Top Winter Tires for 2018

It may be autumn right now, but Ned Stark is not wrong. Winter is right around the corner and you definitely want to be prepared ahead of time. So, if you’re thinking about putting winter tires on your vehicle, now is the time to start figuring it out. You see, winter tires need a little bit of time to break in and, since they handle differently than all season tires, you’ll want to get used to them, too. You’ll definitely want them on your car before the snow and ice sets in. Usually about mid-November, or when the temperature is consistently 45°F (7°C) or lower, is when you should be putting them on..

There are a lot of options out there and it can be hard to know what to choose! So to help you out we’re presenting our top picks for the 2018 winter season:

Bridgestone Blizzak WS80

The Blizzak WS80 is the latest in an already well regarded and line of winter tires from a respected brand. Not only is it made from a rubber compound designed to enhance your ability to drive in snowy conditions, it also features special 3D Zig Zag sipes. These sipes are a Bridgestone-engineered innovation, designed to bite into the snow and make handling easier. There’s a reason the Blizzak line has proven popular again and again over the years, so their quality is hard to beat.

Michelin X-Ice Xi3

Michelin is consistently one of the top rated and most trusted brands in the country, and their winter tires lives up to their high quality standards. The unique tread is designed to maximize performance and the exceptional compound grips the road while you move, allowing for higher speeds when conditions allow. They also perform well in the annoying slush that gets everywhere as the snow begins to melt. They also have a built in visual indicator to let you know when your snow traction is reduced because of wear. This is definitely one of the best winter tires on the market.

Dunlop Winter Maxx

Safety was in mind when Dunlop designed the Winter Maxx tire. The asymmetric tread provides exceptional grip in snow and ice while still offering a comfortable ride. But that’s not the only step Dunlop took to ensure maximum safety on winter roads. They also developed the Digital Rolling Simulation technology to increase the overall stress these tires can handle, making them exceptionally durable and strong. This model is one of the most versatile winter tires on the market, coming in a variety of sizes. It’s also known for its long life, due to the durability we mentioned earlier, so they’ll continue to work for you year after year.

Goodyear Ultra Grip Winter

This model is called the Goodyear Ultra Grip, so you’d better believe it has amazing traction. These tires are made to climb over snow even in the worst conditions, and they go so far as to supersede the industry’s severe snow requirements. You can even install studs if you want even more traction, and because they allow for individual install, you can even remove them later. This versatility and grip gives you well balanced performance, whether the weather’s nice or nasty.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2

Nokian is a Finnish brand, so they know a thing or two about snow. In fact, they boast the largest winter tire testing facility in the world (appropriately known as “White Hell”) way up in the Arctic Circle, so you know their tires were put through their paces. This model boasts a lower rolling resistance, so it’s economic, as well as the best winter braking and accelerating performance you’ll find on the market. So if you want tires that were rigorously tested for excellent wintertime performance while still being affordable, these are a great option.