I know it's early in the year but I need to replace my used up winter tires (low mileage, 9 year old Cooper Arctic Claws) which performed just OK IMO. I use Michelin LTX M&S for the other three seasons and I love them for their handling and longevity.

I live in the Mid-West Ontario Canada snowbelt and during winter (late Nov to March'ish) , we get everything from wet heavy snowstorms to light powder dumps to freezing rain storms. The snow usually stays when it comes and the Spring freeze/thaw cycles can mess things up pretty good.

Our winter temps are generally at and a little below freezing (32* to 0* Fahrenheit) with the very rare time we might get down to a really cold -40 degrees windchill (the same in Celius or Fahrenheit). No studs allowed where I live!

We also have our share of slush, wet heavy snow on the roads to contend with ... especially in the Spring breakup. Our roads are relatively flat (no real hills or mountains in our parts). Our main roads get plowed quickly but secondary and residential streets can take an extra day or two after a big storm. On our small street, it can be up to 3 days before we see the plows after a big storm. We talking about 97% asphalt driving, 3% occasional gravel roads and no off-roading.

I want:

1. a dedicated mountain snowflake (severe service) rated winter tire;
2. the best, premium, dedicated winter tires;
3. the best performers in heavy, slushy snow and on frozen (black) ice;
4. an "E" load rated light truck tire;
5. one that wears well (realize winter compounds are softer) and;
6. a confidence inspiring tire (and noise is not a consideration for me).

FYI - I run Nokian Hakka's SUVR2's on our compact CUV and they are the absolute best preforming winter tire available for that vehicle. Unfortunately they are not suitable for use as a LT tire on our heavy F250.

Love to hear what you think fits my bill ... I'm all ears ... er eyes. ~ BugJR ~

 

I am running Michelin LTX MS/2 tires on both my trucks and live in Pennsylvania. We don't get the snow you do however we do get at least one dumping each winter.

 

I use Cooper M&S studded for my daily driver and Goodyear Duratrac studded for my plow truck

The Coopers are better for daily road (my opinion) because they have more siping and seem to be softer than the Duratracs. They don't tend to slip around as much when I'm on hard packed risds (turning snd stopping)

 

Nokian Hakka lt2 Depending on what size

 

About ten years ago I bought a set of Michelin LTX MS/2 tires for my old Bronco. It doesn't snow where I live, but over Donner summit in the winter is another story altogether. At that time I was doing a lot of driving back & forth to Reno and I needed new tires anyway, so I got a set of these.

WOW. I was really impressed how they handled in the snow. The first time I took it over the summit the weather was pretty bad and they had chain control for 2wd vehicles. Since it's a 4x4 I didn't need chains, but since I had the Michelins, I didn't even need the 4x4. I didn't engage it once (the hubs were locked). Other cars were slipping and sliding all over the hard-packed snow surface. I just kept a steady 25 mph and I don't think it slipped once.

If there's a better truck tire in the snow, I'd like to try it out.

 

Any all season tire should get you going when the weather gets bad. Its the stopping capability that is important in snow and ice. Nokians are developed in finland. They were also the first company to make a dedicated snow tire. Nokian has over 100 years of experience in making snow tires. They know a few things about making snow tires.

 

I live in WI and we get a pretty decent amount of winter weather every year. E rated Goodyear Duratrac is the best tire I've found. The torque of a diesel tends to make them spin easier on a light rain day but it handles light to heavy snow very well and without studs they handle ice ok. If you can run studs and anticipate ice that's the route I would take

 

I was impressed by the Revo 2 tires overall for all-season use, including dealing with "Sierra Cement" on winter ski vacations. Also had some Clack-n-go chains for climbing icy hills and driveways, put them on for the trouble spot, remove them for the road.

Better than that? Never needed it, but your conditions sound harsher than what I was in. For black ice, I want studs; I don't like running chains all the time. So that brings us back to the dedicated (studded) winter tire I never needed since I was not in your conditions.

 

I also live in Ontario....Central Ontario snow belt area so I know those conditions well unfortunately lol. I drive an 08 f250 and last year I put on Cooper AT/W tires from Canadian tire.......they are winter (snowflake symbol rated), E load rated for our trucks....as well as all season capable with I think 85,000 km mileage rating. These tires have an aggressive tread pattern with lots of siping and aren't overly pricey either. Winter traction on snow and ice is great I thought.....truck felt very firm footed in all conditions. Road noise isn't loud considering the aggressive tread patter either.

 

I've looked at these tires. The tread looks similar to my current Cooper Arctic Claw xsi tires. They are fine ... nowhere near the Hakka's snow and ice handling capability. I'm thinking the newer Cooper at/w's are likely a step up from in terms of design and engineering. I do like their price point ... especially when on sale.

 

I've used Blizzak's on my trucks for years. they work so well, I leave them on year round since they skid so much less unloaded in the wet.