It’s the kind of tire we’re all looking for a good excuse to use.

Nokian has created a new winter tire it claims is capable of handling the “fiercest winter conditions found on the planet.”

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 44 is designed for polar exploration vehicle outfitter Arctic Trucks.

Nokian has used its institutional knowledge of winter tire construction to create a tire especially suited to the Arctic Trucks used in Iceland —four-wheel drive vehicles converted to handle the severe winter conditions encountered in the northern parts of Eurasia, Antarctica or other glacial regions.

“Arctic climates mean being able to trust your tires against ice, snow and rugged terrain without being interrupted by either a puncture or conditions that make travel impossible,” said Kalle Kaivonen, research and development manager at Nokian Heavy Tyres.

CAPTION: Nokian’s Hakkapeliitta 44.

“Arctic Trucks’ vehicles are re-engineered to handle punishing conditions for various uses including those encountered by polar exploration teams. So we designed the new Nokian Hakkapeliitta 44 knowing their customers needed a tire that takes winter seriously, excelling in grip and durability.”

Tailoring the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 44 meant creating a tire that weighs about 154 pounds and has a diameter of about three feet. The midsection of the tread pattern features sharp V-shaped angles, which were designed to help clean the grooves of slush and snow. The tread’s width and the tire’s maximal airspace also ensure it’s adept at handling soft surfaces.

“The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 44 has enforced shoulder blocks for better balancing and handling in situations where a driver must react quickly and a supported center rib that delivers a feeling of more precision driving capabilities on surfaces that are covered in ice and snow,” said Kaivonen.

“It also features the special Nokian’s Polar Expedition tread compound that combines first-class winter grip with durability in extreme winter conditions.”

With the option of adding studs, production on the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 44 will begin this year in the size LT475/70 R17 and is available through Arctic Trucks and Nokian Tyres North America.

Tagged: Hakkapeliitta 44

Check out Nokian’s super cool arctic explorer tires