Winter Tires

[dpoker52]

I have a 2021 Sahara that came stock with Goodyear Wrangler A/T 255/70R18 tires. I live in Colorado and ski quite a bit and head out in big snow storms regularly to hit the slopes, so am driving in challenging(fun) winter conditions frequently. I have read reviews on my stock tires and they look like they will perform pretty good, but I am posting to see if there is a good tire to upgrade to specifically for deep snow, icy and slushy highways, and overall good winter performance. I do not have a lift installed and would probably get a 33" tire. I appreciate any opinions or advice anyone has on good winter tires.

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[GTCS302]

Are you looking to go full blown winter tires or an all terrain that performs well in the snow? If it’s the latter, then the KO2’s fit the bill. I have a ‘17 Big Bear that came with 265/70/17 KO2’s and they performed great in the snow. Now granted, Long Island is not the same as Colorado when it comes to snow.

 

[dpoker52]

Are you looking to go full blown winter tires or an all terrain that performs well in the snow? If it’s the latter, then the KO2’s fit the bill. I have a ‘17 Big Bear that came with 265/70/17 KO2’s and they performed great in the snow. Now granted, Long Island is not the same as Colorado when it comes to snow.

My jeep is a daily driver, so all terrain that performs well in the snow. My normal routine when skiing is driving through snow storms to get to the mountain, and driving home on tracked out slushy highways. Thanks for the advice, it looks like I can't go wrong with the KO2's.

FYI - I grew up in NYC and lived in Vermont for a few years before heading to Colorado. We get more snow in CO, but we also get a lot of sun and mild temperatures, so the roads melt off pretty quick. I remember the roads in the east staying icy for days/weeks. Not sure why, but we never get freezing rain out here either.

 

[Reinen]

I'm in Utah, very similar conditions to CO. I'm very familiar with VT as well. Frankly, I find KO2's to be merely passable. You still need to be very careful with them, especially on the winding steep mountain roads of the Rockies. It's not difficult to push them beyond their capabilities. I've gotten through one Wasatch winter with them and I am not doing it again. Although they are 3PMSF rated and on the better end of the AT tire spectrum, they do not compare to a dedicated winter tire. On my AWD I only use Blizzaks. They're excellent but they don't come in 33's.

You can find the following winter tires in 285/70-R17 (33's):

• Nokian Hakkapeliittas LT3
  From Finland, the inventor of winter tires and the European gold standard for winter tires.
• Cooper Discoverer Snow Claw
  A new tire that so far hasn't had much independent testing yet. However personal reviews are good.

Edit: Blizzak LTs are made in a 33 but you need to swap to an 18" wheel. (275/70-R18)

 

[JasonInDLH]

I have a 2021 Sahara that came stock with Goodyear Wrangler A/T 255/70R18 tires. I live in Colorado and ski quite a bit and head out in big snow storms regularly to hit the slopes, so am driving in challenging(fun) winter conditions frequently. I have read reviews on my stock tires and they look like they will perform pretty good, but I am posting to see if there is a good tire to upgrade to specifically for deep snow, icy and slushy highways, and overall good winter performance. I do not have a lift installed and would probably get a 33" tire. I appreciate any opinions or advice anyone has on good winter tires.

Might want to check out Goodyear Wrangler DuraTracs. They’re an AllTerrain, but with the added benefit of having the Severe Winter rating (which I believe the KO2’s do not. EDIT: KO2’s are winter rated). I’ve had them on my Yukon for years with great success. “All the plow trucks use them” in my city according to the @Discount Tire here.

Wife has Blizzaks on her Yukon and they are awesome in the winter!

 

[CWRUYOTE]

Might want to check out Goodyear Wrangler DuraTracs. They’re an AllTerrain, but with the added benefit of having the Severe Winter rating (which I believe the KO2’s do not). I’ve had them on my Yukon for years with great success. “All the plow trucks use them” in my city according to the @Discount Tire here.

Wife has Blizzaks on her Yukon and they are awesome in the winter!

BFG KO2s are 3PMSF (severe snow service-rated):
https://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/auto/tires/all-terrain-t-a-ko2

 

[JasonInDLH]

BFG KO2s are 3PMSF (severe snow service-rated):
https://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/auto/tires/all-terrain-t-a-ko2

Nice! I didn’t realize that! Thanks for sharing!

 

[LarryB]

I live in “Colorado North” and visit similar terrain. I did not like those tires when I went to the mountains, but they were fine around town.

No AT, despite what people say, will hold up in rough winter conditions like a good dedicated winter tire. Not so much on snow, but the grip on ice and in extreme cold weather is just so much better on winters.

However, I think most good ATs will get you around if you drive smartly. I use Yokohama, but the Ko2 suggestion earlier would be a great choice. Many people here also use Goodyear Duratracs with success.

 

[LarryB]

I'm in Utah, very similar conditions to CO. I'm very familiar with VT as well. Frankly, I find KO2's to be merely passable. You still need to be very careful with them, especially on the winding steep mountain roads of the Rockies. It's not difficult to push them beyond their capabilities. I've gotten through one Wasatch winter with them and I am not doing it again. Although they are 3PMSF rated and on the better end of the AT tire spectrum, they do not compare to a dedicated winter tire. On my AWD I only use Blizzaks. They're excellent but they don't come in 33's.

You can find the following winter tires in 285/70-R17 (33's):

• Nokian Hakkapeliittas LT3
  From Finland, the inventor of winter tires and the European gold standard for winter tires.
• Cooper Discoverer Snow Claw
  A new tire that so far hasn't had much independent testing yet. However personal reviews are good.

Edit: Blizzak LTs are made in a 33 but you need to swap to an 18" wheel. (275/70-R18)

Nokian makes an awesome winter tire. All I will put on my wife’s car.

 

[Reinen]

Nokian makes an awesome winter tire. All I will put on my wife’s car.

Good to hear. I've always been using Blizzaks but to get them in 33's or 34's I'd need to switch to 18" wheels. So I'm trying the Nokian Hakkaprliittas LT3 this winter.

 

[Sholmberg0311]

Ive run the falken wildpeak at3w in the snow and they are great

 

[LarryB]

Good to hear. I've always been using Blizzaks but to get them in 33's or 34's I'd need to switch to 18" wheels. So I'm trying the Nokian Hakkaprliittas LT3 this winter.

My wife has a CX-5, which does have AWD. We were coming down a very sleep incline when a truck spun out and blocked the lane. A number of cars were unable to stop, due to the decline and slid into the fallen truck. She had no issue with traction and pulled over easily to safety. You’ll love them the first time you hit a snow storm …

 

[LarryB]

Ive run the falken wildpeak at3w in the snow and they are great

Very popular in the oil patch where guys simply need to get through whatever is in front of them in the winter.

 

[Weatherman]

I run the Falken Wildpeak AT3W as my summer tire on my Silverado and just bought a new Rubicon 4xe last winter. I got a couple April storms in with the KO2's, and have run the AT3W's in the snow during shoulder seasons.

I think both A/T's would be sufficient if you lived somewhere flat, but I won't rely on them here in the mountains. When you're headed downhill around a curve, a dedicated snow tire is much more confidence inspiring. I've run both the Michelin X-Ice and Nokian Hakkapelitta on my truck and was happy with both.

I'm still on the fence about ordering snows for my Rubicon, but only because I can run the truck when it gets heavy. Someone asked about what vehicle handles better in the snow compared to the Jeep? My Silverado -- hands down. The long wheel base is a big advantage in the snow, and the rear locker is automatic.

 

[jhackathorne]

Very popular in the oil patch where guys simply need to get through whatever is in front of them in the winter.

I had KO2's on my prior JK and was overall happy, except in slush they were not great despite the snow rating. I am running the Falken AT3W now as they had great reviews from near everyone. They use a different compound to make them better in snow. Short of a dedicated snow tire, I think they are about as good as it gets.

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