Mike Bruton, the manager of Les Schwab Tire Center, says that people usually choose to put snow tires on their vehicles in order to give them more traction, better control and help them be able to stop faster with less chance of sliding.

Snow tires are made of a softer compound and the tread is deeper than all-weather tires. To enhance a snow tire you can sipe or you can get it studded. Siping involves cutting the tread across the face of the tire a quarter inch down. Studding involves putting metal studs in your tire, which will give you optimal traction.

Snow tires will last two to three seasons if you only use them in the winter. Using snow tires in the summer will make them wear out faster than a regular all-weather tire because of the softer compound they are made of.

“If you are not comfortable driving in the snow, I would recommend that you get snow tires,” Bruton said.

However, getting snow tires is not the only way to go. Brandon Ethridge, a sophomore from Gilbert, Ariz., says that he doesn’t think that there is a big difference between snow tires and all-weather tires.

“I have pretty good control with my all-weather tires,” Ethridge said.

Spence Schramm, a freshman from Boise, has tires that are rated for mud and snow. The deep and wide tread is designed to fling out mud and snow as you drive.

“I got them for off roading. They have more traction than any tires that I have had before,” Schramm said.