Wide vs Narrow Winter Tires Tested - What's REALLY Better on Snow and Ice?
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Published 2023-11-13
It's one of the oldest argument on the internet, and it crops up every winter.
Are you better off with a narrow or wide winter tire?
In this video we'll find out whether a narrow tyre or a wide tyre is best for snow and ice by comparing a 205 wide tyre on a 16" wheel, all the way up to a 275 tyre on a 19" wheel!
First, let's quickly talk about why we're having this argument. There are two contrasting theories about grip on snow and ice, and both of them are technically correct.
The first is the one you most often hear from the internet experts, and it gets used for dry and wet performance too. That is that a narrow tyre can apply more pressure on the surface below. While this is true specifically from a physical grip point of view, it ignores the fact tyres produce chemical grip, and that the footprint shape changes with different tyres widths. Which is kinda a shame as I think a La Ferrari would look hilarious on 155 wide tyres.
The second argument is that a wider tyre has more in contact with the surface., which means more compound to grip, a greater distance of sipes, the cuts in the rubber in a winter tyres tread pattern which gives the tyre more gripping edges, and everything else being equal, a wider tyre should have a little more space to pack snow into the tread, and as snow grips snow pretty effectively, this is an advantage.
All Comments (21)
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Yo! Don't forget to be a tire hero and go review your tires over at www.tyrereviews.com/ πππ
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In my experience, in northern Minnesota people are much less concerned about turning and braking quickly than they are about getting stuck. I really wish you would do deep snow testing as a result. Iβm sure it is difficult to find spots to get a consistent surface with 6-12 inch snow, but that is what matters to most people who have to go to work before the side roads and driveways get plowed. That is where the narrow tire would show the greatest advantage as well. I still appreciate all the in depth reviews! The best tire reviews on the planet currently.
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The advantages of a narrow tire show up more in "slush planing" and pushing through deeper snow.
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- [06:52] β Narrow tires perform better in both snow and ice traction tests. - [05:36] π Narrow tires offer better acceleration in snow but perform worse in snow braking compared to wider tires. - [08:10] π Tire width has a minimal impact on handling and performance; tire quality matters more. - [09:28] π Consider fitting narrower winter tires for practical reasons, like protecting larger alloy wheels, but focus on choosing a high-quality winter tire rather than worrying about width. - [03:44] π§ Differences in handling and performance between narrow and wide tires are extremely small, with width making little difference in most ca
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This test was performed in a very cold place where the snow is basically ice-gravel. My intuition is that you'd see more differences between the widths if you tested on fresher, wetter, deeper snow. For me, my main motivation for winter tires is to not get stuck in fresh snow, especially when climbing hills. I'm not all that concerned about braking and handling differences because where I live, any time there's snow on the ground you're driving slowly anyway.
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Having done several years of Ice Racing in the CASC Ice Racing Championships combined with running our Winter Driving schools for over 20 years at our iced facility and having conducted numerous tire tests, we did notice that a narrower tire has advantages in deeper snow/slush conditions. What is important to note though is any winter tire will out perform any all season tire in winter conditions. Get yourself a good quality set of winter tires. ILR Car Control School
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I've always got the smallest option as that's what I figured made the most sense. From the looks of it, the difference is negligible, but the smaller tire options are often less expensive too. I guess you could look at this way; save some money and buy the smallest option, but use some of that savings to ensure you put it towards a quality tire. That way, you are getting the best of both worlds.
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There are more potholes in the winter, so I always go for a smaller winter wheel rim with a taller side-walled tyre so that rim damage is less likely and for more comfort on rougher winter roads. I never deviate from the manufacturers list of approved wheel and tyre combo's for that vehicle though, I just move between the recommended sizes depending upon the season.
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Try testing in deeper snow, so you can see how they would handle on an unplowed road, that's where the narrower tire will cut through the snow VS the wider tire riding on top of the snow. This is when you will really notice the difference (usually during a snowstorm in an urban setting the snow turns to deep slick slush and the narrower tire find's much better traction than a wider tire).
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Iβd be interested in comparing tire pressure effect on traction, both dry and wet pavement AND snow and ice, to what vehicle manufacturers want vs what the tire manufactures want for static loaded radius. If a change that can be made for free affects performance Iβm sure many would want to know.
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Great test conclusion! The data and test you provide here are outstanding! Thank you for your Work Jonathan!
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Super interesting test. Some things to consider : 1. A lot of cold areas will see a mix of conditions, sometimes snow, ice, slush, rain, wet and dry pavement. In some areas a driver can experience a combination of any of those in winter, in a single trip! 2. Though itβd be a lot of work to do all this additional testing on 4 different sets, itβd bring additional considerations for finding the best overall width for a well-rounded winter experience. 3. Without much doubt the wider tire would do better on dry and wet than narrower tires; maybe not so much in the rain (hydroplaning). 4. Iβd be curious to see how studs would influence the results. Do wider tires have more studs overall? It probably varies from a model to the next depending on the design choices the manufacturers made. But if a particular model has more studs on the wider sizes, then that could very positively improve results on ice. Thank you for all the hard work π
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Definitely think the conclusions on this video was wrong, long-time viewer here and love your videos but as someone who's grown up in northern Sweden you definitely see a big difference between narrow and wide tires. On wide tires you will essentially "aquaplane" on the snow and slush.
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In cases where its snowslush on asphalt roads, which is pretty common here i definitely prefer narrow tyres for traction up hills , or just slushplaning at speed (if i can call it that :)) etc, specially in a lighter car. Great test anyway!
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I bought the Evo3 (245/45/18) last year partly down to your in depth review. They were excellent will be used again this winter. Thanks for the detail you put into your work!
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We have been spoiled by Tyre Review's consistent excellence. Another very fine review!
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I always thought the more narrow tire was significantly better for driving in snow. I've been educated now lol. Love these videos.
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Great test Jonathan, well done for doing this one! I have always tended to fit narrower tyres, mainly to have a higher sidewall for general winter use and better performance in slush. I use the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 in 225 width on all four wheels of my BMW, and they are an extemely good winter tyre - and one of the few winters with an βAβ wet weather rating. I have driven them extensively on snow-covered roads in Scotland and in the Alps. The other benefit of a narrower winter tyre, is actually better aquaplaning performance on rain-soaked motorways.
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Still watching these videos despite living in a part of the UK with next to no snow! I prefer the summer stuff but still loving your content
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I've been waiting for this video for years! Thank you as always!
