Can Studless Tires Handle Canadian Winters?

Discussions surrounding winter tires always stir up a storm (pardon our winter jokes). With so many reputable brands on the market, it can be hard to know which set of winter tires are right for your truck. One of the most famous age-old debates is the studless tires or studded tires. Visually, studded winter tires have literal metal studs embedded in the rubber tread. Basically, it’s the same argument as whether or not having pierced or unpierced ears will get in the way of your winter toque’s job to keep you warm. Both versions of winter tires are composed of the necessary materials and design to combat ice, snow, slush and all of the other debris Torontonians are all-too familiar with this time of year. To put rumors to rest, we’ve outlined the differences of both studded and studless tires so you can see the pros and cons of each.

Studded snow tires have small and sturdy pieces of metal embedded in the tires themselves. They are designed to dig into ice, which provides significant traction as a result. Studded tires are generally reserved for those who live in isolated or rural areas where regular snow plow maintenance might not be a recurring process. If you’re driving on unsalted roads, like back roads or unpaved dirt roads, studded tires are a great choice. The metal pieces are so strong that they can actually damage the pavement below, so if ice is not a factor, you can probably go without. People who live near the coast, for example in the Maritimes, generally opt for studded tires. This is because the wetter climate and ocean spray often coats the roadways and freezes overnight. If you live in suburban Ontario, you will get by just fine without studded tires, but if you live in a more rural town where winter maintenance isn’t always regular, choose studded.

What Are Studless Tires?

Unlike studded tires, studless tires rely solely on the work of solid engineering to produce a sturdy tire with plenty of traction and grip to get you through the winter. Advances in rubber compounds, tread designs and other recent technologies all contribute to studless tires. In colder temperatures below seven degrees Celsius, general tires will stiffen and potentially crack. This makes them unequipped to handle winter’s icy and snowy roads. Without snow tires, you’re at risk of a serious accident or getting stuck on the side of the road. Modern studless tires can maintain flexibility in freezing temperatures which in turn, allows your tires to maintain traction on cold pavement, ice, snow, and wet pavement from slush, sleet or rain. The tread depth on studless winter tires is generally much deeper than on summer or all-season tires which prevents debris from clogging up in your wheels. Another key feature on studless tires are the tiny slits in the tread pattern, which are called sipes. These tiny tears help with acceleration, deceleration and stopping on compromising road surfaces.

While there’s no right or wrong answer for which winter tires you choose, it really depends on your driving environment. If you’re more of a city dweller, and if you take public transit every now and then, studless tires will do you just fine. However, if you live in a smaller town or frequently make trips up north, those studded tires might be best. Want more information on how to select the best winter tires? Give us a call today at 1-(877) 650-6296. Need help installing your new tires? Schedule a service appointment with our technicians and get the job done fast!

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