FEDERAL HIMALAYA KATTURA - new snow tire appears

If comparing the same brand/type, I am a firm believer in narrow snow tires perform better than wide ones in snow.

In the past few years, the Dunlop Winter Maxx WM02 & Nokian Nordman 7 (studded or non-studded) have been the two main 165/65r14 snow tire options in the States.

I just happened to notice a new snow tire offering that can be found @ both simpletire.com & tires-easy.com.

The Federal Himalaya Kattura seems to be affordable priced. Given my experience with my Federal SS-657 tires, I would not rule out these snow tires. Since the Vredestein Quatrac 5 tires (all-weather) have temporarily disappeared, these may be another good snow tire option. My hope is that the 165/65r14 Quatrac 5 tires reappear in the fall, too.

As of July 31, 2020 - The Federal Himalaya Kattura have a price of $65.99 @ simpletire.com & $57.33 @ tires-easy.com.

I currently have a pair of the Nokian Nordman 7 snow tires that I have used up front the past 3 winters. I paid approximately $80-85 for them @ tires-easy.com (December 2017). The Nokian tires are a decent snow tire (made in Russia), but I would not rule out giving these Federal snow tires a try in the future.

https://www.federaltire.com/en/produ...s_detail_sn=39

https://www.tires-easy.com/165-65-14...irecode/C26G4A

https://simpletire.com/federal-165-65r14-c26g4afe-tires

We have more choices up here.
https://quattrotires.com/dimensions/...&dispo_only=on
https://pmctire.com/en/tires/usage/w...tion/desc.tire

For the past decade, at my home country, which is Taiwan, Federal is not a top pick anymore; Maxxis instead. Used to be a decent tire manufacturer...
Snow and freezing temperature will only be seen on those 3000m above sea level area, which government allows snowchain-installed vehicle to access in winter time. Quite curious where they tested those tires.....unlike mainland China....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MigWay

For the past decade, at my home country, which is Taiwan, Federal is not a top pick anymore; Maxxis instead. Used to be a decent tire manufacturer...
Snow and freezing temperature will only be seen on those 3000m above sea level area, which government allows snowchain-installed vehicle to access in winter time. Quite curious where they tested those tires.....unlike mainland China....

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That doesn't change the fact that the Federal Himalaya Kattura may be a good snow tire choice for the money.

If Maxxis makes a 165/65r14 tire sold in the United States, I am not aware of it?

I am not endorsing the Federal snow tires, but it's good to see another 165/65r14 option in the States. Compared to our neighbors to the north of us (Canadians), we don't have that many small snow tire choices to pick from.

I am pretty sure I am gonna buy narrow winter tires 14" for my Mirage hatch this coming winter. First time.

I will give my little car credit. My Mirage handles amazing in the winter, truly does, but no car can make snow squalls less squirrelly. Anyhow, I want to improve the handling from good to very good in the winter. I have hummed and wondered about this point for 7 winters now. My local dealer carries the Pirelli's but they want an arm and a leg. I like the Vredstein's reviews, but it's over $100(canadian) a tire according to the store Fummins posted there. Plus I find everything harder to find/get to/ do these days.

I have always had good luck with Federals. In fact, I have a new set of Super Steels I bought a year or two ago which are going to be installed at the end of the summer. I am about to finally wear out SubcompactCulture's OEM Enasaves, which I bought when he upgraded his wheels. I am sure the Federals will give me an mpg hit, but they were cheap enough that it doesn't matter to me.

Last year I picked up a set of studded Nokian Hakkapeliittas in a very odd 155/70-14 size on super-duper closeout from tires-easy, and they are set to go on this fall. I will report, but am sure they will be awesome.

I'd buy Federal snow tires in a second.

I’m still running my snow tires on mine lol. Zero complaints. I think they’re rotellas or something. Cheap but work well and seem to be wearing very well considering it’s halfway through Summer. I’ll swap my summers tires on next summer I guess

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cobrajet

I have always had good luck with Federals. In fact, I have a new set of Super Steels I bought a year or two ago which are going to be installed at the end of the summer. I am about to finally wear out SubcompactCulture's OEM Enasaves, which I bought when he upgraded his wheels. I am sure the Federals will give me an mpg hit, but they were cheap enough that it doesn't matter to me.

Last year I picked up a set of studded Nokian Hakkapeliittas in a very odd 155/70-14 size on super-duper closeout from tires-easy, and they are set to go on this fall. I will report, but am sure they will be awesome.

I'd buy Federal snow tires in a second.

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If anyone is interested in snow tires for this upcoming winter, these new Federal Himalaya Kattura 165/65R14 79T BSW for $51.64/tire are not a bad price.

https://www.tires-easy.com/165-65-14...irecode/C26G4A

Nokian Nordman 7 tires are typically around $80-85/tire when I have checked, & they offer a studded version for a bit more. Dunlop Winter Maxx 165/65r14 seem to be $90+/tire, but better deals may exist? Vredestien Quatrac 5 (all-weather instead of snow tire) appear to be priced a bit higher now @ $90+/tire, too.

The Federal snow tires may or may not be as good as the Nokian, Dunlop, or Vredestein 165/65r14 snow tire options, but they may be worth a try at that price.

I just noticed the new Federal Himalaya All season Kattura 165/65R14 79T BSW winter tires are now carried by Walmart, too. Walmart has them for $54/tire with free shipping. Walmart's pic of them is wrong, because it looks like a Federal SS657 tire.

Tires-easy.com has them listed for $51.64/tire with free shipping. eBay has some for $51/tire with free shipping.

Speaking for myself - If I was in the market for some snow tires this coming winter, I would give these a try. I've been using a pair of Nokian Nordman 7 (non-studded) snow tires up front the past 3 winters, & they have been wearing well. I don't have a problem recommending the Nokian, but the Federal snow tires about $30-35 less per tire. At that price difference, I would try them. Most of all, I am just glad to see more 165/65r14 tire options. I prefer a narrow snow tire for climbing winter ridge roads where I live. Wide snow tires on lightweight cars don't do as well.