Last Updated on September 27, 2024
Affordable Winter Tires: Comparing the Sumitomo Ice Edge, Cooper Evolution Winter, and Petlas Glacier W661
With winter steadily approaching, now is the best time to consider upgrading your rolling stock with dependable winter tires. Winter tires will be your most important friend and safety guarantee when the temperature approaches freezing and snow converses on the roads.
Winter tires are specially designed to maintain traction in icy, snowy, and cold conditions. However, finding a set of reliable and affordable winter tires can be challenging. Some drivers mistakenly believe that snow tires are expensive, but that is not true – they cost about the same as the other types of tires. We have selected three affordable winter tires for budget-conscious customers: the Sumitomo Ice Edge, Cooper Evolution Winter, and Petlas Glacier W661. These tires are modern, well-designed, and capable of handling harsh weather conditions, but they are still affordable and available in various sizes.
By examining their features, specifications, pros, and cons, we will help you make an informed decision. Finally, considering performance, durability, and affordability, we’ll declare the best overall choice.
Why Are Winter Tires Important?
Just as a reminder, here is why winter tires are so essential. Winter tires have a specific rubber compound that remains flexible even in freezing temperatures, ensuring better traction and control. The deep treads on winter tires help grip snow and ice, preventing your vehicle from sliding on slippery roads. They are designed to enhance braking, cornering, and acceleration in cold conditions, which regular all-season tires can’t match.
Sumitomo Ice Edge
Key Features:
- 3D Siping Technology: The Sumitomo Ice Edge has 3D sipes that bite into icy surfaces, providing superior grip.
- Studdable Option: This tire can be studded for even more traction on icy roads, a valuable feature for drivers in regions with frequent ice storms.
- Wide Tread Channels: Its serrated and wide tread channels evacuate water and slush efficiently, reducing the risk of hydroplaning.
- Mountain Snowflake Certification: The Sumitomo Ice Edge holds the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, ensuring it meets the required performance in severe snow conditions.
Specifications:
Available Sizes: 13″ to 20″ rim sizes.
Speed Rating: T (118 mph max).
Load Range: Various, depending on tire size.
Pros:
- Affordable Pricing: Among the most competitively priced winter tires on the market.
- Excellent Ice Traction: Performs exceptionally well in icy conditions, notably when studded.
- Long-Lasting Durability: Offers an impressive lifespan, holding up well over several winter seasons.
- Good Snow Performance: Handles deep snow effectively thanks to its 3D sipe technology and optimized tread design.
Cons:
- Noisy with Studs: When studded, the tire produces more road noise, especially at highway speeds.
- Average Wet Performance: While its snow and ice traction is excellent, the tire’s performance in wet, rainy conditions could be better.
- Limited Availability: The range of sizes may not fit all vehicles, limiting its versatility for specific drivers.
Best For:
The Sumitomo Ice Edge is an excellent option for drivers in regions prone to icy roads and heavy snowfall. Its affordability and durability make it a good choice for budget-conscious buyers who need solid performance in extreme winter conditions.
Cooper Evolution Winter
Key Features:
- Snow Groove Technology: Cooper’s proprietary Snow Groove technology captures snow within the tread for an enhanced snow-on-snow grip.
- Studdable: Like the Sumitomo Ice Edge, the Cooper Evolution Winter tire can be fitted with studs for additional ice traction.
- Flexible Winter Compound: The tire’s rubber compound remains pliable in low temperatures, ensuring consistent traction on ice and snow.
- Directional Tread Pattern: The directional tread design helps channel water, slush, and snow, reducing hydroplaning and maintaining traction in wet conditions.
Specifications:
Available Sizes: 14″ to 18″ rim sizes.
Speed Rating: T (118 mph max).
Load Range: Various, depending on tire size.
Pros:
- Balanced Winter Performance: This tire offers good overall traction in snow, ice, and wet conditions, making it versatile.
- Comfortable Ride: Despite being a studdable tire, it maintains a smooth and relatively quiet ride compared to some competitors.
- Excellent Wet Traction: The directional tread pattern and advanced rubber compound are particularly good in wet or slushy conditions.
- Affordable: Offers solid winter performance at a budget-friendly price.
Cons:
- Limited Ice Traction Without Studs: While this tire performs well on snow, its grip on ice without studs is less effective than other winter tires.
- Moderate Durability: Some users report faster tread wear than other winter tires, meaning you might need to replace them sooner.
- Handling Could Be Improved: Although the tire handles well in winter, its steering response and handling at high speeds could be better, especially on dry roads.
Best For:
The Cooper Evolution Winter tire is perfect for drivers who experience a mix of winter weather, including snow, ice, and wet conditions. Its balanced performance and smooth ride make it a strong contender for everyday winter driving.
Petlas Glacier W661
Key Features:
- Silica-Based Rubber Compound: The Petlas Glacier W661 uses a silica-enhanced rubber compound, which improves grip on ice while maintaining durability.
- High-Density Siping: A dense network of sipes provides the tire with excellent snow and ice traction, maximizing surface contact.
- Asymmetric Tread Pattern: This tire’s asymmetric tread is designed to provide optimal snow traction while maintaining stable cornering and steering responsiveness.
- Reinforced Sidewalls: The sidewalls are reinforced to withstand harsh winter conditions, improving puncture resistance and durability.
Specifications:
Available Sizes: 13″ to 18″ rim sizes.
Speed Rating: H (130 mph max).
Load Range: Various, depending on tire size.
Pros:
- Excellent Snow and Ice Traction: The tire’s silica compound and high-density siping make it especially effective on snowy and icy roads.
- Durability: Reinforced sidewalls ensure it withstands rough winter roads, making it one of the more durable options in its price range.
- Budget-Friendly: It is among the most affordable winter tires on the market, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers.
- Low Rolling Resistance: This can lead to slight fuel savings over the winter, as the tire reduces rolling resistance.
Cons:
- Stiff Ride: While effective in winter performance, the tire’s ride can be somewhat stiff compared to softer winter tires.
- Wet Performance Could Be Improved: Although it performs well in snow and ice, its performance on wet, rainy roads is slightly less impressive.
- Limited Long-Term Reviews: Petlas is a relatively unknown brand in some markets, meaning long-term reliability data may be less available than with more prominent brands.
Best For:
The Petlas Glacier W661 is ideal for drivers needing a low-cost tire that performs well in heavy snow and ice. Its durability and budget-friendly pricing make it a solid option for winter driving, especially in areas with significant snowfall.
Detailed Comparison Table
| Tire Model | Ice Traction | Snow Traction | Wet Performance | Durability | Ride Comfort | Noise Level | Price Range |
| Sumitomo Ice Edge | Excellent (with studs) | Strong | Average | High | Average | Noisy (studded) | Budget-Friendly |
| Cooper Evolution Winter | Good (without studs) | Strong | Excellent | Moderate | Comfortable | Quiet | Affordable |
| Petlas Glacier W661 | Superior | Excellent | Good | High | Stiff | Moderate | Very Affordable |
Declaring the Winner
After comparing the Sumitomo Ice Edge, Cooper Evolution Winter, and Petlas Glacier W661, it’s clear that each tire has its unique strengths and weaknesses. However, we can declare a winner based on overall performance, affordability, and versatility. The Cooper Evolution Winter emerges as the best overall choice for most drivers.
Here’s why:
- Balanced Performance: The Cooper Evolution Winter provides strong traction in snow, good handling on wet roads, and a comfortable ride while remaining affordable.
- Quiet and Comfortable: Despite being a studdable winter tire, it offers a smooth and relatively quiet ride, which is a big plus for daily driving.
- Good Wet Performance: The tire’s performance in wet, slushy conditions gives it an edge over the Sumitomo and Petlas tires, which struggle more in rainy weather.
While the Sumitomo Ice Edge is ideal for those needing maximum ice traction (especially when studded) and the Petlas Glacier W661 is the go-to for drivers on a tight budget, the Cooper Evolution Winter offers the best all-around winter driving experience without breaking the bank.
