The 8 Best All-Terrain Tires for Snow
A higher risk of skidding. Significantly reduced traction. Increased stopping distances. These are some of the problems that make driving on snow-covered roads a potential nightmare. Yet, with the right set of tires on your vehicle, these issues can be mitigated.
Now, out-and-out winter tires are always the best choice for driving on snow-covered roads, but there’s one issue with them. You have to replace them as soon as winter is over. That is easier said than done, as purchasing two sets of tires can drain your finances.
Luckily for you, a set of high-quality all-terrain tires can provide your vehicle with the necessary traction for snow and ice while remaining useful during the summer. As such, you won’t have to replace them as the seasons change, saving time, effort, and money.
Bear in mind, though, that not every all-terrain tire can perform reliably on snow. Only those with the 3PMSF (Three Peak Mountain Snowflake) rating, aggressive tread pattern, and detailed siping can provide adequate traction on snow-covered roads.
Here are some of the best all-terrain tires for snow:
#1. BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 – Best Overall
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A super-aggressive tread pattern? Check. More sipes (biting edges) than you can count on both fingers? Present. 3PMSF symbol on the tread? Absolutely. All these qualities make the BFG All-Terrain T/A KO2 one of the best all-terrain tires for snow.
Start with its super-aggressive tread pattern, which will enhance your vehicle’s grip and traction on snow-covered roads. Even when driving at high speed, the tread pattern will generate enough friction to shorten braking distances for a worry-free ride.
Next comes what BFG calls side biter lugs but are more commonly known as biting edges. These slits enable the T/A KO2 to dig into snow and provide adequate traction. As such, you won’t face skidding or slippage driving on snow-covered roads.
That it comes with the 3PMSF symbol shows that it has met or exceeded stringent industry standards for severe snow performance. The 3PMSF emblem is a far better indicator of excellent winter performance than the M+S symbol it’s often conflated with.
BFG backs this model with a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty to further sweeten the deal, though it could have done better with this tire’s fuel economy.
Pros
- Comes with the 3PMSF symbol
- Offers excellent traction on snow-covered roads
- Ensures reduced braking distances in harsh wintry conditions
Cons
- Fuel economy could be better
#2. Falken Wildpeak AT3W – Best for Off-Roading
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The Falken Wildpeak AT3W won’t just enhance your vehicle’s stability on snow-covered roads. It will also help you conquer mild off-road terrains like dirt, gravel, and grass.
At its release, Falken claimed that the AT3W had the deepest grooves on any all-terrain tire out there. While this claim may no longer hold (this tire was released in 2015, after all), the massive depth of the grooves still helps the AT3W excel at deep snow driving.
The 3PMS symbol on the tread also promises reliable performance in harsh wintry conditions. As do the biting edges on the leading edges of the tread blocks. These small grooves give this tire the traction needed for braking, acceleration, and cornering on snow.
All this talk about snow driving doesn’t mean this tire will struggle on ice. Thanks to Falken‘s proprietary Canyon Sipe Technology (which interlocks the shoulders to stiffen them up), the AT3W will be more capable than most all-terrain tires on slippery surfaces.
Lastly, its 55,000-mile treadwear warranty is 5,000 miles higher than that of our top pick. However, the T/A KO2 compensates for this by offering a more comfortable and quieter ride on the highway. Which is the only reason why the AT3W isn’t our topmost pick.
Pros
- Superior traction on snow and ice
- Equally useful on and off the road
- Offers superior handling on bumpy roads
Cons
- Could be more responsive
#3. Toyo Open Country A/T III
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While primarily designed for off-roading, the Open Country A/T III also excels at snow- and ice-covered roads.
In contrast to its predecessor, this model won’t skid or slip upon encountering slippery surfaces. Rather, thanks to an upgrade received by its rubber compound, it will provide reduced braking distances and improved acceleration on icy and wet roads.
Combining an aggressive tread pattern with a compound that doesn’t stiffen up in colder temperatures has enhanced this tire’s snow performance. It has also made this model a reliable performer on packed and unpacked snow.
The implementation of 3D multi-wave sipes has seen this tire get the 3PMSF rating, so decent performance on snow is all but guaranteed, especially when compared with fellow all-terrain tires that only come with the M+S emblem.
Need more reasons to install this Toyo tire on your vehicle? The fact that it comes with a 65,000-mile warranty (much higher than our top two picks) should be enough to make up your mind.
Pros
- Comes with the 3PMSF rating
- Backed with a 65,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Road noise is much lower than its predecessor
Cons
- Costs more than its previous version
#4. Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S
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The Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S combines the ruggedness of an all-terrain tire with the year-round utility of an all-season one.
Its silica-enhanced tread compound remains pliable in sub-zero temperatures to ensure a better contact with the road surface. This increased flexibility, in turn, boosts this model’s traction on snowy and icy surfaces. The result is better road grip and a reduced risk of slipping.
Another way the tread compound helps this tire in severe weather is by helping it conform to ice contours. As a result, the Discoverer AT3 4S stands an excellent chance to grip the surface beneath the ice, thereby reducing the risk of skidding on icy and slippery surfaces.
Four circumferential grooves (channels that evacuate water) further enhance this model’s wet performance. As does the detailed siping structure, which enables the AT3 4S to grip the road. Small wonder, then, that this tire is severe weather (3PMSF) rated.
Another thing I liked about this tire is that it’s backed by a 65,000-mile treadwear warranty. That said, I’d have liked this model even more if its ride was as quieter as that of the above tires.
Pros
- Outstanding traction and grip in harsh weather
- Backed with a 65,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Offers exceptional stability at high speeds
Cons
- Isn’t whisper quiet
#5. Kumho Road Venture AT51
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The Kumho Road Venture AT51 has several features that make it well-suited for snow and ice.
This model’s tread compound is designed to stay pliable regardless of how low the temperatures drop. The flexibility, in turn, shortens braking distances on slippery surfaces while also reducing the risk of sliding or slippage.
Secondly, its tread pattern features circumferential grooves to evacuate water away from the tire, thereby reducing the risk of aquaplaning. Plus, the tread design is aggressive enough to latch onto the tarmac, even when it’s buried under several inches of hardpacked snow.
Closely inspecting the tread area will reveal another design element that makes this tire a reliable performer in harsh wintry conditions – sipes that offer biting edges for enhanced traction. You can thus count on this model to offer good braking power on snow and ice.
Best of all, the Road Venture AT51 has a 3PMSF rating, which means the Tire and Rim Association (TRA) has checked and approved this model’s severe weather credentials. The 3PMSF rating shouldn’t be taken lightly, as it’s the highest possible rating for harsh wintry traction.
Pros
- Offers amazing traction on snow and ice
- Effectively channels water away from the tire
- Dirt road and rocks aren’t a problem
Cons
- Noisy at higher speeds
#6. Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015
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Multiple features underline the exquisite snow-driving credentials of this tire.
The first is the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol on its tread. This emblem all but guarantees that the Geolandar A/T G015 will keep your vehicle on snow, regardless of whether it’s dealing with thick, packed snow or loose, unpacked one.
Need proof? Yokohama’s internal tests reveal that this model offers 25% shorter braking distances on snow than the model it replaced. Which is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly, given that many people vouch for its predecessor’s winter traction.
Next comes the tread compound featuring high-tech polymers and Orange oil. This unique combination gives the rubber the flexibility needed to stay useful in sub-zero temperatures. As a result, you can count on this tire to tackle Scandinavian-esque weather.
Finally, a 50,000- or 60,000-mile treadwear warranty (depending on tire size) may give no clue about this model’s snow traction. But it underlines how long this model may last if you take care of it (something you must do as it doesn’t come cheap).
Pros
- Offers excellent traction in harsh wintry conditions
- Provides a comfortable ride on dry roads
- Backed by a 50,000- or 60,000-mile treadwear warranty
Cons
- May wear out quickly if pushed to the limits
#7. Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus
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The Scorpion All-Terrain Plus is a very balanced tire with no glaring shortcomings.
Surprisingly for a model that doesn’t cost a fortune, it offers superb traction on snow and ice. An aggressive tread reduces braking distances on damp and slippery surfaces. Plus, multiple grooves aid in water evacuation to mitigate the risk of aquaplaning.
With sipes, this model latches onto snow and ice to help you retain full control over your vehicle. It also has multiple block edges that bite into packed and unpacked snow, improving acceleration and cornering power.
A continuous rib running down its center not only improves this model’s handling on dry roads. It also strengthens the tire to better withstand surfaces like dirt, gravel, and rock. This makes the Scorpion All Terrain Plus a reliable option for mild off-roading.
This isn’t to say that this model will do better than winter tires on snow and ice. But as far as all-terrain tires are concerned, the Scorpion All-Terrain Plus is a good option for driving on snow, something the 3PMSF emblem on its tread hammers home.
Pros
- Offers great value for money
- Excellent traction on wet and snowy surfaces
- Low rolling resistance for improved fuel economy
Cons
- May wear out quickly if pushed to the limits
#8. Sumitomo Encounter AT
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The Sumitomo Encounter AT is one of the cheapest all-terrain tires money can buy. Yet it offers everything you normally get from its counterparts that cost twice as much.
Start with the 3PMSF rating, which indicates this model will provide amazing traction on snow and ice. As stated above, only those models that meet and exceed the rater’s specific guidelines for winter driving get this rating, a testament to this tire’s severe weather credentials.
Then come the zigzag sipes. Normally seen on premium tires, these sipes give this model the biting edges needed to plow through snow and ice. An aggressive tread pattern (compared with models in the same price range) ensures good traction on dry, wet, and snowy roads.
Unfortunately, that’s where the good news ends. While this model won’t have any problem when you hit packed snow, the type you encounter on the road, it will struggle on unpacked snow. Also, its refinement is a level or two below what the above models offer.
Still, for an all-terrain tire that doesn’t blow a hole in your pocket, the Encounter AT offers decent-enough performance on snow and ice.
Pros
- 60,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Excellent snow and ice traction
- Self-cleaning ability
Cons
- Not the most refined
Conclusion
If you have grown tired of replacing tires when the seasons change and are looking for models that can last the entire year, the above models are worth a shot. Besides offering superb dry performance, these models also offer amazing wet and snowy traction, staying useful 365 days a year.
