Best Winter Car Tyres, Snow Chains and Snow Socks for UK Winter Driving

British winters can be unpredictable. One week may bring relatively mild rain and the next can bring frost, black ice or several inches of snow. If you regularly drive on untreated rural roads, commute early in the morning or plan winter trips into mountainous areas, preparing your car for poor conditions can make a considerable difference.

Michelin 008301 Easy Grip Snow Chains Evolution n°15

£163.40

Choosing the best winter car tyres is a good starting point, but tyres aren’t the only option. Snow chains and snow socks can provide additional traction when snow becomes particularly deep or roads become icy.

In this guide, we look at winter tyres, snow chains and snow socks, including some useful options to keep in your car during the colder months.

Best Winter Car Tyres: Are They Worth Buying?

Winter tyres differ from conventional summer tyres primarily in their tread pattern and rubber compound. They are designed to remain effective at lower temperatures and provide improved traction on cold, wet and snow-covered roads.

Michelin recommends considering winter-specific tyres when road temperatures regularly fall below around 7°C. Winter tyres carrying the 3PMSF (Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake) marking have also undergone defined winter-performance testing.

For British motorists, however, changing tyres twice a year isn’t always necessary.

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If you live somewhere that receives relatively little snow and most of your journeys are on well-treated main roads, a good-quality all-season tyre may offer a practical compromise. Drivers living in rural or elevated areas, travelling regularly in Scotland or heading into Europe during winter may have more reason to consider dedicated winter tyres.

Whatever type you choose, tyre condition matters. UK rules require cars and light vans to have at least 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the tyre and around its entire circumference.

For more extreme conditions, however, even good winter tyres can benefit from some additional help.

Best Snow Chains and Snow Socks

Michelin 008301 Easy Grip Snow Chains Evolution No.15

Michelin 008301 Easy Grip Snow Chains Evolution n°15

£163.40

Best for: Premium lightweight winter traction

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The Michelin 008301 Easy Grip Evolution No.15 is an interesting alternative to conventional heavy steel chains.

The Easy Grip concept uses a composite construction designed to combine additional winter traction with easier installation. Michelin describes composite chains such as Easy Grip as one of the newer alternatives developed to make fitting winter traction equipment easier.

This could make them particularly attractive for motorists who want to carry additional winter protection without dealing with traditional heavy chains.

They could also make sense for winter road trips to European ski destinations where you may encounter roads on which additional traction equipment is required.

Best for: Motorists wanting a premium, relatively easy-to-use alternative to traditional metal snow chains.

Check your exact tyre size and vehicle compatibility before ordering.

Autodomy Textile Snow Chains XXL

Autodomy Textile Snow Chains Size XXL Compatible with All Tires | Snow Socks for Tyres | Textile Car Snow Chains, Quick to Install with No Tools Required

£49.99

Best snow socks for occasional UK snow

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For many British drivers, snow socks may be more convenient than traditional chains.

The Autodomy Textile Snow Chains XXL are fabric covers that fit over the vehicle’s tyres to increase traction on snow and ice. Their big advantage is simplicity: they’re designed to be fitted quickly without tools.

That’s useful when you’re standing beside the car on a freezing morning rather than comfortably practising on your driveway.

Snow socks are particularly worth considering if you want something that can remain in the boot throughout winter for occasional emergencies. Michelin notes that snow socks are generally easier and faster to fit than chains, although conventional chains can provide better performance on fresh snow and black ice.

Best for: Drivers wanting compact emergency snow traction that’s quick to install.

Heavy Duty Snow Chains for SUV Tyres

Best for SUVs and severe conditions

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If you’re driving a large SUV through serious winter conditions, lightweight snow socks might not be your first choice.

These Heavy Duty Snow Chains use alloy steel and are designed for snow, ice and mud. The listed version fits 255/65R16 tyres, making tyre-size checking especially important before buying.

Metal chains can provide excellent traction when you’re dealing with deep snow and ice, making this style particularly appealing for rural driving and winter trips into mountainous areas.

However, don’t assume that chains will fit simply because you own an SUV. Wheel-arch clearance varies considerably between vehicles.

Always check both the tyre dimensions and the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions before fitting snow chains.

Best for: SUVs encountering deep snow, ice and more challenging winter conditions.

KÖNIG CB-12 095 Snow Chains

KÖNIG EASY-FIT CU-9 095 Snow chains, set of 2

£267.29

KÖNIG CB-12 095 - Snow Chains, 2 Pieces

£70.02

Best traditional snow chains

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The KÖNIG CB-12 095 Snow Chains are a more conventional solution for motorists who want proper metal snow chains rather than textile socks or composite alternatives.

They come as a two-piece set and are a particularly interesting option for drivers planning winter trips into Europe.

Traditional chains have some significant advantages. They are durable and can provide particularly useful traction in challenging snow and ice. Michelin notes that chains generally outperform snow socks on fresh snow and black ice.

Again, compatibility is crucial. Don’t buy snow chains based purely on wheel diameter. Check the complete tyre size and ensure that your vehicle has sufficient clearance to accommodate them.

Best for: Ski trips, mountain roads and motorists wanting traditional metal snow chains.

Snow Chains vs Snow Socks: Which Are Best?

The right choice depends largely on where you drive.

Snow socks are lightweight, compact and relatively easy to fit. That makes them an excellent emergency option to keep in a car boot, particularly for motorists who encounter snow only occasionally.

Snow chains are generally the stronger choice for prolonged or severe winter conditions. On fresh snow and black ice, chains can offer better performance, while their construction also makes them more durable.

Composite systems such as Michelin Easy Grip sit somewhere between these two approaches, offering an alternative to traditional metal chains.

If you’re travelling abroad, check the rules for every country on your route. European requirements vary and some countries or individual mountain roads can require specific winter equipment.

Are Snow Chains Legal in the UK?

Yes, snow chains are legal in the UK, but they should only be used when road conditions justify them.

Police guidance warns that chains should generally only be used where the road is protected by a covering of compacted snow or ice. Using metal chains on a clear road could damage both the road and your vehicle.

Remove them once you reach clear tarmac.

It’s also important to check your vehicle handbook before fitting chains because additional chain thickness can cause clearance problems around wheel arches, suspension components or sensors.

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Preparing Your Car for Snow and Ice

Good winter preparation involves more than simply buying the best winter car tyres or throwing a pair of snow socks in the boot.

The Highway Code recommends checking weather forecasts before travelling and avoiding journeys in icy or snowy conditions unless they are essential. If you do have to travel, it recommends carrying items including an ice scraper, de-icer, torch, warm clothing, boots, first-aid kit, jump leads, shovel, warm drink and emergency food.

Stopping distances can also be dramatically longer. The Highway Code warns that in snow and ice they can be up to ten times greater than on dry roads.

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Which Winter Traction Option Should You Buy?

For everyday British winter driving, start with good tyres. Quality all-season or winter tyres can improve grip without requiring you to stop and fit additional equipment every time temperatures fall.

For occasional snow, Autodomy snow socks provide a compact solution that can live in your boot until required.

For something more substantial without necessarily opting for conventional metal chains, the Michelin Easy Grip Evolution is an attractive alternative.

For SUVs and challenging conditions, heavy-duty metal chains provide a more rugged solution, while the KÖNIG CB-12 095 is our pick for motorists looking for a traditional snow-chain system.

Whichever option you choose, check the exact tyre-size compatibility before buying. The best snow chains in the world aren’t much use when you’re stuck in a snow-covered car park and discover they don’t fit your wheels.

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