All-season vs all-weather vs winter tires
| Feature | All-season | All-weather | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snow & ice | Weak in the cold (below about 7 °C) | Good, snowflake-rated | Best |
| Summer heat | Good, long-lasting | Good, wears faster | Poor, wears fast |
| Changeovers a year | 2 (with winters) | 0 | 2 |
| Storage needed | Yes, in winter | No | Yes, in summer |
| Insurance discount | No | Depends on the insurer and the tire | Usually, if insurer conditions are met |
The verdict, one line each
All-season
Pick them for April to November, paired with winter tires, because they last longest in warm weather.
All-weather
Pick them if you drive mostly in the city and want no changeovers, because they are winter-rated and stay on all year.
Winter
Pick them if you commute on the highway or drive in lake-effect snow, because nothing stops shorter on ice.
All-weather vs winter tires: which is better for Niagara winters?
For most city driving in St. Catharines, all-weather tires are enough. For daily highway commutes, early-morning ice or the snow belt above the escarpment, dedicated winter tires are safer.
The full comparison is in our guide: winter vs all-weather tires.
Can I drive on all-season tires in winter in Ontario?
It's legal in Ontario, but not ideal. As a guideline, below about 7 °C all-season rubber stiffens, so braking distances on snow and ice get much longer than on winter or all-weather tires.
Do all-weather tires need to be swapped?
No. That's the point: they stay on all year, with no changeover and no storage. Rotate them at the interval in your owner's manual so they wear evenly (see how often to rotate tires).
Which one for how you drive?
- City
- All-weather: one set, no seasonal swaps
- Highway
- Winter plus all-season: maximum grip in winter and longer tread life overall
- Truck
- LT winter or all-weather rated for your load (see truck tires)
How long do all-weather tires last?
Expect fewer kilometres than from a seasonal set, because one set does twelve months of work and runs on hot summer pavement with a winter-capable compound. Regular rotation and correct pressure make the biggest difference.
Brands and price from
All-weather tires are priced per tire, installed, and the price depends on your size and the tier. We carry them in budget, mid-range and premium tiers; call with your size to confirm what's available and get three prices.
See tiers and what's included