Which snow chains are the best?

Traditional snow chains: These are a series of small interlocking chains that wrap around the wheels and are secured in place by various methods including tension locks etc.

These snow chains can be relatively inexpensive and have several limitations. First of all, these chains have a relatively high failure rate. When they fail, it is often when the vehicle is in motion, and in this case the chains can wrap around axles, suspension struts, etc., causing damage to the vehicle and inconvenience to drivers.

Traditional snow chain systems have also been known to damage aluminum wheels. Many of these chains hang from the sidewall of the tire, which is often close to the alloy or steel rim. As the wheels turn, some traditional chains have been known to strip paint and cause scuffing. Not bad if your wheels are already damaged and battered. However, drivers with newer vehicles can often get caught out by the attractive low prices of these systems, and then face alloy damage and repair costs.

Because the chains hang over the sidewalls, these chains can also come into contact with the wheel arches of vehicles. This can peel the paint and cause dents in the bodywork, especially on low-profile vehicles. Many consumers who have tried these ‘cheap’ chains would agree that the low price is not worth the risk of vehicle damage.

Many traditional chain systems cannot be used on asphalt either. Drivers are advised to remove them as soon as they drive on clear roads. With intermittent snow conditions prevailing in the UK this can be very difficult for drivers.

Other issues with traditional chains include storage issues, which can cause them to tangle and delay the quick application manufacturers claim. Some chains, including ‘self-adjusting or self-tightening systems’, have also been known to take up to 45 minutes to adjust to in actual field testing!

snow socks: Also known as ‘fabric snow chains’ they are a relatively new concept. They are a medium-duty cloth material that covers the wheel and provides traction on snow and ice. They work in the same way that fleece gloves adhere to snow with the fibers gripping the snow when it is wet.

These ‘snow socks’ have been tested and many resellers of this product subtly warn that they are only an ’emergency’ solution.

Consumers are advised to only use them ‘in emergencies’ and that they should only ‘get a vehicle out of trouble’. The web is littered with complaints about these snow socks where consumers were led to believe that these devices could be used all the time in the snow. they can not

Snow socks have a tendency to tear very easily, especially when drivers hit intermittent snow and tarmac conditions, which is common in the UK. Drivers are advised to remove their socks as soon as intermittent snow/clear road conditions are reached, a tedious and highly undesirable process. Not only that, but if consumers put them on, take them off, and then try to put them back on later in the same trip, the fabric becomes soggy and makes it very difficult to slip them on a rubber tire in the cold.

For snow application, most fabric snow chain designs involve the user being able to put their entire hand over the wheel. Difficult and tricky when the wheel arch is covered in dirty snow and mud from the roads!

Snow socks can cost up to 70 per pair and have been known to only last a day or two when in use. That’s 35 to go! When they fail, they have a tendency to wrap around the axles and control arms and are a pain to get on and off, especially when wet. For consumers over the age of 70 who have tried them, they often say they definitely would not buy them again.

Expensive and self-adjusting systems: Some experienced snow chain users have found that, in general, to get the best out of a snow chain, you have to pay more. Manufacturers have launched ‘self-adjusting’ systems that attach in 2 parts to the wheels; the first part is attached to the hub semi-permanently and is left on the vehicle in the winter months. The second part is the string itself. This second part joins the first and gradually tightens as the wheel turns.

These systems can cost around 300-350. Expensive compared to cheaper solutions like cheap chains and snow socks. However, consumers who have experienced the downsides of cheaper options want systems that last, are relatively easy to install, and provide better traction. These consumers tend to opt for these.

However, these pricing systems are not necessarily the best ‘value’. Consumers who purchase these chains often end up giving them away when they sell their vehicle. This is because advanced chain systems come in predetermined tire sizes. Therefore, you cannot transfer the chains between vehicles. And at these high prices, one system per vehicle is expensive for consumers who have more than one vehicle per household.

Another problem with these advanced systems is that, even with the high price tag, manufacturers still don’t offer kits that fit wheels larger than 18″. Vehicles in the snow.

Another problem with high-end 2-part systems is that, again, they are designed with an overhang. Chain stabilizers are fixed over the tire tread and sidewall. On low-slung vehicles like Mercedes and BMWs, this can be a problem. Chains are known to contact alloys and bodywork (wheel arches) unintentionally and often cause damage to the vehicles they are fitted to.

Snow/winter tires: These specially designed tires offer better grip on snow and ice and have proven results, giving consumers peace of mind. In some parts of Europe they are widely used.

What about the cost? A set of winter tires for 18″ wheels will cost the consumer around 120-150 EACH! For an average vehicle, that means a cost of between 480-600 to install all 4 wheels.

With the high price, consumers are also faced with a dilemma. Where will you store your all-season or summer tires while the winter tires are on? Consumers have to find additional storage space while paying a high price for security. The winter tire solution is still not ideal.

So what options are consumers left with? Ideally, someone will come up with a solution that works perfectly. That will not involve changing wheels or tires and this new system should fit the existing summer/all season tires used by 80% of the UK. This solution should be quick to fix and remove at the roadside and suitable for vehicles with limited clearance, without causing damage to wheels or bodywork when in use.

The solution should cost less than the 300+ most expensive systems. It should be universal fit and transferable between vehicles, ideally a “one size fits all” system so customers only need to purchase one set per household.

Ideally, this revolutionary chain will have low repair costs and be of robust construction. However, if the chain fails, consumers should be able to replace only those parts that wear out.

It should even be able to handle small amounts of driving between snow and clear rough roads. And when driving on clear surfaces for short periods of time, it shouldn’t vibrate too much outside the vehicle.

So where is this wonderful “next generation” snow chain?

Patented, newly launched internationally after 2 years of eager anticipation and ticking all the boxes, MITA snow chains will do for aftermarket vehicle snow traction aids what Dyson did for vacuum cleaners.

MITA snow chains offer a “one size fits all” design. Each set comes with enough chains to cover 2 drive wheels – everything you need to make vehicles safer on ice and snow.

The system secures only around the tire tread, limiting damage to wheels and arches. The ‘tank-track’ style system offers a greater surface area in contact with the snow, which improves traction on slippery surfaces.

Chains can be installed on almost any summer or all-season tire in less than 2 minutes and removed in less than 30 seconds on the road. The designers have even managed to eradicate all vibrations when the chains are used on snow and even on clear surfaces through their highly innovative design approach!