Best tire chains and snow socks (2026)
Tire chains and snow socks give your tires grip on snow and ice, and in some mountain areas they're required when chain controls are up. Ready.gov's winter driving advice includes installing good winter tires, or any chains or studs required in your local area. This page compares two SCC chains and AutoSock snow socks on Amazon. We haven't tested them ourselves.
By Tom Calder · Updated October 30, 2026 · 3 products, prices indicative
All 3 compared
| Pick | What it is | Fits / size | When you'd use it | Trunk storage | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cable tire chains (set of 2) · Passenger cars, pickups and SUVs; pick the model for your tire size · Chain controls and icy roads · Compact case Cars with little room around the tires | Cable tire chains (set of 2) | Passenger cars, pickups and SUVs; pick the model for your tire size | Chain controls and icy roads | Compact case | |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched Low-profile cable chains made for cars with very limited clearance around the drive tires, which many cars have; your owner's manual says what fits. SCC says they fit without moving the vehicle. Pick the model that matches the size printed on your tire's sidewall. Best for Cars with little room around the tires Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if your owner's manual says not to use chains. | |||||
Self-tightening chains (set of 2) · Light trucks and SUVs; pick the model for your tire size · Chain controls and icy roads · Case Trucks and SUVs, with self-tightening ratchets | Self-tightening chains (set of 2) | Light trucks and SUVs; pick the model for your tire size | Chain controls and icy roads | Case | |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched Chains for light trucks and SUVs with ratchets that tighten and center the chain as you drive, so there's no stopping to re-tension. As with every chain, match the model to the tire size on your sidewall. Best for Trucks and SUVs, with self-tightening ratchets Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you drive a small car with tight wheel wells. | |||||
Textile snow socks (pair) · Passenger vehicles; pick the model for your tire size · Occasional snow and ice, where allowed · Folds flat Occasional snow, and easy fitting | Textile snow socks (pair) | Passenger vehicles; pick the model for your tire size | Occasional snow and ice, where allowed | Folds flat | |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched Fabric snow socks slip over the tire in a couple of minutes and fold flat in the trunk. They suit drivers who meet snow only now and then. Whether they count under your state's chain rules varies, so check before relying on them. Best for Occasional snow, and easy fitting Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you drive mountain passes with strict chain controls. | |||||
ⓘ As an Amazon Associate, PreparedStates earns from qualifying purchases. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never changes what we recommend. Amazon prices come from Amazon's own product data and can change at any time.
Before you buy
Match the model to your tire size.
Each SCC model and each AutoSock size fits a range of tire sizes; the listing lets you pick yours.
Check your clearance.
Cars with little space around the tires need low-profile cable chains like the SCC Super Z6.
Self-tightening chains, like SCC's Auto-Trac, save stopping to re-tension them after the first few hundred yards.
Snow socks are quick and light but suit occasional snow; whether they count under chain rules depends on your state, so check before you rely on them.
We verify every product's specifications against at least two independent sources, re-check its US price and stock on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and cross-check safety-relevant claims against official guidance. Every review is labeled Researched or Used and reviewed by us: where we've bought a product, or been sent it free, and used it ourselves, its review says which; where we haven't, our verdict is a considered spec-and-evidence comparison, not a hands-on test — and commissions never change a ranking either way. Read our full methodology →
Related gear comparisons
Guides that go with this
What to keep in your car for winter and what to do if you get stranded: stay with the car, clear the exhaust p…
A plain-English winter storm checklist: watch vs warning, home prep, supplies, staying warm, shoveling and car…
Common questions
How do I know what size tire chains to buy?
Read the tire size printed on your tire's sidewall, such as 225/65R17, and pick the chain or sock model that lists it. Every product on this page comes in several models for different tire sizes.
Are tire chains required in my state?
It depends on the state and the road. Some mountain areas put chain controls in place during storms. Check your state department of transportation before you travel, and call 511 for road conditions.
Snow socks or tire chains?
Snow socks are easier to fit and lighter to carry, and suit occasional snow. Chains grip harder on ice and deep snow, and they're what most chain rules have in mind.
Can I drive on clear roads with chains on?
Take them off once roads are clear; they're made for snow and ice. Check the maker's speed limit for your chains too.