OT: best dedicated winter/snow tires

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1861 Posts XTreme Poster

Need a set for driving to the mountain for a Subaru Impreza. Interested in studless snow/ice tires with outstanding traction. I want to buy them at Les Schwab in HR.

Thanks,
Eric

Marmot · Since 08 Aug 2007 109 Posts Lyle, WA Stoked

I got some Michelin X-Ice for my Lancer Ralliart. They are really nice in the snow/ice. Paired with the active control system, it was very hard to have fun in the parking lot at meadows.

However, I have 18" wheels and had to get low-pro versions for $250 a piece. Still worth it.

mystery curd · Since 14 Jun 2010 98 Posts Floating

I bought studless snow tires... cheapies. $450 w/installation on my Impreza.
In my case: Subaru engineering + cheap snow tires= magnetic traction!

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

Don't know about getting them at Schwab, but we run Blizzak LM-60's on all the Acuras (FWD and SHAWD) and they do awesome! The LM-60's are more performance oriented on and off the snow.

basbts · Since 26 Jul 2011 71 Posts United States **CGKA Member**

We run Nokian tires on our 08 Subaru year around. They have excellent traction and no need to swap tires during the summer months.

http://www.nokiantires.com/tyre?id=11899&group=1.01&name=Nokian+WRG2

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Also run the nokians on the impreza

noah · Since 19 Oct 2006 173 Posts Bozeman, Montana Stoked

I live for snow and I live where I can snowkite eight months a year. On all my rigs (suv, pu & 4x4 rv) I run on Toyo Observe Open Country G-02 Plus. Safe, quiet, and great on ice, snow and slush! Work fine on dry, too.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1861 Posts XTreme Poster

Lots of really good advice-much appreciated! My car came with steezy summer R17 tires and really fancy rims, so I will get a dedicated set of good winter/snow only tires mounted on less expensive rims to use mid November through March Probably R16's. Nice to get tires that don't suck on occasional trips to PDX, but the priority is tires designed to significantly increase grip on snow and ice.

I have run studs for years, but I am sick of how poorly they run and sound on dry pavement. Never mind the road destruction, nor the fact that most of the studs are gone after one season of use. Drives me nuts.

Eric

forrest · Mon Oct 24, 11 7:54 am

Getting ready to put some snow tires on my new Jetta. Good thread.

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

I don't know where to get them but when I got my new car I asked about snow tires and was recommended hankook Icebear tires from two different sources.

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Nokian make a set that are really good for snow and ice but I dont think you can get them at Les Schwab. I know that Nelson tire has them tho.

Also in a Suby you arent going to need the baddest snow tires out there, I have run three seasons in Utah on just some stock Toyo tires that came on my car, '04 Forester xt and it did awesome.

trailboss · Since 08 Aug 2006 95 Posts HR

Hard to beat the Nokian Hakkapeliitta

Winter tyre tests autumn 2011
Tekniikan Maailma (17/2011), Finland

Studded tyres, size 205/55 R16

1. Continental ContiIceContact
2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7
3. Bridgestone Noranza 2 Evo

Friction tyres, size 205/55 R16

1. Michelin X-Ice X12
2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R
3. Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice+

Tuulilasi (12/13/2011), Finland

Studded tyres, size 205/55 R16

1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7
2. Bridgestone Noranza 2 Evo
3. Continental ContiIceContact

Friction tyres, size 205/55 R16

1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R
2. Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice+
3. Michelin X-Ice

Vi Bilägare (13/14/2011), Sweden

Studded tyres, size 205/55 R16

1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7
2. Bridgestone Noranza 2 EVO
3. Continental ContiIceContact

Friction tyres, size 205/55 R16

1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R
2. Michelin X-Ice 2
3. Continental VIkingContact5

Teknikens Värld (20/2011), Sweden

Studded tyres, size 205/55 R16

1. Continental ContiIceContact
2. Michelin X-Ice north
3. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7

Friction tyres, size 205/55 R16

1. Continental ContiVikingContact 5
2. Goodyear Ultragrip Ice+
3. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R

Central European friction tyres, size 205/55/ R16

1. Continental ContiWinterContact TS830
2. Nokian WR D3
3. Goodyear Ultragrip 8

Aftonbladet BIL (8/2011), Sweden

Studded tyres, size 205/55 R16

1. Continental ContiIceContact
2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7
3. Pirelli Winter Carving Edge

Friction tyres, size 205/55 R16

1. Michelin X-Ice X12
2. Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice+
3. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R

Central European friction tyres, size 205/55/ R16

1. Nokian WR D3
2. Continental ContiWinterContact TS830
3. Michelin Alpin A4

Motor (5.10.2011), Norway

Studded tyres, size 205/55 R16

1. Continental Conti Ice Contact
2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7
3. Bridgestone Noranza 2 Evo

Friction tyres, size 205/55 R16

1. Michelin X-Ice XI2
2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R
3. Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice+

Za Rulem (18/2011), Russia

Friction tyres, size 175/65 R14

1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R
2. Continental ContiVikingContact 5
3. Michelin X-Ice X12

AutoReview (18/2011), Russia

Studded tyres, size 205/65 R16

1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7
2. Continental ContileContact 4x4
3. Gislaved Nord Frost 5

AutoCentre, Ukraine

Studded tyres, size 185/65 R14

1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7
2. Continental Conti Ice Contact
3. Michelin X-Ice North

Friction tyres, size 185/65 R14

1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R
2. Continental ContiVikingContact 5
3. Nokian Nordman RS

Central European friction tyres, size 185/65 R14

1. Nokian WR D3
2. Continental ContiWinterContact TS800
3. Maxxis Presa Snow[img]

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1735 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

hey eric,
I stopped in at les schwab last week for a quote on some snow tires.
since I drive significantly back and forth from seattle to portland, I am choosing studless.
LS has their version of the blizzak for about $160 a tire.
a major disadvantage of the softer rubber tire is if temps get into the 80's the tires turn to shit.
should not be a problem between now and next june. haha

consumer · Since 28 Nov 2010 406 Posts banned Obsessed

New to OR here- you don't necessarily need studs to drive up to Mt hood when it's snow advisory? You just need tires with the severe weather service emblem?

Thanks.

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

TOYO observes, and yes they have them at schwabs. You can mob to the mountain no problem with them, especially on a soobie

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1861 Posts XTreme Poster

Went into LS, and got dialed on some Toyo Studless and some pretty steezy rims at a surprisingly good price.

Thanks for the advice. Much appreciated.

Eric

shred_da_gorge · Tue Dec 24, 13 4:24 pm

I know this is old but I'll second the Bridgestone Blizzaks for winter driving in the Gorge/Mt Hood. Have had them on an Audi S4 and a Jetta for many seasons after using crappy studded tires (highly overrated; should be banned IMHO). The Audi has LM-60's and I forget which model are on the Jetta (and my ex's Accord). I got some from America's Discount in Beaverton and a set from Goodyear in Wood Village; I was able to negotiate price with both shops. LS in HR has treated me well with service on many occasions, but I've never been able to match Portland prices on tires with them.

The only problem I've had is that I had to go with low-profile tires (17" wheels, 225/45 IIRC) due to the oversized brakes on the S4. I tried to find 16" rims because you want narrower high-profile tires in deep snow. As a result of the tire width the Audi can drift when we get a good dump and I'm not careful with speed (and the bak end is light; it's a wagon), but the few times it happened the computer took over and straightened it out... freakin' amazing.