By the Rims & Tires Team
Compiled & reviewed by our West Georgia tire & wheel research team · Updated 2026-07-24
All-weather tires (marked with the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol) are a distinct product from standard all-season tires. They use winter-like silica compound for real traction in snow and cold, while maintaining acceptable summer performance. For drivers who want one set of tires year-round with genuine winter capability, all-weather tires are the answer.
What makes an all-weather tire different from all-season
The 3PMSF symbol (Three Peak Mountain Snowflake) is the key difference. It requires the tire to pass a specific snow traction test — all-season tires do not. A standard M+S (Mud and Snow) all-season can be marked without passing that snow test.
All-weather tires use a silica compound that remains flexible below 45 degrees Fahrenheit — similar to dedicated winter tires. Standard all-season compounds become less flexible in cold, reducing grip.
The trade-off: all-weather tires sacrifice some peak warm-weather performance compared to premium all-season tires. They wear slightly faster in summer heat than standard all-seasons.
Best all-weather tires
Michelin CrossClimate2: the benchmark all-weather tire. Available in a wide range of sizes from passenger cars to mid-size SUVs. Outstanding snow traction, excellent wet grip, very good fuel economy. The best overall all-weather tire available. 60,000-mile warranty.
Continental AllSeasonContact 2: the quietest all-weather tire. Very low road noise for an all-weather, outstanding wet braking, strong snow performance. Best for drivers who prioritize highway refinement.
Goodyear WeatherReady: Goodyear's 3PMSF-rated all-weather. Available in a wide range of sizes. Excellent snow and ice traction, strong wet grip. Available in large SUV sizes not covered by the CrossClimate2.
Nokian Entyre C/S: all-weather for SUVs and CUVs. 3PMSF-rated, strong all-season wet and snow performance. Good value vs the premium picks.
Frequently asked
Are all-weather tires good enough for winter driving?
For occasional and light winter conditions — yes. For sustained driving in heavy snow, deep snow, or icy conditions over multiple months — dedicated winter tires remain the safer choice. For Georgia and the Southeast, all-weather tires are excellent.
Do all-weather tires wear out faster than all-season?
Slightly — the softer cold-weather compound wears faster in warm months. A premium all-weather tire like the CrossClimate2 has a 60,000-mile warranty, which is lower than the 80,000-mile Michelin Defender all-season. Expect 15 to 20 percent shorter tread life than a premium all-season.
Are all-weather tires a good fit for West Georgia?
They are arguably the sweet spot for this area. You get real cold-weather and light-snow grip for our occasional ice events without buying a second set of winter tires or swapping them twice a year. For a driver who wants one set to handle everything the region throws at them, that is exactly the pitch.
How do I know a tire is truly all-weather and not just all-season?
The three-peak mountain snowflake symbol on the sidewall is the proof. It means the tire passed a real snow-traction test, and a plain M+S marking does not clear that bar. If the snowflake is not there, it is an all-season no matter what the marketing says.
Keep reading
Last updated 2026-07-24. General guidance only — confirm specifics with a local shop for your exact vehicle.