Sumitomo Ice Edge Tires Review

Quick review

• Season: Winter
• Type: Touring 
• Car Type: Passenger Cars, Truck/SUV
• Run Flat: No
• Winter Type: Studdable, Studded 

The Ice Edge model offers exceptional performance in winter weather, thanks to the tread design and the winter compound. These elements work together to increase winter weather driving security.

This model features a detailed tread pattern, which maintains the surface contact. The tire's high-density siping detail increases its grip on the ice- and snow-covered road surface conditions. Furthermore, the winter compound manages to keep the tire's rubber flexible in freezing temperatures, enabling the tire to securely perform in harsh winter conditions. This combination ensures the tire's strong winter traction and performing ability.

Studdable Tread Area

Studdable winter tires fall between studded and studless options. Their tread design is equipped with pins for studs, allowing drivers to add or remove them as needed. These tires are specifically designed to handle severe winter conditions. Studdable winter tires give drivers the flexibility to choose whether or not to use studs based on their personal preferences and driving conditions. Due to state regulation of the use of studded tires, studdable tires with their flexible tread pattern become popular on the tire market.

Studded Tread Area

Studded tires are a special type of winter tires. The small studs placed on the tread area increase traction on snow and ice. Studded winter tires guarantee better gripping ability as the studs claw into the ice- and snow-covered roads, generating additional biting edges. This significantly enhances their traction in winter conditions. However, when the roads are not covered, studded tires can be dangerous. They will dig into the road and damage the asphalt. As a result, many states regulate and limit the use of studded tires on their roads.

This Ice Edge model features a symmetric tread pattern with large tread elements that maintain surface contact at all times. This constant surface contact improves the steering response time and accuracy to the driver's commands, while the structure is stabilized against the driving pressure affecting the tire. This combination allows the driver to have full control over the vehicle during the performance.

This model also enhances its driving durability and handling power. The strengthened internal structure keeps the ideal tire shape under driving pressure. In other words, this structure does not allow the tire to deform. The optimized footprint on the tread pattern upgrades the surface contact and enables the tire to evenly distribute driving pressure. As a result, this combination enables the tire to perform at its greatest capability.

The Sumitomo Ice Edge utilizes its tread design to improve cornering, maneuvering, and braking. The symmetric tread design's shoulder block placement, with the high-density siping details, increases the cornering and maneuvering ability. They increase the number of biting edges gripping the road surface, which ensures cornering power and security.

The high-density siping details with the optimized grooves stabilize the tread area and keep the tire's grip on the road. These siping details create friction between the tire and the road during the ride. This friction shortens the braking distance by increasing braking power, for a safe driving experience.