Snow vs. All-Terrain tires?

[NorskieRider]

Bridgestone Dueler AT Ascents once again doing exactly what they should in the fresh snow today...
<pcitures removed>
Didn't slip or slide..on acceleration or braking (no ABS, no skid).
Performed flawlessly..they amaze me every time it snows..I look forward to as much snow as possible this winter..FUN!

Good to know for when the H/L's need to be replaced. The H/T's have significantly less 'blocking' and siping in the tread area:



which explains why they perform so poorly in slush.
If I Were King ... I'd put region-appropriate tires on vehicles when new.

 

[Ready Go]

The AT Ascents are extremely confidence inspiring..I still haven't wrapped my head around how great they are!

 

[HSKR R/T]

Bridgestone Dueler AT Ascents once again doing exactly what they should in the fresh snow today...
View attachment 210403View attachment 210404View attachment 210405
Didn't slip or slide..on acceleration or braking (no ABS, no skid).
Performed flawlessly..they amaze me every time it snows..I look forward to as much snow as possible this winter..FUN!

Where's the fun if they don't slip or slide.

 

[Ready Go]

Where's the fun if they don't slip or slide.

It's the "2WD" button..and the Paddle Shifters locked in 1st gear,
yeehaa ️️️

 

[Quint]

I live in the Twin Cities but routinely drive out onto lakes to ice fish and haul my snowmobile trailer on unplowed roads up on the Iron Range. I've run Duractracs and Falcon Wildpeak A/T3W on my two 5th gen trucks. My brother-in-law manages several Discount Tire stores, so is my new tire connection. The last time that I needed tires (fall 2022) he talked me into buying Goodyear Ultraterrain AT tires. He had been running them on his trucks, so I begrudging tried (I'm not a Goodyear fan).

I've got 36k miles on these tires and can't say anything bad. They are fine in the summer and in the snow are as good as any other all-season tire that I've had on a truck. I've never run snow tires.

 

[NorskieRider]

Goodyear Ultraterrain AT

So ... Goodyear Ultra Terrain All-Terrain?
I sometimes wonder if the marketing people think before they come up with names like that.

 

[tinfoil_hat]

True winter tires will have the "three peaks/snowflake" logo on them. I ran BFG Trail Terrain T/A for years and they were excellent in the snow. Very sure footed. 60k/mi warranty. That's what I'll switch to when the stock tires wear out.
Stock size:

https://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/auto/tires/bfgoodrich-trail-terrain-t-a

 

[Granite Goat]

Dunlop Winter Maxx SJ8 - Dunlop Winter Maxx SJ8 Review - Truck Tire Reviews

Mainly because they were on sale ($127/tire) and had good reviews. I've got a set of 18" rims to mount them on and can swap them in my garage per seasonal requirements.

Have you gotten the Dunlops mounted yet? I'm about to pull the trigger on the same set, but wanted an opinion on them before I order. I am primarily concerned with handling while turning as the reviews say these are great for braking/accelerating but are prone to side slippage. I drive a lot of twisty highways in the winter.

I do have to say I'm pretty impressed with the stock Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza in snow (under 2"), but I'm sure a lot of that has to do with the fact that they are brand new tires with deep tread. I am guessing their capability will diminish greatly as they wear a bit.

 

[NorskieRider]

Have you gotten the Dunlops mounted yet? I'm about to pull the trigger on the same set, but wanted an opinion on them before I order. I am primarily concerned with handling while turning as the reviews say these are great for braking/accelerating but are prone to side slippage. I drive a lot of twisty highways in the winter.

I do have to say I'm pretty impressed with the stock Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza in snow (under 2"), but I'm sure a lot of that has to do with the fact that they are brand new tires with deep tread. I am guessing their capability will diminish greatly as they wear a bit.

I'm getting the Dunlops mounted tomorrow. I'll let you know.

Here in MN we don't get much snow - maybe only 50-60 inches a year - and the plows get out early so there is rarely a time we have even have an inch on the roads. The bigger issue is packed snow, ice, and those days it's too cold for salt be the effective and everything gets "greasy".

I spend 2-3 days a week on straight 2-lane highways outside town, which are usually windswept and (especially in the mornings) there are occasional icy patches.

So, where I live and how I drive, true "snow tires" with compounds that get more flexible and grippy when cold are much better than deep lug treads, or even all-season tires which have the 3-PMSF symbol.

The issue I have experienced with the Dueler H/L is when braking and turning on slippery surfaces there is much more understeer than experienced with dedicated snow tires (on admittedly lighter vehicles). I also don't (yet) have confidence that when the Duelers lose grip it'll be a gradual loss with a chance for recovery, or if it's "straight in the ditch" (or worse).

The additional benefit of dedicated snow tires is that I have them on 18" rims, and they are 'standard load' which helps to maintain some comfort when the cold brings out the frost heaves. Then in the summer, when I tow more, I'll have the benefit of replacing the 20" Dueler's with 10-ply tires for better towing (the truck isn't my summer daily driver).

And yes, I have often been that I overthink things and suffer from "analysis paralysis".

 

[tinfoil_hat]

See, if I lived in those conditions, I would run studs. Keep them on a set of beater rims and swap them myself.

 

[NorskieRider]

See, if I lived in those conditions, I would run studs. Keep them on a set of beater rims and swap them myself.

Except you wouldn't because they're not legal.

 

[tinfoil_hat]

Except you wouldn't because they're not legal.

Well that's no fun.

We had 3" of snow last night and it was about 25° on the drive to work. Flatlanders spun out everywhere on the freeway. We don't get a lot of snow in Reno but when we do it's pandemonium.
The Ram did just fine on the OEM tires in 4X Auto.

 

[Granite Goat]

I'm getting the Dunlops mounted tomorrow. I'll let you know.

Here in MN we don't get much snow - maybe only 50-60 inches a year - and the plows get out early so there is rarely a time we have even have an inch on the roads. The bigger issue is packed snow, ice, and those days it's too cold for salt be the effective and everything gets "greasy".

I spend 2-3 days a week on straight 2-lane highways outside town, which are usually windswept and (especially in the mornings) there are occasional icy patches.

So, where I live and how I drive, true "snow tires" with compounds that get more flexible and grippy when cold are much better than deep lug treads, or even all-season tires which have the 3-PMSF symbol.

The issue I have experienced with the Dueler H/L is when braking and turning on slippery surfaces there is much more understeer than experienced with dedicated snow tires (on admittedly lighter vehicles). I also don't (yet) have confidence that when the Duelers lose grip it'll be a gradual loss with a chance for recovery, or if it's "straight in the ditch" (or worse).

The additional benefit of dedicated snow tires is that I have them on 18" rims, and they are 'standard load' which helps to maintain some comfort when the cold brings out the frost heaves. Then in the summer, when I tow more, I'll have the benefit of replacing the 20" Dueler's with 10-ply tires for better towing (the truck isn't my summer daily driver).

And yes, I have often been that I overthink things and suffer from "analysis paralysis".

I ended up ordering the Dunlops as well ($130/ea). They have a 2022 date code (which I am guessing is why they were so discounted - thanks simpletire.com). I am okay with the older date code as I don't do any towing or heavy hauling in the winter and will keep them stored appropriately during the off-season. I am getting them mounted today and will report back with my impressions after they've been on a while.

 

[NorskieRider]

I ended up ordering the Dunlops as well ($130/ea). They have a 2022 date code (which I am guessing is why they were so discounted - thanks simpletire.com). I am okay with the older date code as I don't do any towing or heavy hauling in the winter and will keep them stored appropriately during the off-season. I am getting them mounted today and will report back with my impressions after they've been on a while.

Same here - mine have 2023 date codes. Still, at 1/2 price from the other tire options, it's a good value.

I've been waiting for more snow before posting a review.

So far they ride just like the Dueler H/L in terms of feel, noise, bump compliance, etc despite the taller sidewalls (my Dunlops are 18" and Duelers 20").
My driveway and street is glare ice on a slight slope and they do OK getting up it, hard to tell if they're any better than the Duelers in this regard.

 

[GlenOS]

The Vredestein Pinza is a great all around tire. They are 3peak and Snow rated. I had them on my 15 Laramie for 2 winters in NE Illinois/SE Wisconsin. They have done well in all weather. I am planning on putting them on my 2020 Limited in the spring. I just bought it with Cooper A/T.

 

[Granite Goat]

I mounted the Dunlops earlier this week. Super happy with them so far!

 

[Trooper4]

Nokian is what I run because we get snow, ice, and slush, which makes life interesting because it's all on the same drive.

For the "best" snow LT (Light Truck) tire, there's no single hands-down winner, but top contenders consistently praised for extreme grip include the Nokian Hakkapeliitta (especially studded) for ice/deep snow, Michelin X-Ice Snow for ice/slush/longevity, and the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2/LT for excellent overall snow/ice performance, while the Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac/General Grabber A/TX offer great all-terrain grip for plowing/deep snow. Your ideal choice depends on prioritizing ice grip (Nokian/Michelin/Blizzak) vs. off-road/plowing (Duratrac/Grabber) vs. longevity (Michelin X-Ice)

• Nokian Hakkapeliitta (e.g., 10, R5): Often cited as #1 for extreme winter, especially with studs for maximum ice grip, though some find them harder and less durable than Michelin, users on Reddit r/TyreReviews say.
• Michelin X-Ice Snow: Excellent for ice and slush with its FleX-Ice compound, good longevity, but some find the grip softer initially.
• Bridgestone Blizzak (DM-V2, LT): Famous for exceptional snow and ice traction, ideal for plowing, though tread life can be shorter, note users on Facebook and in this Reddit thread.
• Continental VikingContact 7/8: Highly rated for overall performance, good in wet, snow, and ice, according to YouTube reviewers.
• Strong All-Terrain (AT) Options for Winter
  • Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac / General Grabber A/TX: Great for deep snow, plowing, and uneven terrain where you need ruggedness, say Discounted Wheel Warehouse.
  • Falken Wildpeak A/T3W: Praised for being great in snow and off-road while still performing well on pavement, note YouTube reviewers and this GearJunkie article.
• 
  Key Considerations
  • Dedicated Winter vs. AT: Dedicated winter tires (Blizzak, X-Ice, Hakkapeliitta) offer superior grip on ice and in deep snow but wear faster; AT tires (Duratrac, Wildpeak) are better for mixed conditions and longevity.
  • Ice vs. Snow: If ice is your main concern, focus on the Hakkapeliittas or Blizzaks; for deep, slushy snow, the X-Ice or A/TX are great.

 

[Granite Goat]

Nokian is what I run because we get snow, ice, and slush, which makes life interesting because it's all on the same drive.

For the "best" snow LT (Light Truck) tire, there's no single hands-down winner, but top contenders consistently praised for extreme grip include the Nokian Hakkapeliitta (especially studded) for ice/deep snow, Michelin X-Ice Snow for ice/slush/longevity, and the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2/LT for excellent overall snow/ice performance, while the Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac/General Grabber A/TX offer great all-terrain grip for plowing/deep snow. Your ideal choice depends on prioritizing ice grip (Nokian/Michelin/Blizzak) vs. off-road/plowing (Duratrac/Grabber) vs. longevity (Michelin X-Ice)

• Nokian Hakkapeliitta (e.g., 10, R5): Often cited as #1 for extreme winter, especially with studs for maximum ice grip, though some find them harder and less durable than Michelin, users on Reddit r/TyreReviews say.
• Michelin X-Ice Snow: Excellent for ice and slush with its FleX-Ice compound, good longevity, but some find the grip softer initially.
• Bridgestone Blizzak (DM-V2, LT): Famous for exceptional snow and ice traction, ideal for plowing, though tread life can be shorter, note users on Facebook and in this Reddit thread.
• Continental VikingContact 7/8: Highly rated for overall performance, good in wet, snow, and ice, according to YouTube reviewers.
• Strong All-Terrain (AT) Options for Winter
  • Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac / General Grabber A/TX: Great for deep snow, plowing, and uneven terrain where you need ruggedness, say Discounted Wheel Warehouse.
  • Falken Wildpeak A/T3W: Praised for being great in snow and off-road while still performing well on pavement, note YouTube reviewers and this GearJunkie article.
• 
  Key Considerations
  • Dedicated Winter vs. AT: Dedicated winter tires (Blizzak, X-Ice, Hakkapeliitta) offer superior grip on ice and in deep snow but wear faster; AT tires (Duratrac, Wildpeak) are better for mixed conditions and longevity.
  • Ice vs. Snow: If ice is your main concern, focus on the Hakkapeliittas or Blizzaks; for deep, slushy snow, the X-Ice or A/TX are great.

Thanks for this thorough review and suggestions. I'm a winter tire tire proponent and fully agree with your listing. I only ended up going with the Dunlop Winter Maxx SJ8s because they were on closeout and I got them for $130/ea. It's only been a few days since mounting them, but so far I've experienced slush, wet roads, dry roads, ice, hard packed snow, and <2" deep snow. These keep me sure-footed and are performing wonderfully. Cornering is great too; no over/under-steer whatsoever. I've only yet to tackle deep snow. Here in SE Michigan, that is a rarity, so I might not get to test out that factor.

 

[NorskieRider]

Our part of MN (SE) got about an inch of snow last night, cold temps and slick conditions. Overall the the Dunlops did what they were supposed to do. It wasn't hard to break traction, but when they did it was progressive and they quickly recovered.

But I will say that I've had more surefooted vehicles on other snow tires. In my experience on vehicles with the same winter tires (the Blizzak DM-V2's are my favorite) having wider tires and more weight always degrades braking and turning in low traction scenarios. The 2016 WRX is still the king in this regard (low weight, rally-inspired electronics that allowed fun).

 

[Granite Goat]

Our part of MN (SE) got about an inch of snow last night, cold temps and slick conditions. Overall the the Dunlops did what they were supposed to do. It wasn't hard to break traction, but when they did it was progressive and they quickly recovered.

But I will say that I've had more surefooted vehicles on other snow tires. In my experience on vehicles with the same winter tires (the Blizzak DM-V2's are my favorite) having wider tires and more weight always degrades braking and turning in low traction scenarios. The 2016 WRX is still the king in this regard (low weight, rally-inspired electronics that allowed fun).

I had Blizzaks when I lived in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. They were glorious, but their fast wear on dry roads would be an issue where I live now since much of the winter can be snow-free and even stupid warm.