With the snow and ice on the roads, how do you stop your car tyres from slipping on the ice? This review of Snow socks for tires shows fabric snow chains provide a quick, easy to fit alternative to snow chains and mean that you don't have to swap to winter tyres.
What are Snow Socks?
Snow socks are textile 'socks' which you slip over the driving wheels on cars or light commercials. On 4x4 cars, you put the snow socks over the front tyres. These fabric snow chains provide grip on icy roads. There's only one possible way to fit them, so no practice is needed. Snow socks for tires are reusable time and again and take up minimal space in the car.
How do Snow Socks work?
Snow and ice sticks to fabric, which is why many people still put woolly socks over their shoes when walking on ice or snow. The specially developed textile on a snow sock "wicks away" any water that's found between the ground and the tyre, (generated e.g. by the warmth of the sun, or wheel spin), improving the dry friction grip. The textile also has an unusual weave which maximises the friction contact with the ground.
Are Snow Socks Any Good?
If you want to see if snow socks are any good, review the snow socks video below.
Snow socks test on car tyres give grip on snow and ice
Snow Chains Vs Textile Snow Socks
So, which should you buy - snow chains or snow socks? If you are going to be driving where there is a constant amount of snow and ice, then you would be best to go for snow chains. If you are driving on a skiing holiday, you should use snow chains as they are a legal requirement in most of the skiing resorts. Check before you go.
Where there is only snow now and then, such as in the UK and Western Europe, you may prefer to buy snow socks for your tires.. You can buy Autosock or Multi-Grip snow socks for cars. AutoSock provide an ideal "Get me Home" or "Get me to that meeting" solution. They work well in wet snow conditions and are therefore particularly appropriate for the UK where snowfall is sporadic and few people use winter tyres. Even 4 x 4s usually have wide tyres which are wholly unsuited to winter driving. The good news is that AutoSock have been shown by the TÜV to be more effective than winter tyres, with the further benefit that you only fit them when you need them.
Snow socks are good for cars with limited clearance around the wheels as there is nothing that will rub the back of the tyre. Fitting a snow sock is also easier than snow chains as there is nothing to adjust and they automatically self center as you drive. Since there is no metal chain in contact with the road, snow socks are totally smooth running with absolutely no vibrations or noise being apparent.
IMPORTANT: Snow socks should be removed once you get your car back onto tarmac, otherwise the fabric of the snow sock will soon get worn.
Buy Snow Socks for Grip in the Snow and Ice
When you've had the opportunity to test snow socks for tyres, you'll make sure you have a set in your boot in snowy weather. Most people are not only surprised but astonished at the difference fabric snow socks make to general traction, cornering, and braking.
Ice grips for shoes - If you want to also stop slipping about on ice and snow while out walking, get yourself some clever spikes that clip onto your shoes for instant grip.
Folding Snow Shovel for the Car - If you need to dig your car out of the snow, make sure you have a folding snow shovel in your car.
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