evening all,

thought i would put up a quick poll to see what the general consensus would be in a vote of Snow Socks Vs Chains for your car. I have never have to use either (luckily) but thought that a little step on the side of caution wouldn't hurt. What are the pro's and cons for each, has anyone ever used the snow socks etc

All the best

A

I have a second set of wheels with winter tyres to go onto my GTM Libra not used them before but hoping that it will make the car more shore footed through the winter months.
Matty

My tintop has a set of Goodyear Ultragrip 7 on spare wheels ready to go. I used them for a few weeks last winter, and they still look brand new so I suspect they're going to last for quite a few years.

With regards to your original poll, snow chains can't be used on UK roads as far as I know, they damage the road surface. You should only use them on proper snow covered roads, since our councils are obsessed with salt we just get miles of potholes in spring instead.

[Edited on 3/11/12 by Slimy38]

It depend entirely on what you intend to use them for! As a quick 'get you home through a bit of snow' solution, buy the socks. If you're wanting to get through deeper snow, get chains. If you want to go playing, get a set of bobbly snow tyres!
Socks are more forgiving whilst travelling a few yards between the snowy patches but you're tempted to drive faster!

FWIW, I have a set of snow tyres for each vehicle and a set of snow 'shoes(?)' for them too. The 'shoes' have elasticated sides but hard rubbery treads with metal studs in. Plus all three of my current daily drivers are 4x4...!!

Got a set of Dunlop Wintersport M3d to go onto the bora on Monday, shovel, towrope, walking boots, heavy jacket and sleeping bag in the boot.

Get snow tyres, socks are ok but a clart to put on and take off. Chains are not needed.


When I lived in the depths of Northumberland, I used my chains when I went into Keilder logging, and took them off to drive on road. UK roads arent often totally covered in snow.

I had a 1.7d Cavalier on 165x13 Colway remould M&S - It never got stuck .

Neither, get a mountain bike - it's so much more fun



ATB

Simon

One of our cars has a set of socks in the boot, one has a pair of cheap winter tyres RFU on a spare steel rims. and the the spare car has chains.

Chains are bad enough to fit in the driveway try fitting them in the cold and dark in the snow, if you do buy snow chains get Michelin Easy Grip although they are not as heavy duty or aggressively knobbly as other types they are less heath-robinson hence much easier to fit.

Socks do work but they are a get you home solution rather something I would choose to depend on if I lived halfway up a mountain in the back of beyond.

Winter tyres are a good idea if you have a car that takes a popular (cheaper) tyre size .

An interesting thing I noticed last winter cheap budget tyres work better in the snow than big name tyres .....

I'll be doing jack all again, as if it snows enough in Warrington for me to be stuck the rest of you are screwed!