The Best Winter Truck Tires

So, what makes winter tires so superior to conventional all-season tires? After all, they’re all black rubber circles, right? 

No two tires are created equal. Even those in the same class utilize different tread designs, rubber compounds, and sidewall constructions, resulting in different driving characteristics and performance. This performance gap considerably widens when comparing different tire classes—even conventional all-season and winter tires. 

Winter tires are engineered specifically for use in harsh weather conditions. They differ from all-season tires in three key ways—tread depth, rubber compound, and design.

Tread Depth

Regarding tread depth, winter tires begin life with considerably deeper grooves than all-season or Summer tires. This deeper tread helps to claw and bite through slippery terrain, displacing snow and water more efficiently to retain traction.

Rubber Compound

Regarding rubber compounds, winter tires feature a softer rubber formulation that remains pliable even in sub-freezing temperatures. This compound in sub-freezing temperatures performs similarly to a conventional all-season tire in warmer weather, resulting in a comfortable, compliant ride and superior traction.

Design

Winter tires feature unique design characteristics that outperform all-season tires in most conditions. These include pre-drilled stud holes, larger squared-off tread blocks, and heavy siping to effectively displace water. These qualities boost traction and improve performance in cold weather conditions.

What is a 3PMSF Rating?

Winter and winter-rated all-terrain tires feature a 3PMSF rating, or Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake. This rating, received from the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA), verifies that a tire has passed winter traction tests and meets industry standards for severe winter performance. 

3PMSF-rated tires feature a small outline of a mountain with a snowflake in the center beside “M+S” lettering.

RealTruck Expert Winter Tire Picks

Now that we’ve covered winter tires in detail, it’s time for our experts’ top picks. We’ve compiled a list of our top 3PMSF-rated winter and all-terrain truck tires, offering exceptional severe weather performance.

Toyo Open Country A/T III Tires

Did you know that one of the nation’s most popular all-terrain tires is also rated for severe snow? The Toyo Open Country A/T III features a 3PMSF rating for use in snowy, icy, and slushy conditions, making it ideal for winter climates. 

An all-new, reformulated tread compound provides a long lifespan (up to 70,000 miles) and superior all-weather traction. Specialized tread and sidewalls featuring increased lateral grooves and 3D multi-wave sipes bite through severe road conditions. 

Features: 

• Cut and chip-resistant

• Evenly distributed void area

• Increased lateral grooves

• 3D multi-wave sipes

• Stone-ejecting blocks

• Staggered shoulder lugs for better off-road traction

• Up to 70,000-mile treadwear warranty

General Grabber APT Tires

Durable, stylish, and 3PMSF-rated—what more would you want from a winter tire? The General Grabber APT is a rugged, all-terrain tire engineered with winter driving in mind, delivering exceptional all-weather performance. 

General Grabber APT tires implement Duragen technology, which employs a tread compound comprising natural and synthetic materials. This material helps prevent cuts and chips, ensuring years and miles of reliable service—up to 60,000. 

Features:

• Premium all-terrain tire

• Duragen technology

• Superior all-weather performance

• Quiet, comfortable ride

• Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake rated for winter driving

• Up to 60,000-mile treadwear warranty

General Grabber Arctic LT Tires

For exceptional cold-weather traction beyond that of a traditional all-season tire, the General Grabber Arctic LT is tough to beat. This studdable winter tire utilizes a specialty tread compound that remains flexible even in cold weather. Additional ridges and grooves help boost traction over snow and slush, displacing water to retain grip. 

General Grabber Arctic LT tires deliver responsive handling, outstanding low-temp traction, and unmatched durability in sub-freezing temperatures. Each set comes backed by General’s standard limited warranty.  

Features:

• Studdable winter tire

• Ideal for winter offroading and deep snow

• Outstanding low temperature traction

• Cut and chip-resistant

• Flexible in cold weather

• Ridges in the grooves for added grip

• Responsive handling

• Standard limited warranty

Nitto Exo Grappler Tires

Nitto’s Exo Grappler is engineered for four-season performance. These aggressive tires are molded from a heavy-duty, synthetic/natural rubber compound that offers exceptional cut and chip resistance. 

With a 3PMSF rating, the Exo Grappler is ready to take on even the harshest winter weather. Large lateral sipes help evacuate water and slush, while pre-drilled holes accept traditional TSMI #15 studs for superior traction on ice. 

Features:

• Engineered for four-season performance

• Durable rubber compound increases cut and chip resistance

• Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake rated for winter driving

• Spiral-shaped stone ejectors reduce stone retention

• Large lateral sipes evacuate water and slush

• Pre-drilled for tire studs

Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T Tires

With a name like “Baja Boss,” you wouldn’t assume these Mickey Thompson tires would function well in cold weather. However, the 3PMSF-rated all-terrain tires offer excellent traction in all weather conditions, even severe snow, ice, and slush. 

Featuring a rugged asymmetrical tread pattern and aggressive Extreme Sidebiters® sidewalls, Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T tires are engineered to claw through even the stickiest mud, deepest sand, and softest snow.    

Features:

• Asymmetrical tread pattern

• Extreme Sidebiters®

• PowerPly XD sidewalls

• Silica-reinforced rubber compound

• Severe Snow Service rated

• 50,000-mile treadwear warranty