All-season Tires Alternative Options

The all-season tires on the car are fine until the first snow, fine until the gravel road to the cabin, and fine until the hill that ices over every January. All-season means a compromise, and the compromise shows up exactly where you need grip most.

The alternatives split four ways: a better all-season tire, an all-terrain tire for trucks, a dedicated winter tire for ice, and cable chains for the worst storm. Each one covers the ground the others cannot.

This guide compares five of them on maker documents and owner reports: a top all-season tire, two sizes of the benchmark all-terrain, a set of low-profile cable chains, and a studless winter tire sold through its maker. Every pick has a verified buying route, and the exclusions are printed at the end.

All-season tire alternatives compared

How to choose an all-season tire alternative

Six points decide the purchase, and the first one matters most: match the tire to the worst road you drive, not the best. The same buy-once habits run through our best ATV winch guide and best UTV winch guide.

Where you drive most

The road decides the tire. Pavement-only drivers need an all-season tire with severe-snow certification, gravel and mud drivers need an all-terrain tire, and ice drivers need a studless winter tire. Be honest about the worst road you drive each year, because the tire that handles it is the tire you need, and the tire that does not is a gamble.

Severe-snow certification

The three-peak mountain snowflake symbol is the line between a tire that handles snow and one that merely survives it. Every tire in this guide carries it, which is why they are alternatives to a plain all-season tire rather than copies of one. Check the sidewall for the symbol before you buy, and read the Tire Agent Camry tire guide for how the rating applies to ordinary cars.

Size, load and speed rating

Size, load index and speed rating must match your door sticker, not the tire you wish you had. A taller tire may rub at full lock, a lower load index may fail under a trailer, and a lower speed rating may void the fit. Check all three figures before you order, and measure the wheel-well clearance if you are upsizing.

Tread depth and warranty

Tread depth and treadwear warranty decide how long the tire lasts. A 15/32nds tread digs deeper and lasts longer than a shallow road tread, and a 50,000-mile warranty is the maker standing behind that claim. Ask for both figures, and compare them across the tires you shortlist before you choose.

Winter tire or chains

Winter tires and chains solve different problems. A winter tire grips ice every day for months, while chains grip the worst storm for a few hours and then come off. If your winter is long, buy the tire; if your winter is a few storms, buy the chains, and read the Tire Rack Firestone Winterforce 2 page for how a budget winter tire compares.

Fitment and sets of four

Fitment decides whether the tire works at all. Winter tires must be fitted in sets of four, chains must match your exact tire size, and all-terrain tires must clear the wheel wells. Check the size chart for your exact tire size, not a near match, and fit winter tires four at a time or not at all.

All-season tire alternatives by budget

The tiers below assume you already own basic hand tools and a jack. The wider workshop side of the same habits is covered in our best Jeep winch guide.

Types of all-season tire alternatives

Five approaches cover the whole job, and most drivers need only one of them. The same buy-once logic runs through our best truck winches guide.

Detailed reviews of the all-season tire alternatives

Each pick below follows the same format: verified specs first, then owner reports with sources. For the sizing maths behind any winch in the same workshop, see our heavy-duty truck winch guide.

Best All-Season Pick: Michelin CrossClimate2 All-Season Tire (245/45R17)

Best All-Season Pick

Why this is our pick

The Michelin CrossClimate2 is the all-season answer for drivers who want one tire and no compromises. It carries the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol, which means it is certified for severe snow, not merely rated for light winter use, and Extrabux names it its best all-season tire. Roundups for Toyota owners list it among the tires experts actually recommend for 2026, and the 245/45R17 size with a 99V XL rating covers a wide range of passenger cars. It does not match a dedicated winter tire on ice, and it does not match an all-terrain tire off road, but for a car that drives on pavement in every season, it is the one-tire answer.

Key specs

• Size: 245/45R17 99V XL
• Type: All-season passenger car tire
• Snow rating: Three-peak mountain snowflake
• Use: All-season, severe snow certified
• Load index: 99
• Speed rating: V
• Treadwear warranty: Not published in sources captured
• Tread depth: Not published in sources captured
• Warranty: Not published in sources captured
• Best for: One tire for the whole year

Fits and best for

Fits passenger cars and crossovers that run one set of tires all year, from a daily commute to a winter road trip. It suits drivers who refuse to swap tires twice a year, and it suits regions with real winter, since the severe-snow certification covers snow that ordinary all-season tires cannot handle.

Pros and watch-outs

What owners report

Who should not buy

Skip it if you drive serious off-road trails or face months of deep ice, where a dedicated winter or all-terrain tire wins. The KO2 and Blizzak picks in this guide cover those cases.

Pair it with

Pair it with the SCC Super Z6 cable chains in this guide, so the all-season tire handles the year and the chains handle the worst storm.

Check Price

We may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Tip: Check the load index and speed rating against your door sticker before you order, since the wrong size voids the fit. Our synthetic winch rope lifespan guide covers the same check-the-rating-first habit for outdoor gear.

Best All-Terrain Alternative: BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 (LT255/55R18)

Best All-Terrain Alternative

Why this is our pick

The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 is the benchmark all-terrain tire, and this LT255/55R18 size brings it to lighter trucks and crossovers. Tire Rack calls it the off-road all-terrain benchmark, with up to twice the treadwear of the previous generation on gravel, and the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol means it is certified for severe snow. The tread runs 15/32nds deep, and roundups cite a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is the figure that makes the KO2 a long-term buy rather than a seasonal one. It is louder and heavier than a passenger all-season tire, but for a truck that leaves the pavement, that is the trade.

Key specs

• Size: LT255/55R18/D 109/105R
• Type: All-terrain, light truck and SUV
• Tread depth: 15/32nds per roundups
• Treadwear warranty: 50,000 miles per roundups
• Snow rating: Three-peak mountain snowflake
• Use: Off-road and on-road, severe snow
• Load index: 109/105
• Speed rating: R
• Warranty: 50,000-mile treadwear per roundups
• Best for: Light trucks and SUVs off road

Fits and best for

Fits light trucks, SUVs and crossovers that split time between pavement and gravel, mud or snow, and that need one tire for both. It suits owners who tow, camp or work off pavement, and it suits regions where winter roads are unplowed, since the severe-snow certification covers snow as well as dirt.

Pros and watch-outs

What owners report

Who should not buy

Skip it if your car never leaves the pavement, or if you want the quietest highway ride. The CrossClimate2 in this guide covers that case.

Pair it with

Pair it with the SCC Super Z6 cable chains in this guide, so the all-terrain tire handles the trail and the chains handle the ice.

Check Price

We may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Tip: Rotate the tires every oil change, or the aggressive tread will wear unevenly and get louder.

Best Truck-Size All-Terrain: BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 (LT265/70R17)

Best Truck-Size All-Terrain

Why this is our pick

The LT265/70R17 KO2 is the same benchmark all-terrain tire in a truck size, with a 31.7-inch diameter that clears ruts a passenger tire cannot, and a 2,470-pound load capacity that covers a loaded bed or a trailer. The tread runs 15/32nds deep, the severe-snow certification covers winter roads, and roundups cite the same 50,000-mile treadwear warranty as the smaller size. Tire Rack calls the KO2 the off-road all-terrain benchmark, and Costco lists the line with the 50,000-mile warranty, so the truck-size version carries the same long-term cover as its smaller sibling.

Key specs

• Size: LT265/70R17/C 112/109S
• Type: All-terrain, light truck
• Diameter: 31.7 in per roundups
• Load capacity: 2,470 lb per roundups
• Tread depth: 15/32nds per roundups
• Treadwear warranty: 50,000 miles per roundups
• Snow rating: Three-peak mountain snowflake
• Load index: 112/109
• Speed rating: S
• Best for: Full-size trucks off road

Fits and best for

Fits full-size trucks and large SUVs that carry loads and tow, and that need a tire tall enough to clear ruts and rocks. It suits owners who work their truck off pavement, and it suits anyone upsizing from a passenger tire, since the 31.7-inch diameter and 2,470-pound load capacity are the figures that decide the fit.

Pros and watch-outs

What owners report

Who should not buy

Skip it if your truck never leaves the pavement, or if the size does not clear your wheel wells. The CrossClimate2 in this guide covers the road-only case.

Pair it with

Pair it with the SCC Super Z6 cable chains in this guide, so the truck tire handles the trail and the chains handle the ice.

Check Price

We may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Tip: Check the wheel-well clearance with the new size before you order, since 31.7 inches may rub at full lock.

Best Traction Aid: SCC Super Z6 Cable Tire Chains (SZ143, Set of 2)

Best Traction Aid

Why this is our pick

The SCC Super Z6 SZ143 is the traction aid for the car that cannot take a link chain: it needs only 6.33 millimetres of sidewall clearance, so it fits wheel wells where a standard chain would rub. Installation needs no tools and no moving the vehicle, since the cables wrap around the tire and the built-in rubber tightener holds them without retightening. Car and Truck names the SZ143 its best chain for limited-clearance vehicles, noting the one-year warranty and the reliable grip on packed snow, and owner reviews collected on the Woot review page praise the quick fit and the grip on snow and ice.

Key specs

• Model: SZ143 Super Z6
• Type: Cable tire chains, set of 2
• Sidewall clearance: 6.33 mm, 0.25 in
• Fitment: Passenger cars, pickups, SUVs
• Tensioning: Built-in rubber tightener
• Install: No tools, no moving the vehicle
• Speed limit: 30 MPH per roundups
• Weight: 1 lb per roundups
• Warranty: 1-year per roundups
• Best for: Tight wheel wells in snow

Fits and best for

Fits passenger cars, pickups and SUVs with limited clearance around the drive wheels, where link chains would rub the suspension or the body. It suits drivers who face a few storms a year and want traction they can fit at the roadside, and it suits chain-controlled mountain passes, since the low-profile cable design meets Class S clearance rules.

Pros and watch-outs

What owners report

Who should not buy

Skip it if you drive deep snow daily or steep icy hills, where a dedicated winter tire wins. The Blizzak in this guide covers that case.

Pair it with

Pair it with the Michelin CrossClimate2 in this guide, so the all-season tire handles the year and the chains handle the worst storm.

Check Price

We may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Tip: Practice fitting the chains once in the driveway, or the first roadside fit will take twice as long in the cold. Our truck winch archive shows the same practice-before-you-need-it habit for outdoor gear.

Best Severe-Winter Alternative: Bridgestone Blizzak WS90

Best Severe-Winter Alternative

Why this is our pick

The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is the winter tire for drivers whose winter is serious: a studless ice and snow tire with a Multi-Cell compound that uses bite particles for grip on ice, and EdgePerformance Technology that adds 15 percent more block edges than the WS80 it replaces. BestReviews names it its best tire for severe winter, and Extrabux names it its best winter tire, with the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol confirming severe-snow certification. It is sold through SimpleTire rather than a verified Amazon listing, so the verified buy we can stand behind here is the Michelin CrossClimate2, and the Blizzak must be fitted in sets of four only.

Key specs

• Type: Studless ice and snow tire
• Compound: Multi-Cell compound with bite particles
• Block edges: 15 percent more than the WS80
• Technology: EdgePerformance Technology
• Snow rating: Three-peak mountain snowflake
• Install: Sets of four only per maker
• Sizes: Not published in sources captured
• Treadwear warranty: Not published in sources captured
• Warranty: Not published in sources captured
• Best for: Severe ice and snow

Fits and best for

Fits drivers who face months of ice and snow and want the strongest winter grip short of studs, on a car, crossover or SUV. It suits anyone whose winter is the problem, not the exception, and it suits regions where the roads stay icy for weeks, since the Multi-Cell compound is built for ice rather than merely for snow.

Pros and watch-outs

What owners report

Who should not buy

Skip it if your winter is mild or short, or if you want one tire for the whole year. The CrossClimate2 in this guide covers that case.

Pair it with

Pair it with the SCC Super Z6 cable chains in this guide, so the winter tire handles the ice and the chains handle the deepest snow.

No verified Amazon listing exists for this pick; it is sold through SimpleTire. The verified buy we can stand behind here is the Michelin CrossClimate2 All-Season Tire (245/45R17):

Check Price

We may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Tip: Fit winter tires in sets of four only, or the handling will be unsafe in a slide.

Spec comparison

The full side-by-side, with every figure traced to the research notes. The wider winch side of the same workshop is covered in our Polaris RZR winch guide.

Installation and use basics

Fit tires in sets of four, and fit winter tires four at a time or not at all, because a mixed set handles unsafely in a slide. Check the door sticker for size, load index and speed rating before you order, and measure the wheel-well clearance if you are upsizing to a taller all-terrain tire. Torque the lug nuts to the maker figure with a torque wrench, then re-torque after the first short drive. For chains, practice the fit once in the driveway, since the first roadside fit in the cold will take twice as long, and keep the gloves and the instructions in the bag with the chains. Check the pressures monthly, and rotate the tires every oil change. Mark the position of each tire with chalk before you remove it, so the rotation pattern stays honest and the wear stays even. Keep the jack, the torque wrench and the pressure gauge in the same place, because a flat at night is no time to hunt for tools. Check the spare as well, since a flat spare is no spare at all. Store winter tires cool and dark, stacked flat and out of the sun, and check the pressures again when they go back on. MyWebAnswers lists the tires experts recommend for the RAV4 for 2026, MyWebAnswers best tires for RAV4, and T Sportline lists the Blizzak WS90 in the 245/50R18 size, T Sportline Blizzak WS90, and both confirm the same point: match the tire to the car, not the car to the tire. Cable care is covered in our Honda Pioneer 1000 winch guide.

Safety essentials

Troubleshooting

Real-world notes

In practice, the tire that matters is the one that grips the worst road you drive, not the best. A CrossClimate2 that handles a snowy commute is worth more than a summer tire that shines on dry roads, and a set of chains in the boot is worth more than either when the pass closes. Keep the chains where you can reach them without unloading the boot, and practice the fit before the storm, not during it. All Tire Chains lists the SZ143 Super Z6 among the best tire chains for snow and ice, All Tire Chains best tire chains, confirming the 6.33-millimetre clearance figure used in this guide. The same care applies to winch cable as to tires: our electric boat anchor winch guide and ATV winch for plowing guide cover rope care and the electrical side of the same workshop.

Who should NOT buy these

Only drive in summer. If the car never sees snow, gravel or ice, a plain highway tire is cheaper and quieter than any pick here. These alternatives pay off for drivers whose roads change with the season.

Already own winter tires. If a set of winter tires already lives in the garage, a second winter tire adds nothing. Spend the money on chains for the worst storm instead, and if the job is really a recovery job rather than a tire job, our handheld winch guide covers the pulling side.

Wrong size for the car. If none of these sizes fits your car, do not force one. Match the door sticker first, then find the same tire in your size, and check the clearance before you order.

No place to store a second set. If there is no cool, dark place to store winter tires or chains, they will age badly. A single all-season tire suits that driver better; browse the come-along winch guide and winch battery guide for the wider workshop class instead.

Final verdict

Michelin CrossClimate2 All-Season Tire (245/45R17): The one-tire answer for drivers who want all-season cover with severe-snow certification.

Check Price

BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 (LT255/55R18): The all-terrain tire for lighter trucks and crossovers that leave the pavement.

Check Price

BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 (LT265/70R17): The truck-size all-terrain for full-size trucks that work off road.

Check Price

SCC Super Z6 Cable Tire Chains (SZ143, Set of 2): The cable chains for the worst storm on cars with tight wheel wells.

Check Price

Bridgestone Blizzak WS90: The studless winter tire for severe ice and snow, sold through SimpleTire.

No verified Amazon listing exists for this pick; it is sold through SimpleTire. The verified buy we can stand behind here is the Michelin CrossClimate2 All-Season Tire (245/45R17):

Check Price

FAQ

Can one tire really work all year?

Yes, if it carries the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol, which certifies it for severe snow rather than light winter use. The Michelin CrossClimate2 in this guide is that tire, and it handles summer roads, rain and snow on one set. It will not match a dedicated winter tire on ice or an all-terrain tire off road, but for a car that drives on pavement in every season, one tire is enough.

What does the three-peak mountain snowflake mean?

The three-peak mountain snowflake symbol means the tire passed a severe-snow traction test, not merely a marketing claim. A tire with the symbol grips snow far better than a plain all-season tire, and every tire in this guide carries it. Check the sidewall for the symbol before you buy, because a tire without it is not certified for severe snow.

Do I need winter tires if I have all-season tires?

It depends on the winter. A severe-snow certified all-season tire handles most winters, but a studless winter tire like the Blizzak grips ice far better when the roads stay icy for months. If your winter is a few storms, all-season tires plus chains are enough, but if your winter is long and icy, a dedicated winter tire is the safer buy.

How do I choose the right tire size?

Check the door sticker on the driver side, which lists the size, load index and speed rating the maker specifies. Match all three figures, not just the size, because a taller tire may rub at full lock and a lower load index may fail under a trailer. Measure the wheel-well clearance if you are upsizing, and fit winter tires in sets of four.

Are cable chains legal everywhere?

No. Chain laws vary by state and by mountain pass, and some passes require chains or an approved traction device when the signs say so, while others ban metal chains entirely. The SCC Super Z6 cable chains meet Class S clearance rules, which most chain-controlled areas accept, but check the local chain law before you travel, and carry the chains in the car.

How fast can I drive with chains on?

Keep speed under 30 miles per hour with cable chains fitted, and remove them as soon as you reach clear roads. Chains are for snow and ice, not for dry pavement, and driving fast on chains wears them out, damages the tire, and risks a break that can fling a cable into the wheel well. Slow down, fit them early, and take them off promptly.

Should winter tires go on all four wheels?

Yes, always. Fitting winter tires on only two wheels makes the car handle unsafely, because one axle grips and the other slides, which can spin the car in a slide or a stop. The maker guidance for the Blizzak in this guide is explicit: winter tires must be fitted in sets of four only, with no exceptions for front or rear drive.

How long do all-terrain tires last?

The BFGoodrich KO2 tires in this guide carry a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty per roundups, which is the maker standing behind the tread life. Real life depends on rotation, pressure and driving style, so rotate the tires every oil change, check the pressures monthly, and the tread will last far longer than a tire that is never rotated or always under-inflated.

Do all-terrain tires hurt fuel economy?

Yes, a little. An all-terrain tire is heavier and has a more aggressive tread than a highway tire, so it rolls with more resistance and the engine works harder, which costs fuel. The difference is small on a truck that already uses fuel, and it is the price of off-road grip, but a driver who never leaves the pavement will save fuel with a road tire instead.

Sources

Tire roundups and guides

• Extrabux best tires guide
• BestReviews best winter tires
• Tire Agent Camry tire guide
• Anything Neat best tires for Toyota
• MyWebAnswers best tires for RAV4
• T Sportline Blizzak WS90
• Car and Truck best snow chains
• All Tire Chains best tire chains

Maker and retailer pages

• Tire Rack BFGoodrich KO2
• Tire Rack Bridgestone Blizzak WS90
• Costco BFGoodrich KO2
• Tire Rack Firestone Winterforce 2
• SimpleTire Bridgestone Blizzak WS90

Owner reviews

• Woot Super Z6 owner reviews

The Michelin CrossClimate2 in the 205/55R16 size was excluded because its listing could not be verified through the Creators API. The Firestone Winterforce 2, the Michelin X-Ice Snow, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S and the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 were excluded because no verified Amazon listing was captured for any of them. The AutoSock fabric traction device was excluded because no verified Amazon listing was captured for it. The contamination trio was not used in any pick.

Related guides

• What size winch guide
• Winch amp draw guide
• How to mount a winch guide
• ATV winch installation walkthrough
• Winch cable replacement guide
• Attach cable to a winch drum guide