Snow Chains Then and Now: Why Snow Socks Are the Future of Tire Chains

When winter conditions hit, snow chains become essential for safe driving on snow and ice. For over a century, metallic chains have been the go-to solution for drivers seeking traction on slippery roads. But innovation doesn't stop at tradition. A new category of tire chains—known as snow socks—is transforming how drivers approach winter safety. At the forefront of this revolution is AutoSock, the Norwegian company that pioneered textile snow chains.

The History of Snow Chains

Traditional snow chains were invented in 1904 by Harry D. Weed in New York. His metallic tire chains were designed to improve vehicle grip on unpaved and icy roads. Made from steel links that wrap around the tire tread, these metal chains provide excellent traction, especially in deep snow and on ice.

For decades, metallic snow chains remained the standard, particularly in mountainous regions. However, their design came with several drawbacks: heavy weight, difficult installation, high noise levels, and the risk of damaging roads, tires, and vehicle components.

AutoSock and the Birth of Textile Tire Chains

In the late 1990s, AutoSock in Norway developed a groundbreaking alternative: snow socks. Unlike traditional metallic chains, snow socks are made from a high-performance textile material that slips over the tire like a sleeve.

AutoSock’s patented technology uses woven fibers that enhance friction on icy and snowy surfaces. The fabric actively absorbs the thin layer of water that forms between the tire and icy road, restoring grip and control.

By 2001, AutoSock began selling these textile tire chains globally. Since then, snow socks have gained widespread legal approval and are used by private drivers, commercial fleets, and emergency vehicles across Europe, North America, and Asia.

Learn more about the Norwegian inventor of snow socks here.

How Do Textile Chains Work?

AutoSock’s textile tire chains are engineered for maximum traction on snowy and icy roads. The fine fibers in the road contact surface wick away water and increase dry friction, improving grip significantly. Each thread contains over 100 high-performance fibers, creating a fuzzy texture that allows the snow sock to connect your tire directly with the road, even in harsh winter conditions. With repeated use, the textile fibers become even more effective at providing traction.

How To Install Fabric Snow Chains?

Installing textile snow chains is quick and easy. Follow these steps for AutoSock tire chains: 

1. Position AutoSock over the top half of the tire. Pull the socks down as far as the tire will allow.
2. Roll the vehicle forward approximately half a rotation of the wheel.
3. Pull the remaining part of the snow sock over the bottom half of the tire.

AutoSock snow chains for car tires self-center during driving. Remember to remove the snow chains when driving on clear roads.

More information about the installation for front, rear and four-wheel driven vehicles, find in this blog article.

The Benefits of Using Textile Tire Chains

The Product Advantages in Short

Snow socks offer several advantages over traditional snow chains:

• Quick to install, easy to remove, self-centering. Forget about the heavy and complicated installation process with metallic snow chains, often resulting in a lengthy delay and sometimes frostbitten fingers.
• Smooth and silent during use. Vibration-free, unlike traditional metallic solutions.
• Compatible with electronic safety systems (ABS, ESP, etc.).
• Compatible with alloy rims, even when metal chains are prohibited. No more scratches on your new rims.
• Lightweight and easy to store.
• Reusable and machine washable.

Easy to Put on and Take Off

Textile snow chains are simple to mount. Unlike traditional metal tire chains that require complex installation, AutoSock tire snow chains can be installed in just three steps. This makes them ideal for everyday drivers facing sudden winter conditions.

Protects Rims

Because snow socks are made from soft textile material, they do not scratch or damage alloy rims. Traditional snow chains for tires, especially metal ones, can cause damage requiring costly repairs.

Precise Fitting

Textile snow chains like AutoSock come in many different sizes based on databases of tire sizes worldwide. This means you don't have to worry about metallic chains that might not fit your vehicle precisely and may even damage the wheelhouse.

With the help of the tire's width, the profile (aspect ratio), and the wheel size diameter obtained from either the tire code or from measuring, the correct AutoSock model for your car can be determined through an online size finder. Only with this dimension accuracy, the highest product functionality of AutoSock can be guaranteed. Behind the online size finder is a continuously updated database with thousands of tire dimension combinations. The fabric chains from AutoSock cover more than 98 percent of all tires in the market.

No Damage to Roads

Unlike metal chains, textile snow chains do not damage roads or produce sparks. They are also fully reusable and recyclable. At the end of their lifespan, the materials can be recycled. This makes them a more environmentally responsible option.

Textile snow chains provide an easy, effective solution for gaining control of your vehicle in winter weather without the downsides of traditional metal chains. 

Find out more about the different tire types and the impact of textile tire chains here.

Snow Chains vs. Snow Socks: A Detailed Comparison

Here’s a breakdown comparing metallic snow chains and textile tire chains (snow socks like AutoSock):

Feature	Metallic Snow Chains	Snow Socks (AutoSock)
Traction	Excellent on snow and ice	Excellent on snow; effective on ice
Installation	Difficult; often requires practice	Easy; usually under 2 minutes per wheel
Weight	Heavy and bulky	Lightweight and compact
Noise & Vibration	Noisy, rough ride	Quiet and smooth ride
Vehicle Compatibility	Can damage modern cars or alloy wheels	Safe for all vehicles, including EVs
Storage	Requires trunk space	Fits in glove box or small storage bag
Road Surface Impact	Can damage roads	Road-friendly and non-abrasive
Approval	Universally legal	Increasingly approved worldwide (Switzerland, France, Italy, U.S., Canada, Japan)

 

Why Snow Socks Are the New Standard in Tire Chains

Today, snow socks are no longer just an alternative—they’re becoming the preferred choice for everyday drivers. With faster installation, quieter operation, and superior compatibility with modern cars, textile tire chains address many of the limitations of metallic snow chains.

Key Advantages:

• Perfect for Modern Cars: Most EVs and hybrid vehicles lack the wheel clearance needed for traditional snow chains. Please read in our article here about EVs and snow socks.
• Lightweight and Portable: Snow socks can be easily stored and deployed without tools or special training.
• Environmentally Friendly: They don’t damage roads, which is an increasing concern in cities and environmentally sensitive areas.
• Legally Accepted: Many countries now accept textile snow chains as a legal replacement for metallic tire chains, including entire European Union (except Austria), many Asian countries like Japan and US. In the USA, AutoSock is the only textile traction device recognized in all 50 US-states.

Future Outlook: Snow Socks Set to Dominate the Tire Chain Market

The global demand for snow socks is rapidly outpacing that for metallic chains. Drivers are seeking simpler, more efficient solutions for occasional snow driving, and the advantages of textile tire chains are clear.

Trends Driving the Shift:

• Urbanization: More drivers face occasional snow rather than daily alpine conditions—ideal for snow socks.
• Growth of EVs: Electric vehicles often prohibit metallic snow chains due to their wheel design and clearance.
• Commercial Fleet Adoption: Logistics companies and emergency services are choosing snow socks for their ease of use and fast deployment.
• Global Market Support: AutoSock, the original snow sock brand, is expanding into new markets each year, backed by regulatory approvals and strong OEM partnerships.

Snow Chains Market Insight:

Retail data and fleet reports show that textile tire chains are gaining market share every winter season. As awareness and legal recognition grow, the trend is expected to continue. By the end of this decade, experts predict that snow socks could become the primary traction device in urban and suburban winter markets.

Conclusion: Snow Socks Are the Future of Snow Chains

From the rugged metallic snow chains of the early 1900s to the high-tech textile tire chains of today, winter traction solutions have evolved significantly. With companies like AutoSock leading the way, snow socks are transforming how we think about winter driving.

As safety, convenience, and sustainability take center stage, it's clear that snow socks are not just a modern alternative—they’re the future of tire chains.

 

Find your textile snow chains here