8 Best Tire Chains of 2022

Key Specs

• Weight: 24.2 lb.
• Size: 17.52 x 13.66 x 8.66 in.
• Material: Metal and plastic

If cost isn’t an issue and you drive a large SUV, the König K-Summit XXL K66 snow chains are a decent option. The K-Summit are compact and flexible and because they’re installed and removed only on the outside of the wheel, they’re easier to put on. The K-Summit uses proprietary-designed adapters, while fastening is performed via a supplied wrench that tells the user when the ideal torque is reached. Tensioning is handled through an integrated ratchet that causes the chain to automatically reach its ideal position while driving. Special injection-molded plastic plates with hard metal studs and special steel chain make the K-Summit tire chains relatively lightweight.

BEST FOR SMALLER VEHICLES

Key Specs

• Weight: 1 lb.
• Size: 7 x 4 x 18 in.
• Material: Rubber and steel

Security Chain is one of several brands owned by Peerless, and the Super Z6 cable-style chains offer self-tensioning like their Peerless 0232105 Auto-Trac cousins. But they use cables wrapped in steel coils instead of chain links, making them lighter. This means they also take up less space than traditional chains and better for compact vehicles with small wheel wells. The coils don’t dig into snow as deeply as chains, but they get the job done and they’re easy to install. A rubber tensioner that connects to a cable running around the circumference of the tire and six clips tighten the cable and keep the Z6s snug on the tire.