The winter months bring some of the most challenging driving conditions you may ever face. And when you’re driving a large vehicle, the stakes can get even higher. But you can make the trek easier on yourself (and less nerve wracking for your passengers) by equipping your pickup or SUV with winter truck tires.
It can be overwhelming to make such an important financial and safety decision, especially with so many options available. That’s why we’ve asked our experts here at Discount Tire to put together a list of the best winter/snow tires for trucks!
Already know what winter truck tires you’re looking for? Shop the whole catalog!
SHOP ALL WINTER TIRESDO I NEED SNOW TIRES (FOR MY TRUCK)?
Discount Tire highly recommends outfitting your truck (or SUV) with winter tires if you live in a region that experiences serious winter weather with temps that are consistently below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
Winter tires are about more than just wet, snow and icy road conditions. As temps dip below 45 degrees, the tire’s rubber compound seizes up, losing the ability to grip on frigid roads. This applies to all non-winter tire types, like your typical all-season, mud terrain or all-terrain tire. Yes, even AT and mud terrain tires just aren’t up to snuff compared to dedicated winter tires.
This is why we try to encourage the term “winter tires” over the traditional “snow tires.”
We understand that many truck owners prefer to keep their all-terrain or mud terrain tires year-round; Discount Tire holds safety above all else and so we will always recommend dedicated winter tires in the appropriate season.
Even if you drive your truck or SUV in a region without significant snow or ice but temps seasonally dip into Arctic cools, it’s a good (read: safe) idea to use winter tires.
Snow/winter tires aren’t just designed for optimal performance in sub-zero temps, they also have specifically designed tread patterns for snow, slush and ice. They’re better able to evacuate water and slush, while compacting snow in for incomparable snow-on-snow grip. These features free up your tire’s traction, handling and braking elements to keep you planted on the road in any weather winter throws your way.
It’s tempting to think that your impressive rig can handle anything, but trucks, SUVs and even AWD or 4x4 vehicles are still at risk during dangerous winter road conditions.
Discount Tire is your source for winter tire information. Check us out!
WINTER TIRE FAQYou can also explore the old debate: snow tires vs tire chains!
THE BEST WINTER TIRES FOR TRUCKS
Choosing a winter tire specifically designed for larger vehicles is key to enhancing both safety and vehicle performance. All our truck snow tire picks include the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMS) severe weather designation. Here’s our list of the best snow tires for pickup trucks and SUVs!
(A quick word before we begin: Discount Tire and tire manufacturers highly recommend installing a set of four winter tires to ensure the best handling and performance.)
Bridgestone Blizzak DMV2
We have to start the list with the Blizzak DMV2, part of the eminent Bridgestone Blizzak family of winter tires.
The DMV2 is a popular choice with SUVs and pickup trucks (and even crossovers) thanks to its high degree of traction in slush, snow and ice. Every feature is carefully designed to boost performance like handling, braking and grip. Bridgestone’s multi-cell rubber compounds with hydrophilic coating shed water and snow from the tire’s tread for surefooted traction over ice and snow.
And with industry-leading tread life and thousands of bite particles to grab onto even sheer ice, it’s the winter tire that’ll keep you going every winter for years to come. They come in a huge range of sizes and are almost always in stock at our stores, making them a dependably available option.
If that’s not enough reason to check out these tires, customer reviews practically sell the tires themselves. One customer of ours even claimed they were better than some studded tires!
SHOP BRIDGESTONE BLIZZAK DMV2 TIRESNokian Hakkapeliitta 10 SUV
From Nokian’s famous Hakkapeliitta family of snow tires comes the Hakkapeliitta 10 SUV. Despite its name, it’s suitable for both pickup trucks and SUVs. It is, in our opinion, one of the best studded snow tires for trucks!
Designed for the harshest winter weather in the Nordic north, the Hakkapeliitta 10 SUV utilizes next-generation safety features, like its Eco-Stud 10 design. This cutting-edge stud design ensures unprecedented grip on ice and snow while simultaneously reducing road damage, making it more sustainable. Stud placement via Nokian’s SilentDrive tech reduces stud impact noise, while an interior foam layer minimizes road noise inside the vehicle for improved winter comfort.
Even the angles of the studs are carefully designed to optimize grip for better braking, accelerating and cornering. Plus, it’s a fuel-efficient winter tire with low rolling resistance and eco-friendly rubber that stays flexible at temps below zero.
Aramid reinforced sidewalls add ride support, boosted steering response and increased puncture resistance!
Also, it comes in an EV compatible version!
SHOP NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA 10 SUV TIRESMichelin X-Ice Snow SUV
The Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV is a must-mention on our list not only for its dependable winter grip, but also its unusual 40,000-mile warranty. Typically, winter tires don’t come with warranties, but the extra cherry on top is a warm winter welcome for many drivers!
This touring and performance winter tire from Michelin is all about safety, with an emphasis on stopping distance and driver confidence. For powerful traction, even in frigid weather, the X-Ice SUV utilizes cutting-edge technology such as Michelin’s Evergrip tread compound. This new compound boosts traction on both ice and snow for the life of your tire, and with full-depth siping and a wear-resistant tread design, you can expect a long service life.
This tire piles on the winter related features, including a V-shaped tread design for optimized bite, a Flex-Ice 2.0™ tread compound, two different siping styles and 3PMSF and M+S designations.
SHOP MICHELIN X-ICE SNOW SUV TIRESYokohama Iceguard G075
Not only is the Yokohama Iceguard G075 one of the best snow tires for SUVs, it’s also one of the most affordable!
It also comes in CUV, Jeep and light truck sizes and is an excellent option for drivers who want high-level winter performance without paying premium prices. Plus, its low rolling resistance boosts efficiency and helps you save at the gas pump.
Its directional tread design features 3D triple siping, zigzag circumferential grooves and a low-heat generating under-tread for competent capability in cold, wet and wintry conditions. A wide center rib increases contact with the road, whether it's crusted with snow or not. And its innovative tread compound enhances block stability for more traction and tire longevity.
This newer tire already has rave reviews, with one customer calling them a “game changer!”
SHOP YOKOHAMA ICEGUARD G075 TIRESCooper Discoverer Snow Claw Studdable
Like its name suggests, the Cooper Discoverer Snow Claw is designed to literally claw through snow. It’s another excellent budget option for your truck or SUV.
This light truck and SUV winter tire is a studdable option from Cooper that’s a great fit for most drivers, whether you need it for commuting to the office or for your next winter road trip.
Rumor is that this tire’s design is influenced by the snow leopard, a predator known for thriving in harsh winter climates and successfully maneuvering deep snowpack.
Cooper’s Snow-Groove tech traps snow in the tread, allowing for snow-on-snow traction, perfect for when Mother Nature dumps a foot or two in your neighborhood overnight. Its Winter Grip tread compound stays flexible under 45F so its weather features, like 3D siping that grip the road and reduce tread pattern squirm, keep working when you need them most.
This tire is also studdable, allowing you to add another layer of grip if the roads ice over.
SHOP COOPER DISCOVERER SNOW CLAW STUDDABLE TIRESIf you live in a region where winter is pretty mild, with only a few dips in temps and perhaps a dusting or two of snow at most, you may want to run your all-terrain tires year-round. Many drivers in such regions prefer to do this because it’s convenient and provides consistent performance from season to season.
If you opt to run your all-terrain tires through mild winters, we recommend choosing all-terrains that offer as much capability in foul weather as possible. All-terrain tires featuring the 3PMS symbol will be your best bet.
Our top two picks?
The BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2, a mainstay in the off-roading community with renowned, fierce all-terrain performance. It’s tough, with a reinforced construction and an aggressive tread pattern. BFGoodrich also recently released its successor, the KO3. It is now available in select sizes.
Plus, it’s also backed by the three-peak mountain snowflake severe weather designation (3PMSF), meaning it meets the Rubber Manufacturer Association’s requirements for performance in extreme winter conditions. It also boasts the M+S rating, AKA the mud and snow designation.
BFGoodrich’s signature Serrated Shoulder Design helps max out your grip in mud, snow and rocks (especially when aired down).
We can’t go without mentioning the Goodyear Wrangler UltraTerrain AT. This Discount Tire exclusive option also has a three-peak mountain snowflake severe weather designation. In-groove traction teeth bite into snow for additional traction during cold months via Goodyear’s TractiveGroove Technology. This tech is also great for mud and rocks!
While these tires won’t perform as well as a winter tire in sub-zero temps, deep snow or slick ice, they deliver beefed up winter weather capability with all the thrilling off-road elements you want from your AT tire.
Check out more all-terrain options in our blog on the best-all terrain tires for snow!
If you want to save time (and cash), you can always build your own truck/SUV winter tire and wheel package! Check out our picks for the best winter and wheel combos for inspiration.
WINTER TIRE AND WHEEL PACKAGESReady to roll?
Ready to tackle some fresh snow? We can get you taken care of. Walk-ins are always welcome but we encourage you to buy your products and make an appointment online first. Save some time and buy and book online!
Already have a set of winter tires that you need installed? No problem. Our winter tire changeover services are as smooth as ice!
SCHEDULE YOUR WINTER TIRE CHANGEOVERFeel free to call or drop in if you have more questions or need help finding the best snow tires for your truck.
For more information on this and other tire and wheel services, check out our YouTube Channel or reach out to us on X, Facebook and Instagram.