Get your own set of K&K Auto Accessories Snowsocks for your car, truck, or SUV and travel with confidence in snowy and icy conditions. Go to www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BH7KFYBG today!
Tommy what an excellent and informative review. I have been watching traction aids on RUclips and your recommendation did it. I ordered from Amazon and it arrived today. It is now stowed in the rear seat compartment of my 2022 Tacoma. My truck is now fully compliant for SoCal winter snow driving regulations. Thanks again😊
Amazing what happens when you get the correct size snow sock. Glad to see you guys tested them again. They really are a solid option. Just don't drive them on open pavement if you can help it as they will tear apart in 10 miles.
Yes 100% they work in snow but are not a good option at all on paved roads which is where people will be using them most as you will have to remove them and reapply every quarter mile lul
Yeah, just test fitting mine and rolling a few feet forward and back on asphalt and I noticed some loose threads. Basically becomes single use disposables.
@@jthomp997 Colorado is the only state that is ok to use them . They have not been out long enough and in the world of the DOT it can take them time . But I drive Washington to Iowa route and use them a lot .
Socks are total trash, granted they’re better than running barefoot but unless you’re just running a sissy 5 axle semi socks are useless. Here in BC most trucks are required to have chains on 6-8 drive tires depending on configuration. And those aren’t garbage square link crap either generally, that’s studded tryggs. We literally sit back and watch the Americans try hills with socks and then get hammered with a $700 tow bill, it’s pure comedy watching the incompetence.
We have a 2012 sienna that we took to Beech mountain NC to get snow, they got 10" of snow and plowed the roads but it was still crazy icy and coming down those steep grades using autosocks it did amazing. Literally did not lose traction once. These things really do work great and takes about 45 seconds per tire to install.
I use a set of 3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake (3PMSF) rated Micheline CrossClimate2 All Weather tires for almost 2 years now to avoid the cost and storage of swapping twice a year. Excellent in all conditions so far in Canada.
Fun video. These are probably best for 2 wheel drive cars. I am a skier and constantly in the CO mtns. Every 4wd or AWD vehicle I ever had made it in the snow just fine. Only time I was ever stuck was in my old 2wd Caravan. Socks probably would have been a good option for that.
Always switch to Snow and 3-Peak rated winter tires if you like in a snowy climate. The main advantage of these snow socks is how quickly they can be put on or taken off. That said, if it is something that may only be used once every 2-5 years and only to get out of a slippery ditch, then it's probably better to just keep a package of long zip ties beside the spare tire rather than paying $120 for a package of these or $50 for a set of snow chains as both also take up more space in the trunk and can't be used for all sorts of other functions like zip ties. Also consider a set of track pads.
I'm just back from rural Finland and can confirm they work wonders on my front wheel drive Tiguan. Wasn't this brand but very similar. Did get some strange looks and two or three locals pulled me over to ask if everything was OK 😂
Yes I'm in the part of N.C. where we don't get very much snow (maybe only once every 4-6 years) so these definitely would be a good investment to keep in my 2 wheel drive truck because I work 50 miles from home & have been stranded several times at work. I was once stranded for 3 days at work, but luckily I work at a very high end retirement home & had everything I needed, from my own private fully furnished apartment, food, shower & all, but still isn't the same as my own bed.
I think having them on the front in 4WD would make more of a difference obviously for braking but even accelerating it’s easier to pull than push in severed conditions
Tommy you make me smile every time I watch your reviews. You are a star. The 4 runner is low-key one of the most reliable SUV's in the game. But it's a gas guzzler.
Thanks for the review and that is a great tool for All Season tires especially for warm climate countries where snow only happens on the high mountains once a while as a local attraction. I wonder how it compares to the dedicated Winter tires or All Weather tires. Using the All Weather CrossClimate 2 for the last 23 months now and haven't had any issues driving through ice or unplowed 1~2 foot of snow on a FWD HEV yet. Perhaps the better solution for the new car owners is to sell the new set of factory OEM tires immediately after the delivery to get the maximum return value for the new tires than use the money plus the extra $150.00 to get a set of premium All Weather tires to avoid the hassle all year round.
Something people aren’t mentioning. Yes cables and chains generally work better and last longer, but depending on your vehicle, chains and cables might not work for low clearance. I have a GLE 53 Coupe and you cannot use cables. Too low clearance and they will destroy the side profile of my AMG wheels. These are a perfect solution. As most people have mentioned AWD/4WD usually fits the bill, but for those rare times CHP goes to R3 chain control or you’re in situation your tires need more traction even when using AWD, these are great solution.
With a 4x4, when chaining up (or socking up) it is best to put then on the front tires for improved steering control and better traction with the weight of the engine. My Tacoma doesn't have enough clearance for my heavy duty chains so I have socks for the front tires...haven't needed to use them yet.
Thank you for that super interesting comment... I have a 95 Tacoma four-wheel drive with a shell but in icy conditions that tail will come out still sometimes I should probably invest in some sand bags ! I don't have any snow chains which I probably should have but I have gotten away with it so far... just don't want to hassle with chains... snow socks seem like a good option
Thanks for the great demonstration. Just a suggestion... Usually if you only want to use two socks, 2 chains, etc on a 4-wheeler, they should be installed on the front two tires as that is where there's more weight.
I would like to bring my 2003 diesel Excursion up there and test it. I just put 35" Milestar Patagonia M/T's on her. She seems to do really well with a tire that's not 3 peak rated.
Great Video. I tried this K&K Snow Socks before in my hometown and they definitely work as seen in this video. There may be cheap options in the market or not but K&K definitely works perfectly.
This is good to know for us in the Deep South that want to drive up to see any kind of snow. I’m not gonna drive 12-15 hours on dry pavement with winter tires.
That is a great way to put it! It's how I feel about mine, I often describe it as a Swiss army knife. Useful for a lot of things, but not excellent at any of them.
I have a 93 4 Runner with 38.5 inch tall TSL Super Swamper Bogger tires and last time i was out playing in fresh pow pow i was going trough snow over my hood. And i have a 3 inch body lift and 4 inch suspensoin lift and i didnt even need 4 wheel drive. And i never aired down my tires. And they are only 11.5 wide. The work good ithink. When i lock in the front hubs it will go almoat anywhere. Ive given up before my mighty 4 runner has a few times. These things can reliably bring you to extreme places. I live in Washington state and we are seeing snow just recently in the hills.
I would definitely choose these over dinking around with chains. But with actual, genuine winter tires, you get these benefits without having to stop on the side of the road and install them. If I lived in Colorado or somewhere with chain laws, I'd carry these. But winter tires (studded if legal in your area) are still the best choice. The upfront cost is significant - on my Grand Cherokee, it was $350 for rims and $1150 for the tires. But I'll get 4 or 5 seasons out of them easily, and 4-5 months of the year I'm not wearing out my other set of tires. If someone's dropping $3000-$6000 on all wheel drive, finish the job and give it real tires to work with. Or, save that money and just get the winter tires.
True. Winter tires don't cost more in the long run because you are saving your "all seasons" from wear and tear while they are on. But I think this advice is primarily for folks who live in areas that only get an occasional snow. If you put dedicated snow tires on in December and leave them until April or May, and you are driving 90% of the time on dry pavement, they won't last long. They aren't designed for that. Perhaps a set of the newer All Weather tires might be the best answer. Though not as good as dedicated snow tires they can handle quite a bit. One disadvantage is they usually come with a shorter tred warranty...60-70,000 mile as opposed to 90-100,000 on some all season tires.
Ram those snow socks on my semi doing every pass that was legal in Colorado grossing anywhere from 30k to 110k. They work great on hard pack and ok on deeper stuff. I ran them because of the clearance between tire and fender.
And there's the rub. Where do you drive where it snows and they DON'T put down sand or gravel? Chains are more of a hassle, but they tolerate changes in road surface without the fear of shredding.
How much tread depth is left on those tires? By 30,000 miles the factory tires are usually close to used up. In my experience, snow performance gets exponentially worse below 6/32" of tread, and by the time you have 4/32" left it's pretty dangerous.
I always sold my stock tires come with 4Runner (even my TRD Pro) and get tires with 3Peak mountain snow flake symbol. 3PMSF tires + real 4WD = best combo for CO winters.
I live in colorado as well. My buddy gave me a set of all season tires for 12 dollars (he was flipping the rims they came on), for my lifted 2007 Prius. They actually have better traction then my 2 yo all season tires I had originally. It corners better, it doesnt get stuck or slide nearly as much in the snow, and my set were starting to actually lose traction on dry pavement where this set, it feels like it'd maintain traction up till I rolled the car. The one big caveat here is I'm not running typical prius tires. These tires came off a work van. So they are heavy duty tires, way thicker walls, with way more aggressive tread. Technically street tires, but any more aggressive, I think theyd be considered A/Ts. I genuinely think these are better than the winter tires any tire shop would pick to throw on a prius. And the biggeat proof to that? My gas mileage tanked. I went from 42mpg to 36mpg... 36 is about what I would expect from A/Ts, since that seems to be the general consensus from various forums where anybody's put A/Ts on a prius. Part of that could also be I drive like an @$$hole a lot. Since the Prius is a hybrid, it has a limited selection of tires that work well with it. Essentially, the Prius has to trade off between traction and mileage, because traction represents rolling friction, which reduces mileage. So even your typical winter tires for it often dont do as well as all seasons from another vehicle, since theyre actually trying to keep the traction low enough for good mileage. Anyway just some thoughts for anyone watching this. Take more control over your car's layout, you'll squeeze more performance out of it. In my case, I'd rather take the hit in efficiency to have a car that drives really well, especially in bad weather, and literally any tire with more aggressive tread than stock would help a lot in that regard. I think socks are a great option for people who dont drive in snow that often... Or even for those who do so often, but dont want to invest in different tires. I'm probably going to get a set just to have, for even better performance. I dont expect to have to drive when that snowed in here, but you never know. Another thing I've been wanting to do, which, I'm not really sure why more people dont do, is to just get a second set of rims with different tires on them. I'd actually appreciate the higher efficiency of the regular tires in the summer, and at 70 dollars and a trip, it's annoying to get tires derimmed and added at least twice a year. And I'd probably wind up wanting to do more than that, because like an idiot, I sometimes take my prius up offroad trails (put my lift kit to test on Switzerland trail, lol). For situations like that in the summer, I prefer something beefier. You can get a set of steel rims for pretty cheap. I plan on running the more efficient tires on my stock alloy rims, and then putting some A/Ts on a set of steel rims. That way I can just spend about half an hour, to swap all 4 wheels in my driveway depending on my needs.
Aside from money concerns, I don't understand how someone would not have dedicated snow tires. It's just so much safer. But I live in Houston so it's something I will never know.😁
Thanks Tommy! I'm ordering 2 sets for my 4Runner tonight! I can really use these! I'd like to see this test done using proper winter tires too! My tires are pretty awesome lol
@@raymondluna3187 You are not supposed to use them on pavement, or for road use. They are for needing extra traction to get up a hill, or something, if you are having trouble with traction. You don't leave them on.
@@lunamaria1048 well then they seem even less useful now that you explained that so let me see the mindset of these people you use them to get out of a long or steep driveway then you take them off and put on propper chains or cables to continue on the road... makes sense to me mate lul
These are for long-distance driving and they perform better than cables and chains. The instructions say "do not drive on DRY pavement", that's because your tire will heat up and deform the special textile. Just like snow chains, you should remove them when you get to dry pavement. Otherwise, you should be good for driving for 100s of miles on snow or ice on asphalt or concrete roads.
@@MrTekSaz oh ok still not a viable options where I am but more for truckers in alaska maybe somethimg like that I just did not see the point in them if you only used them to drive out of the driveway lul
I agree. These snowsocks are best for people that might get caught by surprise, such as getting caught in a traffic jam as it starts to snow and they end up still on the road as the conditions get worse. They aren't really for people that have an ongoing need to be on the roadways when it is really bad. I live in a climate where all seasons are safe except for 3 or 4 days a year. I could use these in an emergency.
In fresh tracks you get more traction its the packed down tire tracks you dont get grip. How is it on a snow packed road for steering? Do they slide on the tire? Nice video buddy
I've got Blizzaks on my VW Tiguan, just returned from rural Finland (we had - 40) and can confirm with the snow socks on was far superior. In saying that the Blizzaks were wonderful and I recommend them but with the snow socks on was the best. For long term use though studded tyres is the answer no doubt.
From the “there’s no perfect solution” files, socks are great but they aren’t good for long distance drives. Still: how many of us regularly drive hundreds of miles with traction aids on?
Plaese repeat this test with a 3 peak mountain marked tire like the Crossclimate2, the 'Hankook H750 Kinergy 4S 2 or GOODYEAR VECTOR 4 SEASONS G3. There are so many good tires but OEMs still sell these warm weather rubber to get a better mpg rating.
I remember living in Colorado in the 80s with a very basic 1986 2wd toyota pickup. No all season, no nothing tires. My 4x4 was piling up snow in the bed of the truck. Yipes, don't know how I survived.
Wish more governments would allow these for roads requiring aids. They work, they're easier for people to use, interfere less with tight wheel wells, and are generally pretty great. No they're not durable asf but not everyone is a long haul trucks or lives on a snowy mountain pass (and most people who do just have winter tires and that's usually enough for actual roads, not trails). These should be used more.
That’s a cool product. How much are snow chains? I don’t live anywhere that mandates snow chains. So I would probably never get it. Will they except those in replace of mandated snow chains? Where I live it’s legal to have studded tires. So I have wheels that I switch out in the winter time with studs
You always need to stop and put on chains BEFORE you hit the snow, there are very few turnouts to do it after, plus they are really expensive compared to even the best chains.
I can’t find anywhere why Toyota doesn’t or hasn’t put a higher gear tranny in these like the Highlander with an 8 speed transmission to give it better gas mileage and the lower gears for added torque. I know nothing about cars but it seems like that would be a great thing for the 4 Runner and Tacoma.
No Brand Bias Here, this is from all of my many D.O.D. travel trips: Best offroad SUV = Jeep Wrangler Best 50/50 On-road/Off-road SUV = Toyota 4Runner Best On-road SUV = Dodge Durago Best Towing/Cargo SUV = Chevy Surburban, GMC Yukon XL, Cadddilac Escalade ESV Best People Carrier = Ford Expedition Max This is based on driving multiple times between different military bases Nellis AFB, NV • Edwards AFB, CA • Yuma MCAS, AZ Honorable mentions... Nissan... Avoid anything Nissan unless you like waiting on a tow truck... The Nissan broke down on me at three different sites. First time, it just cut off on the 405 north bound, brand new vehicle with 10 miles. It started up after 3 minutes. Second time, couldn't even get off the lot, the computer in that on had the cluster going crazy. Third time, coworker rented one, once we loaded it down with pelican cases... it would not move. Sounded like the transmission had disconnected. We only had 350lbs of cargo. Already own the jeep, and durango, adding a 4runner to the collection. Best thing about my job is the long term rentals. But every single 4runner I've had has been a dream. Only issue, we'll its not really an issuse... I'm just use to more gears, especially on the highway. It will get up and go, but don't be in a rush because you only have 5 gears. And at 70pmh, the 4runner, and the 5.0 mustang seems to have the same gas mileage 😂😂😂
I'd be okay with mandatory snow tires but ONLY if the state actually built roads that don't buckle, wash out, and need to be patched and repaved every 3-4 years. And if they got rid of road salt/spray and switched to sand only. If they're going to make us spend money on winter tires then they shouldn't also cost us by destroying our tires and wheels, speeding up rusting, and wasting our tax money on cheap poor quality work.
Currently have Nitto Terra Grapplers on my RWD 4Runner (I know I know, but I really only off road at the lake in Texas so 2WD worked for me with the current used car market...) I have been nervous to take the 2Runner to Colorado at the end of march but these might give me a lot of ease of mind!
I think these are no replacement for chains at all. Thats because these are meant for snow and "snow chains" should really be called "ice chains" two different products that each work great for their own purpose.
Not for everyone, what if you just live on a dead end street that never gets plowed or maybe just have a long driveway. Snow tires are not always the best solution.
Nice job Tommy !! wondering if there is any metallic threads in these and would they grip at all on an icy driveway. wondering because you mentioned the gloves. Great test !
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Get your own set of K&K Auto Accessories Snowsocks for your car, truck, or SUV and travel with confidence in snowy and icy conditions. Go to www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BH7KFYBG today!
Tommy what an excellent and informative review. I have been watching traction aids on RUclips and your recommendation did it. I ordered from Amazon and it arrived today. It is now stowed in the rear seat compartment of my 2022 Tacoma. My truck is now fully compliant for SoCal winter snow driving regulations. Thanks again😊
Test the Michelin Easy Grip composite snow chains please.
Amazing what happens when you get the correct size snow sock. Glad to see you guys tested them again. They really are a solid option. Just don't drive them on open pavement if you can help it as they will tear apart in 10 miles.
Yes 100% they work in snow but are not a good option at all on paved roads which is where people will be using them most as you will have to remove them and reapply every quarter mile lul
Yeah, just test fitting mine and rolling a few feet forward and back on asphalt and I noticed some loose threads. Basically becomes single use disposables.
I really did not expect the socks to make they much difference. Great video.
I used overshoes identical in construction to these, in Antarctica and they worked better than spiked overshoes in the soft snow!
Woah. Antarctica?! That's cool.
As a truck driver I have used chains and socks and I 2,000 percent recommend the socks !!!
Yeah, commercial snow socks. Why are you lying?
@@davedavid0 I am sorry you had issues but for some of us we didn’t have the same issues .
Can you use socks in places where chains are legally required to be put on
@@jthomp997 Colorado is the only state that is ok to use them . They have not been out long enough and in the world of the DOT it can take them time . But I drive Washington to Iowa route and use them a lot .
Socks are total trash, granted they’re better than running barefoot but unless you’re just running a sissy 5 axle semi socks are useless. Here in BC most trucks are required to have chains on 6-8 drive tires depending on configuration. And those aren’t garbage square link crap either generally, that’s studded tryggs. We literally sit back and watch the Americans try hills with socks and then get hammered with a $700 tow bill, it’s pure comedy watching the incompetence.
4Runners and land cruisers are the best suvs ever made
😂😂😂
@@mongoostehe’s not wrong
@@MichaelMiller-rg6or I think Mongooste has a different SUV in mind. The incomparable Dodge Journey 😎
@@mongoosteyou prolly think the escape or the Honda odyssey are the best suvs ever and the ridgeline, maverick, and Santa Cruz are the best trucks.
Shhhh. Don’t tell my sequoia. Lol
We have a 2012 sienna that we took to Beech mountain NC to get snow, they got 10" of snow and plowed the roads but it was still crazy icy and coming down those steep grades using autosocks it did amazing. Literally did not lose traction once. These things really do work great and takes about 45 seconds per tire to install.
My 5th gen 4Runner is the best vehicle I’ve ever owned. I’ve become so attached to it 😂
Hahah your name is hilarious! Mid life Chrisis 😂 I’ve also been attached to my 4Runner 5th Gen Limited
Here in Austria 3 peak snow rated tires are mandatory from November to April.
Cool story
I keep 3 peak snow rated tires on my SUV all year. They drive solid and smooth year round.
I use a set of 3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake (3PMSF) rated Micheline CrossClimate2 All Weather tires for almost 2 years now to avoid the cost and storage of swapping twice a year. Excellent in all conditions so far in Canada.
Same in Colorado……
bernard_hossmoto
thats how its required also in germany for winter months.
Fun video. These are probably best for 2 wheel drive cars. I am a skier and constantly in the CO mtns. Every 4wd or AWD vehicle I ever had made it in the snow just fine. Only time I was ever stuck was in my old 2wd Caravan. Socks probably would have been a good option for that.
Always switch to Snow and 3-Peak rated winter tires if you like in a snowy climate. The main advantage of these snow socks is how quickly they can be put on or taken off. That said, if it is something that may only be used once every 2-5 years and only to get out of a slippery ditch, then it's probably better to just keep a package of long zip ties beside the spare tire rather than paying $120 for a package of these or $50 for a set of snow chains as both also take up more space in the trunk and can't be used for all sorts of other functions like zip ties. Also consider a set of track pads.
I would be interested in seeing this test on a front wheel drive vehicle like a 2 wheel drive crossover or minivan.
I think they've done that already.
These work excellent on front or rear
I'm just back from rural Finland and can confirm they work wonders on my front wheel drive Tiguan. Wasn't this brand but very similar. Did get some strange looks and two or three locals pulled me over to ask if everything was OK 😂
Yes I'm in the part of N.C. where we don't get very much snow (maybe only once every 4-6 years) so these definitely would be a good investment to keep in my 2 wheel drive truck because I work 50 miles from home & have been stranded several times at work. I was once stranded for 3 days at work, but luckily I work at a very high end retirement home & had everything I needed, from my own private fully furnished apartment, food, shower & all, but still isn't the same as my own bed.
I think having them on the front in 4WD would make more of a difference obviously for braking but even accelerating it’s easier to pull than push in severed conditions
Tommy you make me smile every time I watch your reviews. You are a star. The 4 runner is low-key one of the most reliable SUV's in the game. But it's a gas guzzler.
…and has lousy stock tires.
Very impressive. I would have never guessed that there would be such a large improvement in traction.
If it’s old and fits like a glove and you love it . Why would you want anything different that costs more money 💰 . Plain and simple is always best .
Depends on where you are in Colorado and the conditions - you can get some big fines if you cause a backup without having the right equipment
Thanks for the review and that is a great tool for All Season tires especially for warm climate countries where snow only happens on the high mountains once a while as a local attraction. I wonder how it compares to the dedicated Winter tires or All Weather tires. Using the All Weather CrossClimate 2 for the last 23 months now and haven't had any issues driving through ice or unplowed 1~2 foot of snow on a FWD HEV yet. Perhaps the better solution for the new car owners is to sell the new set of factory OEM tires immediately after the delivery to get the maximum return value for the new tires than use the money plus the extra $150.00 to get a set of premium All Weather tires to avoid the hassle all year round.
Would they come off if they were on a front wheel drive car? From turning?
Something people aren’t mentioning. Yes cables and chains generally work better and last longer, but depending on your vehicle, chains and cables might not work for low clearance.
I have a GLE 53 Coupe and you cannot use cables. Too low clearance and they will destroy the side profile of my AMG wheels.
These are a perfect solution. As most people have mentioned AWD/4WD usually fits the bill, but for those rare times CHP goes to R3 chain control or you’re in situation your tires need more traction even when using AWD, these are great solution.
With a 4x4, when chaining up (or socking up) it is best to put then on the front tires for improved steering control and better traction with the weight of the engine. My Tacoma doesn't have enough clearance for my heavy duty chains so I have socks for the front tires...haven't needed to use them yet.
Thank you for that super interesting comment... I have a 95 Tacoma four-wheel drive with a shell but in icy conditions that tail will come out still sometimes I should probably invest in some sand bags ! I don't have any snow chains which I probably should have but I have gotten away with it so far... just don't want to hassle with chains... snow socks seem like a good option
I use chains 40-50 times a year for my cabin in the mountain
With H-chains I can rip through 4 feet of snow,
Unstoppable
Feels like the socks basically represented having good snow tires 👍
Thanks for the great demonstration. Just a suggestion... Usually if you only want to use two socks, 2 chains, etc on a 4-wheeler, they should be installed on the front two tires as that is where there's more weight.
That and I’d think you want traction on the front for steering purposes 🤷♂️
@@rey5597 Yes. It's the standard way to do it. I lived in Mammoth Lakes for 16 years and snow there is always deepest in the lower 48
A smart tool to have in the vehicle in winter time.
I would like to bring my 2003 diesel Excursion up there and test it. I just put 35" Milestar Patagonia M/T's on her. She seems to do really well with a tire that's not 3 peak rated.
Great Video. I tried this K&K Snow Socks before in my hometown and they definitely work as seen in this video. There may be cheap options in the market or not but K&K definitely works perfectly.
This is the best review on these snow socks I’ve seen on YT, I’m definitely getting these socks
This is good to know for us in the Deep South that want to drive up to see any kind of snow. I’m not gonna drive 12-15 hours on dry pavement with winter tires.
The best imperfect suv that ticks all the boxes.
That is a great way to put it! It's how I feel about mine, I often describe it as a Swiss army knife. Useful for a lot of things, but not excellent at any of them.
I have a 93 4 Runner with 38.5 inch tall TSL Super Swamper Bogger tires and last time i was out playing in fresh pow pow i was going trough snow over my hood. And i have a 3 inch body lift and 4 inch suspensoin lift and i didnt even need 4 wheel drive. And i never aired down my tires. And they are only 11.5 wide. The work good ithink. When i lock in the front hubs it will go almoat anywhere. Ive given up before my mighty 4 runner has a few times. These things can reliably bring you to extreme places. I live in Washington state and we are seeing snow just recently in the hills.
I would like to know the difference between the socks and real winter tires.
I just went from stock tires to GY wrangler duratracs on my 4runner! Snow machine!!
I would definitely choose these over dinking around with chains. But with actual, genuine winter tires, you get these benefits without having to stop on the side of the road and install them. If I lived in Colorado or somewhere with chain laws, I'd carry these. But winter tires (studded if legal in your area) are still the best choice.
The upfront cost is significant - on my Grand Cherokee, it was $350 for rims and $1150 for the tires. But I'll get 4 or 5 seasons out of them easily, and 4-5 months of the year I'm not wearing out my other set of tires. If someone's dropping $3000-$6000 on all wheel drive, finish the job and give it real tires to work with. Or, save that money and just get the winter tires.
True. Winter tires don't cost more in the long run because you are saving your "all seasons" from wear and tear while they are on. But I think this advice is primarily for folks who live in areas that only get an occasional snow. If you put dedicated snow tires on in December and leave them until April or May, and you are driving 90% of the time on dry pavement, they won't last long. They aren't designed for that. Perhaps a set of the newer All Weather tires might be the best answer. Though not as good as dedicated snow tires they can handle quite a bit. One disadvantage is they usually come with a shorter tred warranty...60-70,000 mile as opposed to 90-100,000 on some all season tires.
Ram those snow socks on my semi doing every pass that was legal in Colorado grossing anywhere from 30k to 110k. They work great on hard pack and ok on deeper stuff. I ran them because of the clearance between tire and fender.
They absolutely fall apart fast when you use them over snow that has the sand/gravel spread.
And there's the rub. Where do you drive where it snows and they DON'T put down sand or gravel? Chains are more of a hassle, but they tolerate changes in road surface without the fear of shredding.
How much tread depth is left on those tires? By 30,000 miles the factory tires are usually close to used up. In my experience, snow performance gets exponentially worse below 6/32" of tread, and by the time you have 4/32" left it's pretty dangerous.
I always sold my stock tires come with 4Runner (even my TRD Pro) and get tires with 3Peak mountain snow flake symbol. 3PMSF tires + real 4WD = best combo for CO winters.
I live in colorado as well. My buddy gave me a set of all season tires for 12 dollars (he was flipping the rims they came on), for my lifted 2007 Prius. They actually have better traction then my 2 yo all season tires I had originally. It corners better, it doesnt get stuck or slide nearly as much in the snow, and my set were starting to actually lose traction on dry pavement where this set, it feels like it'd maintain traction up till I rolled the car.
The one big caveat here is I'm not running typical prius tires. These tires came off a work van. So they are heavy duty tires, way thicker walls, with way more aggressive tread. Technically street tires, but any more aggressive, I think theyd be considered A/Ts. I genuinely think these are better than the winter tires any tire shop would pick to throw on a prius.
And the biggeat proof to that? My gas mileage tanked. I went from 42mpg to 36mpg... 36 is about what I would expect from A/Ts, since that seems to be the general consensus from various forums where anybody's put A/Ts on a prius. Part of that could also be I drive like an @$$hole a lot. Since the Prius is a hybrid, it has a limited selection of tires that work well with it. Essentially, the Prius has to trade off between traction and mileage, because traction represents rolling friction, which reduces mileage. So even your typical winter tires for it often dont do as well as all seasons from another vehicle, since theyre actually trying to keep the traction low enough for good mileage.
Anyway just some thoughts for anyone watching this. Take more control over your car's layout, you'll squeeze more performance out of it. In my case, I'd rather take the hit in efficiency to have a car that drives really well, especially in bad weather, and literally any tire with more aggressive tread than stock would help a lot in that regard.
I think socks are a great option for people who dont drive in snow that often... Or even for those who do so often, but dont want to invest in different tires. I'm probably going to get a set just to have, for even better performance. I dont expect to have to drive when that snowed in here, but you never know.
Another thing I've been wanting to do, which, I'm not really sure why more people dont do, is to just get a second set of rims with different tires on them. I'd actually appreciate the higher efficiency of the regular tires in the summer, and at 70 dollars and a trip, it's annoying to get tires derimmed and added at least twice a year. And I'd probably wind up wanting to do more than that, because like an idiot, I sometimes take my prius up offroad trails (put my lift kit to test on Switzerland trail, lol). For situations like that in the summer, I prefer something beefier. You can get a set of steel rims for pretty cheap. I plan on running the more efficient tires on my stock alloy rims, and then putting some A/Ts on a set of steel rims. That way I can just spend about half an hour, to swap all 4 wheels in my driveway depending on my needs.
And now imagine putting a set of winter tyres on that 4Runner and test again =D
Many cars, AWD included, can only take one pair of aid and it is usually the front tires.
For eg Forester can only have chans on the front.
SUBARU WITH A FULL SET OF STUDDED SNOW TIRES ARE THE BEST IN SNOW ❄️! ! !
The stopping delta can save you from crashing into the car ahead of you.
Aside from money concerns, I don't understand how someone would not have dedicated snow tires. It's just so much safer. But I live in Houston so it's something I will never know.😁
Thanks Tommy! I'm ordering 2 sets for my 4Runner tonight! I can really use these!
I'd like to see this test done using proper winter tires too! My tires are pretty awesome lol
Do not do it they will rip on pavement so you will be out messing with them more often than cables or chains
@@raymondluna3187 You are not supposed to use them on pavement, or for road use. They are for needing extra traction to get up a hill, or something, if you are having trouble with traction. You don't leave them on.
@@lunamaria1048 well then they seem even less useful now that you explained that so let me see the mindset of these people you use them to get out of a long or steep driveway then you take them off and put on propper chains or cables to continue on the road... makes sense to me mate lul
These are for long-distance driving and they perform better than cables and chains. The instructions say "do not drive on DRY pavement", that's because your tire will heat up and deform the special textile. Just like snow chains, you should remove them when you get to dry pavement. Otherwise, you should be good for driving for 100s of miles on snow or ice on asphalt or concrete roads.
@@MrTekSaz oh ok still not a viable options where I am but more for truckers in alaska maybe somethimg like that I just did not see the point in them if you only used them to drive out of the driveway lul
4 good winter tires would be a better choice. This could be good for an emergency. Not every day driving.
I agree. These snowsocks are best for people that might get caught by surprise, such as getting caught in a traffic jam as it starts to snow and they end up still on the road as the conditions get worse. They aren't really for people that have an ongoing need to be on the roadways when it is really bad. I live in a climate where all seasons are safe except for 3 or 4 days a year. I could use these in an emergency.
In fresh tracks you get more traction its the packed down tire tracks you dont get grip. How is it on a snow packed road for steering? Do they slide on the tire? Nice video buddy
What's it like when you take them off? I've heard they are often destroyed or horribly messy.
Pretty cool, I would like to see the difference of a snow tire (blizzaks) vs snow sock for comparison!
I've got Blizzaks on my VW Tiguan, just returned from rural Finland (we had - 40) and can confirm with the snow socks on was far superior. In saying that the Blizzaks were wonderful and I recommend them but with the snow socks on was the best. For long term use though studded tyres is the answer no doubt.
"We're trying to simulate your typical driver". Then you need to be pushing 70 through there, Tommy. 😊
From the “there’s no perfect solution” files, socks are great but they aren’t good for long distance drives. Still: how many of us regularly drive hundreds of miles with traction aids on?
Thank you, Tommy, looks like a normal day here in Minnesota, cold and snow. Did you give up your entry-level Wranger for comfort and reliability?
Given winter tires is the best setup, that should have been the comparison.
Having lived in north dakota and drive for a living, yeah, youll see exactly what he claimed. All seasons on snowy surfaces hmm
Plaese repeat this test with a 3 peak mountain marked tire like the Crossclimate2, the 'Hankook H750 Kinergy 4S 2 or GOODYEAR VECTOR 4 SEASONS G3. There are so many good tires but OEMs still sell these warm weather rubber to get a better mpg rating.
I remember living in Colorado in the 80s with a very basic 1986 2wd toyota pickup. No all season, no nothing tires. My 4x4 was piling up snow in the bed of the truck. Yipes, don't know how I survived.
This guy is totally in love with hearing himself talk, bet there's no off switch.
Wish more governments would allow these for roads requiring aids. They work, they're easier for people to use, interfere less with tight wheel wells, and are generally pretty great.
No they're not durable asf but not everyone is a long haul trucks or lives on a snowy mountain pass (and most people who do just have winter tires and that's usually enough for actual roads, not trails). These should be used more.
That’s a cool product. How much are snow chains? I don’t live anywhere that mandates snow chains. So I would probably never get it. Will they except those in replace of mandated snow chains? Where I live it’s legal to have studded tires. So I have wheels that I switch out in the winter time with studs
I put real snow tires on my 2004 malibu and it would go right up that hill but were terrible on dry road curves.
How do these do in wetter snow, when its just below, or at freezing?
You always need to stop and put on chains BEFORE you hit the snow, there are very few turnouts to do it after, plus they are really expensive compared to even the best chains.
I have these, haven’t used yet. I’m buying more for my other cars. Thanks!
İmpressive!!!! That product much useful my car definitly ı will buy that!!
I can’t find anywhere why Toyota doesn’t or hasn’t put a higher gear tranny in these like the Highlander with an 8 speed transmission to give it better gas mileage and the lower gears for added torque.
I know nothing about cars but it seems like that would be a great thing for the 4 Runner and Tacoma.
Does the chassis rust in snow / salt ? Asking from a Canadian winter perspective
No Brand Bias Here, this is from all of my many D.O.D. travel trips:
Best offroad SUV = Jeep Wrangler
Best 50/50 On-road/Off-road SUV = Toyota 4Runner
Best On-road SUV = Dodge Durago
Best Towing/Cargo SUV = Chevy Surburban, GMC Yukon XL, Cadddilac Escalade ESV
Best People Carrier = Ford Expedition Max
This is based on driving multiple times between different military bases
Nellis AFB, NV • Edwards AFB, CA • Yuma MCAS, AZ
Honorable mentions...
Nissan... Avoid anything Nissan unless you like waiting on a tow truck... The Nissan broke down on me at three different sites.
First time, it just cut off on the 405 north bound, brand new vehicle with 10 miles. It started up after 3 minutes.
Second time, couldn't even get off the lot, the computer in that on had the cluster going crazy.
Third time, coworker rented one, once we loaded it down with pelican cases... it would not move. Sounded like the transmission had disconnected. We only had 350lbs of cargo.
Already own the jeep, and durango, adding a 4runner to the collection. Best thing about my job is the long term rentals. But every single 4runner I've had has been a dream. Only issue, we'll its not really an issuse... I'm just use to more gears, especially on the highway. It will get up and go, but don't be in a rush because you only have 5 gears. And at 70pmh, the 4runner, and the 5.0 mustang seems to have the same gas mileage 😂😂😂
Great video, I wish you would have tried the socks on all 4 wheels. These type of socks seem much better then the previous ones shown.
Just stick with what really works and will last cables and chains
Good morning TFL!!! Good morning Tommy!!
I'd be okay with mandatory snow tires but ONLY if the state actually built roads that don't buckle, wash out, and need to be patched and repaved every 3-4 years. And if they got rid of road salt/spray and switched to sand only.
If they're going to make us spend money on winter tires then they shouldn't also cost us by destroying our tires and wheels, speeding up rusting, and wasting our tax money on cheap poor quality work.
Love ❤️ Toyota 4 Runners … BEST SUV EVER 💪🏿 !!!
What happens if you have proper snow tires instead of all seasons? Will the socks still be an improvement, or will they make matters worse?
This is worth testing
That's impressive.
It would be a lot better with a set of Firestone Destination AT's.
Only dorks use chains or traction devices.
I drive through crazy blizzards on Mt Hood.
The 'Roller Stick of Truth?' Have you gone all Carwow on us?
This same test would be awesome to see on an AWD vehicle lake a rav4 or highlander.
i have a fwd highlander with snow mode. can climb up any hill with correct tire pressure. will never need AWD
Would be the similar results to this 4Runner except a little less traction in AWD vehicle since you don’t have 50/50 power distribution.
What difference would it make in using the socks on all 4 wheels?
How would they work on beach sand?
ALl-Season tires are not a fair start for a region with heavy snowfall.
All seasons with part time 4wd. Just switch to 4wd when you need it. way better than getting out and putting stuff on your tires.
They been using them for awhile on rv's,45 footers
I deep snow i seem to need to use 4L to oush through it.
Currently have Nitto Terra Grapplers on my RWD 4Runner (I know I know, but I really only off road at the lake in Texas so 2WD worked for me with the current used car market...) I have been nervous to take the 2Runner to Colorado at the end of march but these might give me a lot of ease of mind!
Need to see a video of these on one those hills you always see all rhe cars getting stuck on
I think these are no replacement for chains at all. Thats because these are meant for snow and "snow chains" should really be called "ice chains" two different products that each work great for their own purpose.
Will it be ok having the socks in the rear tires and have it on 4h
Love the 4Runner but it need to be update badly
Toyota is taking their good old time on a redesign. It’s probably not coming until MY25.
Winter tires best solution 😂😂
Not for everyone, what if you just live on a dead end street that never gets plowed or maybe just have a long driveway. Snow tires are not always the best solution.
5:37 and you would have stopped sooner without ABS. ABS should be an option, not a requirement.
Do these socks work on Texas black ice?
only one right decision we can made from this vid - the stock tire sucks, use appropriate tires for the weather you have.
I would put them on the front tyres.
Studs rein!
"The interior is a little dated". A 'little'. LOL
Im good with my 2006 subaru sti with studded sumitomo ice edge tires
Stop saying "standard 4runner"....
It makes us wish there was a manual option even more.
Can you do a comparison between sr5 , trd off road and limited 4wd please
There is no real difference in any trims except in the off road you get a read locker the rest is cosmetic
Nice job Tommy !! wondering if there is any metallic threads in these and would they grip at all on an icy driveway. wondering because you mentioned the gloves. Great test !
Socks don’t work on ice at all.
To be fair my trd off road 4 runner came with the absolute worst tires Iv ever used. They are Dunlop brand and do nothing good.