What Are The Tire Performance Categories For Winter / Snow Tires?

High-Speed Rated Winter Tires

Performance Winter / Snow

Developed as high-speed winter tires for European driving conditions, these tires typically trade some deep snow and ice traction for enhanced dry and wet road traction, handling and high-speed capability.

High-Tech Winter Traction

Studless Ice and Snow

Developed to provide ice and snow traction similar to studded winter tires without using studs, these tires typically trade high-speed ratings and some handling responsiveness for enhanced snow and ice traction.

Traditional Winter Traction

Studdable Winter / Snow

Developed to accommodate optional metal studs that enhance ice and hard-packed snow traction. When studded, these tires typically trade some noise and ride comfort for extra ice and packed snow traction (studding available for $15 per tire), or represent a low-cost winter tire option when not studded.