Most winter tires will outperform all-seasons as soon as temperatures drop into the low 40s. The X-Ice, however, is more focused on maintaining grip in the snow than in other wintry conditions.

Even a decade ago, there were only a few snow tires that I’d have been willing to call “serious” winter tires—Bridgestone Blizzaks, Nokian Hakkapeliittas, Michelin X-Ice, a few others.