Top 10 Best All Season Tires for Snow: What are the Options?

All-season tires are by far the most popular type in North America, and for multiple reasons. For once, they last much longer than both summer and winter tires, but crucially, they provide year-round traction. Or, that’s what manufacturers claim, at least.

See, while all-season tires are designed to tackle the summer heat and winter cold, they won’t do it as successfully as tires designed for those weather conditions.

Hence, a summer tire will always handle better in warm weather on dry and wet pavement, while winter tires will be much better on snow and ice.

But regardless, people are ready to sacrifice a bit of traction everywhere just to have the convenience of not replacing those tires twice each year.

Besides, having only one set of all-season tires is cheaper, as they also last longer. Still, most all-season tires can have real issues tackling wintry conditions. 

Some cheaper models are near dangerous on snow and ice, as they won’t stop on time and won’t turn into a corner. Having such disadvantages in the winter can prove costly, both in terms of money and human lives.

Fortunately, many tire makers are already on top of the issue, launching advanced all-season tires that can tackle snow and ice safely.

A set of winter tires will always be a better option, sure, but for most drivers, these top 10 best all season tires for snow will suffice, especially for those that don’t live in areas with very harsh wintry weather.

The tires I listed here are carefully chosen, and all work very well on light snow, which most North American drivers encounter in the winter.

I also included models for various types of vehicles, such as compact and mid-size cars, luxury sedans, high-performance sports cars, crossovers, SUVs, and trucks.

That way, everyone can find a set of tires that suits their model perfectly. So, let’s dig in!

Top 10 Best All Season Tires for Snow Available in 2024

1. Michelin CrossClimate 2

The CrossClimate 2 was designed from the ground up as a tire that will perform well in wintry conditions without sacrificing the dry and wet traction you’d expect from a Michelin tire.

It’s currently the most advanced all-season tire in terms of tread pattern, with a directional design with multiple tread blocks and 3D SipeLock technology.

Michelin’s ingenious tread design, coupled with the advanced Thermal Adaptive compound, creates wonders here.

The CrossClimate 2 is an excellent light-snow tire – there is no other way to put it. It even comes with the Severe Snow rating, which means it was tested for longitudinal traction on snow, and it certainly delivers with smooth acceleration and short stopping distances.

But the CrossClimate 2 goes beyond, as it performs very well in the corners. The handling feels very balanced, with only a hint of understeer when you enter the corner. Your vehicle will also be easy to control at the limit, as the tires gradually lose traction.

Finally, the CrossClimate 2 isn’t too bad on ice for the category, though still far off a proper winter tire.

And surprisingly, the CrossClimate 2 also performs at a very high level during the summer. The dry grip and traction are exceptional for an all-season rubber, and the handling feels very responsive, too.

Wet pavement is also something that Michelin’s most advanced all-season tire tackles with ease, as it provides short braking distances and balanced handling.

Really, the only downside of the CrossClimate 2 is the slightly harsher ride quality when compared to other premium all-season tires, but even then, it’s not too bad.

Oh, and it is also very expensive, but here, that’s justified, as this is the most advanced all-season tire ever produced.

2. Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack

If there is a tire that comes close to the abilities of the CrossClimate 2 and even surpasses it in some areas, it’s the Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack.

The Japanese tire has the upper hand on comfort, so anyone interested in a serene driving experience should give it a try.

It is quiet on most surfaces, even at higher speeds, and the ride quality is supple and composed.

And although the Turanza QuietTrack isn’t on the level of the Michelin in the winter, it’s not too far either. I am actually a big fan of how it handles on snow, as it feels balanced and easy to drive.

The turn-in is also very good, though the overall traction is lower than on the Michelin.

Still, in my testing, the braking and acceleration were sufficient for a safe drive on light snow. Not on the ice, though, but that’s true for most all-season tires.

The great thing about the Turanza QuietTrack is that it works excellently in other weather conditions.

Notably, it handles very precisely on dry pavement, with good handling at the limit and high lateral grip and short stopping distances.

The rain traction is also among the best in the category, so you can expect excellent handling and braking.

But the most attractive quality of the Turanza QuietTrack has to be the treadlife; owners of these tires are very satisfied with the longevity, and Bridgestone covers it with a generous 80,000-mile treadwear warranty.

3. Continental PureContact LS

Continental tires have always excelled in the winter, and the PureContact LS only adds to that.

The German company equipped its latest grand-touring all-season tire with +Silane additives, helping it perform at a very high level on slippery surfaces.

The tire also features siped shoulders and intermediate tread blocks to create additional biting edges on snow and ice.

As a result, you can expect very balanced handling on snow, with good behavior on the limit. This is a tire that’s very easy to drive on light snow, even for a novice driver.

Besides, the overall traction levels are among the best in the category, meaning the braking distances are short, and you’ll have no problem accelerating on snow.

The PureContact LS combines all of those things with exceptional behavior in rainy conditions. The hydroplaning resistance is excellent, the cornering grip is among the best in the category, and the longitudinal traction is simply exceptional.

The tire also behaves very well in the corners, providing balanced handling and a good on-the-limit manner.

Unsurprisingly, the PureContact LS drives very well on dry tarmac, with positive steering, good lateral grip, and strong braking.

That said, the ride can be a bit firm over sharp impacts, especially when compared to its direct premium rivals. Likewise, the tire isn’t noisy, but the competition is definitely quieter.

Still, those small niggles shouldn’t detract from the fact that the PureContact LS is an excellent all-season tire that also works well on light snow.

4. Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3

Pirelli rounds out the list of the best premium all-season tires on snow, offering balanced overall performance, the same as its main rivals.

The AS Plus 3 inherits a very successful range of all-season tires from the Italian brand, but this time it takes things up a notch when it comes to snow traction.

Namely, Pirelli equipped it with deep outboard sipes and zig-zag central sipes, along with a functionalized polymer compound for improved traction in freezing conditions.

As a result, the P7 AS Plus 3 is close to the CrossClimate 2 in snow traction.

Notably, it provides the driver with very short stopping distances and accelerates without any issue.

The handling is even more impressive, as the front tires can easily turn into the corner, and then it’s very easy to keep your vehicle balanced with small steering corrections. Ice traction isn’t as good, but still on par with the main rivals.

In true Pirelli fashion, the P7 AS Plus 3 handles dry conditions very well, with taut steering and solid lateral grip.

However, the longitudinal traction in the rain isn’t as impressive, resulting in longer stopping distances than its main rivals.

Pirelli’s all-season tire does handle well on wet tarmac, but again, the lateral grip is lower than what the rivals offer.

Fortunately, the P7 AS Plus 3 corrects its wet traction with exceptional comfort – it’s one of the quietest and smoothest tires, period.

It also comes with a long 70,000-mile treadwear warranty, adding to its appeal. Still, like most premium all-season tires, it is expensive.

5. Vredestein Quatrac Pro

The Vredestein Quatrac Pro is another all-season tire branded with the 3PMSF symbol. It also features a tread design that’s similar to a winter tire, with high-density zig-zag sipes, which provide additional biting edges.

Moreover, the compound features high silica content for better traction in freezing conditions.

As a result, the Quatrac Pro provides excellent light snow traction. It handles better than most all-season tires on snow and needs less distance to stop. You also won’t have trouble accelerating, even in deeper snow.

And the best thing about this tire is that it combines strong performance on snow with outstanding on-road manners, both on dry and wet roads.

And to top all that, the Quatrac Pro is also a supremely comfortable tire. The ride is soft and deals with most bumps with ease, and there is almost no noise coming from the tread. Impressive for a tire with that many sipes on the tread blocks.

That said, the Quatrac Pro has a lower treadlife than the competition and only comes with a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty.

6. Firestone WeatherGrip

The Firestone WeatherGrip is a low-cost tire with a Severe Snow (3PMSF) rating, meaning it was tested for higher longitudinal traction on snow.

Indeed, the WeatherGrip accelerates and stops on snow better than most tires – it’s even comparable to the CrossClimate 2, at a fraction of the cost.

It also handles very well in the corners, with a high lateral grip and balanced behavior. The tire is even good on ice and can successfully churn through deeper snow.

Still, since the tread pattern looks like it came from a winter tire, the dry and wet traction are worse than what the premium rivals offer.

Notably, the lateral grip in the dry is lower, and it’s the same with the overall wet traction.

You’ll also hear slightly more noise at higher speeds, though the ride quality is superb.

The WeatherGrip comes with a 65,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is excellent for the price.

7. Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4

The Pilot Sport All Season 4 is the first ultra-high-performance tire on this list, meant for drivers of performance sedans and sports cars.

This is a tire that delivers in most areas and even works well on light snow, with good traction and balanced handling.

Obviously, the Pilot Sport All Season 4 is very sharp on dry pavement and provides exceptional traction and grip, and works well in the rain, too.

Michelin even managed to make it durable, providing a good 45,000-mile treadwear warranty.

The Pilot Sport has its downsides, though – it’s not very comfortable over bumps and can be noisy on some surfaces.

8. Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus

Continental’s ExtremeContact family just got a new model – the DWS 06 Plus. The non-plus model was already an excellent tire, but the German tiremaker still thought it needed improving.

The new model provides better overall winter performance, with good acceleration and braking traction, and balanced handling

The DWS 06 Plus also impresses on dry and wet roads, where it provides exceptional traction and outstanding lateral grip.

It’s also very comfortable for a performance tire, with a smooth ride over most surfaces and noise-free rolling.

If there is one thing where I’d love to see improvement is the steering, which isn’t as engaging as what the rivals offer.

On a more positive note, the tire comes with a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty – excellent for a performance tire.

9. Continental CrossContact LX25

The CrossContact LX25 is the German brand’s tire designed for crossovers and SUVs, and just like the PureContact LS, it’s impressive in almost every aspect.

Thus, you can expect excellent year-round traction, including light snow, dry tarmac, and rainy conditions. It’s actually the most balanced all-season tire for crossovers and SUVs.

Moreover, the CrossContact LX25 has outstanding treadlife and comes with a 70,000-mile or 65,000-mile treadwear warranty, depending on the size and speed rating.

That said, while it is quiet on most surfaces, the CrossContact LX25 isn’t as smooth as its rivals on broken pavement.

10. Michelin Agilis CrossClimate

Thought I’d forget drivers of trucks and commercial vehicles? The Agilis CrossClimate takes everything that’s good with the CrossClimate 2 and puts it in a tough and durable casing, making it suitable for heavy-duty vehicles.

It’s an expensive tire, sure, but it’s the only commercial-grade product that works well year-round.

The Agilis CrossClimate provides excellent traction on dry, wet, and snowy surfaces while also delivering in the comfort department.

It’s easily the leader in the highway all-season category right now.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

• What types of all-season tires exist?

All-season tires come in various types. Most varieties are divided according to the speed ratings, i.e., the road-holding performance they provide.

They start with passenger all-season tires, designed for subcompact and compact cars, followed by touring and grand-touring (compact and mid-size cars), and high-performance and ultra-high-performance all-season tires for faster sedans and coupes.

Meanwhile, owners of crossovers, SUVs, and trucks can pick between standard touring all-season tires (compact and mid-size crossovers/SUVs) and highway tires (mid-size and large SUVs and trucks), and Street/Sport all-season tires (performance SUVs and trucks).

When choosing an all-season tire for your vehicle, you’ll need to ensure that the dimensions, speed rating, and load rating fit your vehicle (or are similar to the original OEM tires).

• Do all-season tires work in harsh wintry conditions?

All-season tires are designed to provide you with good traction on light snow, but they won’t replace a proper winter tire in deep snow or over ice.

Even all-season tires rated with the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol won’t provide traction at the level of a winter/snow tire.

Hence, if you live in areas with very harsh wintry conditions, I recommend going for a set of winter tires for your vehicle and having your all-season tires ready for the spring, summer, and fall.

• Does every all-season tire come with a Severe Snow Rating (3PMSF symbol)?

Most all-season tires only have the M+S (mud + snow) symbol on the sidewall, but recently a few models have emerged with a Severe Snow Rating 3PMSF symbol.

This means that they were officially tested for a higher level of longitudinal traction over light snow (acceleration and braking).

However, the Severe Snow Rating doesn’t cover lateral grip.

• Is there a difference between all-weather and all-season tires?

They largely fall under the same category, but there are certain differences. For instance, most “all-weather” tires come with the 3PMSF symbol, meaning they offer better overall winter traction. 

In other words, they are closer to a winter tire in the way they are designed rather than a summer tire.

However, this also means that most of them will suffer in warmer conditions when compared to a regular all-season tire.

• What is the shallowest tread depth for good snow traction with an all-season tire?

It is generally accepted that the shallowest tread depth for successful light snow traction is 5/32-inch (4 mm), which is why that’s the lowest legal tread depth in many places during the winter.

Nonetheless, not all tires will perform similarly at that tread depth – a winter tire will be way better than an all-season one.

Hence, in my experience with all-season tires, you should add a few mm to ensure safety in wintry conditions. So, let’s say that 6/32-inch tread depth should be the minimum.

Conclusion

So, there it is, guys and girls, the best all season tires for snow! All of the tires listed in this article are proven to work well in the winter, with good longitudinal and lateral traction. 

Still, I’d always recommend going for a set of proper winter tires for those that live in areas with very harsh wintry conditions and encounter deep snow and ice on a daily basis.

Also, you should always ensure that your tires have enough tread depth left before the winter starts, or you’ll risk your safety, but also the safety of your family and other traffic participants!