Tyres and Snow Socks.

[Hutch]

I have just replaced my tyres on the car, Hankooks Evo S1/2 , for the same again 29k miles. Down to 3mm front, back 2 mm , swopped front for rear twice.
I used to go to Switzerland a couple of times , solo, and carried snow chains, never use them. I don't go there anymore, as I am now retired and can't afford the place.
My question is has anyone used Snow Socks for their car, also are they any good for mud. ie. Cl / CS sites.

 

[RogerL]

I have just replaced my tyres on the car, Hankooks Evo S1/2 , for the same again 29k miles. Down to 3mm front, back 2 mm , swopped front for rear twice.
I used to go to Switzerland a couple of times , solo, and carried snow chains, never use them. I don't go there anymore, as I am now retired and can't afford the place.
My question is has anyone used Snow Socks for their car, also are they any good for mud. ie. Cl / CS sites.

Santa Fe's are quite respectable in mud on road tyres - we took ours to the Dunsford Wings n Wheels the year they moved the campsite off the airfield - the exit became a quagmire and the Range Rover in front got bogged down but our Santa Fe just plodded slowly through it.

These days I use Vredestein Quatrac Pro Plus all-seasons which are 3PMSF / M+S and well up to the job - but a bit harsh over potholes.

 

[Buckman]

I think people get stuck because they do not have a clue how to use a 4x4 properly! One of the worst vehicles for getting stuck in mud was the old Landrovers with a chassis where the beams created pockets. Imagine rails welded so that they formed a square and then the top was covered with a metal sheet. Push it into mud and then try and lift it out. Extremely difficult due to the suction. The old sixties LR had at least 4 of these "compartments" underneath and if you sank into mud, no chance of getting the car out again unless you got in some heavy machinery like a bulldozer.

 

[otherclive]

Like RogerL I’ve been using all seasons tyres on both our cars for around 15 years. Currently shod with Goodyear Vectors and prices not that different to an equivalent summer tyre. I have only used all seasons once in snow with my Superb 4wd estate and they did the job getting out of our close which has an upward slope. No one else managed it.

 

[Hutch]

I had originally had Hankook Ventus Prime 2, really great tyres, swopped for Khumo all season tyres, for the time they were fitted we had mild winters, then went to the Hankook Evo S1/2 , very good on wet grass and mud. So replaced with the same.
A great tread pattern, but wondered if anyone has used Snow Socks , they seem much easier to fit than snow chains, or maybe just the weight of the chains sitting in the boot of the car will give me extra traction.

I am a great believer in , if you have them, you will never use them.

 

[Buckman]

I am a great believer in , if you have them, you will never use them.

Shouldn't that read "I am a great believer in sod's law"? 🤣 🤣 🤣

 

[GaryB]

Yes! I had snow socks for several years while driving RWD Mercedes (both C-Class estates). They are excellent and got me out of trouble several times as the Mercs used to really struggle in even the slightest bit of snow.

They are size-specific for tyres with no adjustability, they're a bit like an elasticated cushion cover and at first glance look like they won't give any grip whatsoever, but they really do improve traction on snow and ice. Fitting is straightforward, hook them on from the top of the tyre then roll backwards/forwards half a turn (or spin the wheel) and fit the other half, they find their own centre when you move off.

They got me out of trouble several times in the snow BUT I had no luck with them when we got stuck on a muddy field for a fireworks display. In that situation they didn't seem to offer any improvement on the grip.