Review: Best Winter Tires for the Holiday Season

Winter is coming and here at CouponXoo, we want to help prepare drivers for safe holiday travels. For many, this means taking road trips to visit family and friends. However, winter weather can pose hazards on the road with snow, ice and freezing temperatures. Having the right winter tires is crucial for safe driving in winter conditions. In this blog post, we will review some of the top-rated winter tire options to help you prepare your vehicle for holiday travel.

Why Are Winter Tires Important?

Summer tires are designed for temperatures above 45°F and do not perform well in colder weather. The rubber compound is too hard and lacks traction on ice and snow. Winter tires, on the other hand, are specially formulated for driving in temperatures below 45°F. They contain a softer rubber compound that remains flexible at colder temperatures for better grip. The tread pattern is also designed to evacuate snow for superior traction on snowy and icy roads.

Studded winter tires can further improve traction but are only legal in some states and provinces. It's always a good idea to check your local regulations before installing studded tires. When selecting winter tires, your primary concern should be traction and braking ability in snowy and icy conditions over dry traction.

1. Michelin X-Ice Snow

Michelin consistently makes some of the best winter tires on the market. The Michelin X-Ice Snow takes the top spot on many tire review websites and enthusiast forums. Users praise its excellent traction on snow, ice and slush. Its siped tread blocks conform to the road surface for enhanced grip. At the same time, its wide tread design remains stable at highway speeds. Users report near summer-tire levels of dry handling without compromising on cold-weather traction.

The proprietary EverGrip compound is designed for temperatures as low as -4°F for year-round use in cold climates. X-Ice Snow tires last almost as long as all-season tires with a treadwear warranty of 60,000 miles. While their street price is on the higher end, their performance is unmatched in winter conditions and they provide safe driving well into the colder months. With the best all-around winter traction, the Michelin X-Ice Snow is an excellent choice for cold-weather travel.

2. Nokian WR G4

For drivers in very cold regions where temperatures regularly drop below 0°F, the Nokian WR G4 is considered the winter tire to beat. Hailing from Finland, a nation that knows a thing or two about extreme winter weather, Nokian uses its cold-weather expertise to its advantage. Like the Michelin X-Ice Snow, the Nokian WR G4 uses an advanced rubber compound that remains flexible at very low temperatures down to -40°F.

Its innovative tread pattern uses directional siping and stabilized blocks to provide outstanding snow, slush and ice traction. Its grip in deep snow is unmatched by other winter tires. Nokian’s purpose-built winter tread also stands out for its treadwear life rated up to 50,000 miles—quite good for a true winter tire. Users report excellent braking and maneuverability even in severe Arctic-like conditions on roads covered with thick snowpack.

If you live where winter storms mean dealing with multi-inch snowfalls and frequent sub-zero temperatures, the extra snow traction of the Nokian WR G4 could prove invaluable for safe driving. Its capabilities for extreme cold take it a step beyond other highly rated snow tires.

3. Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2

One of the most popular winter tire choices in cold regions across North America is the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2. For over 25 years, the Blizzak brand has earned a stellar reputation thanks to its reliable performance. The latest DM-V2 lives up to those high standards with rave reviews from drivers.

Like its competitors, the Blizzak uses a specialized rubber compound engineered to stay pliable at temperatures as low as 0°F. Its elaborate multi-peaked tread design provides strong self-cleaning ability to evacuate snow for good traction. The deep tread pattern also improves hydroplaning resistance on wet roads in winter months. Reviewers are impressed with the Blizzak’s composure during hard braking on packed snow and ice.

Some also praise its surprisingly capable dry handling for a dedicated winter tire. The Blizzak DM-V2 offers all the snow traction needs without too much compromise in milder winter weather. It achieves the rare balance between cold-weather performance and three-season usability—earning it a spot as the bestselling winter tire in cold climates. Its reputation for safety and reliability make the Blizzak DM-V2 a smart choice for holiday driving.

4. General Altimax Arctic 12

The General Altimax Arctic winter tire line has grown in popularity as an affordable yet capable option. While not quite as advanced as top winter tire competitors, it remains an excellent budget choice for safe winter driving. Special attention went into developing its SnowTrac5 Tread Compound for the coldest weather, rated to -22°F.

The deep multi-pitch tread pattern works well to clear snow buildup thanks to its zigzag grooves and wider pitch design. Its straight-edge tread blocks also improve traction in deeper snowpack. Though not the grippiest on ice compared to premium options, handling remains stable and sure-footed with predictable braking in slippery situations.

Durability also proves above average, with most sizes rated for 50,000 miles of tread life. The Altimax Arctic 12 balances surprisingly capable winter performance with affordability that makes it suitable for drivers on a budget. Its winter traction can get most drivers through all but extreme snow conditions safely. Combined with reliable handling, it provides reliable solutions for affordable winter commutes and holiday travel.

5. Tire Size Considerations

When buying winter tires, it's important the size matches your vehicle's factory specifications. Mounting tires that are too small or large can negatively affect handling balance, speedometer accuracy and even legality. Using a website like TireRack.com allows searching by make/model/year to ensure compatibility.

It's also worth measuring current tire dimensions to double check compatibility if buying offline. The most common sizes for passenger vehicles are 15, 16, 17 and 18 inches diameter, but confirm your rim size first. Width should match what came on the vehicle for proper load capacity and clearance on fenders/subframe. Following sizing is crucial to safety and performance from your winter tires.

Installation and Storage Tips

While most tire shops offer installation services, you can also mount tires yourself with basic tools if you have the needed skills/safety equipment. Make sure sidewalls are properly inflated before driving on them. Watch out for any splits or cracks missed on inspection.

When spring arrives, rotate your summer tires back on. Store winter tires indoors, out of direct sun if possible, to prevent UV deterioration. Keeping them elevated off concrete also reduces flat-spotting. Check inflation annually and rotate if storing long-term. Properly maintained tires will perform reliably winter after winter.

Conclusion

Whether you're traveling to see family or friends this holiday season, the right winter tires can provide peace of mind when road conditions turn treacherous. With quality options reviewed here from Michelin, Nokian, Bridgestone and General, CouponXoo aims to help you find a fitting solution for your budget and climate needs. Following tire sizing recommendations and proper storage also helps ensure winter traction when you need it most. We hope these reviews have you well equipped for worry-free seasonal travels! As always, be sure to check CouponXoo first for any deals or discounts that could help you save even more. Stay safe and happy holidays!