M+S: Choosing the Right Snow Shoes for your Ride

Not all tires are created equal, and just because your fancy Mud Terrain tires have an M+S rating on the side of them, that does not mean you are prepared to set out into the snowy wilds.

M+S is the designation for modern all-season tires. M+S standing for Mud and Snow. The classification for M+S tires comes from the geometry of the tread design, and is not an actual performance standard. They originated from the realization that early radial ply tires delivered superior snow traction than the straight-straight-ribbed bias ply tires used for decades. Supported by advertising from all the major tire manufacturers, they promised that these new radial M+S all-season tires would deliver linear traction for all seasons.

Enter the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol (3PMSF). This indication means that the tire meets and exceeds the US Tire Manufacturers Association and the Rubber Association of Canada’s agreed upon performance index for passenger and light truck tires for snow. Tires with this three peak symbol are considered severe snow service-rated.

So consider that three-peak symbol when shopping for tires if you live in the wild north, or if you commute over mountain passes that require severe snow rated tires or chains by the DOT. It’s a small investment for a large gain in safety.