The Best Winter and Snow Tires for Pickup Trucks

A set of dedicated cold-weather tires will help you trailer and haul with confidence in winter.

Benjamin Hunting | 

Jan 18, 2022 | 4 min read

Nokian

Pickup owners need a winter tire that not only handles well and provides traction and grip on cold, snowy, and icy pavement, but also offers enough load-carrying capacity to allow for hauling and towing during the chilliest months of the year. Fortunately, there are many snow tires for trucks out there that meet these criteria. Some even combine winter-tackling prowess with respectable all-terrain capability, keeping off-road fun on the menu as the snow piles up.

Which winter tire is the best fit for your pickup? We compiled this list of snow- and ice-friendly tires that should cover the majority of cold-weather driving needs across the country. All of our selections are proven strong-sellers and rank in the top rated tires, in both reviews and sales, on either Tire Rack or Discount Tire’s websites.

Dedicated Winter Wheels

Many of these tires are available in a wide range of sizes, accommodating 15- to 20-inch rims. If your truck regularly rolls on larger wheels than that, you might consider investing in a smaller-diameter set for the winter. While that adds some expense, it’s actually safer to run narrower tires on smaller-diameter wheels in the winter as a skinny tread face cuts through snow better than a wide one. Also, swapping wheels is much simpler than swapping tires. Changing tires requires special equipment, but you can swap wheels in your driveway with just a jack, some jack stands, and a torque wrench.

Different Specifications for Different Types of Tire

Many all-terrain and all-season tires feature an M+S rating on the sidewall, which stands for mud and snow. Trouble is, that doesn’t mean they’re great in winter road conditions. It merely means they meet some geometric requirements and perform better in mud and snow than non-M+S tires, such as summer rubber. So, if you’re insistent on buying just one set of tires to get you through the year, you should look for a different symbol on the sidewall: a three-peak mountain snowflake. That marking indicates the tire can deal with deep snow, ice, and low-temperature asphalt.

Overall: Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2

Bridgestone’s Blizzak DM-V2 shines as one of the best all-around options for safely getting through the harshest of driving seasons while behind the wheel of your truck. It features zigzag sipes (i.e., little grooves in the tread block) to dig into snow and a rubber compound with embedded “bite particles” to maintain traction in the slipperiest of road conditions. At the same time, wide grooves in the tread channel slush and water away from the contact patch to prevent skidding in standing water (aka hydroplaning).

Cold, Dry Winters: Nokian WR G4 SUV

Don't be fooled by the name: This Nokian tire works on more than just SUVs. And if you live somewhere where the winter months don’t see a lot of precipitation, it’s a good choice. The Nokian WR G4 SUV is technically an all-weather tire, so its tread pattern isn’t as aggressive as that of a traditional winter tire, but it’s also not as noisy. It performs well in snow and expertly tackles frigid asphalt, making it one of the best winter tires for trucks that’s both comfortable and can handle the occasional blizzard.

Mixed Rain-and-Snow Conditions: Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV

Michelin designed the X-Ice Snow SUV tire for truck owners who face ping-ponging temperatures and precipitation. The V-shaped tread pattern and wide grooves work together to wick away water and prevent hydroplaning, keeping your truck safe and stable when trudging through puddles or a rainstorm. Plus, the silica-heavy rubber compound remains flexible at low temperatures and features many tiny inclusions that roughen up the surface and help create friction between the tread and whatever it’s riding on, making it one of the best snow tires for trucks

Ice: General Grabber Arctic LT

Studded and studdable tires accommodate dozens of small metal pins that poke into ice, offering a tremendous amount of grip—particularly useful in areas where snow removal isn't reliable and ice builds up quickly. General’s Grabber Arctic LT is a nice hybrid option for anyone who lives in a frostbelt state with restrictive studded-tire rules, as you can run them with or without studs. Although it’s available in fewer sizes than some other options, the Arctic LT features an aggressive tread providing superb traction as well as a high load rating, so you don’t need to worry when hauling the snowmobiles up north.

Year-Round Use: Pirelli Scorpion All-Terrain Plus

The Pirelli Scorpion All-Terrain Plus is one example that exceeds the M+S rating and is branded with the three-peak mountain snowflake emblem, meaning it has passed not just design, but performance standards in winter driving conditions. With winter-friendly sipes in its wide tread blocks as well as a rubber compound that isn't fazed by sub-zero temps, the Scorpion All-Terrain Plus is a year-round choice that gives you respectable winter performance.

Benjamin Hunting

Benjamin Hunting is a writer and podcast host who contributes to a number of newspapers, automotive magazines, and online publications. More than a decade into his career, he enjoys keeping the shiny side up during track days and always has one too many classic vehicle projects partially disassembled in his garage at any given time. Remember, if it's not leaking, it's probably empty.