Most state laws require drivers to mount winter tires on their vehicles between specific dates, mostly at the beginning of November. However, choosing the best snow tires for your car, SUV, or light truck is not an easy decision.
With so many snow tire options available on the market, how does one choose the correct set?
Making a decision out of the blue might be daunting, impossible even. Therefore, many of us turn to the wonders of the internet to tell us the answer to this question: "What are the best tires for snow?"
Not only do winter tires have to conquer ice- and snow-covered surfaces, but they also need to keep their rubber pliable for cold temperatures. All of this is done while also offering the same levels of controllability that all season models guarantee.
Snow tires go through a lot and choosing the correct set is a game-changer.
Let's take a look at the top-tier winter tires available at Priority Tire:
Tire brand and model | Speed Rating | Performance | Available Sizes at Priority Tire |
Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2 (Studless) | T and H | Touring | Not available |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 RFT (Studless) | H and V | Performance | Check available sizes. |
Rosava Snowgard (Studdable) | T | Touring | Check available sizes. |
Accelera X-Grip (Studdable) | T, H, and V | Touring | Check available sizes. |
Armstrong Ski-Trac PC (Studless) | T and H | Touring | Not available |
Farroad FRD79 (Studless) | T, H, V, and W | Touring and High Performance | Check available sizes. |
Haida HD687 (Studless) | Q, T, H, and V | Touring | Check available sizes. |
Gislaved Nord Frost 200 SUV (Studdable) | T | Touring | Not available |
Premiorri ViaMaggiore (Studless) | T | Touring | Not available |
Haida HD617 (Studless) | Q, T, H, and V | Touring | Check available sizes. |
1. Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2 (Studless)
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If you are looking for snow tires for your SUV, these Michelin tires might just work for you!
One of the top-tier tire brands in the world makes the best winter tires for sale. There is no question about it. But, what does the Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2 offer that other tires do not?
It was designed with multiple technologies used for Michelin winter tires. Among them, you will find the Flex-Ice compound and the Cross Z-sipes of the tread design. These two work together to increase traction in icy and snowy conditions. Special micro-pumps and circumferential grooves actively combat hydroplaning.
Snow tires need exceptional stability during their performance, which is provided by Total Performance technology. Michelin tires produced in this manner receive optimized fuel efficiency, upgraded driving durability, and sharp handling.
Apart from its snow and ice traction, the Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2 utilizes the ComfortControl technology to minimize road vibrations felt by the passengers. Winter tire models often do not offer driving comfort, but Michelin tires are of a different caliber!
We also have a more in-depth Michelin review of the Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2, check it out!
2. Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 RFT (Studless)
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Bridgestone Blizzak tires are an excellent choice for performance-oriented drivers, especially when we are talking about the Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 RFT.
The Blizzak tires' lineup consists of the brand's best snow tires. They are manufactured with different top-tier technologies to ensure their safe winter weather applications.
Studless snow tires like the Blizzak LM001 RFT rely on their soft compound and detailed directional tread pattern to create traction. These improvements optimize the winter tire's performance on ice- and snow-covered roads while preventing hydroplaning.
What sets these Blizzak snow tires apart from other models is their run flat durability. Its construction enables its 50-mile, 50 mph performance after air pressure loss, offering a safer driving experience even in slippery conditions.
The biting edges provided by the tread design enhance controllability and shorten the stopping distance on deep snow and ice-covered surfaces. Additionally, they also help to ensure a comfortable driving experience.
Lastly, these Blizzak tires feature tread wear indicators. This is Bridgestone's tread design that allows drivers to visually follow the treadwear rate. As a result, drivers can notice worn-out winter tires sooner, allowing them to be changed before they completely lose their snow and ice traction.
3. Rosava Snowgard (Studdable)
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Finding quality tires at lower prices can be challenging, especially when you are looking for snow tires. This is where the Rosava Snowgard comes into play!
This is an affordable tire manufactured for winter weather, snow, and ice conditions. While it is not a big brand tire, it still offers superior grip and secure winter driving. Hydroplaning resistance is offered as well, as its groove placement disperses water and slush.
In need of studded snow tires? The Rosava Snowgard might be the solution. Its footprint is pinned for studs, which can be added to increase its deep snow and ice traction.
Cheap winter tires can also offer better handling. This winter tire uses its detailed footprint in order to maintain its surface contact, even in snowy conditions. Its cornering ability and stopping distance are optimized with the high-density sipe placement.
4. Accelera X-Grip (Studdable)
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One of the best snow tires, which come at budget-friendly prices, is the Accelera X-Grip winter tire model. This affordable tire features a directional tread pattern and uses a durable winter compound.
As a result, these Accelera tires are able to handle deep snow and ice-covered surfaces with ease. The high number of biting edges ensures this snow tire has perfect traction in the harshest winter conditions. On the other hand, the compound keeps the winter tire pliable in freezing temperatures. Adding studs further boosts its grip.
Sharp handling, shortened stopping distance, and even higher speed durability are ensured with the Xgrip! This model shows us that the cost of winter tires does not correlate with their quality. Even budget tires now can provide the same levels of driving safety as big brand tires do. Lowering the rolling resistance decreases the vehicle's fuel intake.
5. Armstrong Ski-Trac PC (Studless)
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Studded tires are no match for the Armstrong Ski-Trax PC, which are studless winter tires. But, how do these snow tires provide the same traction levels in icy and snowy conditions?
The combination of extra biting edges and the flexible winter compound enable its performance in colder conditions. The best snow tires keep their pliability below 45 degrees Fahrenheit and provide strong traction on snow and ice.
Armstrong Tires of America has been manufacturing durable tires since the company was opened. The Ski-Trax PC combines winter traction with excellent handling and high driving comfort levels. Deep snow and ice-covered surfaces don't cause any issues for this winter tire.
The directional tread pattern helps reduce road vibrations, while also guaranteeing sharp controllability and maneuvering. These snow tires are perfect for passenger car applications, and they even come with a 40,000 mile treadwear warranty.
6. Farroad FRD79 (Studless)
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If you are looking for the best tires for SUV applications in the winter, Farroad will be able to help you. Their winter tire model, the FRD79, is available in passenger car and SUV sizes. Furthermore, it is manufactured in light truck sizes as well.
So, why did the Farroad FRD79 make our best snow tires list?
This winter tire combines superb handling and winter weather traction that every snow tire should offer! It features a stable, asymmetric tread design, that is full of biting edges. Furthermore, its special compound blend enables its performance even in freezing temperatures. These ice tires conquer winter surfaces without the use of studs!
No winter tires review is complete without talking about a model's handling capability and snow tires of this caliber absolutely have to offer better controllability. This model achieved that with its footprint's constant surface contact. This optimizes its handling and maneuvering throughout its performance.
7. Haida HD687 (Studless)
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When you are on the market for better SUV tires for less, you might come across Haida tires once or twice. There is a good reason for that! That reason is: they make excellent products, including winter tires.
The Haida HD687 is a snow tire model that uses its compound blend and detailed footprint to generate traction. It is also one of the best tires for rain, as its circumferential and angled lateral grooves effectively combat hydroplaning. Good winter tires must offer at least this much!
However, the Haida HD687 offers much more. It was designed with an ideal tread pattern that decreases road noise formations. As a result, it guarantees a quiet driving experience.
Its asymmetric pattern closely follows the road surface. This winter tire tread upgrades steering responsiveness, driving stability, and even cornering in the harshest winter months. The result is one of Haida's top-rated tires!
8. Gislaved Nord Frost 200 SUV (Studdable)
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Let's put another studdable model on our best snow tires list: The Gislaved Nord Frost 200 SUV. This directional tire is pinned for studs, which increase its winter traction when added. When this happens, they become excellent studded winter tires, which are arguably the best tires for snow and ice.
However, even without studs, this snow tire offers superb traction. Its detailed asymmetric tread design works with the winter compound to promote better surface grip. V-shaped grooves channel water and slush away from the footprint, resisting hydroplaning.
Upgraded controllability and maneuvering are also promoted with these SUV tires! Their asymmetric tread design maintains surface contact, offering exceptional steering responsiveness and driving stability. Cornering and braking are also boosted, as the tread elements provide the biting edges needed.
9. Premiorri ViaMaggiore (Studless)
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While we have not neglected passenger tires, let's talk about another one! The Premiorri ViaMaggiore are winter tires designed with a directional tread pattern. They are one of the best snow tires for budget-oriented consumers.
However, its lower price range does not mean it lacks driving safety. Budget-friendly tire brands can only survive on the tire market if their products are actually good. These snow, winter tires secure winter traction and hydroplaning resistance with the tread pattern and durable compound.
Its controllability is also enhanced. The flat footprint closely follows the road surface at all times, increasing its steering responsiveness and overall stability. Due to the conditions winter tires are used in, this characteristic is one of the crucial ones and the Premiorri ViaMaggiore passes with flying colors.
10. Haida HD617 (Studless)
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For a more aggressive snow tire tread pattern, take a look at the Haida HD617! Its directional pattern features dense siping and deep grooves, which provide the necessary traction for such conditions. The best snow tires are able to handle deep snow and ice-covered surfaces without issue.
Haida has worked hard to develop a passenger car and SUV tire that provides everything winter weather driving requires. Apart from its snow traction and hydroplaning resistance, the 3D sawtooth style siping also enhances its handling.
Its consistent surface contact upgrades steering responses and accuracy, which even some top-tier snow tires lack. On the other hand, its structural stability is maintained throughout its performance. Braking and cornering are also ensured with the details of the footprint. The tread design and silica-based compound enable the Haida HD617's safe maneuvering.
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