Kal’s Best Winter Tires for 2024

Winter driving can be challenging, but choosing the best winter tires for your needs shouldn’t be.

To help you take the guesswork out of finding tires you can count on, since 2015, we’ve put more than 500 tires through our independent tire testing—not on a track, but in real Canadian conditions.

By measuring everything from hydroplane resistance on cold, wet roads to braking and cornering on ice and snow, Kal’s Tire Testing lets you drive with confidence and peace of mind. Here is an overview of our top performers across categories for designated winter tires bearing the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol.

Best Studded Winter Tires on Ice and Snow

Thinking about studded winter tires? In many parts of Canada—including the mountains and rural Prairies—winter driving means facing hard-packed snow and icy roads for months. If you live or drive in an area that regularly sees heavy snow and black ice, studded tires can provide the superior side-to-side and front-to-back grip you need. 

As you can see in the Kal’s Test Results for tires like the legendary studded Hakkapeliitta, this is where you’ll find five-star performance for braking and cornering on ice and snow. Plus, with all new sound-dampening technology, when conditions are mild, you can tread lightly. 

Top Non-Studded Winter Tires on Ice and Snow

When you use a dedicated set of winter tires, you immediately notice the difference in grip—in both mild everyday winter driving and the most difficult conditions. With thicker tread blocks that bite ice and snow, and a rubber compound that stays soft even in the coldest temps, you can expect superior handling and traction on snow, ice and slush.

If you live in a region that sees a lot of snow and cold but you don’t often face black ice or drive regularly on mountain passes, a non-studded winter tire is the way to go. Compare Kal’s Test Results on these winter tires—including the iconic Nokian Hakkapeliita, one of our most popular and trusted tires for winter for generations. 



Best All-Weather Tires for Wet Winter Conditions

There’s a lot to be said for all-weather tires: You get reliable grip across conditions—and you don’t have to worry about seasonal changeovers or tire storage.

Yes, these all-weather tires are designated winter tires that have the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol. That means you’ll see excellent braking on snow and wet winter roads, good cornering and great hydroplaning resistance.

Are all-weather winter tires for you? If most of the winter conditions you face are on the mild side, but you need grip for winter road trips, skiing adventures and slushy shoulder seasons, this is a great choice. 

Top-rated Winter Tires for EV Vehicles

What do you need to consider when you’re choosing winter tires for EV vehicles? All the same safety performance indicators—how well they brake and corner on cold, snowy roads—come into play, but EV winter tires do have special engineering and features.

Nokian Tyres has designed a winter tire specifically for EV’s. The R5 EV gives extra strength and grip to make up for the added weight of an EV—and that will also lend to the longevity of your tires. The Nokian Remedy WRG5 is an all-weather tire designed for EV’s. It has the winter tire symbol so you get reliable safety in the colder months, but you can use it year round.

Pirelli’s Winter Sottozero 3 are new premium tire designed for high-end vehicles and maximum traction, handling and safety in wet, cold and icy conditions.

Depending on where you live and your winter hobbies, there are other tire choices to consider. The Hakka 10 EV studded provides grip that some feel is essential on rural roads and mountain passes.

Top All-Terrain Truck Tire for All-Weather Conditions

With performance that’s surefooted on ice and snow, and quiet and responsive on pavement, modern all-terrain/all-weather truck tires do it all.

The Kal’s Tire Testing results for these all-terrain/all-weather tires show top marks for cornering in wet conditions, great snow braking and strong hydroplaning resistance.

Since they bear the winter tire symbol, you’ll meet required regulations if you’re driving on highways, but with one tire you can drive year round, you don’t have to worry about changeovers. 

Best Cargo Tire for Winter Conditions

Looking for winter tires for a cargo van? Look no further. Nokian’s Hakka CR4 gives you safety and comfort wherever the day takes you—from slippery city intersections to unplowed gravel roads.

If your travels regularly take your cargo vehicle through heavy, hard-packed snow and if you ever face black ice, the exceptional grip of the C4 studded is the way to go.