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Are Mud Tires Good in Snow? Comparison Explained 2023

January 11, 2023 by Peter Johnson Leave a Comment

Mud tires offer promising safety and comfort in both off-road and on-road conditions but do they actually perform well in snow? There are probably too many reasons and solutions to prefer the Mud tires on snowy roads and tracks.

However, by making timely precautions, you may discard the chances of such incidents completely. In this regard, the very first thing you need to do is to get high-gripping tires for your four-wheelers – tires that can perform fabulously on impossible-looking snowy terrains.

Many people think that mud tires are a good choice for such conditions but is this assumption actually true? If so, then why are people purchasing those super-expensive snow tires? 

FAQs

Answers To Questions

Are mud tires good in the rain?

No! Mud tires are meant to perform only in dry conditions (including both gentle and harsh ones). In wet conditions like rain and snow, they don’t perform reasonably.

What kind of tires are best for snow?

Any sort of tire with aggressive treading, heavy sipping, rich grooves, and a 3PMSF rating can be considered best for snow.

Do I need all 4 snow tires?

It all depends upon the weather intensity. The rule of thumb here is that the more snow tires your vehicle has, the safer the ride you’ll get to enjoy.

Is It Risky to use mud tires on Snow?

It totally depends on the density and strength of the road. If you are using mud tires on dense snowy roads with cracks, then it can be a little risky.

Is it really worth it to invest in snow tires or can you opt for other alternatives like mud tires and 4-season tires?

Comparison

Performance on Snow

When it comes to performance on snow then snow tires are undoubtedly the winner here. From material to construction, each and every aspect of snow tires are designed keeping only one aim in mind; to enjoy smooth rides on snowy terrains. On dense, dry, and highly compacted snow, mud tires might work averagely but when it comes to thin snowy layers and wetter terrains, this tire option will disappoint you.

Design

Both the mud tires and snow tires have wide grooves and numerous ridges for better grip. Both of these tire options have wide tread but the tread pattern is different.

design of mud vs snow tires

That of snow tires discourages slush planning however the tread pattern of mud tires inhibits them to rotate smoothly in snow and ice, by turning them into snow slides.

Suitability 

Snow tires are made up of super soft rubber material which tends to flex :smoothly even in freezing temperatures. Due to this very reason, these tires can’t be used on dry asphalt (especially during super hot weather). On doing so, it will wear out super quickly.

On the other hand, mud tires contain a more robust construction with additional puncture protection. It doesn’t matter how harsh the road conditions are, these mud tires won’t wear out any soon. However, their performance and efficiency begin decreasing as soon as the temperature drop below 45° Fahrenheit.

Why you should use only snow tires in the snow?

Extraordinary Material

Winter tires, unlike mud tires, are made up of special winter tread material which doesn’t harden or lose traction at minus temperature. Almost all winter tires contain high-grade soft rubber compound (softer than normal tires) which stays smooth and flexible during sub-freezing and freezing temperatures.

On the other hand, mud tires tend to freeze or harden on coming in contact with the snow. Generally, mud tires are meant to provide traction only up to 45° Fahrenheit. Below this temperature, they can’t deliver as much traction and control as required and thus, stop flexing and gripping the terrain.

Unique Tread Design 

Snow tires come with larger grooves and unique zig-zag tread patterns which act as specialized channels to expel snow & slush and drain water. This unique design not only improves lateral traction but also decreases hydroplaning.

Unique Tread Design of Snow Tires and Mud Tires

In the case of mud tires, they also have unique tread patterns but their grooves are not longer but wider so snow might get stuck, rather than channeling out of them. Resultantly, all the grooves will be filled with snow after a very short ride, causing slippery and dangerous rides.

Dimples & Sipes

Snow tires come with special sipes which bite into tough snow and slush so your vehicle can easily pass through heavily packed terrains. Moreover, snow tires also contain special dimples – installation points for studs or other accessories.

Dimples & Sipes of Mud tire vs Snow Tire

These studs act as small ice picks that punch holes through impossibly tough icy surfaces for traction. In this way, your vehicle runs firmly on slippery surfaces, without jiggling even a bit.

Winter tires may or may not be studdable however, You won’t find these features in mud tires.

Are Mud Tires Good in Snow?

There’s no doubt that mud tires are super versatile and perform well in snow but they don’t perform the best. Their unique tread pattern can undoubtedly provide enough grip but still, it can’t outperform the brilliance of snow tires.

Generally speaking, mud tires are meant to perform in both on and off-road conditions. You can unlock excellent performance from these tires in multiple conditions but their performance is questionable on highly compacted icy terrains. Why? Let us explain!

The chunky lugs and deep voids of mud tires are crafted in a special way that allows them to clean themselves with every revolution. As the mud tire rotates, the gravel, soft mud, and dirt slip from these grooves. However, since the consistency of soft, powdery snow is different, it tends to pack into a giant snowball with every revolution, converting the tire into a racing slick.

As a result of this, a wall of snow formed on the tire’s outer surface, reducing the overall grip of the tire. In some instances, the mud tire begins sinking into the snow rather than moving forward.

Final verdict 

Experts say there’s not any tire whose performance is unquestionable on ice – as long as it’s not studded or chained.

Although mud terrain tires can handle deep snow and off-road rides, for wetter conditions that involve thinner snow and icy terrains, snow tires are without any doubt a better, safer, quieter, and more comfortable option. If you still won’t take the warning seriously, you might end up in shallow waters.

On the other hand, if you can’t find a specialized winter tire, go with any that has a 3-peak mountain snowflake symbol on it. Such 3PMSF tires are factory approved with additional rubber, aggressive sipping, and less slush planning.

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