When winter’s harsh conditions arrive, standard all-season tires simply aren’t enough for safe driving. Studded snow tires provide the ultimate confidence on ice and packed snow, offering superior traction when you need it most. Choosing the right set can mean the difference between a secure journey and a dangerous skid.
This roundup highlights ten of the best studdable winter tires for 2025, designed for everything from passenger cars to heavy-duty trucks. We have evaluated key features like ice braking, deep snow traction, and overall durability to help you find the perfect tire for your vehicle and driving needs.
Our Top Studdable Winter Tire Picks
- Michelin X-Ice Snow 215/55R16 97H BSW
- Cooper Evolution Winter 225/65R17 102T Tire
- Laufenn I FIT ICE LW71 225/65R17 102T
- Goodyear Ultra Grip Winter 205/55R16 94H XL
- UNIROYAL Tiger Paw Ice & Snow 3 Radial Tire
- General Grabber Arctic LT Winter 10 Ply E Load
- Michelin X-Ice Snow
- Cooper Discoverer True North Winter 225/65R17
- Nordman North 9 205/55 R 16 94T XL Studded
- Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 Studdable Winter Tire
Michelin X-Ice Snow 215/55R16 97H BSW
The Michelin X-Ice Snow is engineered for drivers who face severe winter conditions and require reliable performance. It is designed to provide ultimate confidence on snow and ice, making it a top choice for safety-conscious individuals. Its construction focuses on excellent winter traction and dependable handling.
As a BSW (Black Side Wall) winter tire, it offers a clean, standard look while delivering the advanced technology Michelin is known for. The tire’s compound and tread pattern are optimized to remain flexible in cold temperatures, which improves grip on icy roads. This model is a solid foundation for those considering adding studs for extra ice performance.
Cooper Evolution Winter
The Cooper Evolution Winter tire is built for cars and SUVs that need to power through variable winter weather. It is recognized for its outstanding deep snow traction, allowing you to navigate through significant snowfall with greater control. This tire performs consistently across a range of cold-weather challenges.
Its design prioritizes a secure feel on roads covered in slush and snow, providing drivers with confidence during their commute or longer trips. The tread is engineered to evacuate water and slush efficiently, which helps reduce the risk of hydroplaning. For drivers in regions with heavy snow, this tire offers a reliable solution.
Laufenn I FIT ICE LW71
The Laufenn I FIT ICE LW71 is a studdable winter tire designed to provide enhanced braking and traction on icy roads. It focuses on delivering safety in the most challenging conditions where black ice is a common threat. This makes it a practical option for everyday winter driving.
Its tread compound stays pliable in freezing temperatures, which is essential for maintaining contact with the road surface. The studdable feature means you can add metal studs for even greater short-range grip on sheer ice. It represents a strong value for drivers seeking dependable ice performance without a premium price tag.
Goodyear Ultra Grip Winter
The Goodyear Ultra Grip Winter tire uses a special blend of tread polymers to enhance its performance in both snow and rain. This advanced material helps the tire maintain a firm grip on wet, cold pavement, a common condition in many winter climates. Its design is a result of extensive testing in severe conditions.
A directional tread pattern works to provide excellent handling and water evacuation, which increases stability. The tire also features an advanced stud pin pattern designed to offer superb traction and lateral grip while reducing vibration. This combination of features makes it a high-performance choice for studded use.
UNIROYAL Tiger Paw Ice & Snow 3
The UNIROYAL Tiger Paw Ice & Snow 3 is an all-season radial tire with a focus on winter capability. It is manufactured in the United States, adhering to specific quality standards. This tire is for drivers who need a tire that can handle light winter conditions while remaining on the vehicle year-round.
Its tread design helps to provide traction in snowy and icy situations, offering an upgrade over standard all-season tires. While not a dedicated studdable winter tire, its winter-focused design provides an added layer of safety for those in transitional climates. It serves as a robust all-weather option.
General Grabber Arctic LT
The General Grabber Arctic LT is a winter performance tire built for light trucks and SUVs. With its 10-ply E-load range construction, it is engineered for excellent grip in lower temperatures and can handle heavier vehicles and loads. It is backed by a confidence-inspiring trial period.
This tire offers reliable braking performance on wet, snowy, and ice-covered surfaces, which is essential for larger vehicles. Its robust build does not compromise its winter-specific traction capabilities. For truck owners who cannot avoid driving in winter, this tire provides a heavy-duty solution.
Michelin X-Ice Snow
This version of the Michelin X-Ice Snow carries the M+S (Mud and Snow) designation, signaling its capability in a variety of winter conditions. The tire is engineered to provide drivers with ultimate snow and ice confidence, building on Michelin’s reputation for quality and innovation.
Its core benefit is excellent winter traction, achieved through specialized cross-country sipes and a cold-weather flexible compound. The design focuses on longevity and consistent performance throughout the tire’s life. It is a premium choice for those who prioritize safety and long-term value.
Cooper Discoverer True North Winter
The Cooper Discoverer True North is a winter tire suitable for cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks. It is designed to deliver exceptional traction in unpredictable winter weather, providing a safety margin when conditions quickly change. Its performance is particularly noted on highway commutes where slush and black ice are common hazards.
The tire’s tread pattern is optimized to bite into snow while also providing stability on cleared but cold pavement. This balance makes it a versatile option for drivers who encounter a mix of conditions. It is built to inspire confidence during every winter journey.
Nordman North 9 Studded Winter Tire
The Nordman North 9 comes as a pre-studded winter tire, ready to take on the most severe icy conditions. Its embedded studs are engineered to provide unparalleled grip on icy surfaces, offering a significant advantage in control and stability. This tire is for those who face long periods of ice-covered roads.
As an XL (Extra Load) rated tire, it is capable of carrying heavier loads than standard passenger tires, making it suitable for a wider range of vehicles. The studs work by digging into the ice, creating friction that non-studded tires cannot match. For ultimate ice traction, this is a standout option.
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 Studdable Winter Tire
The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is a highly regarded name in the winter tire category, known for its advanced technology and reliable performance. As a studdable tire, it offers the flexibility to add studs for maximum ice braking, or to run it as a non-studded winter tire for excellent snow traction.
It utilizes a multi-cell compound that helps to absorb water film on ice, which improves contact and reduces stopping distances. The tire is designed for drivers who seek top-tier performance and are willing to invest in a proven product. The Blizzak line has a strong reputation for a reason.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Studded Snow Tires
When I start looking for the best studded snow tires for my vehicle, the first thing I consider is my local climate and driving conditions. Studded tires are my go-to for the most severe winter conditions, places where I regularly encounter thick ice and hard-packed snow. If my area mostly gets light, fluffy snow or slush, a high-quality studless winter tire might be a better and quieter choice. It is all about matching the tire to the specific challenges of my winter roads.
Next, I pay close attention to the tire’s siping and tread pattern. Sipes are those tiny slits in the tread blocks that flex and grip on ice. The more sipes a tire has, generally, the better its traction on icy surfaces. I look for a deep, multi-directional tread pattern designed to bite into snow and effectively channel slush and water away to prevent hydroplaning. A robust shoulder block design also helps with cornering stability in snow.
The studs themselves are a critical factor. I check what type of studs the tire uses. Modern tungsten carbide studs are the standard because they are incredibly hard-wearing and provide consistent ice grip throughout the tire’s life. I also look at the stud count and placement pattern. A higher stud count, often arranged in an optimized pattern, can significantly improve braking and acceleration on sheer ice. However, more studs can sometimes mean a slightly noisier ride on dry pavement.
I never forget to check the speed rating and load index. Studded tires often have lower speed ratings than summer or all-season tires because the studs can affect stability at very high speeds. I make sure the tire’s speed rating meets or exceeds my normal highway driving speeds. The load index is equally important; it tells me how much weight each tire can support. I verify that it matches my vehicle’s requirements, especially if I often carry heavy loads or passengers.
Finally, I think about the long-term. Studded tires are an investment, so I look at treadwear warranties and read reviews from other drivers who have used the tires for a full season or more. This gives me a good idea of real-world performance, noise levels, and overall durability. Doing this homework helps me feel confident that I am selecting one of the 10 best studded snow tires for 2025 that will keep me safe and mobile all winter long.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are studded snow tires legal everywhere?
No, studded tires are not legal in every state or province. The laws vary widely, with some regions banning them entirely, others allowing them only during specific winter months, and some having no restrictions at all. It is my responsibility to check the local regulations in my area before I purchase and install them. Using them outside of the legal season can result in fines.
How much louder are studded tires compared to studless winter tires?
Studded tires are noticeably louder, especially on dry, clean pavement. You will hear a distinct clicking or humming sound as the studs contact the road. On packed snow or ice, the noise is significantly reduced. Modern stud and tire design have made them quieter than older models, but there is still a clear acoustic difference compared to a high-quality studless winter tire.
Can I install studded tires on any vehicle?
You can install them on most vehicles, provided you select the correct tire size, load index, and speed rating for your specific car, truck, or SUV. It is mandatory to mount them in sets of four for balanced handling and safety. I always recommend having a professional handle the installation, as mounting studded tires requires special equipment and care to avoid damaging the studs or the rim.
Do studded tires damage roads?
Yes, over time, studded tires can contribute to wear on road surfaces, particularly asphalt. This is a primary reason for the legal restrictions in many areas. The tungsten carbide studs are extremely hard and can grind down the pavement. However, modern stud designs are often smaller and lighter to minimize this impact while still providing excellent ice traction.
How long do the studs typically last?
The studs themselves are very durable and are designed to last the functional life of the tire’s tread. Tungsten carbide is an extremely hard material that resists wear. The limiting factor is usually the tread depth of the tire itself. Once the tread wears down, the studs will no longer protrude correctly and will lose their effectiveness, even if they are not physically worn out.
What is the real-world advantage of studded tires for my daily drive?
The main advantage is superior traction on ice and hard-packed snow. When I am facing a steep, icy hill or need to stop quickly on a glazed intersection, the metal studs dig into the surface in a way that rubber alone cannot. This gives me more confidence in braking and acceleration under the most treacherous conditions. For anyone navigating a severe winter, selecting from the 10 best studded snow tires for 2025 can be a game-changer for safety.