Tested: Best All-Terrain A/T Tires in Snow & Ice

[oxi]

Similar observation again this morning...we've been getting like an inch/day the past few days. This show was just now, another inch falling as we speak, enough to grease the roads. Using Nokians on the Q50 (RWD sedan) grabs better for this sort of stuff.

Interestingly, my personal observation with Winter tires has been, they work great in 0-2" of snow. 3"+, they're marginally better than whatever all-season I've had on a vehicle.

Unless we get 5 or 6 inches or more on the roads, I will only drive my Camry awd with the WS-90's on them. Especially like you said, that 1 or 2" stuff is the back breaker for taller 4wd trucks.

With just an inch or so on the roads, I am passing full size 4wd trucks with my Camry all of the time on county roads and rural 2-lane highways.

So far, this will be the 4th winter my Tacoma's have not been used for winter driving. The Camry looks goofy with the steel 16's with WS-90's from the factory 18's, but in winter, it's not how you look.

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[oxi]

Similar observation again this morning...we've been getting like an inch/day the past few days. This show was just now, another inch falling as we speak, enough to grease the roads. Using Nokians on the Q50 (RWD sedan) grabs better for this sort of stuff.

Interestingly, my personal observation with Winter tires has been, they work great in 0-2" of snow. 3"+, they're marginally better than whatever all-season I've had on a vehicle.

Was it last Monday, we had a small snowstorm, like 3 inches but howling winds up to 40 mph. I took my wife's Mazda CX-50 Toyota hybrid into work that day. Just the previous day or so, I dumped the oem Goodyear Assurance garbage tires (sold them back to dealer for $400 with 200 miles on them) and put Michelin Defender 2's and boy what a difference for a small crossover.

For the wife and the speeds, she drives during snow events, the Defender 2's will be just fine. It all comes down to your tires typically, not your vehicle.

 

[TrailAdventurer]

It all comes down to your tires typically, not your vehicle.

Makes huge difference. Had a few inches hit Detroit Metro this week. Was surprised how much better the RWD sedan with a fresh set of Nokians did, that our truck. While I'm not dissatisfied with the truck, I was simply surprised how much better the car did for the amount of snow we got.

 

[JayTech]

Pretty much my experience. The BFG ko2 everyone said was so good just packed full of snow rending them useless. The Fslkens were far superior.

Uhh that is kinda how tires are supposed to work in the snow. They pack snow in the tread to get better grip at low speed and use the sipes to evacuate water and slush while also providing an additional biting edge. But at higher speeds the snow should not remain stuck to the tire as the larger distance between tread blocks should "shed" the snow off the tire so it can cut into snow at higher speeds. Personally I have always felt KO2s were pretty good in the snow.

 

[SnowmanJPS]

Uhh that is kinda how tires are supposed to work in the snow. They pack snow in the tread to get better grip at low speed and use the sipes to evacuate water and slush while also providing an additional biting edge. But at higher speeds the snow should not remain stuck to the tire as the larger distance between tread blocks should "shed" the snow off the tire so it can cut into snow at higher speeds. Personally I have always felt KO2s were pretty good in the snow.

They’re supposed to hold snow

and my KO3’s worked extremely well this morning with 8” down or so

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