Best Tire Chains & Snow Traction Devices 2024 | AXLY.pro

Tires & Wheels

Best Tire Chains & Snow Traction Devices

4 picks

The short answer

For most passenger cars and crossovers, low-profile cable tire chains like the Security Chain Company Super Z6 give the best balance of grip, clearance, and easy installation; trucks and SUVs with more wheel-well room do better with heavier ladder-style chains, and vehicles with very tight clearance or chain-restricted areas should use a fabric traction device like AutoSock instead.

Winter traction devices aren't one-size-fits-all — the chain that fits a full-size pickup will rub the fender liner on a compact sedan, and some mountain passes only allow certain chain types (or ban metal chains outright). Matching the device to your tire size, vehicle clearance, and the regulations where you actually drive matters more than any brand name.

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Our top pick, best overall

Security Chain Company SZ143 Super Z6 Cable Tire Chains

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Quick picks at a glance

What to look for

  • Confirmed fitment for your exact tire size (not just 'fits most cars') — check the manufacturer's size chart before buying
  • Wheel-well clearance: low-profile cable chains for sedans/crossovers, heavier ladder chains only if your vehicle has the clearance
  • Local chain law classification — some states specify 'Class S' cable chains or approved alternative traction devices for restricted zones
  • Installation difficulty in the field: look for lever/cam tensioners over ones needing pliers or wrenches in the snow
  • Storage size and weight if you're carrying them as an emergency-only backup rather than a daily winter setup

Our picks

Best overall

Security Chain Company SZ143 Super Z6 Cable Tire Chains

A widely used cable chain that fits tight wheel wells on cars and crossovers while still meeting most state 'Class S' chain requirements. The rubber tensioners simplify tightening compared to older hook-and-chain designs, though they're not built for sustained highway speeds or heavy off-road use.

  • Low-profile cable design clears tight fenders
  • Rubber tightener cams speed up roadside installation
  • Meets Class S traction requirements in most chain-controlled areas
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Best for trucks & SUVs

Peerless Chain Auto-Trac Tire Chains

A ladder-style link chain built for the extra clearance and load of trucks and SUVs, delivering more aggressive bite in deep snow than cable designs. Skip it on a low-clearance sedan — the wider link profile needs the wheel-well room a truck has and a car usually doesn't.

  • Ladder-pattern links give stronger bite in deep or packed snow
  • Rated for heavier vehicle weight than typical cable chains
  • Auto-Trac tightening system reduces the need to re-tension after driving a short distance
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Best for chain-restricted areas

AutoSock AS650 Tire Traction Device

A heavy-duty fabric cover that pulls over the tire instead of wrapping it in metal, making it legal in areas that ban chains and gentler on tight wheel wells and alloy wheels. It wears faster on dry pavement and isn't rated for the same load or speed as metal chains, so it suits occasional storms more than a daily mountain commute.

  • Approved as an alternative traction device in many chain-controlled zones
  • Won't scratch alloy wheels or wheel-well liners the way metal chains can
  • Packs down small and installs without tools
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Best budget

Glacier Chains H2828SC Cable Tire Chains

A no-frills cable chain aimed at drivers who need a legal, functional set for occasional storms rather than frequent mountain driving. Grip and durability trail the Super Z6 over repeated seasons, but for a car that sees snow a few times a year, it's a reasonable low-cost option.

  • Straightforward cable chain construction at a lower price point
  • Adequate for occasional snow rather than daily winter driving
  • Comes with a basic tensioning tool for roadside installation
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Frequently asked questions

Do I need tire chains if my car has all-wheel drive?

AWD helps with acceleration traction but does nothing for braking or cornering grip on ice and packed snow, so many mountain routes still require chains or an approved traction device regardless of drivetrain. Check local chain-control signage rather than assuming AWD exempts you.

Can I put tire chains on just the front or just the back tires?

Chain placement depends on your drivetrain — front-wheel-drive vehicles typically chain the front tires, rear-wheel-drive vehicles the rear, and some chain-control laws require all four. Check your vehicle's owner's manual and the specific chain law in effect, since requirements vary by state and by storm severity.

Are fabric traction devices like AutoSock as effective as metal chains?

Fabric traction devices provide solid grip in snow and are legal in many areas that restrict metal chains, but they wear out faster on dry pavement and generally aren't rated for the same speeds or loads as metal chains. They're a good fit for occasional storms or chain-restricted zones, less so for sustained heavy-snow driving.

How do I know what size tire chains to buy?

Manufacturers publish size charts matching chain part numbers to specific tire dimensions (like 225/60R17) — measure your installed tire size off the sidewall and match it exactly rather than guessing from your vehicle's model. A chain that's too big will be loose and can damage bodywork; too small won't fit over the tire at all.

How fast can I drive with tire chains installed?

Most chain manufacturers recommend staying well under highway speeds, often citing a low speed limit specific to their product, and removing chains as soon as you're back on clear pavement. Driving too fast or too long on dry roads with chains installed accelerates wear on both the chains and the tire.

Related symptoms

Car Vibrates at Highway Speeds

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Top pick: Security Chain Company SZ143 Super Z6 Cable Tire Chains Check price