How Do Snow Socks Work?
How Do Snow Socks Work?
Snow socks are handy fabric socks that can be slipped over your car's tyres to greatly improve grip on snowy and icy roads. Find out how snow socks work with this guide from Halfords.
In winter conditions, ice and snow make the road surface very slippery, leading to hazardous driving conditions and even cars being left stranded on the road.
Snow socks are a good solution to this, as they provide extra traction and are particularly useful for getting cars back on the move after becoming stuck. They're also easy to fit and are a convenient alternative to snow chains - read on to find out more.
SNOW SOCKS - HOW THEY WORK
Snow socks work on the principle that snow and ice sticks to fabric, much like a snowball sticks to your glove. You simply slip the snow sock over your driving wheels (either rear or front) so that they cover the tyres.
The sock is made from special materials that create friction between the tyre and the snowy road surface, giving you the necessary grip and control to get you moving.
The fabric also 'wicks' away any water that can be caught between the tyre and the ground as snow or ice melts, lessening the chance of your wheel slipping.
However, you must take the snow socks off when you reach an area that's not covered in snow or ice, as you can damage the fabric by driving with it on tarmac.
HOW DO I KNOW WHICH SNOW SOCKS WILL FIT MY CAR?
To see which snow socks are suitable for your vehicle, you need to identify your tyre size. This is displayed on the side of your tyre and looks like this:
- 185/70 R14 86
- Tyre width: 185
- Tyre profile: 70
- Rim size: 14
If you need any further help picking the right size snow socks,
simply call into your local Halfords store.
HOW WELL DO SNOW SOCKS WORK?
Snow socks do work! Fitting them significantly improves driving stability on snow or ice, especially when braking or cornering. Ambulances and fire engines have been using them for years to help keep them mobile during winter.
Unlike snow chains, they provide a smooth and quiet ride, and can be used up to speeds of 25mph - although of course you should always drive appropriately according to the road surface conditions.
Snow socks are ideal for countries such as the UK, where we have occasional but sometimes heavy snowfall that can cause problems on the road.
However, it's important to note that they aren't approved for use in countries where snow chains are a legal requirement - see our guide to Are Snow Chains Legal? for more information on this.
ORDER SNOW SOCKS FROM HALFORDS.COM
It's easy to order car snow socks from Halfords.com. You can buy them online for home/work delivery, or reserve them online and collect from your local store.
They're quite compact so are easy to store in your boot, ready for whenever you need them.
Don't forget to stock up on other winter travel essentials such as snow shovels, emergency warning triangles and car breakdown kits while you're browsing, and you should be fully prepared for the winter weather.
