Snow Socks

matt1122 · Dec 15, 2013

So I had previously seen these listed on Volvo's accessories website and thought they sounded like a neat idea. I'm considering ordering a set (or maybe two, not sure if they - like snow chains - should only be used on the front wheels) since we live on a steep curvy hill and the alternate route I've had to take is a steep curvy set of switchbacks. Has anyone used these yet? All the reviews I've found have said they are spectacular. I think they'll be a nice cheap alternative to a set of winter wheels and tires.

http://accessories.volvocars.com/Ac...ories.mvc/en-US/US/S60(11-)/2014/T6 AWD/Automatic/L.H.D/ShowDocument/VCC-462926

DWBF1 · Dec 15, 2013

Buy snow tires.

volvohutter · Dec 15, 2013

DWBF1 said:
Buy snow tires.

Lol, no kidding.

stormlv · Dec 15, 2013

I too would buy a set of snow tires instead of the "socks". Even the cheapest winter tires, outperform the high performance summer tires.

matt1122 · Dec 16, 2013

Yeah, but you guys live in places where you will actually make good use of snow tires.

I'd probably have to throw these on 2-3x per year at most and the rest of the time the roads are clear.

A lot of people say they are better than snow tires, as well.

stormlv · Dec 16, 2013

While I admit that I have no experience with these socks, one of my gripes would be the max speed limit for these socks (30mph).
Not only that, once the temperature dips below 44F, summer tires start losing performance even if there is no snow/ice on the road.

DWBF1 · Dec 16, 2013

matt1122 said:
Yeah, but you guys live in places where you will actually make good use of snow tires.

I'd probably have to throw these on 2-3x per year at most and the rest of the time the roads are clear.

A lot of people say they are better than snow tires, as well.

Matt, that is a common misconception about snow tires. It does not need to be snowy and/or icy to realize the benefits of snow tires, though of course those situations are where you see the most added benefits and additional confidence.

Snow tires (rather, the rubber compound) responds differently in "cold" (sub-44F as pointed out above) weather than standard all seasons (or summers!), namely, the rubber stays soft. Braking and cornering are much better. When it first gets cold in November, but before the first flakes ever fly, my ContiSportContacts are hard as rocks and never really warm up. I put the snows on and the ride is infinitely more comfortable (again, because the rubber stays soft). FWIW I maintain the same size on my car year round, and don't go down a size, so I do not attribute the ride quality improvement to a taller sidewall like most would.

Of course, your choice how you spend your bucks, but a decent set of snows can be picked up used on Craigslist for 50+% off retail all day. I'll never own a car without snow tires ever again.

ptpatrick · Dec 16, 2013

This is always a debate here in Denver as well. Most folks I know ski and most have AWD and drive into the mountains to do so, and most do not use snow tires. But they also stay down here if the roads are bad up there. Skiing is our cash crop so the state does a good job on roads to the resorts and its takes a good storm to make trouble.

Down here in Denver is another story. We are pretty much left to own devices on anything but an interstate or main drag. If it snows a foot, be prepared to plow through a foot on every surface street. I drive a c30 and always manage with the stock all seasons but don't live far from work and I'm in the city so can walk/bus if things are bad. If I lived in burbs with longer commute I would seriously consider snow tires. My point is that I like the idea of these for those horrible mornings where everything is just an ice rink or there is a crap ton of snow. I still wouldn't have clearance but that's another issue. If you are like me and live in a small city house with a small city garage snow tires are not the greatest option because of places to store them. This could be a great back up to make sure you get to work on the worst of days. I just haven't been able to justify snow tires yet because there have only been a couple times since driving the c30 where I was "afraid to go out" and even then I probably could have. Denver gets so warm and nice each day in winter when it's not bad weather icy roads are usually only an issue during a storm. We don't even really get black ice much because the dry air often allows melt water to Evap before it re-freezes...except in some shady spots. It's a tough call though.

Fifth Set · Dec 16, 2013

I'm very curious what these "socks" are even made out of. Looks to me like a fabric of some kind. Hard to picture it really being able to withstand much wear and tear, even at low speeds.

Anyone have them?

matt1122 · Dec 16, 2013

DWBF1 said:
It does not need to be snowy and/or icy to realize the benefits of snow tires, though of course those situations are where you see the most added benefits and additional confidence.

See, I don't understand how I've never read this before. Maybe because I haven't cared about snow tires much until now.

I probably will still get snow tires, then, especially given the ride quality difference. Thanks!

However, I'll also still consider the socks unless anyone has had a bad experience. They're more of an alternative to chains than tires. They'd be ideal at times such as last weekend, when we had a storm arrive 5 hours sooner than forecast and I had to drive home on sheets of ice and couldn't cross 10mph anyway. The little bit of extra assurance sounds nice in situations where I'm watching other people slide into curbs and barriers at 25mph because they underestimated the situation.

Supposedly, they'll last "several winters," but that's the manufacturer's claim.

s6013t5 · Dec 17, 2013

Matt, this should help http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-reviews/winter-tires-track-tested.

Also, I live right off of 78 in Easton, PA and I have snows. We get a lot of use out of them, this year especially. The hardest part for me is deciding whether to get a dedicated set of rims or swap them on/off stocks. So far I have had them swapped. This is also the snow's 3rd season, and they have over 15,000 miles on them. They will get about 10,000 more miles this year and I should get one more season out of them, so the manufacturers aren't lying. I would also worry about the socks coming off and damaging the car.

dhorvath · Dec 17, 2013

If you do get them, please report how they work for you (preferably in this thread).

matt1122 · Dec 17, 2013

Apparently they are $60-$80 per set. Reviews all say they are great for emergency situations and much easier to put on than chains, but going over 30mph or on uncovered pavement will tear them up. The traction is apparently amazing, though.

Fifth Set · Dec 17, 2013

matt1122 said:
Apparently they are $60-$80 per set. Reviews all say they are great for emergency situations and much easier to put on than chains, but going over 30mph or on uncovered pavement will tear them up. The traction is apparently amazing, though.

Give them a try and then give us a write up with your opinion!

Wayne T5 · Dec 19, 2013

Proper descriptor is "winter tires".

Snow tires are from the '70s and something that you used to put on the Caprice Estate wagon.

And I probably wouldn't bother with the snow socks, or whatever they're called.

Snow Socks

matt1122

DWBF1

volvohutter

stormlv

matt1122

stormlv

DWBF1

ptpatrick

Fifth Set

matt1122

s6013t5

dhorvath

matt1122

Fifth Set

Wayne T5

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