9 Most Reliable Tires To Buy for Snow and Winter Driving
Written by
Angela Mae
Edited by
Levi Leidy
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For many people, all-terrain tires are perfectly acceptable for everyday driving. But if you plan to drive somewhere with icy or snowy terrain, you’ll probably need a set of winter tires.
Winter tires have specialized rubber compounds and tread that give them superior traction even on slick roads or in freezing temperatures. They’re also designed to repel water and debris — like road salt — to keep you even safer on the road.
As for which ones to get, GOBankingRates checked out several retailers, including Walmart and Amazon, to find the most reliable tires for snow and winter driving.
Michelin X-Ice Snow Tire
- Price per tire: $171.99
Designed for light trucks, these tires boast better ice braking, reduced rolling resistance and are overall more resistant to hydroplaning. They have a V-shaped tread design for optimal grip on slushy, wet, snowy and icy terrain. They also hold up well in freezing conditions.
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 Winter Tire
- Price per tire: $146.40
If you have a standard passenger car, check out these snow tires. They boast deep-snow traction, increased tread life and bit particles for enhanced traction on icy roads. Considering the brand, you know you’re going to get some reliable tires here — just make sure they fit your vehicle.
Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady Tire
- Price per tire: $208.99
While these tires are designed for all-weather traction, they can also handle less extreme winter conditions without issue. They have sweeping tread grooves that displace water to prevent hydroplaning or loss of control. They also have evolving traction grooves and “Tredlock Technology” for optimal grip. And if noise is a concern with your current set, these tires are designed to be quieter than most. They’re ideal for cars and SUVs.
Continental VikingContact 7 Snow Tire
- Price per tire: $204.99
One of the more expensive options on this list, these snow tires are designed to fit most passenger vehicles you see on the road. They have a specialized rubber compound with canola oil that helps them retain flexibility even in extremely cold conditions. The Nordic tread compound gives them excellent grip on wet terrains, while the patterned design cuts down on the risk of hydroplaning. Plus, they offer powerful braking and traction on icy roads.
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 Snow Tire
- Price per tire: $171.99
Designed for passenger cars like the Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla, these winter tires have a silica compound and specialized tread that gives them reliable grip in both ice and deep snow — even as the tires wear down. They also have a “double block grip” design for optimal handling performance. Plus, they’ve got Green Trace rubber compound that improves fuel efficiency and reduced environmental impact while driving.
Cooper Discoverer True North Tire
- Price per tire: $229.99
Whether you’ve got an SUV, pickup truck or car, these versatile winter tires offer superior traction on icy, slushy and snowy terrain. They boast some of the shortest stopping distance in the snow. They’re also quieter than some other options.
Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV Tire
- Price per tire: $162.99
These winter tires are best for crossovers, full-size SUVs and passenger cars. While not inexpensive, you might not mind the price for what you get.
These tires are built to last for many winters to come. They’ve been specifically engineered to do well in harsh winter conditions — from ice to snow to slush. They boast excellent snow grip, improved resistance to hydroplaning and slush and even come with a 40,000-mile treadwear guarantee.
Firestone Winterforce 2 Winter Tire
- Price per tire: $123.99
Affordable and from a brand known for its reliable winter tires, these tires are engineered to provide superior traction, control and grip in winter conditions. They’re long-lasting and perform especially well in the snow.
Dunlop Winter Maxx SJ8 Tire
- Price per tire: $155
Built for SUVs and trucks like the Chevrolet Silverado, these winter tires offer superior traction and control in winter weather conditions. They boast long-lasting tread life and snow wear bars that indicate the remaining tread. They also have a directional tread design that gives them enhanced grip on icy and snowy terrains, wide grooves for increased hydroplaning resistance and a reinforced structure for maximum comfort and handling.
Editor’s note: Prices are accurate as of Nov. 4, 2024, and are subject to change.
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