stand out among summer tires. Not only is it durable but also grippy enough to have you hugging the road through the turns. These steel belts are equipped with nylon reinforcement. On a negative note, this tire offers a firm ride even on damaged roads.

Pros

Handling is very responsive
Offers outstanding grip and traction on both dry and wet surfaces
For an ultra-high performance tire, this comes at a low price
You will be in control at the limit

FAQs

Q. Are Summer Tires Unique From Other Tires?

A. yes, summer tires are either high performance or all season, but these differ in the following ways;

Materials

High-performance tires are best when it comes to rigidity and elasticity. This is so if you compare them to all-season tires. The fact that their tread compound has less rubber, they give your car the right level of stiffness and the ability to hold up to hot temperatures.

Design

Summer tires usually possess a shallow tread with stronger sidewalls as opposed to push through muck or slush. This is because they are meant for optimum acceleration and handling. The fact that they are not designed on keeping the snow out of the tires, summer tires are designed with intricate siping patterns.

Performance

When compared to other tires, performance is the biggest difference that summer tires have. They make sure that you get the best of your vehicle be it acceleration, stabilized handling, corner steering stability or fast brake response. Summer tires look to significantly enhance your driving experience while other tires like the winters ones are made to fight snow and ice.

Q. How Long Do Summer Tires Last?

A. According to different tire manufacturers, the average treadwear of summer tires is 40,000 miles. These tires can last longer since they have design and performance criteria to meet. On the other hand, these tires can last shorter if you do not follow the manufacturers’ guidelines.

Recommendations

As you might have noticed, we have only described high quality tires from reputable and well-established tire manufacturers. The reason why we did this is that cheap tires can cost your life on a sporty car. We focused on those summer tires that are a durable. Nevertheless, this does not mean that they are not cheap tires that are durable. Toyo, Yokohama and Cooper do provide durable but cheap tires but they cannot be compared to ones we have described above. We therefore recommend all tires in our article for a complete, reliable and safe driving experience. Enjoy your summer camp.