6 Best Studded Snow Tires For Winter Driving (+Studdable Options)
One way to stay safe when driving in winter is to have studded snow tires on your vehicle.
Studs are lightweight, small metal spikes inserted across the tread of a winter tire. They dig straight into the ice and hold on tight.
The need for this is simple. When you need to turn, brake, or accelerate, your vehicle will not skid. They also reduce your vehicle’s braking distance.
How do you pick a studded snow tire? Well, it depends on your budget and preference. We’ve listed and reviewed six of the best options on the market. Without question, the budget-friendly Observe G3 by Toyo Tires tops our list.
Best Studded Snow Tires: Overview
If it’s your first time buying these, we recommend using “studdable” snow tires.
We included these options, too, because they have holes that allow you to fit them with TSMI #12 or #13 studs.
- Toyo Tires-Observe G3 Ice Studded — Best Overall Pick For Studded Snow Tires
- General Grabber Arctic LT — Premium Buy For Light Trucks
- Cooper Evolution Winter – Best for Heavy Loads During Winter
- Firestone Winterforce 2 – Upgraded winter performance and traction
- Falken WinterPeak F-ICE 1
- Hankook Winter iPike RS2 W429 — Great Value for Money
These days, winter tires are built with unique materials and siping (small cuts) that help them grip well in icy and snowy conditions. However, added studs consolidate the traction even more.
Take your time before choosing any options, though. In the next section, we’ll explain each type of winter studded tire in more detail, covering available sizes, prices, and features to help you make the best choice. You can buy the best studded winter tires and wheels with our wheels and tire packages at discouted wheels warehouse
Complete Review of the Best Studded Snow Tires
1. Toyo Tires-Observe G3 Ice Studded — Best Overall Pick
Alt: tread pattern view of toyo tires observe G3 ice studded tire
| Price range | $104 – $116 |
| Available sizes | 15 to 17 |
| Tire width | 185 to 255 |
| Aspect ratio | 55 to 70 |
Pros:
- Budget-friendly for a studded snow tire
- Staggered tread blocks maximize traction and handling.
- Super quiet
Cons:
- Not available in 20” and 21”
The Observe G3 Ice Studs are ideal and perform excellently in extreme winter.
The deep snow-block side helps maintain solid contact with the road, while multiple sipes improve traction, push out water, and clear away snow and debris.
This tire’s special high-silica compound keeps the tread blocks intact, and its micro bit technology uses crushed walnut shells to grip snow and ice better.
Wheel recommendation
Pair this tire with the Black Rhino Wheels for a rugged military-style look.
Models like Armory, Kelso, Barricade, Stadium, Barrage, Shredder, and Atlas often cater to trucks and off-road SUVs. Some lines come in 17″ options. Check each model’s specs for your bolt pattern and offset.
2. General Grabber Arctic LT — Premium Buy For Light Trucks
Alt: General Grabber Arctic LT snow tire
| Price range | $221 – $346 |
| Available sizes | 16 to 20 |
| Tire width | 225 to 275 |
| Aspect ratio | 65 to 75 |
Pros:
- Built to be durable with General’s Duragen technology
- Optional to install studs, where permitted
- Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certifications to validate usage under severe winter conditions.
Cons:
- The tires can be noisy, like most winter tires.
When splurging on durable winter tires, you must consider these General Grabber Arctic tires.
Apart from being studdable, they deliver great traction, braking confidence, and handling during winter conditions.
This one is built for light trucks, offering excellent handling on snowy and icy roads.
It uses a special winter compound that stays flexible, providing the best traction and stability in harsh winter conditions.
The tire’s dual center blocks improve grip and braking. With Duragen Technology, the Grabber Arctic LT is stronger and more durable.
Wheel Recommendation
Method Racing Wheels
Why They Work:
- Off-road performance heritage; popular in racing applications.
- Offer a variety of truck-friendly sizes (16″–20″) in multiple bolt patterns.
- Designed to handle rough terrain, which translates well to winter durability.
Recommended Model:
- Method Standard/Classic Off-Road Series (in 17″ or 18″)
- Known for tough construction, plus a protective finish that can handle road salt and winter elements.
- Load ratings often exceed 2,500 lbs. per wheel, which is ideal for most light trucks.
3. Cooper Evolution Winter – Best for Heavy Loads During Winter
Alt: Cooper Evolution Winter tires studdable
| Price range | $113 – $224 |
| Available sizes | 15 to 20 |
| Tire width | 185 to 265 |
| Aspect ratio | 45 to 75 |
Pros:
- Superb stability on snow-covered tracks
- Mid-range budget for such an optimized performance.
- Three Peak Mountain Snowflake-certified
- Can be studded, where permitted
- Mileage warranty of 45,000 miles
Cons:
- None so far
The Cooper Evolution Winter tire is an excellent choice if you’re looking for tires that provide incredible control in winter conditions.
It’s great for coupes, sedans, crossovers, and SUVs. The winter compound and directional tread pattern help with high-speed acceleration and braking on frozen surfaces.
Strong grooves around the tire provide excellent traction. The tire has a durable one-ply polyester casing and sizes from 15″ to 20″.
The deep tread, wide grooves, and open shoulder notches reduce the chance of hydroplaning.
4. Firestone Winterforce 2 – Upgraded winter performance and traction
Alt: Firestone Winterforce 2 Winter studdable tires
| Price range | $104 – $211 |
| Available sizes | 14 to 18 |
| Tire width | 175 to 235 |
| Aspect ratio | 40 to 75 |
Pros:
- Better traction, braking, and acceleration
- Great for occasional off-roading
Cons:
- Shorter lifespan due to too many miles of driving.
The Winterforce 2 is an upgraded version of the original Winterforce. What’s special? Better winter performance and traction.
It features a new tread design and improved compound technology, which gives it a superior grip on ice and snow, earning it the 3PMSF symbol.
The tire can also have optional TSMI #11 blue rubber-metallic for improved ice grip.
Deep grooves, wide notches, and open shoulder slots help clear slush and water, while the numerous tiny sipes provide extra gripping edges for better traction.
It has twin steel belts and a polyester casing for added durability.
5 Falken WinterPeak F-ICE 1
Alt: Falken WinterPeak F-ICE 1 winter studdable tires
| Price range | $112 – $229 |
| Available sizes | 15 to 20 |
| Tire width | 185 to 275 |
| Aspect ratio | 40 to 70 |
Pros:
- Will withstand the most intimidating winter conditions
- Low noise
- Studdable, where permitted
Cons:
- Not really an impressive traction in seasons other than winter
The Falken WinterPeak F-ICE 1 is perfect for Subaru Foresters, Toyota RAV4s, Honda Accords, and similar vehicles.
Designed for tough winter conditions, the Falken WinterPeak F-ICE 1 gives you an excellent grip on snow and ice.
The tire features 3-D Canyon Sipe Technology, which improves braking on icy roads.
You can even add TSMI #12 or #13 studs for a better grip on icy or snowy roads. The directional tread pattern, with curved grooves and wide shoulder openings, helps to clear snow and move water away for better handling.
6. Hankook Winter iPike RS2 W429 — Great Value for Money
Alt: Hankook Winter iPike RS2 W429 winter studdable tires
| Price range | $101 – $151 |
| Available sizes | 13 to 18 |
| Tire width | 175 to 235 |
| Aspect ratio | 45 to 70 |
Pros:
- Superior grip on ice
- Commendable snow handling
- Affordable
Cons:
- Underperforming on dry asphalt
- More ideal for passenger vehicles
The Winter iPike RS2 (W429) features unique claw edges and 3D sipe technology that boosts traction, grip, and handling.
Its zigzag winter grooves help clear snow and water from the tire, lowering the chance of hydroplaning.
The tire also includes an ultra-high-tensile steel belt, which makes it more resistant to punctures and enhances durability, which means a longer tread life.
You’ll be impressed with how well this tire performs on wet and snowy roads.
Comparing Studded vs. Non-studded Winter Tires
Think of it this way: Regular winter tires are great for cold, snowy conditions. But if you often drive on unplowed roads with heavy snow and ice, it’s better to use studded tires.
The difference is in the level of traction delivered. The similarity is that they are both ideal for winter driving.
Meanwhile, studded winter tires are the only type that can provide strong handling and stopping power on icy or hard-packed snow.
Getting studded tires or adding studs can cost more than regular winter tires, and because studs can damage road surfaces, some states ban them after specific dates.
So, studded winter tires are best for driving in extreme winter weather, such as icy and snowy backroads or country areas with limited snow plowing.
Best Supplier of Studded Snow Tires
Finding a reliable studded snow tire model is one thing; buying from a trustworthy supplier to ensure you get authentic products is another.
At Discounted Wheel Warehouse, we’re proud to be America’s go-to online shop for tires and wheels. You can browse our collection of the best snow tires to make choices.
With over 850+ brands, there’s more than enough variety to meet any budget. We guarantee the lowest prices + fast shipping on top-quality, authentic wheels and tires.
While our aftermarket tires are available in various styles, our built-in search tool can help you find the right wheel for your truck’s specifications and model.
FAQs
How long do studded snow tires last?
Studded snow tires can last around 3 to 4 winter seasons, depending on how often they’re used and road conditions. Regularly check the studs and tread to keep them in good shape.
What’s the best type of tire for snow?
Winter tires, especially those with deep tread and flexible rubber, such as studded or non-studded snow tires, are best for snowy conditions. They provide strong traction and grip on icy roads.
