Studded snow tires VS Blizzaks?

[Master Blaster]

Studded tires are illegal in southern Ontario, so we never see them here. They tear up the roads too much.

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[dadd75]

Of course they are. That's the snowplows' job to tear up the roads. Your job is to pay for the roads. Now be a good little subject of Michigan and do as you're told.

Three years ago I moved to South Carolina

 

[dalola]

If your roads are rarely clean down to pavement I would go studded. But if you drive on clear roads to pavement studded would drive me crazy with the noise. I have WS90 Blizzaks on My 2023 Hybrid.

This is my suggestion as well. If your roads are snow packed all season, go with studs. If you drive a majority of snow pack, go with studs. If you have an equally blended road condition, then winter tires may be a viable option. I would base my decision fully on the majority of the road condition I was driving on.

 

[Phimosis]

I’ve driven non-studded snow tires and studded snow tires. Studded works way better. Especially when the conditions are really shitty or the hills are steep. In a “resort town”, I’m guessing you mean snow resort and you get 100+ inches of snow per year? Then yeah, definitely studded if they are legal in your area. Where I live, studs are not legal.

For all y’all that think that Blizzaks are better than studs, well let me tell you, studded Blizzaks are more awesomer than the regular non-studded ones.

 

[Bill K]

I’ve used studded tires on my Fwd maverick for two winters up here in Maine. It is like a mule. Will go thru any snow or ice.
You will have to put up with a bit more road noise.

 

[Phimosis]

I used to have a 1994 Ford Ranger 2WD. With the stock 195/70R14 tires, it was immediately identifiable as the 2WD version. In the winter, I would put studded tires on it and put 500 lbs of sand bags in the back of the bed, by the tailgate. After heavy snows, I would go out and run the steepest hills in town. With a small to moderate amount of wheel spin, it would climb 20% grades. You’d see other guys doing the same thing that I was doing, except in full sized 4x4 pickups and jeeps, and failing miserably, sliding back down the hill. Then I’d take my 2wd Ranger and cruise right up them. It got lots of stares.

Studded tires are a whole tier above “snow” tires.

 

[Stradbash]

i do run studded tires on bicycles in winter. No question there; it’s much safer!

So do I, and I've not been busted yet! It does still freak me out to ride on ice though!

 

[Deva]

thanks for the feedback everyone!
I am going to stick to studded tires. I drive over a steep mountain pass 5X a week about up to 10% grades.
the snow plows do a pretty good job most of the time keeping it clar of heavy snow but it packed snow/ice.

just the other day I was driving over in our jeep with studs i saw a mini van loose momentum and spin out in the middle of the road. its pretty common once you loses forward momentum it bad news. then on the down side I need to slow and have grib around the binds.

 

[Deva]

I’ve driven non-studded snow tires and studded snow tires. Studded works way better. Especially when the conditions are really shitty or the hills are steep. In a “resort town”, I’m guessing you mean snow resort and you get 100+ inches of snow per year? Then yeah, definitely studded if they are legal in your area. Where I live, studs are not legal.

For all y’all that think that Blizzaks are better than studs, well let me tell you, studded Blizzaks are more awesomer than the regular non-studded ones.

do they make those in the maverick size 225/60R18s that would be my 1st choice

 

[TheSEARCH]

I have the blizzak WS-90 versions . But in 17 inch wheel size. If buying wheels get the 17 inchers. Less money better ride Get same over all dimension.

 

[Deva]

ended up finding some arctic claw tudded tires for good price.
same tires i had on the car for 4-5 winters they did really well. hoping the mav. will handle the same on the packed snow/ice/ fresh powder.

the main thing i wish about the mavs. is that they came in manual. so much more control cooming down a steep mountain road. there also so much more fun to drive too!

 

[Car Nut]

no one seems to state...if anyone uses snow tires, best to have four of them. And why does no one ever mention Nokian brand. their climate knows snow and ice better than anywhere else. hope you ordered vehicle with block heater. At least this vehicle further off the ground than a Scion. Most little vehicles of fwd scrape on deep snow. The best winter vehicle though is always gonna be a... preferably, low powered beater, one with a working heater/defroster.
Does it need a floor, well not necessarily. Just needs lights. (I am 78yo, so what do I know).

 

[Timothyd]

ended up finding some arctic claw tudded tires for good price.
same tires i had on the car for 4-5 winters they did really well. hoping the mav. will handle the same on the packed snow/ice/ fresh powder.

the main thing i wish about the mavs. is that they came in manual. so much more control cooming down a steep mountain road. there also so much more fun to drive too!

I like the manual too but I have resigned myself to the way things are. Plus, my hybrid might not lend itself to a manual. But, damn, it sure is smooth.
If I want to get on the stick (shift) I still have my bike and the Miata.

 

[Phimosis]

no one seems to state...if anyone uses snow tires, best to have four of them. And why does no one ever mention Nokian brand.

Why does no one mention Nokian? Because they are not popular with MTC forum users. Why is that? Price and geography. Most MTC forum users are in North America. In North America, you can get 225/60R18 vanguard Arctic claws (like the OP bought), for $127. The same sized nokian Hakkapeliitta is $220. People almost always buy the cheapest item, if it works at least 80% as well as the premium item. In Europe, where Nokian is popular, they don’t get the low cost options, at least they didn’t used to. I haven’t been to Europe for the last 10 years. But their retail commerce is weird. For example, in the US, if you’re working on a shed project, you go to Home Depot and buy your 2x4’s, plywood, lag bolts, hinges, latch, door, door handle, wiring, light switches and lights all in the same stop. In most parts of Europe, there is no store like that. You have to go to the lumber yard, then the hardware store, then the lighting shop…. And on every stop, the items are premium or boutique and they are expensive. No one in town has the Walmart variety cheap Chinese equivalent product. Same thing with tires. They don’t get the option to buy 1/2 priced Chinese made Arctic Claw tires, so everyone talks about what they have bought and what they have experience with.

 

[Snowbird]

Nokian are very popular in north central Vermont. They are regarded as the go too dedicated snow tire.

I just bought my third set. First was 4 Hakkapeliitta snows on a Honda civic AWD wagon. It was almost impossible to break traction with that set up. Next set was Nokian all season "One" on an 2018 CR-V AWD. I was very happy with those tires.

Most recently I put the all weather Remedy WGR5 on my 2023 Hybrid Maverick. It has been snowing a lot. I am impressed with how they handle the snowy road conditions for a non dedicated snow tire.

It was between those and the CC2. The price of the Nokian was much less. I also live and drive on dirt roads where mud is going to be encountered. The tire shop thought the tread pattern of the Remedy would be better for that. Mud season is our fifth season!

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