Snow Chains and Snow Socks for Cars
Cars have the widest range of compatible snow chains of any vehicle type, which also makes them the easiest to get wrong: two cars of a similar size can need completely different tyre sizes, and a chain that's even slightly too big or small either won't fit securely or won't grip properly. Most cars are front-wheel drive, so chains are usually only needed on the front axle - check your vehicle handbook if you're unsure, since rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive cars need a different setup.
Therefore, it's important to select your vehicle and tyre size to see the list of chains that are fully approved for your vehicle and tyre combination.
Recommended Snow Chains and Snow Socks for Cars
Traditional, self-tensioning and external-fitting designs are all available for most cars, from affordable options like Polaire's XP9 traditional chains and AutoSock snow socks to quicker-fitting designs like the König Easy-Fit, so there's usually a great choice at every price point. If wheel-arch clearance is limited look towards the external fitting chains, such as the Spikes-Spiders, Polaire Grips or König K-Summits.
Polaire XP9
Traditional snow chains
Polaire's XP9 are a good quality traditional style 9mm chain. They're easy to fit and remove and therefore ideal for cars that can accomodate traditional chains and used for the occassional ski-drive or UK use.
AutoSock
High-Performance Snow Socks
AutoSock: AutoSock - textile wheel covers with an elasticated edge; you just slip them over the driving wheels when you find yourself getting stuck. ("Yes - it really is this easy" and "Yes, of course they work!") Be prepared for the winter by carrying a set of AutoSock in your car.
Konig CG-9
Traditional snow chains
These 9mm snow chains introduce König's very clever automatic chain tensioning system which saves you having to get out of the car again to re-tension the chains by hand.
Konig Easy-fit
Self-tensioning snow chains
König's original Easy-Fit CU-9 holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest-fitting snow chain, ready in 12 seconds. Its built-in rigid arch slips over the tyre top-to-bottom, then a foot-pedal aluminium bar activates automatic tensioning as you drive off - a dependable, quick-fit choice for standard cars.
Konig Reflex Cross
Self-tensioning snow chains
König's Reflex Cross uses a spring-loaded system, built on their Easy-fit technology, that tightens front and back simultaneously as you push the rigid inner hoop over the wheel. Ideal for SUVs and crossovers with tight wheel arch clearance, it also protects alloy rims from chain damage.
Polaire GRIP
External fitting snow chains
An innovative, easy to use, high performance external-fixing chain system; excellent value for money. They do everything that all other external-fixing ladder track chains do, but better. They're quicker and easier to fit and remove, have excellent grip, and can even be driven on tarmac, making them exceptionally useful, also safer. Suitable for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes.
Konig Reflex Edge
Self-tensioning snow chains
König's Reflex Edge comes pre-assembled and is, stretched over the top of the tyre and down, before the one-click Reflex Box tensions the chain on both the inner and outer sides. Designed for cars where conventional chains won't fit, it's especially well suited to alloy rims and tight clearances.
Spikes-Spider Compact
External fitting snow chains
The Spikes-Spider Compact is ideal for cars, small vans and small SUVs where space between the tyres, suspension and wheel arches is limited.
Polaire Steel Grip
External fitting snow chains
Polaire STEEL GRIP are the most modern and innovative single-fixing, external-fixing chains that we know about. They have been improved with ice-breaker steel traction plates and offer excellent value for money.
Konig K-Summit
External fitting snow chains
König K-Summits are easy to fit and to remove. They're often one of the only options shown, especially where there is minimal distance between the wheel and the wheel arch, or where there are clearance issues inside the wheel which prevent the use of traditional snow chains.
Spikes-Spider Sport
External fitting snow chains
The Spikes-Spider Sport model is the most adaptable system for all cars up to 3.5tonnes in weight, and can be resized to fit almost any tyre.
Spikes-Spider Easy Sport
External fitting snow chains
The Spikes-Spider Easy SPORT is a development of the SPORT and clip onto two wheel bolt mounted studs, providing better reliability than systems that only clip to a single wheel bolt stud.