These are the best tyres to avoid getting stranded in the snow

We know that every user is as different as the vehicle they drive and the reasons they drive it. That is why generalising about which are the best tyres for snow is complex, but we are going to orient this article towards recommendations for winter and all-weather tyres, also known as All Season, covering the widest possible spectrum by differentiating between the two and offering some insights on each brand and model.

The best winter tyres

After the passage of storm Filomena and the arrival of a cold front that has turned snow into something more like icebergs than ice, driving on most of the country’s road network, including urban roads, has become a dangerous challenge. That is why, for maximum braking and cornering grip, winter tyres are proposed as the best insurance one can invest in during situations like the current one.

Given that in Spain, except for a few regions, the share of the winter tyre market, according to some specialists, adds up to barely marginal percentages, around 3 per cent of the total, there is a need to re-educate and raise awareness about the use of at least all-weather tyres, but even more so about the suitability, depending on the driving environment, of using winter tyres. This leads us to recommend this type of tyre for those who regularly face extreme snow and ice conditions, because, in addition to the superb traction that winter tyres offer on snow, together with the use of metal chains, they allow driving over sheets of ice.

Be that as it may, our recommendations regarding winter tyres focus on these three options:

Michelin Alpin 6

https://youtu.be/UZphX7ntATs

Michelin’s winter tyres par excellence evolve in line with Evergrip technology, which is based on a multi-layer tread compound and a tread pattern designed with grooves that widen as the tyre wears, delivering exceptional traction on snow even on two-wheel-drive cars with modest power.

Pirelli Sottozero 3

https://youtu.be/w08iZ59Tz9s

The manufacturer’s Italian tyres allow driving on roads whose surface is at freezing temperatures, with snow or ice on the surface, increasing safety on journeys along difficult roads or where weather conditions are adverse. Their capabilities make them especially suitable for high-performance vehicles.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3

https://youtu.be/ED0sR4KYTHY

And if anyone knows about winter tyres, it is the Nordics, which is why the Nokian brand is our recommendation for extreme conditions. Without resorting to studs, these Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 tyres offer a sublime balance between safety and comfort at the wheel, regardless of climatic difficulties, thanks to a controlled, precise and pleasant cornering feel. Since the Finnish specialist developed these tyres especially for electrified vehicles, they are winter tyres for electric or hybrid cars.

The best all-weather/All Season tyres

Given the total difference between winter tyres and all-weather tyres, the latter, also called All Season, offer year-round balance for use in every season. That is why they are our priority when recommending, provided they are used in areas where the weather does not severely punish the roads with heavy rain, snow or intense frost, among which the following stand out:

Michelin Crossclimate

A great ally in any circumstance because, thanks to their M+S and 3PMSF markings, they are approved for use in winter and are capable of driving on snow without fitting chains. Michelin’s CrossClimate range covers everything from passenger cars to light vans, and, as is only fitting and as the market demands, its offering for all-season tyres for SUVs.

Goodyear Vector 4Season 3Gen

Goodyear’s answer to the Michelin CrossClimates is the Vector 4Season 3Gen, tyres that replicate the capabilities of their predecessors, including as winter tyres that do not need chains to drive, delivering a very positive overall balance with appropriate responses in summer and winter situations. Among their other qualities, they feature a hydrodynamic groove design that favours driving on wet roads by effectively evacuating water and avoiding the “aquaplaning” effect.

Nokian Weatherproof

Finally, we once again turn to Nordic wisdom to recommend 3PMSF all-weather tyres for electric and hybrid cars, as they have been developed and tested on vehicles of this type.

Based on the tests carried out, Nokian’s Weatherproof tyres have proved extremely effective in dry conditions, highly capable in wet conditions, and offer very good feedback when driving on snow, arguably the best all-weather tyres for those who prioritise “dry” performance in their car’s use.