Tire Socks vs. Chains for Snow/Ice

[welder4956]

We're getting ready to travel to a mountainous area in May/June that could still see snowy conditions. I'm hoping the roads will be treated and clear where we need to go, but just in case I'm considering buying a set of tire socks as a backup. Are these worth the money or should I just get a set of chains?

 

[PCustoms]

Where are you headed?

What car?

Those look like a huge gimmick. Usually good winter tires are all you need, sometimes there are AWD/4wd or chain restrictions in place. Probably low likelihood this would apply so late in the season.

 

[RTM]

It really depends on where you're going I've found. Anytime I'm going somewhere where snow is an option I throw my chains in the truck, on top of my running mud and snow tires.

I've also been let through chain control areas with just my mud and snow tires on a two-wheel drive vehicle.

As far as those snow socks I have no idea but like posted above I think they look like a gimmick. Hopefully someone who lives in a snow area can tell you that they've seen them or bought them or something.

 

[welder4956]

Where are you headed?

What car?

Those look like a huge gimmick. Usually good winter tires are all you need, sometimes there are AWD/4wd or chain restrictions in place. Probably low likelihood this would apply so late in the season.

Headed to Sierra Nevada Mountains in a F150 4WD. I'm looking for peoples' experience, don't need to know if they are needed.

 

[Beauregard]

In a 4WD F150, all you'll need is decent M/S or All-terrain tires.

 

[sparky 1971]

I've never used the socks, but they look like a gimmick that could never take the place of a good set of tires. Chains are a pain in the rear, but irreplaceable when the need arises. The biggest downfall to me living in the sticks surrounded by hills is lack of concern from the county when it comes to snow removal. It might be a three day wait and by then everything on the road is packed ice. I run mountain snow tires from November till April on my open differential service truck but have had to break out my "chains" more than once to make sure I could get home. Mine are actually cables but I think the name of them are Z-chains. With a little practice both sides can be installed and running down the road in about 10 minutes.

 

[george4]

In a 4WD F150, all you'll need is decent M/S or All-terrain tires.

yep, no problem.

 

[Sumboodie]

I run chains in my trucks. Need steel to chisel through the ice.

 

[LopezBart]

Note: CHP does require even 4WD to carry chains. However, I've never seen conditions there that require chains on 4wd vehicles - they close the roads first. When you do need traction devices on a 4WD, bring chains. Because it's the ice.

 

[PCustoms]

Headed to Sierra Nevada Mountains in a F150 4WD. I'm looking for peoples' experience, don't need to know if they are needed.

Good luck

 

[welder4956]

Good luck

Yea, I can't say I didn't expect this...

 

[ericm]

It depends on where you are going.

May is late for a late season snow storm. Like really unusual late. Not going to happen in June at all. The sierra highways that are open all year (like 80 and 50) will be clear of snow unless some real freak storm happens and if so they will clear them fast. The passes that get closed in winter like Tioga will either still be closed or will be open and clear. I've gone over Tioga at the end of may in a fwd car with summer tires days after it opened. There was water on the road but no snow. If they open it, it's clear. If you are driving on real back roads or forest service roads they may be closed due to snow pack or they may leave it up to the driver's judgement.

 

[LopezBart]

May is late for a late season snow storm.

I once rode my GS550E across highway 50 summit in a bunch of fresh snow on Memorial Day. Chains weren't needed, but damn it was cold, wet and slippery.

 

[AdAstra]

Snow socks work, they are not a gimmick.

They generally perform in line with or better than winter tires and/or chains, on snow and ice.

Don't believe me or any other armchair opinion, particularly from those who have never tried them, believe this TUV Test and subsequent EU approvals.

They are however less durable than chains, and you aren't supposed to leave them on overnight in freezing weather, which can be a pain, but they can also be easier to install, are lower profile for close clearance wheel wells, smaller to store, and perhaps less expensive while still passing the CA requirement to carry a "tire traction device", which yes, they officially qualify as in the eyes of the state.

 

[Beerhippie]

Speaking as someone who lives in snow and ice country--we have 3-6 months of packed snow and ice every year--No, All-Season tires and 4WD are NOT the same thing as dedicated winter tires!

Every time we get a few inches of snow out here, the interstate--I84--closes for hours because of pile-ups due to "I have 4WD (or AWD) and A-S tires".

BTW: My 2WD rig has 4-wheel braking and REAL snow and ice tires--so back the hell off!

Now get me going on "I have a map app and GPS on my phone. I don't need maps." Search and Rescue out here calls that "Death by GPS."

 

[Beerhippie]

I just swapped back over to my summer tires--guaranteeing another couple of weeks of snow--and noticed that my SUMMER tires are A-S M&S! That's where I live.

I wouldn't trust those "tire socks" as far as I can throw a sponge underwater.

 

[welder4956]

Found a review that seems to be unbiased and shows the socks to be more effective on snow than chains. No discussion of performance on icy conditions. My guess is that chains would be a better choice for icy conditions.

 

[PCustoms]

Found a review that seems to be unbiased and shows the socks to be more effective on snow than chains. No discussion of performance on icy conditions. My guess is that chains would be a better choice for icy conditions.

I can't imagine that relatively smooth sock is better in snow then correct tires.

I'll give you take you out them on bald tires they probably work better then chains.

 

[PCustoms]

What does he say around 3:25 about all seasons?

 

[Buckgnarly]

Found a review that seems to be unbiased and shows the socks to be more effective on snow than chains. No discussion of performance on icy conditions. My guess is that chains would be a better choice for icy conditions.

Those aren't chains in that video....cute wire cables, but not chains.

 

[dscheidt]

I can't imagine that relatively smooth sock is better in snow then correct tires.

I'll give you take you out them on bald tires they probably work better then chains.

your imagination needs some work. Socks are superior to tires in snow and ice. They work better in snow than ice; they **** on dry pavement. they're also not nearly as durable as chains, especially on clear pavement. Chains are superior, but socks meet traction requirements, including Austria's (which quite a lot of chains don't).

they're made of textured fabric, the bumps provide edges to bite into snow. IN sticky snow, they also get snow stuck to them, which is a high friction on snow.

 

[PCustoms]

your imagination needs some work. Socks are superior to tires in snow and ice. They work better in snow than ice; they **** on dry pavement. they're also not nearly as durable as chains, especially on clear pavement. Chains are superior, but socks meet traction requirements, including Austria's (which quite a lot of chains don't).

they're made of textured fabric, the bumps provide edges to bite into snow. IN sticky snow, they also get snow stuck to them, which is a high friction on snow.

Huh.

I'll stick with my M&S rated tires, 4x4 and common sense.

Only time I've felt the need for chains I'm out driving on unmaintained roads in shifting weather and it's glazed over to ice.

 

[WhataTool]

Why gamble when everyone knows chains work, is your or your families lives worth "finding out"?

 

[nadogail]

Chains are Chains, any anything else isn't Chains

 

[richfinn]

Good all season tyres (we use Michelin) and snow socks as an emergency if you get stuck, I never want to mess with chains again now I've tried the snow socks (you must remove them as soon as you see see tarmac though).

I've pulled fully loaded vans and 4x4s out of snow drifts in a regular 2WD Ford Transit just using the snow socks.

They work great on snow (buy the correct size)

Way easier to install than chains

For vehicles stuck on ice I carry a bag of rock salt during winter season