Best Snow Chains

Often on the road we have to face various difficulties – steep slippery climbs, mud and snow can significantly complicate the road. In such situations, snow chains become a salvation, allowing even a passenger car, like an off-road vehicle, to pass the most difficult parts of the way. In our article you will learn what are snow chains on wheels, how not to make a mistake when choosing and how to use them correctly.

Ranking the Brands: MICHELIN: 10.00%; Security Chain: 40.00%; EASE2U E: 10.00%; Glacier Chains: 10.00%; AUTOSOCK: 10.00%; Konig: 10.00%; TRACGRABBER: 10.00%

Comparison Table


	MICHELIN 008314 Snow Chains Easy Grip Evolution Group, 14, Set of 2	Peerless 0232105 Auto-Trac Light Truck/SUV Tire Traction Chain – Set of 2	Newest Snow Chains, Tire Chains for Suvs, Cars, Sedan, Family Automobiles,Heavy Trucks with Update Adjustable Lock for Ice, Snow,Mud,Sand,Applicable Tire Width 6.5-8.8in/165-224 mm (6PCS)	Security Chain Company QG2221 Quik Grip Light Truck LSH Tire Traction Chain – Set of 2	Security Chain Company SZ143 Super Z6 Cable Tire Chain for Passenger Cars, Pickups, and SUVs – Set of 2	Glacier 1042 Passenger Cable Tire Chain – Set of 2	AUTOSOCK 697 Size-697 Tire Chain Alternative	KONIG CB-12 090 Snow chains, set of 2	TRACGRABBER Tire Traction Device for Snow, Mud and Sand – for Trucks and Large SUVs, Set of 2 – Easy to Install, Get Unstuck Fast – A Snow Traction Mat or Snow Chain Alternative	Security Chain Company 1061556 Max Trac Snow Blower Garden Tractor Tire Chain
Manufacturer	Impex France	Peerless Chain	Ease2U Direct	Security Chain	Security Chain	Glacier Chains	AutoSock	Konig Distribution	TRACGRABBER	SCC
Brand	MICHELIN	Security Chain	EASE2U E	Security Chain	Security Chain	Glacier Chains	AUTOSOCK	Konig	TRACGRABBER	Security Chain
Item Weight	4.66 pounds	13.9 pounds	10.23 pounds	25 pounds	1 pounds	6.34 pounds	1.76 pounds	9 pounds	2.09 pounds	5 pounds
Product Dimensions	5.12 x 12.2 x 9.06 inches	11.8 x 11.7 x 3.3 inches	–	13.1 x 9.7 x 4.2 inches	7 x 4 x 18 inches	14.4 x 6.1 x 3.4 inches	0.04 x 0.04 x 0.04 inches	13 x 2.76 x 13 inches	10.25 x 5.5 x 4.25 inches	6.9 x 5 x 3.8 inches
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer	No	No	–	–	–	–	No	No	No	No
Size	–	Series 2300 – 232105	Tire 6.5-8.8in	–	SZ143	–	–	90	Truck/Large SUV – Set of 2	1060256 1060356 1060456 1060856 1061056 1061556 1061756 1061856 1062055 1062056 1062155 1062156 1062655 1062755 1062955 1062956 1063055 1063056 1063156 1063455 1063456 1063856 1063956 1065156 1065356 1061556

Products with 5 star rating

Product5 Stars Votes

MICHELIN 008314 Snow Chains Easy Grip Evolution Group, 14, Set of 2

86 (1.54%)

Peerless 0232105 Auto-Trac Light Truck/SUV Tire Traction Chain – Set of 2

1236 (22.09%)

Star rating: Newest Snow Chains, Tire Chains for Suvs, Cars, Sedan, Family Automobiles,Heavy Trucks with Update Adjustable Lock for Ice, Snow,Mud,Sand,Applicable Tire Width 6.5-8.8in/165-224 mm (6PCS): image

Newest Snow Chains, Tire Chains for Suvs, Cars, Sedan, Family Automobiles,Heavy Trucks with Update Adjustable Lock for Ice, Snow,Mud,Sand,Applicable Tire Width 6.5-8.8in/165-224 mm (6PCS)

130 (2.32%)

Security Chain Company QG2221 Quik Grip Light Truck LSH Tire Traction Chain – Set of 2

65 (1.16%)

Security Chain Company SZ143 Super Z6 Cable Tire Chain for Passenger Cars, Pickups, and SUVs – Set of 2

2111 (37.73%)

Glacier 1042 Passenger Cable Tire Chain – Set of 2

333 (5.95%)

AUTOSOCK 697 Size-697 Tire Chain Alternative

249 (4.45%)

KONIG CB-12 090 Snow chains, set of 2

272 (4.86%)

Star rating: TRACGRABBER Tire Traction Device for Snow, Mud and Sand – for Trucks and Large SUVs, Set of 2 – Easy to Install, Get Unstuck Fast – A Snow Traction Mat or Snow Chain Alternative: image

TRACGRABBER Tire Traction Device for Snow, Mud and Sand – for Trucks and Large SUVs, Set of 2 – Easy to Install, Get Unstuck Fast – A Snow Traction Mat or Snow Chain Alternative

498 (8.90%)

Security Chain Company 1061556 Max Trac Snow Blower Garden Tractor Tire Chain

615 (10.99%)

Best snow chains on wheels: Hands-On recommendations for selection and use

When to put snow chains on wheels

Snow chains, or traction chains, are installed on tires to achieve maximum traction when driving on snow and icy surfaces.

These anti-skid devices are usually sold in pairs, as they are put on the drive wheels of the car. In addition, when buying, it is extremely important to consider the size of the tires installed on your car, that is, their diameter and tread width.

A car equipped with snow chains has significantly increased fuel consumption, and its maximum speed is limited to 50 km/h. But all these disadvantages are compensated by really high cross-country ability.

Chains play the role of an additional removable tread. The fact is that the links have a small area of contact with the road surface, so the car presses on the ground much harder. Thus, the improved wheel literally "digs" into the ice, snow or soil and starts rowing like the blades of a water mill.

Advantages of snow chains on wheels

Specialists have repeatedly conducted tests of the operational efficiency of chains, here are some of the results of one of them. Due to the chains it is possible to increase the passability of the car by 3-4 times. According to experienced motorists, with the help of anti-skid devices, the car becomes similar, in its off-road properties, to a cross-country vehicle.

Summer tires with anti-skid devices get close to the winter studded rubber in their cross-country ability, yielding to it in braking on loose snow, but surpassing it in acceleration on ice. Polyurethane belts, unfortunately, cannot achieve such high results. Besides, their reliability leaves much to be desired.

Disadvantages of snow chains

Of course, such wheel equipment allows you to improve the passability of the car, but do not forget that it has a negative impact on the handling. In terms of cross-country ability, the car becomes similar to a tractor, its permissible speed is reduced. The vehicle becomes oversteerable. This means that before you go off-road, it is worth trying to drive the car in normal conditions.

You should not forget about the other disadvantages:

Increased tire wear;
Strong noise during driving.

What kinds of snow chains on wheels are there

All snow chains are conventionally divided into soft and hard. In the first case, there are plastic or rubber anti-skid devices between the cables stretched around the circumference of the wheel. Whereas the second uses a pattern with transverse intersections.

Classification of snow chains: image — Classification of snow chains

Peculiarities of vehicle operation with snow chains on wheels

If the car is equipped with anti-skid devices, its movement at high speeds is unacceptable. The manual for the use of such devices specifies the maximum speed within 30-50 km/h.

If it is exceeded, the driver will face serious consequences, including accidents. So, a tire can burst or a torn lock can catch on suspension elements, causing at least serious damage.

It is not allowed to exploit the thus equipped car on dry roads for a long time. Some companies-manufacturers forbid driving a car with chains on wheels on asphalt. The matter is that on dry roads such equipment considerably increases the length of braking distance.

If such a device is put on the wheels, you should refuse to sharply increase and decrease speed, any actions should be as possible more soft. Thanks to such tactics, you can save the tires and suspension of the car.

Tips and advices on YouTube

Safety First: 8 Steps to Installing Winter Tire Chains