Best A/T Truck Tire for Snow: Top Picks and Buying Guide for Winter Traction

By Thomas M. Ellis

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All-terrain (A/T) truck tires give you a balance of on-road comfort and off-road grip. That means you can drive year-round without swapping tires every season.

For winter, A/T tires with good snow performance help you handle packed snow, light ice, and slush better than regular highway tires. They still perform well on dry roads too.

Look for A/T tires that carry the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol, or at least have tread and rubber designed for cold-weather traction.

When you’re picking the best A/T truck tire for snow, check out the tread pattern, rubber compound, siping depth, and winter certification. Tread pattern decides how fast snow and slush clear out; softer compounds stay flexible in the cold; and deeper sipes boost grip on ice.

You want a tire that balances winter traction, long wear, and reasonable road noise. That combo is surprisingly tricky to find.

We tried out and compared A/T tires in wet, snowy, icy, and dry conditions. The goal? Find ones that keep you safe in winter without making daily driving a pain.

Best A/T Truck Tires for Snow

You need A/T tires that grip in snow but still feel good driving every day. Here are some top picks that balance winter traction, durability, and comfort so you can match your truck and your needs.

SCC Auto‑Trac Tire Chains

Grab these if you want easy chains that tighten themselves and give solid winter traction for light trucks and SUVs.

Pros

  • Self-tightening ratchets make roadside fitment quick.

  • Diamond pattern rides smoother than old-school ladder chains.

  • Lighter, low-mass links mean less road shock and wear.

Cons

  • You gotta keep speeds under 30 mph.
  • Sizing can be confusing; some buyers get the wrong size.
  • Sometimes, damaged parts show up right out of the box.

I clipped these on my truck during a snow squall, and honestly, the Auto‑Trac ratchets do the work while you back up a few feet. You connect the inside cable, hook the outside self-tighteners, and they pull snug—no jacking needed.

On packed snow and slush, the diamond cross pattern gave me a steady bite and a smoother ride than the old ladder style. The lighter alloy links don’t jolt you over rough patches as much.

Check the fit chart before ordering—I had to double-check tire codes to get the right size. A few folks mention mis-sized sets or a broken latch on arrival, so inspect your kit before you need it.

SCC Auto-Trac Light Truck/SUV Chains

These are for you if you want quick, self-tightening chains that work in moderate snow and fit a lot of trucks and SUVs.

Pros

  • Self-tightening ratchets save installation time.

  • Lighter, low-profile links give a smoother ride.

  • Good traction on packed snow, and easy to remove.

Cons

  • Sizing can be tricky; some buyers get the wrong fit.
  • Not for speeds over 30 mph, not ideal for deep snow.
  • A few reports of broken latches right out of the box.

I put these on my truck and the ratcheting system really cut down install time. Hook the inside cable, snap on the outside self-tighteners, drive a bit, and they cinch up. That made a wet, chilly morning a lot easier.

On packed, icy roads, the diamond-pattern chains gripped well and felt steady. The ride stayed decent because the cross links are smaller and lighter than the old chains I used, so less vibration at low speeds.

Sizing issues do happen, and I saw one latch that looked fragile. Double-check the size chart before you order and inspect the set when it arrives. If you need something heavy-duty for deep snow or long highway drives, try a different model.

SCC Auto-Trac Light Truck Chains

Get these if you want chains that go on fast, tighten themselves, and give solid snow traction for light trucks and SUVs.

Pros

  • Self-tightening ratchets make fitting faster.
  • Lighter, low-mass links feel less bouncy.
  • Diamond pattern grips well on packed snow.

Cons

  • Sizing can be confusing; some buyers get the wrong fit.
  • Not meant for speeds above 30 MPH.
  • A few units showed up with broken parts.

I put these on a mid-size pickup for a snowy highway run and liked how quickly they cinched up. The ratcheting system is a real time saver—hook the inside cable, clip the outer self-tighteners, drive a bit, and they seat themselves. You don’t need to jack up the truck.

On packed snow, they bit in and kept the truck steady during climbs and starts. The diamond cross-chain pattern cut down on the rattling you get with heavy links, so the ride felt smoother. Wear looked mild after a few short trips, especially compared to the old, bulky chains.

Sizing was an issue once when a set arrived too small for the tire I ordered. Double-check the chart and inspect the kit right away so you can swap it if needed. Don’t drive faster than 30 MPH, and check the hooks and ratchets for shipping damage.

Get them on Amazon: SCC Peerless 0232605 Auto-Trac Light Truck/SUV Tire Traction Chain – Set of 2 Series 2300 – 232605

AutoChoice AutoFixing Snow Chains

Pick these if you want a quick, heavy-duty chain that goes on fast and holds tight in winter.

Pros

  • Super quick to install—you don’t have to move the vehicle.
  • Thick, durable links dig into snow and ice.
  • Self-tightening design stays snug while you drive.

Cons

  • Adds weight and bulk you’ve got to store.
  • Self-tightening parts might wear out over time.
  • Not a substitute for winter tires on long, icy trips.

I clipped these on my pickup in under a minute, and they really do live up to the quick-install claim. The chains tightened as I drove slowly on packed snow and stopped wheel spin when I needed traction.

The build felt solid—heavy links that gave me confidence on a snowy driveway. I did notice the extra weight when handling them, and they take up space in the cab or bed.

On bare pavement, I kept my speed low to avoid wear. For short emergency runs and steep, icy spots, these chains are great, but you still want winter tires for long, cold trips.

KO2 All-Terrain (BFGoodrich)

Go for these if you want a tough all-terrain tire that handles snow and lasts a long time.

Pros

  • Very good snow traction and winter rated

  • Tough sidewalls resist cuts and punctures off-road

  • Comfortable and quiet for an all-terrain tire

Cons

  • Heavier than highway tires, can hurt fuel economy
  • A little road noise at higher speeds
  • More expensive than budget all-seasons

I ran these KO2s through a snowy week and some rough gravel. They gripped predictably on packed snow and felt stable braking on icy patches. Cornering felt sure-footed compared to standard all-seasons.

On dirt and rocky tracks, the reinforced sidewalls gave me peace of mind. I hit sharp rocks and didn’t see any chunking or sidewall damage. Tread wear looked even after a few hundred miles.

For daily driving, the KO2s were quieter than I expected for such an aggressive tire. You’ll hear a bit more noise at highway speeds, but ride comfort stayed good. If you want a durable, winter-capable A/T that works off-road and on, these are a solid pick.

Buying Guide

When you’re picking an A/T truck tire for snow, focus on traction and compound first. You want tread that bites into snow and rubber that stays flexible in the cold.

Check out the tread pattern and siping. Deep grooves move slush and water away. Lots of sipes help with grip on packed snow and ice.

Look for the winter rating and snow service symbols. Tires with those meet tested standards for snow traction, so you can compare models fairly.

Make sure the load capacity and speed rating match your truck. Stick with or exceed what’s on your placard to keep things safe.

Think about durability and how long you want them to last. Tougher sidewalls resist cuts from rocks and debris. Longer tread life means a better deal per mile.

Some A/Ts trade a bit of noise for better snow grip. Decide how much noise you’re willing to put up with for winter traction.

Wet and ice performance matter too. Snow traction is important, but so is braking on slush and black ice. If you can, check out independent test results.

Rotate your tires regularly and keep them inflated right for even wear. Use a wrench or tire pressure gauge and follow a basic schedule.

Quick checklist:

  • Tread pattern and siping
  • Winter/snow rating
  • Load and speed ratings
  • Durability and tread life
  • Wet/ice performance
  • Maintenance needs

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some quick answers about the best all-terrain truck tires for snow, how they do in deep snow and ice, key features to check, year-round use, and how they stack up against winter tires.

What are the top rated all-terrain tires for winter driving conditions?

Popular picks for snow include the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2, Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac, and Falken Wildpeak A/T3W.
These get high marks for tread bite, siping, and durability in cold temps.

How do all-terrain tires perform in deep snow and icy roads?

All-terrain tires handle light to moderate snow well thanks to aggressive tread and wide voids.
They can struggle in very deep, soft snow and on bare ice compared to dedicated winter tires.

What features should I look for in a truck tire to ensure good snow traction?

Look for deep tread voids, multi-directional tread blocks, and lots of siping for grip on packed snow and slush.
A softer rubber compound that stays pliable in cold weather also helps with traction and braking.

Can all-terrain truck tires be used all year round, including in snowy weather?

Yes, many A/T tires work all year and do fine in winter if they’re winter-rated.
But in places with heavy snow or a long icy season, winter tires are safer and stop shorter.

What is the difference between snow-rated all-terrain tires and winter tires?

Snow-rated A/T tires balance off-road traction and highway use, giving decent winter performance and durability for rough roads.
Winter tires use softer compounds, more siping, and special tread patterns just for ice and deep snow, so they outperform A/Ts in extreme cold and ice.

Are there any all-terrain tires that also carry the mountain/snowflake symbol for severe snow service?

Yep, there are. For instance, you can look at the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2, Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac, or Falken Wildpeak A/T3W.

Want to be sure? Just check the sidewall for the three-peak mountain/snowflake (3PMSF) symbol. That mark means the tire’s certified for severe snow.

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