Best All-Weather Tires

All-weather tires are one of the fastest-growing tire categories in British Columbia, and for good reason: one set, winter-rated, no seasonal swap. They are not the right answer for every driver, though. Here is how to decide.

All-weather is not the same as all-season

The names sound alike, but the difference matters. All-weather tires carry the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, meaning they passed a standardised snow-traction test. Most all-season tires don't. That makes all-weather tires legal on BC's designated winter highways from October to March, and all-season tires generally not.

Who all-weather tires suit

• Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island drivers who see more rain than snow.
• Drivers who make occasional winter trips to the mountains or the Interior.
• Anyone without space to store a second set of tires.
• Drivers who want to avoid two tire changes a year.

When a dedicated winter tire is still better

• You live in the Interior, the North or the Kootenays, or you commute over a mountain pass.
• You regularly drive on packed snow or ice.
• You want the most grip possible in the worst conditions.

A dedicated winter tire's softer compound and deeper siping still out-grip an all-weather on ice and deep snow. Read our winter tire guide for more.

The trade-offs

Because the compound has to work in summer heat and winter cold, all-weather tires usually wear a little faster than a premium all-season in hot weather. They also give up a little dry-road sharpness compared with a summer tire. For most daily drivers in the Lower Mainland, the convenience outweighs both.

Shopping tips

1. Check for the 3PMSF symbol. It is what makes an all-weather tire an all-weather tire.
2. Match or exceed your vehicle's load index and speed rating (see the tire size guide).
3. Replace all four at once, especially on all-wheel-drive vehicles.

Shop all-weather tires in your size, or talk to our team about whether all-weather or dedicated winter tires suit your driving.