Shopping by tire type is one of the most basic shopping methods drivers use to find their next set of tires. And the names seem to run together and make heads spin.
Deciding can be frustrating, so we’ve laid down the differences between all-season, all-weather, and winter tires so you can choose what best suits your needs.
Are you just ready to start shopping?
SHOP ALL TIRESALL-WEATHER VS ALL-SEASON TIRES
By far, all-season tires are the most common tire you’ll see on the road. They are designed to drive well in the mildest conditions of every season. This means they do not perform well in winter conditions.
SHOP ALL-SEASON TIRESAll season tires:
Are versatile
Offer dry and wet traction and braking power
Good mix of treadwear, traction, and performance
All-season tires are great for many driving conditions and are considered a standard, everyday tire choice. Their longevity comes at the expense of cold weather performance.
Some of our favorite all-season tires? We’re glad you asked: we tend to point to the Michelin Defender 2 and the Yokohama YK-GTX!
Check out more of the best all-season tires here.
What is the difference between all-season and all-weather tires?
With names like “all-season” and “all-weather” it’s easy to become confused.
All-weather tires are a hybrid tire that works in all seasons with stronger performance than a typical all-season tire. Their tread compositions are formulated to function in cooler temperatures, too, making them capable of mild winter use.
If your region experiences true winter conditions with consistently freezing temps and/or snow, slush, rain, or ice, you should use dedicated winter tires.
When comparing all-season to all-weather tires:
All-season tires…
May ride or handle better
Tend to have shorter dry braking distances
Typically longer tread life span
Dependable year-round performance in some regions
All-weather tires…
Use aggressive weather specific tread patterns
Can handle dry, wet, ice, and snow
Perform better in cooler temperatures
Dependable, flexible year-round performance in many regions
They are an emerging tire category and are not yet official, so they can be difficult to shop for when searching by tire category. They usually come with the three-peak mountain snowflake weather designation and include some sort of weather-centric naming.
What are some good all-weather tires to consider? Check out the Michelin CrossClimate2 and the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady2!
Check out our picks for the best all-weather tires!
ALL-WEATHER TIRES VS SNOW TIRES
We’ve compared all-season vs snow tires, but what about all-weather vs snow tires?
Winter (or “snow”) tires are superior to all-weather tires in true winter conditions. Even if your region does not experience snow or ice but experiences low temps, you should use winter tires. You should not depend on all-weather tires in the winter months unless you live in a region with a mild winter.
When it comes to winter weather, all bets are off. Winter brings with it the most dangerous driving scenarios most drivers will ever face on the road. Wet, icy and snowy roads make traction a treasure.
Regular tires, even all-season and all-weather tires, do not function well in temps at or under 45F. Winter tires, on the other hand, use ground-breaking rubber compounds to keep flexible in low temps. This allows tread elements such as siping to continue working. Other tires without these specialized compounds become stiff, reducing their ability to corner or brake effectively.
Since the presence of snow isn’t the only determining factor, we prefer to call them “winter tires” over “snow tires” but you’ll find those two terms used interchangeably.
Dependable picks for snow tires include the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 and the Michelin X-Ice Snow.
Winter tires…
Can function in extremely low temperatures
Have deeper, more specialized tread patterns for snow and ice
Although all-weather tires can be used for “longer” into the cold season compared to all-season tires, they do not perform as well as a dedicated winter tire. Instead, they’re an excellent year-round option for milder climates.
Only want the best? Check out our picks for the best snow tires!
Ready to roll?
Choosing the right tire is important in keeping you and your vehicle as safe and functional as possible. Find the best tire for you quickly and easily with Treadwell, our smart tire buying guide.
START WITH TREADWELLIf you’re still unsure what works best for you, drop by, give us a ring or make an appointment with us and we’ll get you taken care of! Save time and buy and book online!
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