Studded snow tires?

I live in Denver and debating studded snow tires.. I do a lot of mountain driving and some city driving but have a Prius if the roads aren’t to bad.

 

I got some nokian hakkipelittas on my stock rims, and they make all the difference on a icy highway. The way i figure it, with all the money in the truck, whats $1000 for for dedicated set, especially if needed every year.

 

Studs are the way of the Dodo. They are really good in arctic way up north, but stud-less is king, they are more consistent than a studded tire.

If I were to do a studded tire again it would have to be the best, the Hakka 9's but I don't like them for long term. Perelli has a really agressive studded tire as well.

The Blizzak kicks the crap out of any studded tire I've driven.

 

I don’t run studs. They tear up the road and don’t really offer much of an advantage over studless snow tires. Get some Blizzaks and call it good.

 

The studless are good but i’m old and still believe in studded tires.

 

I have studded Hakkipelitta's but I live in the northeast where ice is common. They definitely make a lot more noise than regular snows.

 

As already stated, studded snow tires can be advantageous on solid ice or hardpack roads. Most of the time (and especially in the lower 48), studless snow tires will get you around just fine. In the past I've had several different kinds of studded and studless tires. While the studded tires gave me awesome traction on ice, they were actually kind of dicey on pavement because the car wanted to "skate" around during turns or abrupt maneuvers. Plus, they make the car sound like a Panzer tank at speed.

 

Were not allowed studs here where I live, but I find with my Duratracs and locked in 4hi, and I'm unstoppable in any conditions. We get wicked winter ice/snow storms here in Canada.

 

We cant have studs or chains here in MN either. But with my old awd BMW I used to run traction cables on all 4 tires when it got real bad... no cop is going to pull you over in a snow storm because you have chains on.

Ive been thinking of getting some extra rims for snow tires like I have for the wifes car.

 

That's how I've always done it. I would rather mount them to a cheap set of wheels and swap them out each season, rather than take them to a shop twice a year to pay for the mounting/dismounting and balancing.

 

Studies in Washington have shown that people that run studs are pretty much the that tear up the roads and cause damage.

Also studies have shown, like @Kremtok states, that studs actually make driving less safe in almost all conditions we experience in the continental US. Longer braking distances, less traction, and so on.

Get a good set of studless tires, mount them on a spare set of wheels and drive the Prius when it's warmer than 40 degrees, otherwise you'll just wear through the soft rubber very quickly.

 

Study: https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/research/reports/fullreports/551.1.pdf

Low attention span version: https://www.outsideonline.com/2359001/studded-tires-winter-car-prep

 

studs all the way but i live in breck and have a steep driveway. still get them as you have the prius for daily driving. love my studs and worth them when you need them

 

I'm very happy with my Bridgestone Blizzak on dedicated rims. These tires are only to used when the outdoor air is 45 or less due to the soft rubber on the tire . You won't be disappointed.

 

Get a set of chains, throw them on if it's really bad out

 

You do not need studded tires in Denver. Not only does it not snow enough to justify them, but snow pack is also rare. The roads are usually wet or dry within 24 hours of a snow event. Just make sure you have enough tread.

 

I have been using Toyo Obeserve winter tires for 20 years in Colorado with great results. The tread rubber compound has ground up walnut shells in it. Walnut shells are the hardest plant material.

Good on you for getting 4 winter tires!

 

I'm in Colorado as well. Going to get a set of Blizzaks for the Tacoma. I've run all kinds of snow tires on my Subaru, which I use for commuting, and just sold my studded set to go back to Blizzaks. I found that for the 1% of times that the studs were maybe better, they weren't worth it the rest of the time. They're noisier and most importantly, don't grip well at all when the roads are dry, wet or barely snow covered. I ski almost every weekend, so up and down 70 from the front range, and feel that Blizzaks are the best snow tire I've used.

 

Food for thought:
https://www.outsideonline.com/2359001/studded-tires-winter-car-prep
https://autosock.us/studded-snow-tires/
https://wheelzine.com/studded-vs-studless-snow-tires-which-one-to-choose

 

I just ordered a set of General Grabber Arctics for my truck today. Without the studs.