Keeping safe on the road is a top priority for a lot of drivers during the winter. When the temperatures drop, it can get dangerous out there really quickly. While winter tires will be enough for most drivers for most of the year, when you live in areas where the temperatures and weather get pretty severe, it may be worth it to look into studded tires to give you some added protection. But are studded tires worth it?
Are Studded Tires Worth It? (Answered)
Studded tires can be worth it if you live in an area that gets severe winters with lots of ice and snow. The studs can provide extra traction on those difficult roads, offering the control that you need over your vehicle. However, for most areas of the country, the weather is not severe enough to warrant the extra cost of studs. Traditional winter tires will be sufficient in these areas.
Take a look at the local laws in your area before you get studded tires. There are some states that prohibit them.

The good news is that in most of the areas where you’d want them, studded tires are legal.
What are the Advantages of Studded Winter Tires?
As you take a look at whether or not you should have studded tires, you need to look at some of the benefits. Choosing this type of winter tire over traditional options has pros and cons.
The biggest advantage is that the studded tires vs studless are going to provide you with a superior amount of grip. They will carve up roads that are icy and packed with snow.
Winter tires without studs will do great during most of the winter and in most locations. But in the toughest conditions they aren’t as good. When you really need grip on slick winter roads, studded winter tires take it to the next level.
A studded winter tire is going to provide you with more grip on the road. This is because instead of just interacting with the road’s surface conditions, they also penetrate through the ice and snow, digging in almost like an anchor.
When you decide to turn, brake, or accelerate on the ice with these tires, you will have all the advantages. The softer rubber of winter tires paired with tough metal studs that can claw into the ice. This will improve the grip and your vehicle’s responsiveness when driving. This can make it much safer to be on the road.
How Do I Install Winter Tire Studs?
Only studdable winter tires will allow you to have the studs placed inside. If you try to put studs into a studless winter tire, it can ruin the tire and cause you to need to purchase a new one.
Keep in mind that not all types of winter tires will have studs in them. There are some winter tires that are just meant to be used on their own, with no studs in them at all.
When you want to add studs to your winter tires, you first need to have the right tires. These tires will have openings where the studs can be placed using a stud gun.
The stud sizes will vary and each tire will be engineered with a particular size of stud to be used.

You must choose the right size of studs for your winter tires. If you put in studs that are too big or too small, they will not perform the way that you would like and can make it difficult to drive in winter conditions.
Take a look at the type of tire you have to help determine which types of studs are the best.
Are There Disadvantages to Studded Tires?
Studs on your tires only make sense if you live in conditions that are frequently icy and packed down with snow. When the roads are wet or dry, the studs can actually decrease your traction and can interrupt your safe driving as well.
They can also produce more noise on the road, which makes them less fun to drive around.
Studded tires will also wear down the pavement at a higher rate than your normal tires will do. They can cause cutting into the road, especially on the interstate.

This can lead to a number of different safety problems, such as excessive spray out of the tire, pooling water, and other conditions that make the vehicle different to control. This is why many states do not allow studded winter tires at all.
Are Studded or Non-Studded Winter Tires Better?
The winter tire that you choose will depend on the road conditions around you and the type of winter that you live in. In some situations, it is better to get the studs on your tires, while other situations may find that regular winter tires are the best. Some conditions to consider include:
Snowy or icy roads
It makes sense to choose a studded tire if you spend most of the winter driving on really icy and snowy roads. This can help you with the ice when it gets thick.
Keep in mind, though, that non-studded tires are best for roads that have a lot of snow but no ice.
Wet Ice and Packed Snow
Non-studded winter tires will struggle a bit when it comes to intersections and other locations where there is hard-packed snow or wet ice.

In these situations, you may find that the studded tires are going to provide you with more of the traction that you need to stay on the road a little better.
Quiet Tires
Having quiet tires on the road can be useful to make your ride more enjoyable. Studded tires are going to make more noise when you drive than non-studded tires. You should use non-studded tires if you want to have a more comfortable drive.
Autumn Conditions
Autumns can be unpredictable. They can range from wet and cold to warmer all the time.
Studded tires are the best if it is cold and wintery for a long time. You should really wait until the dead of winter is upon you before putting them on.
It’s best to go with non-studded tires if you want to protected as the weather transitions into and out of winter. These will help you have the traction you need as the seasons change.
Using All Year Round
It is often best to change out your winter tires when the weather gets warmer. But you will be able to use your non-studded tires for more of the year. Winter tires without studs can work early on in the fall and late into the spring without causing issues. For those early fall storms and late spring icy mornings you’ll get some of the protection and traction you need.
You can then switch over to the summer or all-season tires to help you in the summer.
Final Thoughts On Studded Tires
A traditional winter tire will provide you with the benefits and safety that you need for most of the driving that you do in the winter. There are only a few situations where it may make more sense to choose a studded tire.

In most cases, you can skip studded tires, instead focusing your budget on great winter tires and mindful driving practices.