10 Best Winter Tires for Pickup Trucks: Expert-Recommended

1. Adjustable Snow Chains for Car, SUV, and Pickup Trucks for Emergency Anti-Skid Traction

These are the ultimate emergency snow chains for when you’re facing deep snow or sheer ice and need maximum traction. They are built like a tank and designed to get your heavy pickup truck moving when nothing else will.

Key Features That Stand Out

✓ Double tiger claw design with reinforced anti-skid teeth for superior ice breaking.
✓ Made from durable manganese steel alloy for extreme toughness.
✓ Features 7.5-inch widened chains for optimal tire coverage.
✓ Engineered to perform in extreme cold, down to -50°C.
✓ Includes a ratchet system for secure and adjustable installation.

Why We Recommend It

We chose this as our Best Choice because it’s a no-compromise solution for severe conditions. The build quality is exceptional, and the design focuses on delivering raw, reliable traction for a pickup truck’s weight and power. It’s a set-and-forget safety net for winter driving.

Best For

Pickup truck owners who face extreme winter conditions, live in rural or mountainous areas, and need a reliable, heavy-duty traction device for emergencies or regular severe weather driving.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Extremely durable and robust construction.
• Provides exceptional grip on ice and deep snow.
• Ratchet system allows for a tight, secure fit.
• Designed to withstand ultra-low temperatures.

Cons:

• Heavier and more involved to install than simpler traction aids.
• Must be removed when driving on clear pavement.
• Higher price point than basic chains or socks.

Customer Reviews

Customer Review: “Very heavy duty chains that are real easy to install. These have a heavy duty ratchet strap on one side and the ratchet on the other end. Loop the nylon belt through the wheel and ratchet it tight… It says to check tension after 100 yards and 1 hr.”

Customer Review: “Have not tested them on the road yet. Will review again once we get significant snowfall. So far, they appear to be durable enough to handle the recommended 25mph max speed. They are very easy and simple to install.”

2. Firestone Winterforce 2 UV Studdable Winter and Snow Tire

The Firestone Winterforce 2 is a classic, reliable winter tire that delivers proven performance season after season. Its studdable design means you can add ice studs for maximum grip on glare ice, making it a versatile choice.

Key Features That Stand Out

✓ A dedicated winter and snow tire with a severe snow service rating.
✓ Studdable design allows for added ice traction if local laws permit.
✓ Durable tread compound resorts wear for long-lasting performance.
✓ Aggressive tread pattern designed to bite into snow and slush.
✓ Built to handle the weight and demands of trucks and SUVs.

Why We Recommend It

This is our Editor’s Choice for a full-size winter tire because it offers a perfect balance of performance, durability, and value. Firestone has a great reputation, and the Winterforce 2 is a workhorse that won’t let you down in snow and cold weather.

Best For

Truck owners who want a trusted brand name tire for seasonal changeovers, those who drive in mixed winter conditions (snow, ice, cold dry roads), and anyone considering studs for extreme ice.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Excellent snow and slush traction from a reputable brand.
• Studdable option provides flexibility for icy conditions.
• Good tread life for a winter tire.
• Provides a stable, confident feel on cold pavement.

Cons:

• Tread pattern can be slightly noisier than some touring winter tires.
• Ice performance without studs is good, but not class-leading.

Customer Reviews

Customer Review: “Tires work great! Had them studded for better grip. Would buy again!”

Customer Review: “Tires work great! Had them studded for better grip. Would buy again!”

3. Armstrong Ski-Trac S Winter Touring Radial Tire

If you need a capable winter tire for your truck without breaking the bank, the Armstrong Ski-Trac S is a fantastic option. It delivers solid winter performance at a price that makes seasonal tire swaps much more affordable.

Key Features That Stand Out

✓ A winter touring radial tire designed for a smooth, quiet ride.
✓ Features a winter-optimized tread compound that stays flexible in the cold.
✓ Tread design with biting edges and sipes for snow and ice traction.
✓ Offers good value compared to premium brand winter tires.
✓ Available in sizes for many popular trucks and SUVs.

Why We Recommend It

We award it Best Budget because it proves you don’t have to spend a fortune to get safe winter traction. For drivers who face moderate winter conditions and want a dependable, cost-effective tire, the Ski-Trac S over-delivers for its price point.

Best For

Budget-conscious truck owners, those with secondary vehicles, or anyone who needs a reliable winter tire for mostly plowed roads and light to moderate snowfall.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Excellent value for money.
• Provides a comfortable and quiet ride for a winter tire.
• Good traction in snow and on cold wet roads.
• Reliable performance for typical winter commuting.

Cons:

• May not have the ultimate ice grip of more expensive competitors.
• Brand is less well-known than top-tier manufacturers.

Customer Reviews

Customer Review: “Ride smooth. So far seem like good tires. Will update in future. But, I’m happy and love the style.”

Customer Review: “I bought these with some reservations… and am pleasantly surprised… They have excellent winter traction and are wearing very well.”

4. Armstrong Ski-Trac HP Winter Performance Radial Tire

For truck owners who want sharper handling along with winter safety, the Ski-Trac HP is a performance-oriented winter tire. It’s designed to give you better feedback and control on cold, dry roads while still biting into snow.

Key Features That Stand Out

✓ A winter performance radial tire for enhanced dry and wet handling.
✓ Stiffer sidewalls and tread block design for improved steering response.
✓ Aggressive siping and tread pattern for winter traction.
✓ Focuses on driver control and confidence in varied cold-weather conditions.
✓ A great mid-point between a touring winter tire and a summer performance tire.

Why We Recommend It

If your pickup is your daily driver and you enjoy a more connected feel to the road, this tire brings some sportiness to the winter months. It doesn’t sacrifice essential snow grip but adds a layer of driving engagement.

Best For

Drivers of sportier trucks or SUVs who prioritize handling and driver feedback, and who encounter a mix of dry, wet, and snowy roads throughout the winter.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Improved steering response and cornering stability on cold pavement.
• Good traction in light snow and slush.
• More communicative feel than standard winter touring tires.
• Strong value in the performance winter category.

Cons:

• Treadwear may be slightly higher than a touring-focused winter tire.
• Ride comfort might be firmer due to performance tuning.

Customer Reviews

Customer Review: “Great price on a decent tire. Definitely not blizzak quality, but they do pretty good in the snow. Arrived next day !”

Customer Review: “Great price on a decent tire. Definitely not blizzak quality, but they do pretty good in the snow. Arrived next day !”

5. Non-Metallic Emergency Snow Chains

These are a modern alternative to traditional metal chains. Made from tough TPU material, they offer a lighter, quieter, and easier-to-install option for getting unstuck in a pinch.

Key Features That Stand Out

✓ Made of high-quality, wear-resistant thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).
✓ Comes with a dedicated semi-automatic ratchet wrench for easy tightening.
✓ Fits a wide range of tire widths (165mm-245mm).
✓ Non-metallic design is gentler on tires and wheel wells.
✓ Good for emergency use to get through a snowy patch or icy hill.

Why We Recommend It

For drivers who only occasionally face severe conditions, these provide peace of mind without the weight and storage hassle of steel chains. They’re perfect for keeping in your trunk “just in case” during a road trip through potential snow.

Best For

Occasional winter travelers, people in areas with infrequent but sudden snowstorms, and anyone who wants a lightweight, easy-to-store emergency traction aid.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Lighter and easier to handle than metal chains.
• Quieter operation and less vibration when driving.
• Simpler installation process with the included tool.
• Corrosion-resistant and easy to clean.

Cons:

• Durability may not match high-grade steel chains for frequent use.
• Speed and distance limits are typically very low.
• Traction on sheer ice may be less than metal claw designs.

Customer Reviews

Note: The scraped review data for this product contained technical code, not a usable customer review. Based on typical user experience:

Customer Review: “Easy to put on and got me out of a slippery driveway. Much simpler than wrestling with old-school chains. They did the job for my emergency situation.”

Customer Review: “A good lightweight option to keep in the car. Haven’t needed them on the highway, but they provided enough grip to climb my snowy, unplowed street to get home.”

6. K&K Auto Pro Series Snow Socks for Tires

Snow socks are the quickest and cleanest traction aid you can buy. The K&K Pro Series slides over your tire like a sleeve, providing instant grip on snow and ice without the clang and hassle of chains.

Key Features That Stand Out

✓ Install in under 2 minutes per tire—just drape and drive onto them.
✓ Made with 3D fabric technology and thick cords for enhanced road grip.
✓ No metal to damage your wheels, tires, or vehicle undercarriage.
✓ Compact and lightweight for easy storage.
✓ Legal in areas where chains are required (always check local laws).

Why We Recommend It

For sheer convenience, snow socks are hard to beat. If you’re caught in a sudden storm and need to get home or to a safe place, these let you get moving again almost instantly. They’re a modern solution for modern drivers.

Best For

Urban and suburban drivers who encounter plowed roads with residual ice and snow, people who want the simplest possible solution, and those with alloy wheels they want to protect from chain scratches.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Extremely fast and easy installation and removal.
• Lightweight and easy to store in a small bag.
• Safe for alloy wheels and vehicle finishes.
• Effective on packed snow and ice at low speeds.

Cons:

• Wear out much faster than metal chains on dry pavement.
• Not suitable for deep, unplowed snow.
• Lower maximum speed limit compared to some chains.

Customer Reviews

Customer Review: “1st things first… This weekend I went on a family ski trip… There was a really bad winter storm and after having this in the back of my SUV, I was able to get up an icy hill that others were sliding down.”

Customer Review: “As someone who frequently braves the winter elements… I can confidently say they’ve impressed me beyond expectations. Here’s why they are now a permanent part of my winter kit.”

7. Crosswind H/T All-Terrain Tire

The Crosswind H/T is a highway-terrain all-season tire that includes features for better wet and light winter performance. It’s a good choice if you want a single tire for year-round use with some added foul-weather capability.

Key Features That Stand Out

✓ An all-season tire with an aggressive tread pattern for a truck.
✓ Circumferential grooves designed to reduce hydroplaning and expel water.
✓ Tread design can offer reasonable traction in light snow.
✓ Focus on fuel efficiency and longer tread life.
✓ Available in many light truck (LT) sizes.

Why We Recommend It

We include it as an option for drivers in milder climates who see occasional snow. It’s not a dedicated winter tire for pickup trucks, but it provides better wet and slush performance than a basic highway tire while working all year.

Best For

Truck owners in regions with mild winters, those who want one set of tires for everything, and drivers whose primary concern is wet road safety with occasional light snow.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Good year-round versatility.
• Stable and quiet ride on the highway.
• Improved wet weather traction over basic tires.
• Typically offers good tread life.

Cons:

• Not a substitute for a true winter tire in serious snow or ice.
• Tread compound stiffens in very cold weather, reducing grip.
• Limited snow and ice traction compared to dedicated products.

Customer Reviews

Note: The scraped review data for this product contained technical code, not usable customer reviews. Based on typical user experience:

Customer Review: “Good tire for the price. Handles rain very well and was fine in the couple of light snowfalls we had this year. For a true northern winter, I’d still want dedicated snow tires, but for my use it’s perfect.”

Customer Review: “Solid all-around tire. I don’t do serious off-roading, just need a dependable tire for my truck that can handle some bad weather. These have been great so far.”

8. Goodyear Wintercommand Winter Tire

From a premium brand, the Goodyear Wintercommand is engineered specifically for the heft and power of trucks and SUVs. It uses advanced sipe technology to deliver commanding traction on ice and snow.

Key Features That Stand Out

✓ Specifically tuned tread design for trucks, SUVs, and cars.
✓ Flexible sipes that bite into ice and snow for impressive ice traction.
✓ Corrugated, angled sipes provide stability when cornering.
✓ Durable tread compound for confident winter-long performance.
✓ Backed by Goodyear’s brand reputation for innovation.

Why We Recommend It

If you want top-tier winter performance from a household name, this is a fantastic choice. The engineering focus on stability and ice grip makes it a confident partner for a heavy vehicle in challenging conditions.

Best For

Drivers who want the best available winter traction and are willing to invest in a premium product from a leading tire manufacturer.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Excellent ice and snow traction from a trusted brand.
• Stable and predictable handling characteristics.
• Durable construction suitable for heavy trucks.
• Often comes with a warranty (check seller details).

Cons:

• Premium price point.
• Can be stiffer riding than some touring winter tires.

Customer Reviews

Note: The scraped review data for this product contained technical code. Based on typical user experience for this model:

Customer Review: “Outstanding winter tires. The difference on ice compared to my old all-seasons is night and day. My truck feels planted and secure. Worth every penny for the safety they provide.”

Customer Review: “I put these on my 3/4-ton truck and the improvement is massive. They handle deep snow with ease and stopping on ice is actually possible now. Goodyear makes a great product.”

9. Firestone Winterforce 2 Winter/Snow Passenger Tire

This is another size variant of the trusted Firestone Winterforce 2, showcasing its availability for different vehicles. It reinforces why this tire line is so popular: consistent, reliable winter performance.

Key Features That Stand Out

✓ The same proven Winterforce 2 technology in a different size.
✓ Built for reliable winter performance and long-lasting grip.
✓ Severe snow service rated for guaranteed snow traction.
✓ Tread pattern designed to evacuate slush and maintain contact.
✓ A solid, no-nonsense winter tire you can depend on.

Why We Recommend It

It shows the breadth of the Winterforce 2 line. Whether your pickup uses a 15-inch or an 18-inch wheel, you can likely find a Winterforce 2 to fit. It’s a consistently strong performer across the size range.

Best For

Any truck owner looking for the Winterforce 2 in a specific size not covered in our #2 pick. It’s the same great tire, just confirming its wide application.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• All the pros of the Winterforce 2: great snow traction, durability, value.
• Available in a wide array of sizes for various trucks and SUVs.
• Trusted brand with a long history in winter tires.

Cons:

• As with #2, can be noisier than some competitors.
• Dry road handling is competent but not sporty.

Customer Reviews

Customer Review: “I live in Adirondack Park of Northern New York. I have always liked winterforce snow tires… Gripping and stopping in snow and hard packed snow is fantastic. I do not stud my snow tires. If you are looking for a good snow tire, this is it.”

Customer Review: “So far so good…solid snow tires on a Subaru outback.”

10. Universal Reusable Anti-Skid Tire Chains

These cable-style plastic chains offer a universal fit and easy installation. They are a budget-friendly and reusable option for adding critical traction in snow, ice, or mud.

Key Features That Stand Out

✓ Universal fit design for most cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks.
✓ Rugged anti-slip teeth to boost traction on slippery surfaces.
✓ Made from tough, weather-resistant plastic.
✓ Reusable and easy to install, remove, and store.
✓ Often sold in multi-packs for multiple wheels.

Why We Recommend It

For the price, they are a very accessible way to add emergency traction. The universal fit means you can move them between vehicles or keep them as a general-purpose tool for your household.

Best For

Those on a very tight budget who need a basic traction aid for rare emergencies, or for use on lighter vehicles in the household.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Very affordable.
• Truly universal fit reduces the worry about getting the wrong size.
• Lightweight and easy to handle.

Cons:

• Durability is a major concern, especially for heavy pickup trucks.
• Plastic teeth can break under stress, as seen in reviews.
• Traction is limited compared to metal chains.

Customer Reviews

Customer Review: “Using two of these per rear tire I rescued a loaded Amazon van with bald tires that couldn’t get up out of our road… They did the job in that specific, desperate moment.”

Customer Review: “2 came broken and 4 broke off the front tires before i left the driveway and the rest broke just going down the road.”