This is the advice of a very senior citizen who grew up driving in Western Colorado mountains. Buy an inexpensive air infiltrator and keep it year around in your vehicle. When installing chains, let out some air pressure. Put on the chains as tight as you can. Then reinflate the tires. Your chains will not come off and the links are less likely to break. There will be no slack and nothing loose.
@@boblatkey7160 I think what he is talking about is a portable air tank. They are like $40 at your local hardware store. Mr. Frank White is right and very resourceful it seems. Great tip!!!
I can see the snow socks being a good option for car rentals. They specifically state that you can't install snow chains on any rental so this might be a good alternative.
My guess is that they include that clause because they don't want you driving the vehicle into the snow and icy conditions, putting it at risk of being totaled. I'm all but certain it has ZERO to do with damage to the car or tires (which would be covered under your insurance or their insurance). If "snow socks" become a thing, you can believe the contract for car rentals will include this.
@@Unknown_Ooh They will know if you get into an accident (like someone crashing into you, or you sliding on the road and hitting the median or going into a ditch) in a "chains only" area.
I switched to snow socks 5 years ago and never looked back. Great traction. No risk of damage to your vehicle. Easy enough for anyone to put on. If they start coming off, slow down and the re-center automatically due to centrifugal force. No throwing rocks. No rattle when you hit clear patches on the road, fold up and fit under a seat. Can't beat them. Easily have a couple hundred miles on my sets.
I’ve used the socks and they’re a great confidence booster when the weather closes in. If you stop on a slight incline, you can roll back over the sock to finish fitting it without spinning the wheels. You do need the correct size for your individual tyres, though. Good luck! P.S. Anyone know if they’re effective in mud?
I believe the most important factor in choosing snow socks or snow chains is how often you think you'll need them. Obviously chains would be the choice if you use them multiple times a year, but many folks only need snow traction devices on rare occasions. Maybe once a year. In this case snow socks make sense.
I've had both. When I was a student I found a pair of chains in an abandonned car that fitted my wheels. Used them a couple of times, they were old chains so quite a hassle to fit (contrary to modern chains). Modern chains on stepmom's family car, I dry fitted them at home before going on skiing vacations. The day we got on the road happened to be a snowy day. Fitting took me 10 mins and we drove about 20-30 km on snow without even scratching the chains or rims. I now have socks for our car. They've driven about 500m, 300 of which on "mixed surface". They'll clearly last a lot less than chains but We've already had them for 3 years, which gives an idea of how often we use them. They're at the feet of the passenger seat whenever we take a road thinking we might need them but the snow clearers around here do a great job and we barely drive on snow when it's actively snowing.
@@kees2906 it depends on what wheel you have. Also it can scratch. Not that I would. But size and wide of the wheels tells if it scratches or not. If that's understandable 😆😉
Bought some snow socks for a few euros and it saved me from being stuck compare to others with their summer tires! The other main advantage is that you can keep them in your car all year long: it weighs nothing and doesn't take too much space
A product that is even worse than the snow claw is "emergency" strap on cable chains. I used to carry those in CT in case of an unexpected snow event. The first time I used them, they spun off (like your snow claws did) but because they are metal, one of them severed a brake line when it came off. They made a bade situation even worse.
Gotta love this attitude. Having massive preconceived ideas about something, testing shit out, being proven wrong by the data and just changing your opinion based on that. Sounds simple on paper but pay attention, and you'll see that more often than not, people just discard the truth for a comforting confirmation bias.
Good video, I've been driving a semi since 95 & I just wanted to mention a couple things, 1: it's better to not drive in those conditions unless necessary. & 2: as good as this video was I noticed that you were doing your test in the same area for certain parts & as you conducted your test the snow kept getting more & more packed changing the conditions (from powder snow to packed snow & even possibly to ice)
@@DanasWanderlustCrochet if only my company would provide them...nevermind the extra 100+ lbs of weight for 4 sets of chains and the space they take...especially considering that we only chain up to get to a safe haven to park!!!
@@Bush63Master chains are not optional for me in the winter. And a lot of drivers do not simply put on change to get to a safe location. I always keep moving with the chains on until it's time to take them off. And I don't know, I know it's an extra 100 lb and they are bulky and take up space but I can't see running with socks rather than chains
When hiking there have been times that placing a pair of socks over my boot toes added incredible traction when dealing with ice covered trails. Great review and entertainment.
sure socks are better than rubber of boot or wheel, but when you loose grip on ice (under snow) socks will polish it and you done, chains can grip or destroy ice completely until they get to road. on snow can be little difference, but ice is more challenging and dangerous
@Skynet I follow your thought. The idea of the tire socks on true ice does send a little pucker factor into the mix, especially compared to true chains…
Soft rubber that is meant to give grip on ice and snow give MUCH better traction then socs on ice... Also for real slippery hard ice and ice with snow on only spikes really work.
A friend of mine that has a towing company does a lot of off road recovery and uses snow socks often to protect tires from cuts from rocks. It’s amazing how well they protect the tires from rock cuts
@@larrytrickett9115 It's actually quite common if you drive in forestry roads or temporary/not fully ready roads. Sharp rocks and sticks easily puncture tires.
Do they help in slippery mud or similar? I have used snow chains for that with good results, but those socks would be neater and protect from sharp items also.
The tires on our tow trucks hardly lasted long enough to be concerned about such things. Go through two sets a year. If you aren’t, you aren’t putting enough miles on your trucks to justify owning a tow truck company.
Don't know if you've ever looked into it, but I think the reason snow socks work so well is because the snow binds to it which in turn makes the snow bind to itself and grip. When I was looking at winter tires last year the ones I ended up getting said after tons of testing their tread pattern was not to fling snow out of the way, but to pack the snow in and bind to itself. Can safely say I haven't slid with these new tires.
I used Auto Socks on my Hotshot Truck and they worked flawlessly. That was up by Hoodoo in Oregon up through Santiam Pass. I got pulled over by an Oregon State Trooper and he looked at me like i was crazy. Well it was time for his shift change so he said he would follow me up and down the mountain while he was on chains. His relief arrived and up and down we went. Keep in mind , I'm grossed out at 38,000 lbs truck, trailer and load with a 40' trailer on a 4wd dually. He followed me up and down the mountain and it was a white out blizzard. We got to the chain removal area and he was stunned. I took them off and he said he would never have believed that they could do that. If thats not a grueling test, there isnt one that is. 50 state legal in the US and THEY DO WORK 100%.
I was looking to understand the difference between snow chains & snow cables, but ended up looking at this. Loved your test, and very very impressed with the snow socks performance. I will echo a comment I saw on one of your other videos. Came here looking for copper and found gold! Thank you for the amazing video and insightful quantitative tests.
Finally, another automotive channel without bullcrap showing viewers all the stuff we want without the jank shit around. Big respect for your creations and keep your work up!
Great to see the comparison. Thanks. Another advantage of Snow Socks is that you can use then on cars that have very little wheel clearance. That is why I have them. The tire clearance on my car is too small to use chains.
@@lizmclean5342 We don't get much snow here so the socks are for just-in-case, especially for a trip over the mountains to the coast. In CT, I had Bridgestone Blizzaks for the winter.
It's my opinion that installing a snow traction device before you get stuck is a bad idea. If you can't proceed on normal tires, traction devices will help you leave. If you use the traction device to drive normally and get stuck, then there is no remedy for you.
You're missing an important situational difference. "Get stuck in 2, get out in 4" is when you're driving in a geographical bowl, because that's where the water naturally accumulated into soft ground. You're also off road and that's a chosen risk. If you get stuck, it's annoying, but not life threatening. You'll never encounter this situation on a hill. Black ice, however, can freeze on a slope of a hill before the water can flow down. If you loose traction on a hill, you don't just get stuck in place, you slide down hill - uncontrollably. And that's dangerous, and not just for yourself, but for other motorists as well. If you are about to ascend a hill in icy conditions, I'd highly recommend adding traction before you loose traction. If the ground is pretty flat, eh, you decide. FYI, in Norway, it's the law to drive with snow chains on certain roads in certain weather conditions. They'll fine you if you get stuck first and are found only just installing the chains.
Isn't it great to be surprised? Thanks for the humorous honesty. Since I only venture to the snow rarely, and need a traction device only for the totally unexpected (as in I don't live in the snow!) the Sox are the obvious answer since they are lighter, require zero maintenance and effectively zero instructions for installation. They're super easy to take along (often here we're just required to HAVE them with us to pass a control). I've been impressed with every test that I've seen with them. But it is the ease of installation that puts it over the top for me. I don't have a lot of room in my wheel wells!
They marketed the crap out of snow cables when they first came out but I live in the mountains and I've used chains and cables. Cables are bullshit, they're like driving on ball bearings, stupidest invention ever.
@@sallysmiththechaosqueller9536 I agree I run Laclede Ice Breakers on my Sammy. One time I saw a guy take out a couple lengths of rope & simply laced it around the tire & through the wheel openings..... away he went
I'm late to the party, but this was an excellent review. The original snow sox seem to have been highly rated, and there were videos of them being used on big rigs, on the snow covered mountain passes of the interstate freeways. Quick installation, smooth wheel rolling, and great traction and braking, were their high points. What I've seen people complain about, is that they don't hold up well. This could be a situation that I've seen when going skiing, where you have mandated snow traction device check points, where you are stopped by authorities and made to either put on your traction devices (or get waved through if you're in an Audi Quattro like we always were), or turn around and go back. The check points are always well before the road conditions get really bad, so you wind up driving on dry, or maybe wet pavement for a while. I can see where this would quickly destroy the socks. Prior to owning the Audi Quattro Avant, we'd take the 4x4 Suburban and used Z-cables on it. They run smoother than chains, and provide better traction. They are also smaller in diameter, and so fit between the inside of the wheel and the suspension on modern vehicles, where chains would probably strike. Z-cables are a much better choice than chains, IMO.
Interesting that they allow the Audi through without chains but not the 4x4 Expedition. Every chain control I've ever been through required chains on 2wd and allowed any 4wd or AWD through, unless conditions were so bad they were requiring chains on all vehicles, which was rare, OR you didn't have proper tires on the 4by. I've had Subarus and Honda AWD and have always been given a pass.
@@alansach8437 I can only speak to having been through a chains req'd inspection in my 4x4 Suburban, and my '95 Audi Quatro Avant. In the Suburban we had to install the z-cables. In the Audi they just waved us through. The Quatro is true, mechanical, all wheel drive, at all times, vs. 4x4 that's only driving 1 rear wheel until the limited slip differential locks, and only 1 front wheel, because that's an open differential. The Audi was literally like driving on dry pavement.
@@austinado16 like a Subaru? They do climb and start great, better cornering. But you cannot cheat the phisics. Every car brake in the same way. (Ask me how i bend my Subaru suspension)
@@wiciuwiciu2783 That's not been my experience with them, but I've only been using them for about 30yrs, either all 4 on the Suburban in the worst icy conditions, or just on the rear in "normal" conditions, and on the front, on my VW's
The socks work at keeping the snow and ice from filling the treads up so there’s always contact and any build up flies off with tire spin. I think they make Kevlar ones so that might be the way to go. KISS is not just a slogan.
@@anonanonkiewicz1921 I'm not sure if that was sarcastic... but in case it wasn't... snow in the tread is a *very* bad thing. The primary reason tires lose grip in snow is because the tread has filled up, creating a fully slick surface. The main characteristic of snow tires over all seasons is how soft the rubber is. Why does soft rubber help? Not because it's "softness" grips better, but because the rubber flexes and bends, causing the treads to "open and close" to release any stuck snow. If you look closely at snow tires, they will often have small incisions all through the rubber to encourage this flexing. The higher quality the snow tire, the better it is at releasing compacted snow. Rubber doesn't grip snow, tread does. And once you have no more tread, you have no more grip.
@@J-and-D I don't get why are you so confident. Snow filling gaps wont make your tire any more slick, because rubber is slick to begin with. Imagine a little experiment: you take a piece of rubber, press it down into snow and then drag it. What happens? Rubber would probably just slide on top of compacted snow. Now take a piece of snow, press it down and then drag. What happened? The piece of snow just merged into one with the snow surrounding it and it's hard to drag along.
Great video. I never drive in snow until I move to Spain at 45 years old, so I had no experience in winter conditions. My first experience with snow was on January 2021 when a snow storm was advice. I went to a hypermarket and saw the chains and the socks and I had the same feeling than you, but finally I chose the socks for 3 reasons: price, simply installation and also because I have a small car and I drive only in the city. For me was a great surprise how good this socks works. Also was a little be funny saw a lot of people fighting with the chains installation. Of course, the lifetime is very short but for the price was a good deal. Maybe if you live in the deep country or in hard snow conditions the chains would be the right choice.
A bit of advice from Canada. Never use all-season tires in winter unless you live in LA. They are much harder than snows, so the grip is terrible. Proper winter tires give you vastly more grip and could easily conquer that hill with no chains. Talk to a tire rep in your region.
@@dustinbotkin2426 Uhhh, Open Country's are all terrain truck tires. He's talking about all season passenger car/suv tires. All seasons suck at everything. Don't compromise your tires, buy the sets of tires for your needs. Summer tires for ultra traction in the warm weather, snows for the Winter, mud for mud, all terrain for genral off roading etc etc. All seasons do everything a little bit and nothing singularly great. Yes, you can run them in summer, wet, snow...but they are crappy summer tires, bad wet tires, and crappy snow tires.
Canadian here, Chains is my recommendation . The ones you show are nice and aimed for the car / SUV crowd. For trucks I always recommend a full on set of chains. the ones I have are made from an 18 wheelers chains. If things go sideways with these on, call a friend .
I had the same reaction to those snow socks. I would've lost a costly bet had I betted against those socks. Of course, there will be tears and holes, but they really outperformed my expectations.
Really great video. I think for a more accurate test, the tricky surface would be the full icy road, something like the snow it has started to melt but it froze again. I know it is really hard to find and test some cases like this, but I'm curious which one would be better.
@@Steve211Ucdhihifvshi I used snow chains to get my (non 4WD) car unbogged once. Was horrible to get them on in deep mud and took ages (do not recommend if you have any other option), but they got me out and provided surprisingly good traction. No way you'd get the socks on under those circumstances IMO. It was difficult enough getting chains in place. If you had them on before getting into mud I'm not sure. I'd guess the chains as they dig in more but could be wrong.
@@Jsa460 This is why the instructions for 4 wheel drive say:. Drive as far as you can with 2 wheel drive then put it in 4 wheel drive and get the heck out of there.
Hi Sergiu, I have never even heard of "snow socks" until I came across this video. I hate chains as they are too hard to put on and will likely damage the car. Studded tires can only be legally used during winter months and also damage the roads. Therefore, I just might try snow socks. Will they come out with snowshoes for cars next?😜 Also, your English was good enough to understand even without subtitles. That's saying something.
You are a trooper for going out in that weather to do those tests. On a day like that I would definitely be inside as much as possible. Wouldn't even want to think about setting up cameras and shots. Good job man.
I was quite pleased with my snow socks for my BMW X5. I had no issue with wear. They were easy to install. I also have the bright orange Zip-Tie style traction devices. Both were sufficient for Washington Snow.
Great review and I 100% agreed because I have had a similar experience with similar products. For me it was ssc z-chains vs. autosock tire sock. Hands down the autosocks are the best all around product to use and maintain. As you pointed out chains / cables need to be protected when they are in storage. I didn't do that and learned the hard way they rust. There goes my money. Socks... throw 'em in the wash and then back in your bag in storage for the next season. The other thing about socks, at least with the autosock, they go own and self-adjust. The ones you used Sergiu did not do that because they are open on both sides. The auto sock product is only open on the back so wheel spin actually works to set them. I have a performance sedan and had to put these on in a fast moving storm that came in before I could get home... ON A HILL with traffic trying to get around me because I was stuck. I'm not sure the z-chains would worked in that case because of the lack of clearance (which is less on a hill because you most likely have a negative pitch on the inside wheels). The socks will get holes and wear quicker at similar speed ratings to chains. I left mine on for several days (as a torture test but against manufacturer recommendations) after they got me home in that snow storm (~20 miles). I used them during some post storm driving and technically they are still good to go (which as I recall means they have more that 60% of their surface area undamaged). Here's the thing... that was 4 years ago and if I wanted to get a set again, they are less than $100 per pair. Even if you had to buy them every year or two, it is still a better overall experience that chains. Mind you for me, z-chains are the best chains out there if you want to go that route. They make more sense for those who have to be out in these environments and those in emergency services. For everyone else, even those who are volunteer emergency services folks, socks will be a better choice. Start there, you can always go to chains if you need to. BTW, from what I understand, the reason why the socks work is because the textile they are made out of sticks to snow and ice. Its like having a very thin version on the compound used in proper snow tires.
Was really impressed with the snow socks as well. Sergiu, I really enjoyed your video and personality. Thanks for testing for us and letting us see the results..It helps alot in decision making. Blessings to you and your family. If you live in an area where you have alot of snow for many months, studded snow tires are a great investment. You just switch them out with your regular tires when the snow starts...they work amazing.
Just yesterday, a friend and I were talking about the snowy weather he's having at the moment. I asked if he knew that he could put socks on the outside of his shoes for better grip in icy patches. That's something I've known for many years. Even thought of tire socks probably 20 years ago, but it was no more than a thought. I'm glad to see it works! Thank you for this very informative and insightful report. I really appreciate your diligence.
I used a pair of socks on a 2019 Transit van and they worked a charm. I was extremely surprised, usually a half inch of packed snow is enough to make the van useless.
Greetings from Croatia Sergiu. I enjoy your videos and humor. I specialy like this topic and hope you'll test it more properly as you said in this video. But just to mention, Matte (the snow socks manufacturer) has 3 types of those socks in production: - Active snow socks (red color - the ones you tested) are ment for city driving - Super-X snow socks ment for intercity and roads around ski centers - Extra-Pro snow socks (yes, like the word says - Professional use;) for commercial vehicles so in this video you have tested the Active snow socks that are ment for city roads and not for macadam roads where you have gravel. So the ruptured fabric in some places is no surprise. Please take that in mind when you make your new video, try to test all products that are offered by Matte.
I keep these in my car in the winter just in case I get caught out, they work great, especially if you don't have the fender clearance for chains, got me over a few passes on road trips over the years, and still holding together.
This was as close to a scientifically conducted test as can be done without laboratory conditions. Sergiu did a great job and confirmed what my brother had told me about tire socks. I would like to see them with upgraded heavier fabric.
I’m really surprised at how well the snow socks seem to work. I would be concerned about longevity, though. I have a set of chains that I bought for my first motorhome in 1970, which I still have and which are still in pretty good condition, although they were used many times on that old rig. It happens that they also fit my newer rig, although I haven’t yet used them on it. As for other chains, I have a set for each of my other vehicles-and especially in deep snow, having them installed on all 4 wheels makes a huge difference. I fully agree-practice putting them on before you need them at all, and if you’re into a situation where you may need them, put them on before you get stuck. I can think of many times I didn’t do that, and although it can be done, it’s a whole lot harder! One last thought: so-called “reinforced” chains with teeth on them don’t provide enough additional traction over good old cross link chains that their extra cost isn’t worth it. A quality set of cross link chains is still the best bang for the buck, IMHO.
Socks last a long time when used correctly, I have had mine over 15 years, although admittedly, they only get used for a few miles per day, a few days per year on average. The packaging does warn that they will wear out fast on cleared roads, although some people dont seem to read this bit, and drive along at high speed with them still fitted on such roads, then moan that they wear out in only a few miles. What you are supposed to do is fit them when needed, then take them off when you reach a treated/cleared road; with practice, fitting and removal takes a couple of minutes for 2 wheels, double that if you have a RWD, and need to fit two sets. As I mention in my reaction post to the video, their greatest strength is on thin snow, or ice, where chains dont work. You DO have to size the set you buy to your car's tyre and wheel size, as they arent universal like many chain sets.
I've got the first chains I bought but never had a car with the same size tyres. I have 5 sets of chaines, and I can't put chains on my present car. Ordered some socks.
@@WalkingDday More by luck than judgement, the autosocks I bought 15+ years ago have also fitted the two cars I have owned since. Totally diferent wheel and tyre sizes as well, although they were a bit tight to get on/off the 17" wheels with the 225 width tyres.
@@ianemery2925 this is actually not very standard for a lot of people, the roads here where i live are half asphalt half snow, there is not much snow on the roads but enough to make you lose grip, specially on icy days as well. It is literally impossible to put the socks on and off every 2 minutes for a 30km road
Super interesting! always fun to see them side by side. I liked the Sergiu measurements. Recently came across Tire Sock from Norway available here in USA. The have a cross strap across the hub. Saw them sued in Central Oregon on snow and ice and was super impressed. I also like the fact they are so light and if anything goes haywire you don't end up with chains wrapped around your axel.
Great question, and a hard one 😄 I would probably go for the socks, but it really depends on the quality of the chains and where do I plan to use them. For casual driving on snow covered roads, the socks are okay. Buy for off-road in the snow, chains are better.
I would say the same, having the socks for worst case to get the last mile for that one snowy day, not much weight and not too expensive. Chains for recent alpine, heavy snow and off road usage, when you kinda need the on daily basis
Depends on what you need it for... Snowsocks are wonderful since they can be stored in the car all year. And when you get into an situation where you need it, it provably will help you out. If you plan to drive longer distances under difficult conditions (abusive driving), then chains are the way to go.
I live on the west coast where there is wet and packed ice, our transit care snow socks and they wouldn’t work in the city as the buses stayed on side of the road when snow is packed into ice. Don’t waste your money on the socks! Chains are recommended on the highway then why you waste your money! Good pairs of snow tires no turn off your traction control for the city driving condition if you car is not an awd!
Where is your location Im from nc ... and i drive a chevy colorado but im new to driving trucks so i just wanna get some snow chains just in case the winter gets nasty
I was just about to say the same. Where I live theres often intermittent snow/rain situations due to living at the base if mountains. Going over the mountains... Chains for sure. But at the bottom of the mountains where there's snow for two miles, rain for one, snow for another two, back to rain... The snow socks would be good choice and easier on the spots of road without snow.
@@NezyNails ...I don't know about Mr. Herz, but I live at the base of the cascades in Oregon. Some years I have 4' of snow, some years none, and almost all years.... The upper end of town will be getting snow when it's raining at the lower end, so simply driving from one end of town to the other, from November through March, will usually have a person driving through rain, then ice, then snow, and then you finally reach your destination. Because there's not a lot of snow, we are not a priority for the limited number of snow plows in the area. So snow socks may finally make for a happy medium in traction devices.
@@redchic - Sounds like you may live in Portland. Although i had a set of winter tires while living there, i rarely had them on the car, as it was too warm most of the time. A set of snow socks probably would have been ideal for that area. I now live in an area in which i can keep my winter tires on for about half the year, so finally getting my money's worth from them! (I bought them, initially, for making trips through the mountains to Central Oregon.
@@MagicHawkeye ... Yep... You got it. At least that's where I end up spending most of my time driving through and around. Glad you have the impression that the socks would be good in this area too. I've been on the fence, but that's probably pushed me over for getting a set to try next winter. I just can't see a down side. Glad you're finally able to get good use out of your winter tires! Hopefully you like wherever your at! Sounds as if the winters there are more extreme than here..... Not sure I could handle more winter than here. But glad others do.
I cannot tell you how grateful I am for your video! Not only did you show some stunning scenery, you made me laugh AND introduced me to snow socks! As a female with a bf who works out of state, I need something easy I can apply when we get the random snow storm in my desert city. I have lifelong issues from my car accident and former job, and I reinjured my rotator cuff just trying to clean the snow off my car before driving LOL. Which, btw, EVERYONE needs to clear ALL the snow off their car before driving. Don’t be the inconsiderate jrk who causes a car crash. I digress… thank you for this amazing review!
Having used chains for many years, my main issue with them, ( especially with newer vehicles) is when a chain fails it beats the S&!* out of the body/fenders before you can get stopped. I will be looking for a set of socks. Great review. Thanks.
Or heres radical idea, get actual winter tires and learn to drive so you dont get stuck. Also always have heavy duty strap and manual wire winch with you. Tie the strap around nearby tree put the winch after that and connect to car. Put car on neutral with something behind the wheels so it wont come over you if it starts moving, depends on area and start winching. After you got it moving meter or so, you can try driving it out again. Though this does require sturdy points to put strap on like tree, so it probably wont be useful to everyone and every location. @@kidsarebadcheckmychannel949 No, not really since those wont fail if sturdy enough
@@Hellsong89 That's good advice however the person just mentioned a faulty chain could damage the vehicle. Snow socks wouldn't do that. All your advice is good, just saying the snow socks wouldn't damage the vehicle if faulty.
@@Hellsong89 Winter tires are a huge expense at about 150 per piece, when some peoples' cars are worth 2000 dollars at most. For something that does not last a long time and has limited use case, getting chains and socks are a cheap and effective/long-lasting solution. That solution is for professional drivers, but winching yourself out every 300 paces is still worse than crawling with chains
very interesting , i always like it when a product far exceeds expectations ... i'm in the UK & as it snows maybe 2 days a year snow chains seems a bit overkill ( in terms of cost , fitting & cleaning them ) .. snow socks seem more applicable
Similarly I was thinking these would be great for people living in the southern US states, where they rarely have snow, and even a little bit is basically a natural disaster because nobody has the right tires or training.
We used them on Ambulances in the Uk where you are really using them if you are temporarily stuck rather than driving longer distances . We were dubious but they work incredibly well , easy to store in a vehicle light weight and they they are relatively cheap
Hello those socks are a great idea and will help in many cases.I live in Northern Canada and for the past 40 yrs ive carried a spraybotle full of isopropyl alcohol.when I do get stuck on very slippery surfaces i will spray my tires and usually get moving quickly back to safety.sometimes just spraying the one tire with no traction is enuf to get movement.i learned this from a woman gentlemen!
I first saw snow socks on TV some years ago. An AA man (UK breakdown service) used them on the rear of a stuck Mercedes. He put them on the rear, most of the way around the wheels. When he gently applied power, the wheels rotated and pulled the rest of the sock on. The car then came straight out of the snow. He made it look easy. I now keep a set in my car but have not needed them as my Quattro has not yet had any problems with snow. I know, I shouldn't tempt fate.
Great video/review! I was surprised at the quick failure of the snow claws. Back during the terrible winters(148" of snow my 1st winter in Erie, PA) of the late 70s, I was constantly stuck. I could not afford quality chains and I knew of several cases of them breaking and damaging the cars. Then one day start of next winter I was shopping for long Johns at K-Mart, and I saw some "chains" made of Kevlar ropes with some solid Kevlar cross bars that also had metal studs in them. They were much cheaper than chains, plus they claimed you could drive them on snow free roads up to 50 MPH. So I bought those and man oh man my 76 Pinto was turned into a 4WD! I was never stuck again. Plus, they held up for that entire winter, even with some driving on snow free roads. Those things were great! I moved back down south the next year and gave them to some friends who stayed behind in Erie.
Great video! I didn't expect socks to be that good. However, I got around in the snow as thick as the video with good winter tires (non-studded) mounted on an FWD hatchback. Seems socks + all-season tires work great and are a good economical & practical compromise. I liked the tests, especially ESP on/off. And I was waiting for someone to try those claws, thanks for showing they're useless. I was wondering how they could possibly hold. Keep it up, man!
I kinda wish he'd found better products to test, the first ones cost $15 / pair, the socks cost $55, and I think he said the chains were like $300. I don't know if this is a real comparison or a "you get what you pay for". I personally bought some snow socks little over $100, but haven't had a chance to test them (I don't have many option as my tires are an odd size), but they had good reviews.
This test is worthless, he just tells you the make of tyres he has which are not only all-seasons but also we don't know the wear of those tyres. How can you tell how the proper winter tyre like Nokian would do alone in this conditions? Where I live we change the tyres before every winter and before spring. You shouldn't drive normal (summer) tyres when avarage temp outside drop under 8 degrees. It is not only the matter of snow but also the rubber elasticity. People who drive conditions like this on summer tyres are just posing danger to everyone on the road.
@@VViatro "How can you tell how the proper winter tyre like Nokian would do alone in this conditions?". Answer: Watch a video that actually addresses that issue, which this video obviously wasn't meant to do. So ya, of course "This test is worthless" to you, thanks for pointing out the obvious.
"Ahh, the beauty of nature. Calm serene, and beautiful... until it tries to kill you." That's one of the funniest and yet totally valid quotes I've heard in a long time. The video was worth watching just for that. I moved from Texas to Colorado and have a front wheel drive car. Looks like the snow socks might be a good solution for just getting in and out of my neighborhood, down a fairly steep hill. Once on the main roads, I'll probably be OK, as Colorado is really good about snow plowing. Thanks a bunch for a great video.
The reason the snow socks performed better in the breaking test is because the material of the snow sock covers the whole point at which the tire is making contact with the ground. While the snow chains have a more abrasive grip or tread, it is also more spread out. Meaning that it has a lower chance of the chain being at the exact point where the tire makes contact with the ground when you hit the breaks.
Thanks for your review. Very useful. I have to get to my cabin 2-3 times a week in the winter. My blizzak snow tires are great, but some snow storms and icy packed snow demand more for traction. I really like my auto trac peerless chains, they are simple to put on, unless you are already in unpacked snow. I like your idea of the combination of chains and snow socks, as I ordered a pair because of the ease of putting them on, so maybe chains on the back tires first, then you should be able to move like required to put the snow socks on the front.....I will be trying it likely within the week. As I have both chains and socks this year.
Another awesome video with good tests and information! Are studded tires legal where you live? Here (in Estonia) I couldn't imagine driving without studs during the winter. The black ice or ice with water on top of it happens too often. Time has shown that studless winter tires still lose to studded counterparts when it comes to icy conditions.
@@paulfratila Got you! It seems like a lot of EU countries want to ban or cut down the use of studded tires. Personally think that it's a step backwards.
@andreiaka3d I definitely get your point. Here the studs are legal from late autumn to spring, driving outside of that time window results a fine. My idea was exactly that the people who live in the mountains/inland could benefit from using studs. But indeed the winters have been getting warmer in a lot of places.
Thank you for this video. I was about to go out and buy a set of snow socks but since I had never heard of such a thing, I needed someone to tell me they are worth buying. The thing is, there isn't that much snow here in Ireland. I'm heading to a region where there will be lots of icy roads, but not much soft snow. I need grip and I think this product will be better than snow chains.
I would have never tought either that the snow socks are worth considering...unbelievable! Ideed, the ultimate setup might be socks + chains (diagonaly placed?), but it needs to be tested because I can no longer trust my intuition. :)
Socks + chains diagonally placed will be very dangerous for you. And that is because the car brakes more on the front wheels than it does on the back wheels until a certain speed or last or the pressure you apply on the pedal. Derfor, because of the different equipment on the front wheels you will have an uneven braking effect, and on a surface like snow or ice, that can be very, very dangerous. Uneven braking is very dangerous in any situation but on snow or ice and at some speed, not necessarily very high speed, it can be deathly.
Thank you for getting all cold and wet to show me these. You are a better man than I. I always thought that electronically switched hydraulic jacks for each axle wound be so convenient. Like sitting in the drivers seat and you push a button and the Jack drops down to lift the axle you chose. Not just for tire changes but also to allow for easier and exact installation of chains. As a former trucker, we had the advantage of using a block and lifting an axle allowing one tire of the two to be chained while off the ground. Then repeating the process until you get all your tires chained rolling up and down a block of wood. But having jacks on each axle would be so awesome.
Last year I bought tire socks (that look better than that red one) and they worked. I used them again this year and they still work. Installing them is easier than chain in my opinion and they cost less too. They may not last as long as the chain but where I live we don't get snow much.
Thanks Sergiu, I was also surprised by the effectiveness of the socks. I can see they are gentle on the wheels, road, fitter, and car storage. They also weigh much less and will squash into a convenient space. Do they last for long distances? Do they last the test of time?
Good test! What you weren't able to test is ice, this is where the snow socks have real issues, WAY behind chains. I've done a similar test including ice and winter tyres, it's just not out yet. Snow socks are surprisingly good in the snow though!
Рік тому+1
Looking forward to that. I always like your winter tire reviews!
The results of the sock test didn't surprise me. Many years ago I was playing volleyball with some friends on snow/ice and we were all sliding around and falling. I took my boots off and had great traction in my socks. My friends were dumbfounded, but when they tried it they all found that the socks did better than any of their shoes/boots.
Absolutely mind-blowing---socks for your tires. Well, another advantage will be when they come in designs to match your car's exterior--or even some holiday prints! I'm waiting for the tires where you press a button on a remote and little spikes pop out of the tires to grip the road. Wonderful video, informative AND entertaining!
I'm sold on snow socks too. I have to agree with this test completely. I used chains on my cars and crosstrek for years in Oregon mountains. I tried snow socks out and am 100% sold on them. They absolutely work as good, if not much better, than chains - especially on partly icy roads that others have driven on. I first used my socks on a completely icy road I could barely stand on - and they absolutely just worked. They seem to out drive chains on decently traveled harder-packed roads that have been cleared but still have packed ice/snow on them. They're amazing when you run across areas of dry pavement and ice - and you can keep your speed the same on both surfaces with socks. With chains you have to definitely slow down on exposed pavement or you'll blow them apart - especially cheaper chains - which is what most folks have.
I think using chains over socks would destroy the socks. I will side with Serjiu with the owl face over the peformance of the socks. Some of my Family has to use roads in the state West Virgina. I wonder how the socks would hold up to the mix of ice, snow and asphalt ?
I live in Wyoming where you need chains in the winter or there will be days straight, sometimes a whole week, where you can't drive even in the city. My neighbor was using socks last winter and what drew me to them was how much quieter it was to drive (I've always hated the loud sound of the chains going into the snow/ice). After watching your video I think I'll give them a try.
Great and helpful video Sergiu! I bought two pairs of the Matte Snow Socks and mine were red too. I didn't see your video before I bought them, but I really enjoyed your fun video. In Missouri we could not get out of our yard because we didn't have snow tires. These snow socks truly are amazing! No wheel slipping or sliding. They just work that good. I know they are not as durable as chains or cables but they will most definitely get you on your way in case of an emergency! They make a variety of sizes and strengths even for big rigs. Thank you again for the great work!
Excellent video! First time I see this channel, and I really like your way of thinking. I would've used a 4WD instead, but AWD seems to have worked where I did not expect it too.
Here's a tip for those times you only need a temporary walk out, and it can be discardable(meaning once you get out, you can continue to go without retrieving the item). Take a piece of scrap plywood, drive screws through it on a 30-45 degree angle and cut off the heads. Make sure the screws are not too long and puncture your tire. Lay the item under your tire with the points facing forward. gently start to drive to allow the tire to grip. Once it has gripped you can go faster to move and keep your froward momentum. If the situation does not allow you to stop and get the item, simply leave it behind until you reach a place to stop reliably. The wood doesn't have to be full width, only about 2-3 inches to place at center of tire. this way you can make several to store in your trunk for when you really need them. Works well in snow, on ice, sand, mud, etc. You would really be surprised how well it works.
This is incredible!! Great real world video! Currently driving around Bulgaria in the winter and may look for snow socks for our front tires, chains on the back!
I was laughing a good amount in this video!! The owl face when you were amazed the socks worked was great!! Thanks for video. Very helpful & entertaining!!
The snow socks look like a good option for places like where I live (South of England) where we very rarely get deep snow - we're more likely to get a thin layer of ice which they look perfect for.
I used to go to the mail box with socks on the outside of my shoes in the ice or snow to keep from falling. The socks kept me on my feet. As I am older also kept me from a trip to the emergency room. As I now live in Florida not ever gonna be an issue again for me. Not much chance of ice and snow here. Should if get icy well it won’t last so I will wait till it warms up and go out. But the socks is really cool because seems easier for older people to get on and off in areas that don’t get lots of bad weather.
Thank You for the GREAT video! I WAS considering THAT one item and decided, "NAHHHH! That's NOT for me!" Keep up the amazing work and be safe out there!
For an emergency only use, I carry multiple lengths of 1/2" nylon rope...each length wraps over the tire and threads through all the spokes/openings of the driving wheel (being careful not to loop over any steering links or brake lines) and tied off. Not for highway driving unless covered in deep snow, will work on ice too. BTW you need YakTracs for walking on that ice.
Good review. Thanks. Snow socks get my vote. DOWNSIDE OF CHAINS = Cost, storage when off season, rust, etc, plus Chains are also said to be hard on the pavement. But they do make clanging Christmas sounds 👍
Another important point - if chains fail in any way, whether they break or come loose or aren't fitted correctly, and you don't stop immediately they will damage your car lots, real quick. If snow socks fail it's no big deal. Socks also work on icy roads with thin or no snow cover. And yes , good vid, thanks, and measurement in Sergiu Steps was epic :D
Love this and really liked the comment about putting snow socks over shoes as well. I'm old, 74, and walk outdoors frequently as do many folks, all ages; maybe snow socks for people would be a good thing too.
It's not uncommon in Scandinavia to put big socks over your shoes to get tracktion on snowy surfaces, that is the origin of the snow sock for cars. A norweigan guy figured it would work on tires as well, and it did, and the snow sock for tires was born. I used it all the time when I worked as a truck driver in southern sweden on my Scania truck. (Yes they come in large sizes as well).
@@ulfmoller256 Thank you! I have lived most of my life in climates without snow, and am now in Spokane, Washington, where we get a lot of snow and ice. No one uses snow socks, and I am old (74) and love the outdoors and walk where and when ever I can. I am going to try the socks over the shoes. Are your socks made of wool or some sort of acrylic or a mixture? I'm going to the sporting goods store tomorrow to see what they have, we've had a break in the weather and the store is close. Thanks again!
@@livsamech8450 I have mostly used wool socks, but a mix also works. Buy more than one pair, they tend to wear out quickly, they are after all not made for that kind of wear.
@@ulfmoller256 Okey dokey, that sounds easy. Thank you. I have been in Finland and they have really thick socks that they offer you to wear when you enter a home, which I'd have to make here...so regular socks it will be. Blessings!
@@livsamech8450 wool socks over the shoes are nice as an emergency solution if you don't have anything else. For a permanent solution, you'll be (much) better off (and probably spend less money on the long term) with something like YakTraks for general use (around town and for ~easy hiking), or "microspikes" for more aggressive pursuits. Have fun snow hiking!
GREAT VIDEO!!! I just moved from Texas to Colorado. I came across these "snow socks" recently and had never heard of them. They were the wrong size and I did not get them. But I will get some now based on your video. I only need them to get around town which is usually snow plowed. Thank you so much.
Heard about the snow socks just a few weeks ago when went to Les Schwab for chains. A trucker was in the store at the time and said 18 wheelers use them. The only problem is if, you are going back and forth over snow, ice and then over pavement then, they get holes. If, just on snow and ice as well as keeping speed under 25-30 mph as with chains, they are great. Thought that is great info. Now to hear you we may try them. We’d be interested in the follow up video and how it works with on and off situations. Also, was told they are approved in California for use when requiring snow chains on highways. Who knew? Thank you!
Thanks for the very good video. Snow socks enabled me to complete a long journey some years ago on snow bound roads. I was able to trundle past hundreds of stuck cars and get home which I would not have been able to do without the socks. They do not like driving on part cleared roads - they can tear and you can get ice build up in the wheel arches which can be removed with a bit of wood every few miles. Other than that they are excellent.
very thorough explanation, there is a catch with snow chains, they can also damaged the tires, i use socks for my car but also use chains for my semi truck. every time when i use chains i can find dent on truck tires. very good job Sergiu.
We're looking into getting some traction devices just in case it's dumping when entering the ski resort village. These socks look promising, but from what I'm reading online they only provide a little benefit over proper (three-peak snowflake/M+S) all-seasons or especially dedicated winter tires. As far as I can tell the tires you are using in the video (Continental Crosscontact LX) are 'summer' tires. They do lack the snowflake/M+S icon on the tires at 11:40, so I think that's correct. For those, the snow socks would provide a great improvement compared to a naked tire, as clearly shown in your video. However, proper winter tires may be just as good? Any thoughts?
Sergui - what a simple but great video. 🙂 You tested the snow socks rated for city roads.. lol Matte snow socks come in 3 types: Active Series for city roads - These are the ones Sergui tested Super X Series for highways and ski resorts Extra Pro Series for Commercial and professional use Personally I like the Matte Extra Pro which are 60% thicker than the Active series and are only a few dollars more. They are not currently legal in Australia because we are way behind the rest of the world in approving them BUT that doesn't stop me using them and they work great. Definitely put them on BEFORE you get stuck.
This is the advice of a very senior citizen who grew up driving in Western Colorado mountains. Buy an inexpensive air infiltrator and keep it year around in your vehicle. When installing chains, let out some air pressure. Put on the chains as tight as you can. Then reinflate the tires. Your chains will not come off and the links are less likely to break. There will be no slack and nothing loose.
@@boblatkey7160 OK, I meant a 12 volt powered air compressor/infiltrator. I'm old enough to have used a manual one. Lots of work.
@@boblatkey7160 I think what he is talking about is a portable air tank. They are like $40 at your local hardware store. Mr. Frank White is right and very resourceful it seems. Great tip!!!
Be cautious of over tightened chains. They will destroy your tires in a matter of a few miles. Especially softer snow tires. Guess how I know...
How much PSI do you let out and reinflate?
@Richard Cranium does it not do both upon entry of the tire?
This guy's testing braking a vehicle on ice, in the middle of nowhere, next to a cliff....we can at least all give him a thumbs up
Hell yeah, just what I thought
I can see the snow socks being a good option for car rentals. They specifically state that you can't install snow chains on any rental so this might be a good alternative.
There's no way they can tell you used chains
My guess is that they include that clause because they don't want you driving the vehicle into the snow and icy conditions, putting it at risk of being totaled.
I'm all but certain it has ZERO to do with damage to the car or tires (which would be covered under your insurance or their insurance).
If "snow socks" become a thing, you can believe the contract for car rentals will include this.
@@Unknown_Ooh They will know if you get into an accident (like someone crashing into you, or you sliding on the road and hitting the median or going into a ditch) in a "chains only" area.
there are tires with nails in them i use them every winter the snow sock will get torn up after just 1 hour of driving probably
Or in Minnesota, where chains are illegal but sometimes we really need them. Snowtires don't always do it.
I switched to snow socks 5 years ago and never looked back. Great traction. No risk of damage to your vehicle. Easy enough for anyone to put on. If they start coming off, slow down and the re-center automatically due to centrifugal force. No throwing rocks. No rattle when you hit clear patches on the road, fold up and fit under a seat. Can't beat them. Easily have a couple hundred miles on my sets.
Your comment is awesome thank you
Thats awesome, which tires do you use?
bruh.. pewag are better
@@JulienYenilmezTires don't matter. It works on all tires. In my parts, I've seen busses use them. Just find socks that fit your tire size.
Glad you commented on them. For many years, I thought these were a "get money fast" gimmick. I'll get a pair for my car in case of winter storms...
I’ve used the socks and they’re a great confidence booster when the weather closes in.
If you stop on a slight incline, you can roll back over the sock to finish fitting it without spinning the wheels.
You do need the correct size for your individual tyres, though.
Good luck!
P.S. Anyone know if they’re effective in mud?
I believe the most important factor in choosing snow socks or snow chains is how often you think you'll need them. Obviously chains would be the choice if you use them multiple times a year, but many folks only need snow traction devices on rare occasions. Maybe once a year. In this case snow socks make sense.
And socks is alloy wheel friendly. Snow chains can scratch you're alloy Wheels!
Snow chains are also illegal in some places, which make socks an even more inviting option for those situations
@@richardmillhousenixon only if it damage the roads. But if you use them on snow. Then they are 100% Legal!
I've had both. When I was a student I found a pair of chains in an abandonned car that fitted my wheels.
Used them a couple of times, they were old chains so quite a hassle to fit (contrary to modern chains).
Modern chains on stepmom's family car, I dry fitted them at home before going on skiing vacations. The day we got on the road happened to be a snowy day. Fitting took me 10 mins and we drove about 20-30 km on snow without even scratching the chains or rims.
I now have socks for our car. They've driven about 500m, 300 of which on "mixed surface". They'll clearly last a lot less than chains but We've already had them for 3 years, which gives an idea of how often we use them. They're at the feet of the passenger seat whenever we take a road thinking we might need them but the snow clearers around here do a great job and we barely drive on snow when it's actively snowing.
@@kees2906 it depends on what wheel you have. Also it can scratch. Not that I would. But size and wide of the wheels tells if it scratches or not. If that's understandable 😆😉
Bought some snow socks for a few euros and it saved me from being stuck compare to others with their summer tires! The other main advantage is that you can keep them in your car all year long: it weighs nothing and doesn't take too much space
Summer tires in the snow...
Beautiful country side....lol...even wolves...🤠💕🇨🇦
@@j5892000 Your point🤔My husband has those for me all yr around! 😟😔🤠
@@wunderinwyndfeatherakaskje8872 summer tires arnt made for the cold.....and snow....
@@j5892000 anywhere under 7 deg celcius, 4 for a few of the best models, and the rubber starts to harden which means loss of grip even on dry roads.
A product that is even worse than the snow claw is "emergency" strap on cable chains. I used to carry those in CT in case of an unexpected snow event. The first time I used them, they spun off (like your snow claws did) but because they are metal, one of them severed a brake line when it came off. They made a bade situation even worse.
Gotta love this attitude. Having massive preconceived ideas about something, testing shit out, being proven wrong by the data and just changing your opinion based on that. Sounds simple on paper but pay attention, and you'll see that more often than not, people just discard the truth for a comforting confirmation bias.
Good video, I've been driving a semi since 95 & I just wanted to mention a couple things, 1: it's better to not drive in those conditions unless necessary. & 2: as good as this video was I noticed that you were doing your test in the same area for certain parts & as you conducted your test the snow kept getting more & more packed changing the conditions (from powder snow to packed snow & even possibly to ice)
Great observation! I use snow socks on my big rig and I'm noticing more and more drivers are doing the same.
@@DanasWanderlustCrochet if only my company would provide them...nevermind the extra 100+ lbs of weight for 4 sets of chains and the space they take...especially considering that we only chain up to get to a safe haven to park!!!
@@Bush63Master chains are not optional for me in the winter. And a lot of drivers do not simply put on change to get to a safe location. I always keep moving with the chains on until it's time to take them off. And I don't know, I know it's an extra 100 lb and they are bulky and take up space but I can't see running with socks rather than chains
I thought he was testing it further down the road for each test
...or just have a proper set of winter tyres
When hiking there have been times that placing a pair of socks over my boot toes added incredible traction when dealing with ice covered trails.
Great review and entertainment.
Get a pair of Yaks Tracks. They are like tire chains for your shoes.
sure socks are better than rubber of boot or wheel, but when you loose grip on ice (under snow) socks will polish it and you done, chains can grip or destroy ice completely until they get to road. on snow can be little difference, but ice is more challenging and dangerous
@@gimpygardner3377 I now Cary a product that is similar in design in my gear year round.
They are better than socks over your boots, for sure.
@Skynet I follow your thought. The idea of the tire socks on true ice does send a little pucker factor into the mix, especially compared to true chains…
Soft rubber that is meant to give grip on ice and snow give MUCH better traction then socs on ice... Also for real slippery hard ice and ice with snow on only spikes really work.
A friend of mine that has a towing company does a lot of off road recovery and uses snow socks often to protect tires from cuts from rocks. It’s amazing how well they protect the tires from rock cuts
The last thing I'd be worried about are some rocks cutting open my tires lmfao...does he do recovery at a quarry?
@@larrytrickett9115 It's actually quite common if you drive in forestry roads or temporary/not fully ready roads. Sharp rocks and sticks easily puncture tires.
Do they help in slippery mud or similar? I have used snow chains for that with good results, but those socks would be neater and protect from sharp items also.
The tires on our tow trucks hardly lasted long enough to be concerned about such things. Go through two sets a year. If you aren’t, you aren’t putting enough miles on your trucks to justify owning a tow truck company.
@@larrytrickett9115 I want some of what he's smoking..... that takes the fucking 🎂 cake, I've never seen it
Don't know if you've ever looked into it, but I think the reason snow socks work so well is because the snow binds to it which in turn makes the snow bind to itself and grip. When I was looking at winter tires last year the ones I ended up getting said after tons of testing their tread pattern was not to fling snow out of the way, but to pack the snow in and bind to itself. Can safely say I haven't slid with these new tires.
no matter what they are magic in snow🤣🤣🤣
That was my consensus. It's like making a snowman
@@tempviduse how long do snow socks last before you should throw them out and get a new set? do you know?
Which tires did you get?
@@Mon-kv8tv Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S All-Season 235/75R16 108T
I used Auto Socks on my Hotshot Truck and they worked flawlessly. That was up by Hoodoo in Oregon up through Santiam Pass. I got pulled over by an Oregon State Trooper and he looked at me like i was crazy. Well it was time for his shift change so he said he would follow me up and down the mountain while he was on chains. His relief arrived and up and down we went. Keep in mind , I'm grossed out at 38,000 lbs truck, trailer and load with a 40' trailer on a 4wd dually. He followed me up and down the mountain and it was a white out blizzard. We got to the chain removal area and he was stunned. I took them off and he said he would never have believed that they could do that. If thats not a grueling test, there isnt one that is. 50 state legal in the US and THEY DO WORK 100%.
I was looking to understand the difference between snow chains & snow cables, but ended up looking at this. Loved your test, and very very impressed with the snow socks performance.
I will echo a comment I saw on one of your other videos. Came here looking for copper and found gold!
Thank you for the amazing video and insightful quantitative tests.
Cables can take much more abuse
I have never heard of snow socks before, really interesting. I also enjoy the old school sound effects.
Finally, another automotive channel without bullcrap showing viewers all the stuff we want without the jank shit around. Big respect for your creations and keep your work up!
Great to see the comparison. Thanks. Another advantage of Snow Socks is that you can use then on cars that have very little wheel clearance. That is why I have them. The tire clearance on my car is too small to use chains.
If its that small then u shouldnt be out the plugging up traffic.Get real vehicle or stay home
@@lizmclean5342 We don't get much snow here so the socks are for just-in-case, especially for a trip over the mountains to the coast. In CT, I had Bridgestone Blizzaks for the winter.
It's my opinion that installing a snow traction device before you get stuck is a bad idea. If you can't proceed on normal tires, traction devices will help you leave. If you use the traction device to drive normally and get stuck, then there is no remedy for you.
You're missing an important situational difference. "Get stuck in 2, get out in 4" is when you're driving in a geographical bowl, because that's where the water naturally accumulated into soft ground. You're also off road and that's a chosen risk. If you get stuck, it's annoying, but not life threatening. You'll never encounter this situation on a hill. Black ice, however, can freeze on a slope of a hill before the water can flow down. If you loose traction on a hill, you don't just get stuck in place, you slide down hill - uncontrollably. And that's dangerous, and not just for yourself, but for other motorists as well. If you are about to ascend a hill in icy conditions, I'd highly recommend adding traction before you loose traction. If the ground is pretty flat, eh, you decide.
FYI, in Norway, it's the law to drive with snow chains on certain roads in certain weather conditions. They'll fine you if you get stuck first and are found only just installing the chains.
Isn't it great to be surprised? Thanks for the humorous honesty. Since I only venture to the snow rarely, and need a traction device only for the totally unexpected (as in I don't live in the snow!) the Sox are the obvious answer since they are lighter, require zero maintenance and effectively zero instructions for installation. They're super easy to take along (often here we're just required to HAVE them with us to pass a control). I've been impressed with every test that I've seen with them. But it is the ease of installation that puts it over the top for me. I don't have a lot of room in my wheel wells!
I'd love to see this with snow socks vs cable chains. A lot of AWD don't recommend real chains. I love your personal unit of measurement!
and on rear wheel drive to I want to see which is better for rear wheel drive in winter
They marketed the crap out of snow cables when they first came out but I live in the mountains and I've used chains and cables. Cables are bullshit, they're like driving on ball bearings, stupidest invention ever.
@@sallysmiththechaosqueller9536 I agree I run Laclede Ice Breakers on my Sammy. One time I saw a guy take out a couple lengths of rope & simply laced it around the tire & through the wheel openings..... away he went
@@justme7777 especially the over charges
I am on a similar page, I'd like to see if you can fit the socks on first, and the snow chains on top of them, then what happens?!?
I'm late to the party, but this was an excellent review. The original snow sox seem to have been highly rated, and there were videos of them being used on big rigs, on the snow covered mountain passes of the interstate freeways. Quick installation, smooth wheel rolling, and great traction and braking, were their high points. What I've seen people complain about, is that they don't hold up well. This could be a situation that I've seen when going skiing, where you have mandated snow traction device check points, where you are stopped by authorities and made to either put on your traction devices (or get waved through if you're in an Audi Quattro like we always were), or turn around and go back. The check points are always well before the road conditions get really bad, so you wind up driving on dry, or maybe wet pavement for a while. I can see where this would quickly destroy the socks. Prior to owning the Audi Quattro Avant, we'd take the 4x4 Suburban and used Z-cables on it. They run smoother than chains, and provide better traction. They are also smaller in diameter, and so fit between the inside of the wheel and the suspension on modern vehicles, where chains would probably strike. Z-cables are a much better choice than chains, IMO.
Interesting that they allow the Audi through without chains but not the 4x4 Expedition. Every chain control I've ever been through required chains on 2wd and allowed any 4wd or AWD through, unless conditions were so bad they were requiring chains on all vehicles, which was rare, OR you didn't have proper tires on the 4by. I've had Subarus and Honda AWD and have always been given a pass.
@@alansach8437 I can only speak to having been through a chains req'd inspection in my 4x4 Suburban, and my '95 Audi Quatro Avant. In the Suburban we had to install the z-cables. In the Audi they just waved us through. The Quatro is true, mechanical, all wheel drive, at all times, vs. 4x4 that's only driving 1 rear wheel until the limited slip differential locks, and only 1 front wheel, because that's an open differential. The Audi was literally like driving on dry pavement.
@@austinado16 like a Subaru? They do climb and start great, better cornering. But you cannot cheat the phisics. Every car brake in the same way. (Ask me how i bend my Subaru suspension)
Z-cables? Really? XD
They're a joke just like that snow claws. Firs wheel spin and they fly away. Also, there's no SIDE traction.
@@wiciuwiciu2783 That's not been my experience with them, but I've only been using them for about 30yrs, either all 4 on the Suburban in the worst icy conditions, or just on the rear in "normal" conditions, and on the front, on my VW's
The socks work at keeping the snow and ice from filling the treads up so there’s always contact and any build up flies off with tire spin.
I think they make Kevlar ones so that might be the way to go.
KISS is not just a slogan.
Snow filling thread is probably not a bad thing. Snow is sticky, a lot more than rubber is.
@@anonanonkiewicz1921 I'm not sure if that was sarcastic... but in case it wasn't... snow in the tread is a *very* bad thing. The primary reason tires lose grip in snow is because the tread has filled up, creating a fully slick surface. The main characteristic of snow tires over all seasons is how soft the rubber is. Why does soft rubber help? Not because it's "softness" grips better, but because the rubber flexes and bends, causing the treads to "open and close" to release any stuck snow. If you look closely at snow tires, they will often have small incisions all through the rubber to encourage this flexing. The higher quality the snow tire, the better it is at releasing compacted snow.
Rubber doesn't grip snow, tread does. And once you have no more tread, you have no more grip.
@@J-and-D I don't get why are you so confident. Snow filling gaps wont make your tire any more slick, because rubber is slick to begin with. Imagine a little experiment: you take a piece of rubber, press it down into snow and then drag it. What happens? Rubber would probably just slide on top of compacted snow. Now take a piece of snow, press it down and then drag. What happened? The piece of snow just merged into one with the snow surrounding it and it's hard to drag along.
@@anonanonkiewicz1921 bad example. Different forces applied on a tire spinning than you dragging something
Great video. I never drive in snow until I move to Spain at 45 years old, so I had no experience in winter conditions. My first experience with snow was on January 2021 when a snow storm was advice. I went to a hypermarket and saw the chains and the socks and I had the same feeling than you, but finally I chose the socks for 3 reasons: price, simply installation and also because I have a small car and I drive only in the city. For me was a great surprise how good this socks works. Also was a little be funny saw a lot of people fighting with the chains installation. Of course, the lifetime is very short but for the price was a good deal. Maybe if you live in the deep country or in hard snow conditions the chains would be the right choice.
A bit of advice from Canada. Never use all-season tires in winter unless you live in LA. They are much harder than snows, so the grip is terrible. Proper winter tires give you vastly more grip and could easily conquer that hill with no chains. Talk to a tire rep in your region.
Toyo open country begs to differ. They're a great all season tire
Amen amen amen.
@@dustinbotkin2426 Uhhh, Open Country's are all terrain truck tires. He's talking about all season passenger car/suv tires. All seasons suck at everything. Don't compromise your tires, buy the sets of tires for your needs. Summer tires for ultra traction in the warm weather, snows for the Winter, mud for mud, all terrain for genral off roading etc etc. All seasons do everything a little bit and nothing singularly great. Yes, you can run them in summer, wet, snow...but they are crappy summer tires, bad wet tires, and crappy snow tires.
Canadian here, Chains is my recommendation . The ones you show are nice and aimed for the car / SUV crowd. For trucks I always recommend a full on set of chains. the ones I have are made from an 18 wheelers chains. If things go sideways with these on, call a friend .
I had the same reaction to those snow socks. I would've lost a costly bet had I betted against those socks. Of course, there will be tears and holes, but they really outperformed my expectations.
Do u know how they do on ice?
Really great video.
I think for a more accurate test, the tricky surface would be the full icy road, something like the snow it has started to melt but it froze again. I know it is really hard to find and test some cases like this, but I'm curious which one would be better.
Thanks Szilard! It's not that difficult, but the test needs to be prepared during summer time. I hope I can do it this year though.
Wouldn't that be pretty much a death sentence to the chains?
i wonder how each would go on mud? in the summer time
@@Steve211Ucdhihifvshi I used snow chains to get my (non 4WD) car unbogged once. Was horrible to get them on in deep mud and took ages (do not recommend if you have any other option), but they got me out and provided surprisingly good traction. No way you'd get the socks on under those circumstances IMO. It was difficult enough getting chains in place. If you had them on before getting into mud I'm not sure. I'd guess the chains as they dig in more but could be wrong.
@@Jsa460 This is why the instructions for 4 wheel drive say:. Drive as far as you can with 2 wheel drive then put it in 4 wheel drive and get the heck out of there.
Well done, Sergiu. Both your product testing and your video production were excellent!
🤣 I love the all.
Hi Sergiu, I have never even heard of "snow socks" until I came across this video. I hate chains as they are too hard to put on and will likely damage the car. Studded tires can only be legally used during winter months and also damage the roads. Therefore, I just might try snow socks. Will they come out with snowshoes for cars next?😜 Also, your English was good enough to understand even without subtitles. That's saying something.
You are a trooper for going out in that weather to do those tests. On a day like that I would definitely be inside as much as possible. Wouldn't even want to think about setting up cameras and shots. Good job man.
Maybe go with someone else in case he really does get stuck (mostly as he didnt take any equipment)😆
THIS WAS INCREDIBLE
I was quite pleased with my snow socks for my BMW X5. I had no issue with wear. They were easy to install. I also have the bright orange Zip-Tie style traction devices. Both were sufficient for Washington Snow.
Great review and I 100% agreed because I have had a similar experience with similar products. For me it was ssc z-chains vs. autosock tire sock. Hands down the autosocks are the best all around product to use and maintain. As you pointed out chains / cables need to be protected when they are in storage. I didn't do that and learned the hard way they rust. There goes my money. Socks... throw 'em in the wash and then back in your bag in storage for the next season. The other thing about socks, at least with the autosock, they go own and self-adjust. The ones you used Sergiu did not do that because they are open on both sides. The auto sock product is only open on the back so wheel spin actually works to set them. I have a performance sedan and had to put these on in a fast moving storm that came in before I could get home... ON A HILL with traffic trying to get around me because I was stuck. I'm not sure the z-chains would worked in that case because of the lack of clearance (which is less on a hill because you most likely have a negative pitch on the inside wheels). The socks will get holes and wear quicker at similar speed ratings to chains. I left mine on for several days (as a torture test but against manufacturer recommendations) after they got me home in that snow storm (~20 miles). I used them during some post storm driving and technically they are still good to go (which as I recall means they have more that 60% of their surface area undamaged). Here's the thing... that was 4 years ago and if I wanted to get a set again, they are less than $100 per pair. Even if you had to buy them every year or two, it is still a better overall experience that chains. Mind you for me, z-chains are the best chains out there if you want to go that route. They make more sense for those who have to be out in these environments and those in emergency services. For everyone else, even those who are volunteer emergency services folks, socks will be a better choice. Start there, you can always go to chains if you need to.
BTW, from what I understand, the reason why the socks work is because the textile they are made out of sticks to snow and ice. Its like having a very thin version on the compound used in proper snow tires.
Keith, what brand of autosock do you recommend? I am getting ready to go on a winter drive across the country, and wanted something as backup.
@@ladytyssa1716 youtube won't let me post a link but the actual brand is "autosock”. Search for that... they have an international and US site.
Was really impressed with the snow socks as well. Sergiu, I really enjoyed your video and personality. Thanks for testing for us and letting us see the results..It helps alot in decision making. Blessings to you and your family.
If you live in an area where you have alot of snow for many months, studded snow tires are a great investment. You just switch them out with your regular tires when the snow starts...they work amazing.
Just yesterday, a friend and I were talking about the snowy weather he's having at the moment. I asked if he knew that he could put socks on the outside of his shoes for better grip in icy patches. That's something I've known for many years. Even thought of tire socks probably 20 years ago, but it was no more than a thought. I'm glad to see it works! Thank you for this very informative and insightful report. I really appreciate your diligence.
I used a pair of socks on a 2019 Transit van and they worked a charm. I was extremely surprised, usually a half inch of packed snow is enough to make the van useless.
I love your reviews, a perfect mix of humor and propper technical testing!
Keep it up! =D
You are so funny! 👍🏽😁🇨🇦
so well said
Greetings from Croatia Sergiu. I enjoy your videos and humor.
I specialy like this topic and hope you'll test it more properly as you said in this video.
But just to mention, Matte (the snow socks manufacturer) has 3 types of those socks in production:
- Active snow socks (red color - the ones you tested) are ment for city driving
- Super-X snow socks ment for intercity and roads around ski centers
- Extra-Pro snow socks (yes, like the word says - Professional use;) for commercial vehicles
so in this video you have tested the Active snow socks that are ment for city roads and not for macadam roads where you have gravel. So the ruptured fabric in some places is no surprise.
Please take that in mind when you make your new video, try to test all products that are offered by Matte.
Nebi bilo.lose ove kupit cine se dobre
Great point
I keep these in my car in the winter just in case I get caught out, they work great, especially if you don't have the fender clearance for chains, got me over a few passes on road trips over the years, and still holding together.
Never even heard of snow socks, so thank you for this informative information.
Take care
This was as close to a scientifically conducted test as can be done without laboratory conditions. Sergiu did a great job and confirmed what my brother had told me about tire socks. I would like to see them with upgraded heavier fabric.
I’m really surprised at how well the snow socks seem to work. I would be concerned about longevity, though. I have a set of chains that I bought for my first motorhome in 1970, which I still have and which are still in pretty good condition, although they were used many times on that old rig. It happens that they also fit my newer rig, although I haven’t yet used them on it.
As for other chains, I have a set for each of my other vehicles-and especially in deep snow, having them installed on all 4 wheels makes a huge difference. I fully agree-practice putting them on before you need them at all, and if you’re into a situation where you may need them, put them on before you get stuck. I can think of many times I didn’t do that, and although it can be done, it’s a whole lot harder!
One last thought: so-called “reinforced” chains with teeth on them don’t provide enough additional traction over good old cross link chains that their extra cost isn’t worth it. A quality set of cross link chains is still the best bang for the buck, IMHO.
Socks last a long time when used correctly, I have had mine over 15 years, although admittedly, they only get used for a few miles per day, a few days per year on average.
The packaging does warn that they will wear out fast on cleared roads, although some people dont seem to read this bit, and drive along at high speed with them still fitted on such roads, then moan that they wear out in only a few miles.
What you are supposed to do is fit them when needed, then take them off when you reach a treated/cleared road; with practice, fitting and removal takes a couple of minutes for 2 wheels, double that if you have a RWD, and need to fit two sets.
As I mention in my reaction post to the video, their greatest strength is on thin snow, or ice, where chains dont work.
You DO have to size the set you buy to your car's tyre and wheel size, as they arent universal like many chain sets.
I've got the first chains I bought but never had a car with the same size tyres. I have 5 sets of chaines, and I can't put chains on my present car. Ordered some socks.
@@WalkingDday More by luck than judgement, the autosocks I bought 15+ years ago have also fitted the two cars I have owned since. Totally diferent wheel and tyre sizes as well, although they were a bit tight to get on/off the 17" wheels with the 225 width tyres.
@@ianemery2925 this is actually not very standard for a lot of people, the roads here where i live are half asphalt half snow, there is not much snow on the roads but enough to make you lose grip, specially on icy days as well.
It is literally impossible to put the socks on and off every 2 minutes for a 30km road
Super interesting! always fun to see them side by side. I liked the Sergiu measurements. Recently came across Tire Sock from Norway available here in USA. The have a cross strap across the hub. Saw them sued in Central Oregon on snow and ice and was super impressed. I also like the fact they are so light and if anything goes haywire you don't end up with chains wrapped around your axel.
@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ ?
@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ nigga what
@@joelwexler People like that have no life....
@@subarcticelectronic9885 If the Norwegian ones, it's AutoSock.
so if you would be on a budget, wich would you pick between cheap snow chains and snow socks?
Great question, and a hard one 😄 I would probably go for the socks, but it really depends on the quality of the chains and where do I plan to use them. For casual driving on snow covered roads, the socks are okay. Buy for off-road in the snow, chains are better.
I would say the same, having the socks for worst case to get the last mile for that one snowy day, not much weight and not too expensive. Chains for recent alpine, heavy snow and off road usage, when you kinda need the on daily basis
Depends on what you need it for... Snowsocks are wonderful since they can be stored in the car all year. And when you get into an situation where you need it, it provably will help you out. If you plan to drive longer distances under difficult conditions (abusive driving), then chains are the way to go.
like 6 of the huge zip ties on each tire lol.
I live on the west coast where there is wet and packed ice, our transit care snow socks and they wouldn’t work in the city as the buses stayed on side of the road when snow is packed into ice. Don’t waste your money on the socks! Chains are recommended on the highway then why you waste your money! Good pairs of snow tires no turn off your traction control for the city driving condition if you car is not an awd!
This was so informative. I’ve never heard of the socks but I think they are the way to go for my style of driving and location. Thanks so much Sir 👊
Where is your location
Im from nc ... and i drive a chevy colorado but im new to driving trucks so i just wanna get some snow chains just in case the winter gets nasty
I was just about to say the same. Where I live theres often intermittent snow/rain situations due to living at the base if mountains. Going over the mountains... Chains for sure. But at the bottom of the mountains where there's snow for two miles, rain for one, snow for another two, back to rain... The snow socks would be good choice and easier on the spots of road without snow.
@@NezyNails ...I don't know about Mr. Herz, but I live at the base of the cascades in Oregon. Some years I have 4' of snow, some years none, and almost all years.... The upper end of town will be getting snow when it's raining at the lower end, so simply driving from one end of town to the other, from November through March, will usually have a person driving through rain, then ice, then snow, and then you finally reach your destination. Because there's not a lot of snow, we are not a priority for the limited number of snow plows in the area. So snow socks may finally make for a happy medium in traction devices.
@@redchic - Sounds like you may live in Portland. Although i had a set of winter tires while living there, i rarely had them on the car, as it was too warm most of the time. A set of snow socks probably would have been ideal for that area. I now live in an area in which i can keep my winter tires on for about half the year, so finally getting my money's worth from them! (I bought them, initially, for making trips through the mountains to Central Oregon.
@@MagicHawkeye ... Yep... You got it. At least that's where I end up spending most of my time driving through and around. Glad you have the impression that the socks would be good in this area too. I've been on the fence, but that's probably pushed me over for getting a set to try next winter. I just can't see a down side.
Glad you're finally able to get good use out of your winter tires! Hopefully you like wherever your at! Sounds as if the winters there are more extreme than here..... Not sure I could handle more winter than here. But glad others do.
I cannot tell you how grateful I am for your video! Not only did you show some stunning scenery, you made me laugh AND introduced me to snow socks! As a female with a bf who works out of state, I need something easy I can apply when we get the random snow storm in my desert city. I have lifelong issues from my car accident and former job, and I reinjured my rotator cuff just trying to clean the snow off my car before driving LOL. Which, btw, EVERYONE needs to clear ALL the snow off their car before driving. Don’t be the inconsiderate jrk who causes a car crash. I digress… thank you for this amazing review!
Having used chains for many years, my main issue with them, ( especially with newer vehicles) is when a chain fails it beats the S&!* out of the body/fenders before you can get stopped. I will be looking for a set of socks. Great review. Thanks.
Solution: Bigger chains like trucks.
@@TheGuruStud thats not a solution that will just ruin your bodywork even more
Or heres radical idea, get actual winter tires and learn to drive so you dont get stuck. Also always have heavy duty strap and manual wire winch with you. Tie the strap around nearby tree put the winch after that and connect to car. Put car on neutral with something behind the wheels so it wont come over you if it starts moving, depends on area and start winching. After you got it moving meter or so, you can try driving it out again. Though this does require sturdy points to put strap on like tree, so it probably wont be useful to everyone and every location.
@@kidsarebadcheckmychannel949 No, not really since those wont fail if sturdy enough
@@Hellsong89 That's good advice however the person just mentioned a faulty chain could damage the vehicle. Snow socks wouldn't do that. All your advice is good, just saying the snow socks wouldn't damage the vehicle if faulty.
@@Hellsong89 Winter tires are a huge expense at about 150 per piece, when some peoples' cars are worth 2000 dollars at most. For something that does not last a long time and has limited use case, getting chains and socks are a cheap and effective/long-lasting solution. That solution is for professional drivers, but winching yourself out every 300 paces is still worse than crawling with chains
very interesting , i always like it when a product far exceeds expectations ... i'm in the UK & as it snows maybe 2 days a year snow chains seems a bit overkill ( in terms of cost , fitting & cleaning them ) .. snow socks seem more applicable
Similarly I was thinking these would be great for people living in the southern US states, where they rarely have snow, and even a little bit is basically a natural disaster because nobody has the right tires or training.
I'm from UK too and put Bottari snow socks in the boot every year, Never used them but rather have them incase.
We used them on Ambulances in the Uk where you are really using them if you are temporarily stuck rather than driving longer distances . We were dubious but they work incredibly well , easy to store in a vehicle light weight and they they are relatively cheap
Hello those socks are a great idea and will help in many cases.I live in Northern Canada and for the past 40 yrs ive carried a spraybotle full of isopropyl alcohol.when I do get stuck on very slippery surfaces i will spray my tires and usually get moving quickly back to safety.sometimes just spraying the one tire with no traction is enuf to get movement.i learned this from a woman gentlemen!
back in the day we used bleach...but I think that isn't allowed now...but it worked
@@savannahsmiles1797 I don’t know if it’s still used, but drag racers used to use bleach for burnouts
@@savannahsmiles1797 I don’t know if it’s still used, but drag racers used to use bleach for burnouts
I first saw snow socks on TV some years ago. An AA man (UK breakdown service) used them on the rear of a stuck Mercedes. He put them on the rear, most of the way around the wheels. When he gently applied power, the wheels rotated and pulled the rest of the sock on. The car then came straight out of the snow. He made it look easy.
I now keep a set in my car but have not needed them as my Quattro has not yet had any problems with snow. I know, I shouldn't tempt fate.
Great video Sergiu. Your sense of humor AND expertise is a perfect combination! Thanks.
Great video/review! I was surprised at the quick failure of the snow claws. Back during the terrible winters(148" of snow my 1st winter in Erie, PA) of the late 70s, I was constantly stuck. I could not afford quality chains and I knew of several cases of them breaking and damaging the cars. Then one day start of next winter I was shopping for long Johns at K-Mart, and I saw some "chains" made of Kevlar ropes with some solid Kevlar cross bars that also had metal studs in them. They were much cheaper than chains, plus they claimed you could drive them on snow free roads up to 50 MPH. So I bought those and man oh man my 76 Pinto was turned into a 4WD! I was never stuck again. Plus, they held up for that entire winter, even with some driving on snow free roads. Those things were great! I moved back down south the next year and gave them to some friends who stayed behind in Erie.
you wouldn't happen to know the name of that would you? 'chains' made of kevlar instead?
Such a fun and formative channel Sergiu. Keep doin what you do best :)
Great video! I didn't expect socks to be that good.
However, I got around in the snow as thick as the video with good winter tires (non-studded) mounted on an FWD hatchback.
Seems socks + all-season tires work great and are a good economical & practical compromise.
I liked the tests, especially ESP on/off. And I was waiting for someone to try those claws, thanks for showing they're useless. I was wondering how they could possibly hold.
Keep it up, man!
I kinda wish he'd found better products to test, the first ones cost $15 / pair, the socks cost $55, and I think he said the chains were like $300. I don't know if this is a real comparison or a "you get what you pay for". I personally bought some snow socks little over $100, but haven't had a chance to test them (I don't have many option as my tires are an odd size), but they had good reviews.
This test is worthless, he just tells you the make of tyres he has which are not only all-seasons but also we don't know the wear of those tyres. How can you tell how the proper winter tyre like Nokian would do alone in this conditions? Where I live we change the tyres before every winter and before spring. You shouldn't drive normal (summer) tyres when avarage temp outside drop under 8 degrees. It is not only the matter of snow but also the rubber elasticity. People who drive conditions like this on summer tyres are just posing danger to everyone on the road.
@@VViatro "How can you tell how the proper winter tyre like Nokian would do alone in this conditions?". Answer: Watch a video that actually addresses that issue, which this video obviously wasn't meant to do. So ya, of course "This test is worthless" to you, thanks for pointing out the obvious.
This worked on my 2005 Prius. I have had that issue on and off for 3 years, usually on cold weather. Thank you!!!
"Ahh, the beauty of nature. Calm serene, and beautiful... until it tries to kill you." That's one of the funniest and yet totally valid quotes I've heard in a long time. The video was worth watching just for that. I moved from Texas to Colorado and have a front wheel drive car. Looks like the snow socks might be a good solution for just getting in and out of my neighborhood, down a fairly steep hill. Once on the main roads, I'll probably be OK, as Colorado is really good about snow plowing. Thanks a bunch for a great video.
The reason the snow socks performed better in the breaking test is because the material of the snow sock covers the whole point at which the tire is making contact with the ground. While the snow chains have a more abrasive grip or tread, it is also more spread out. Meaning that it has a lower chance of the chain being at the exact point where the tire makes contact with the ground when you hit the breaks.
Thanks for your review. Very useful. I have to get to my cabin 2-3 times a week in the winter. My blizzak snow tires are great, but some snow storms and icy packed snow demand more for traction. I really like my auto trac peerless chains, they are simple to put on, unless you are already in unpacked snow. I like your idea of the combination of chains and snow socks, as I ordered a pair because of the ease of putting them on, so maybe chains on the back tires first, then you should be able to move like required to put the snow socks on the front.....I will be trying it likely within the week. As I have both chains and socks this year.
Well how did it work out?
Another awesome video with good tests and information!
Are studded tires legal where you live?
Here (in Estonia) I couldn't imagine driving without studs during the winter. The black ice or ice with water on top of it happens too often.
Time has shown that studless winter tires still lose to studded counterparts when it comes to icy conditions.
In Romania is forbidded to equip your car with studded tires and drive on public roads.
@@paulfratila Got you! It seems like a lot of EU countries want to ban or cut down the use of studded tires.
Personally think that it's a step backwards.
@andreiaka3d I definitely get your point. Here the studs are legal from late autumn to spring, driving outside of that time window results a fine.
My idea was exactly that the people who live in the mountains/inland could benefit from using studs. But indeed the winters have been getting warmer in a lot of places.
Thank you for this video. I was about to go out and buy a set of snow socks but since I had never heard of such a thing, I needed someone to tell me they are worth buying. The thing is, there isn't that much snow here in Ireland. I'm heading to a region where there will be lots of icy roads, but not much soft snow. I need grip and I think this product will be better than snow chains.
How can you not like this guy I love his real simple approach to simple every day issues.
I would have never tought either that the snow socks are worth considering...unbelievable! Ideed, the ultimate setup might be socks + chains (diagonaly placed?), but it needs to be tested because I can no longer trust my intuition. :)
Socks + chains diagonally placed will be very dangerous for you. And that is because the car brakes more on the front wheels than it does on the back wheels until a certain speed or last or the pressure you apply on the pedal. Derfor, because of the different equipment on the front wheels you will have an uneven braking effect, and on a surface like snow or ice, that can be very, very dangerous. Uneven braking is very dangerous in any situation but on snow or ice and at some speed, not necessarily very high speed, it can be deathly.
@@stefang1087 you said a lot, while literally saying nothing. Good job oh useless one
What most people believe is their knowlege is nothing more than prejudices formed before the age of fifteen , and dad was not always right .
@@stefang1087 for sure. You don’t want to have the car pull in one direction and end up spinning out into another lane or off the road.
@@xposed11 I'm sure you are a very good and experienced driver, thinking about your comment, so you don't need my useless saying.
Since my car can't use chains (according to the user manual) those snow socks do sound like a good idea. Thanks for testing!
What sort of car out of curiosity?
@@OnceIHadAPony if it's like mine, a Subaru. Salesman made an offhand comment while we were sitting & waiting: never use chains
The socks would probably rip if used on studded winter tires, so chains are better in that case too for emergencies - great review👍
Thank you for getting all cold and wet to show me these. You are a better man than I.
I always thought that electronically switched hydraulic jacks for each axle wound be so convenient. Like sitting in the drivers seat and you push a button and the Jack drops down to lift the axle you chose. Not just for tire changes but also to allow for easier and exact installation of chains.
As a former trucker, we had the advantage of using a block and lifting an axle allowing one tire of the two to be chained while off the ground. Then repeating the process until you get all your tires chained rolling up and down a block of wood. But having jacks on each axle would be so awesome.
Last year I bought tire socks (that look better than that red one) and they worked. I used them again this year and they still work. Installing them is easier than chain in my opinion and they cost less too. They may not last as long as the chain but where I live we don't get snow much.
Thanks Sergiu, I was also surprised by the effectiveness of the socks. I can see they are gentle on the wheels, road, fitter, and car storage. They also weigh much less and will squash into a convenient space.
Do they last for long distances? Do they last the test of time?
Good test! What you weren't able to test is ice, this is where the snow socks have real issues, WAY behind chains. I've done a similar test including ice and winter tyres, it's just not out yet. Snow socks are surprisingly good in the snow though!
Looking forward to that. I always like your winter tire reviews!
The results of the sock test didn't surprise me. Many years ago I was playing volleyball with some friends on snow/ice and we were all sliding around and falling. I took my boots off and had great traction in my socks. My friends were dumbfounded, but when they tried it they all found that the socks did better than any of their shoes/boots.
Absolutely mind-blowing---socks for your tires. Well, another advantage will be when they come in designs to match your car's exterior--or even some holiday prints! I'm waiting for the tires where you press a button on a remote and little spikes pop out of the tires to grip the road. Wonderful video, informative AND entertaining!
I'm sold on snow socks too. I have to agree with this test completely. I used chains on my cars and crosstrek for years in Oregon mountains. I tried snow socks out and am 100% sold on them. They absolutely work as good, if not much better, than chains - especially on partly icy roads that others have driven on. I first used my socks on a completely icy road I could barely stand on - and they absolutely just worked. They seem to out drive chains on decently traveled harder-packed roads that have been cleared but still have packed ice/snow on them.
They're amazing when you run across areas of dry pavement and ice - and you can keep your speed the same on both surfaces with socks. With chains you have to definitely slow down on exposed pavement or you'll blow them apart - especially cheaper chains - which is what most folks have.
Hi Sergiu ! Can you test the best fuel aditive and the best oil aditive ! It will be very interesting !
Agree, now that is a very interesting topic!
Project Farm (youtuber) has done some videos about it, but it can't be covered enough!
Sergiu what if we install snow chains on the socks 😂 traction would be infinity 😂
Wow, that would be incredible 😂 I'll keep this in mind. Thanks!
Also came here to say this!
I think using chains over socks would destroy the socks. I will side with Serjiu with the owl face over the peformance of the socks. Some of my Family has to use roads in the state West Virgina. I wonder how the socks would hold up to the mix of ice, snow and asphalt ?
Funny. We are just using proper winter tyres here in Finland.
I live in Wyoming where you need chains in the winter or there will be days straight, sometimes a whole week, where you can't drive even in the city. My neighbor was using socks last winter and what drew me to them was how much quieter it was to drive (I've always hated the loud sound of the chains going into the snow/ice). After watching your video I think I'll give them a try.
Great and helpful video Sergiu! I bought two pairs of the Matte Snow Socks and mine were red too. I didn't see your video before I bought them, but I really enjoyed your fun video. In Missouri we could not get out of our yard because we didn't have snow tires. These snow socks truly are amazing! No wheel slipping or sliding. They just work that good. I know they are not as durable as chains or cables but they will most definitely get you on your way in case of an emergency! They make a variety of sizes and strengths even for big rigs. Thank you again for the great work!
I appreciate this, and particularly appreciate the suggestion for Front Socks/Rear Chains for 4WD/AWD cars.
Excellent video! First time I see this channel, and I really like your way of thinking. I would've used a 4WD instead, but AWD seems to have worked where I did not expect it too.
Here's a tip for those times you only need a temporary walk out, and it can be discardable(meaning once you get out, you can continue to go without retrieving the item). Take a piece of scrap plywood, drive screws through it on a 30-45 degree angle and cut off the heads. Make sure the screws are not too long and puncture your tire. Lay the item under your tire with the points facing forward. gently start to drive to allow the tire to grip. Once it has gripped you can go faster to move and keep your froward momentum. If the situation does not allow you to stop and get the item, simply leave it behind until you reach a place to stop reliably.
The wood doesn't have to be full width, only about 2-3 inches to place at center of tire. this way you can make several to store in your trunk for when you really need them. Works well in snow, on ice, sand, mud, etc. You would really be surprised how well it works.
Wonderful. Thank You
This is incredible!! Great real world video! Currently driving around Bulgaria in the winter and may look for snow socks for our front tires, chains on the back!
I was laughing a good amount in this video!! The owl face when you were amazed the socks worked was great!! Thanks for video. Very helpful & entertaining!!
The snow socks look like a good option for places like where I live (South of England) where we very rarely get deep snow - we're more likely to get a thin layer of ice which they look perfect for.
socks don't work well on ice, they need snow to bind to them to work properly. for ice you want chains, to damage and sink into the ice for grip
For me, the best solution are good tyres. Those you have are not winter certified.
I used to go to the mail box with socks on the outside of my shoes in the ice or snow to keep from falling. The socks kept me on my feet. As I am older also kept me from a trip to the emergency room. As I now live in Florida not ever gonna be an issue again for me. Not much chance of ice and snow here. Should if get icy well it won’t last so I will wait till it warms up and go out. But the socks is really cool because seems easier for older people to get on and off in areas that don’t get lots of bad weather.
Excellent video, well done sir! Thank you. Snow socks won my heart the most!
That was a very useful and surprising test, thank you so much.
You are a great and entertaining presenter
Thank You for the GREAT video!
I WAS considering THAT one item and decided, "NAHHHH! That's NOT for me!"
Keep up the amazing work and be safe out there!
For an emergency only use, I carry multiple lengths of 1/2" nylon rope...each length wraps over the tire and threads through all the spokes/openings of the driving wheel (being careful not to loop over any steering links or brake lines) and tied off. Not for highway driving unless covered in deep snow, will work on ice too. BTW you need YakTracs for walking on that ice.
Good review. Thanks.
Snow socks get my vote.
DOWNSIDE OF CHAINS = Cost, storage when off season, rust, etc, plus Chains are also said to be hard on the pavement.
But they do make clanging Christmas sounds 👍
Another important point - if chains fail in any way, whether they break or come loose or aren't fitted correctly, and you don't stop immediately they will damage your car lots, real quick. If snow socks fail it's no big deal.
Socks also work on icy roads with thin or no snow cover.
And yes , good vid, thanks, and measurement in Sergiu Steps was epic :D
This is awesome man I love this video I'm going to enjoy your channel it's like listening to count Dracula talk about tire socks
Thanks so much for this honest video! Perfectly explained.
Love this and really liked the comment about putting snow socks over shoes as well. I'm old, 74, and walk outdoors frequently as do many folks, all ages; maybe snow socks for people would be a good thing too.
It's not uncommon in Scandinavia to put big socks over your shoes to get tracktion on snowy surfaces, that is the origin of the snow sock for cars. A norweigan guy figured it would work on tires as well, and it did, and the snow sock for tires was born. I used it all the time when I worked as a truck driver in southern sweden on my Scania truck. (Yes they come in large sizes as well).
@@ulfmoller256 Thank you! I have lived most of my life in climates without snow, and am now in Spokane, Washington, where we get a lot of snow and ice. No one uses snow socks, and I am old (74) and love the outdoors and walk where and when ever I can. I am going to try the socks over the shoes. Are your socks made of wool or some sort of acrylic or a mixture? I'm going to the sporting goods store tomorrow to see what they have, we've had a break in the weather and the store is close. Thanks again!
@@livsamech8450 I have mostly used wool socks, but a mix also works. Buy more than one pair, they tend to wear out quickly, they are after all not made for that kind of wear.
@@ulfmoller256 Okey dokey, that sounds easy. Thank you. I have been in Finland and they have really thick socks that they offer you to wear when you enter a home, which I'd have to make here...so regular socks it will be. Blessings!
@@livsamech8450 wool socks over the shoes are nice as an emergency solution if you don't have anything else. For a permanent solution, you'll be (much) better off (and probably spend less money on the long term) with something like YakTraks for general use (around town and for ~easy hiking), or "microspikes" for more aggressive pursuits. Have fun snow hiking!
GREAT VIDEO!!! I just moved from Texas to Colorado. I came across these "snow socks" recently and had never heard of them. They were the wrong size and I did not get them. But I will get some now based on your video. I only need them to get around town which is usually snow plowed. Thank you so much.
Heard about the snow socks just a few weeks ago when went to Les Schwab for chains. A trucker was in the store at the time and said 18 wheelers use them. The only problem is if, you are going back and forth over snow, ice and then over pavement then, they get holes. If, just on snow and ice as well as keeping speed under 25-30 mph as with chains, they are great. Thought that is great info. Now to hear you we may try them. We’d be interested in the follow up video and how it works with on and off situations. Also, was told they are approved in California for use when requiring snow chains on highways. Who knew? Thank you!
I am AMAZED the snow socks worked! Just found your channel, thank you for good information! Be safe. Happy Holidays!
Thanks for the very good video. Snow socks enabled me to complete a long journey some years ago on snow bound roads. I was able to trundle past hundreds of stuck cars and get home which I would not have been able to do without the socks. They do not like driving on part cleared roads - they can tear and you can get ice build up in the wheel arches which can be removed with a bit of wood every few miles. Other than that they are excellent.
Dead ass the thumb nail of you laying face down made me actually laugh out loud. Thanks for the laughs man ahaha, I needed that.
very thorough explanation, there is a catch with snow chains, they can also damaged the tires, i use socks for my car but also use chains for my semi truck. every time when i use chains i can find dent on truck tires. very good job Sergiu.
We're looking into getting some traction devices just in case it's dumping when entering the ski resort village.
These socks look promising, but from what I'm reading online they only provide a little benefit over proper (three-peak snowflake/M+S) all-seasons or especially dedicated winter tires.
As far as I can tell the tires you are using in the video (Continental Crosscontact LX) are 'summer' tires. They do lack the snowflake/M+S icon on the tires at 11:40, so I think that's correct.
For those, the snow socks would provide a great improvement compared to a naked tire, as clearly shown in your video. However, proper winter tires may be just as good?
Any thoughts?
Sergui - what a simple but great video. 🙂 You tested the snow socks rated for city roads.. lol
Matte snow socks come in 3 types:
Active Series for city roads - These are the ones Sergui tested
Super X Series for highways and ski resorts
Extra Pro Series for Commercial and professional use
Personally I like the Matte Extra Pro which are 60% thicker than the Active series and are only a few dollars more.
They are not currently legal in Australia because we are way behind the rest of the world in approving them BUT that doesn't stop me using them and they work great.
Definitely put them on BEFORE you get stuck.