Best winter tires for '17 tacoma BUT quietest ride on highway

I live in an area that gets pounded by snow, but isn't always snowy. Aside from typical driving (mixed hwy/city), I generally do a few hundred mile round trip a few times per month, all highway. I've actually done this trip in a blizzard, but most times, you figure it might not be snowing or there might not be snow on the road.

I love Blizzaks but they're fairly loud. Willing to settle with these if absolutely required.

What tires have you ran on your winter season taco that impressed you with highway noise?

 

NOKIAN

 

What’s your location, how far north? I’m interested here, hoping the Falken ATs get some mentions as that is what I recently went with and want good highway and snow performance.

 

I was asking myself that very question this morning. Watching for answers.

 

https://www.nokiantires.com/

 

I have a ton of experience with winter tires (almost 15 years) The quietest by far is the Michelin Xice, there is none quieter, and they stay quiet with age. There is no disputing this.

They are more of a City/Highway tire, there are better choices for back roads.

Yokohama Ice Guards are fairly quiet, but with age get loud like Blizzaks. Toyo GSI5's are pretty good, and perform well.

Nokians vary, I have poor experiences with them as they age, and they are more difficult to source. I find them all to be loud, and far too expensive. We have a few guys at work that bought Haka9's for their trucks but no real reports back on the noise or performance yet.

 

I agree with this. I have the Yokohama’s now and am happy with their performance. I’m probably going to try the Blizzaks next winter when I get new tires, but am also considering the Toyos. The crushed walnut in the tread sounds a bit weird though. Hahah. What stopped me from getting the Michelin’s last time was their shallower tread depth (12/32 vs 14/32 for the others) and the lack of void area between the tread blocks. They just don’t look to me like they would clean out snow and slush as well as the others. I didn’t even consider the Nokians, can’t imaging how they could be $100/tire better than the others.

 

Is there a quiet AT tire that is especially good on snowy roads ? ( not trying to highjack - I hope the question is close to the original)

 

My perspective is probably skewed as I run mud terrains in the summer.. but I've found the General Grabber Arctic LT to be pretty quiet quiet comparatively.

 

Look at the siping. More cuts with deep grooves = better traction on slick surfaces.

 

We just got my sister's 2012 TRD Yoko's and she lives in the BC Mountains, she really wanted studded tires but time was a factor, so far so good, she's happy. They are large voids and it seems more aggressive for snow.

I had Hankook Ipikes studded on my 16 taco and haaaaaaaaated them. Poor performance except for trails.

 

Yea I would never buy studded tires again. Way too loud and not any better performance versus a well designed winter tire.

 

I’d probably just stay with the blizzaks haven’t found anything better yet

 

Goodyear Duratracs seem to fit the bill. They even have the 3 peak snowflake designation.

 

The Michelin Xi2's on my Subaru are quiet and smooth.

 

I’d pick up something like the Duratrac’s, KO2’s, etc. and have a set of snow chains in the truck. For driving on snow, snow tires can’t be beat. But sounds like you’re seldom driving on actual snow. I’ve switched around from Blizzack’s, Nokians and A/T tires. Last several years, I’ve just been sticking to A/T tires. KO2’s mostly.

 

Michelin Defenders are not specifically a winter tire, but they kick ass in the snow.

 

Firestone winterforce. Not the best, but a solid performer. Have not noticed excessive noise and they are wearing well. They are directional and can be studded.

 

Unless you’re driving on a lot of hardpack snow and ice. Nothing beats studded tires for acceleration, handling and braking in those conditions.