Which is better for driving in snow: chains or socks?

[Soycd]

Winter tyres, with a set of chains just in case and to be legal in some areas.

 

[Two on Tour]

Michelin Agilis cross climate which have the necessary mountain snowflake mark and can be used all year round

Just ordered a set online this morning ready for our trip to Spain and Portugal starting in January.

 

[ANDKEZLULA]

We are taking in some very specific sights on the way but this should give you an idea. We will probably take 2 weeks to do this. This also shows you the campsites (mostly aires and CCP sites) we have planned to use

View attachment 829056

That's great thanks, do you know if this route will be subject to snow chains?

 

[MichaelT]

Snow chains are really only to get you out of trouble not to drive distance in.. received the below today which may be of interest.

NO SNOW TYRE FINES?

Whilst it is still law that you are required to have either snow tyres or chains/ socks on your vehicle whilst driving in the 48 ‘mountain’ departments in France from 1/11 until 31/03, the government it appears has decided not to implement the fines again. Hence apparently they will once again not be enforcing the law this winter & there will be no risk of receiving a €135 fine if you do not have this equipment. See News Blog for details of the law.

 

[ANDKEZLULA]

I realise they are only to get you out of trouble, I just wanted to avoid having to get them (or have to use them)in the first place. Maybe I will just get some to be on the safe side.

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[Tony50]

Thanks everyone, I phoned Polar , she said don't buy just any chains, due to motorhome weight of they break could do a lot of damage, she asked was I going up the Alps "No" so I bought some Zip chains she recommended online

 

[Trevor Wbm]

I like socks. I’d go as far as saying that putting on a brand new pair of socks is one of life’s great pleasures,but I’m easily pleased. The last socks I bought was a pack of six from TK Max. They are multi coloured and bright,and fit perfectly. Just thought I’d mention that.

Good, not just me then. I've been resisting saying socks 'cause you'd never get your shoes over the chains since the post went up.

 

[ceejayt]

That's great thanks, do you know if this route will be subject to snow chains?

I do not believe you will need them. No real altitude involved. Of course, it can snow anywhere.

 

[TheMachMan]

Are there any routes at the border from France into Spain that don’t pass through areas where it is mandatory to have chains etc?

 

[Lenny HB]

Are there any routes at the border from France into Spain that don’t pass through areas where it is mandatory to have chains etc?

No, as the the law applies to departments and all the departments bordering Spain require them.

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[Lenny HB]

Snow chains are really only to get you out of trouble not to drive distance in.. received the below today which may be of interest.

NO SNOW TYRE FINES?

Whilst it is still law that you are required to have either snow tyres or chains/ socks on your vehicle whilst driving in the 48 ‘mountain’ departments in France from 1/11 until 31/03, the government it appears has decided not to implement the fines again. Hence apparently they will once again not be enforcing the law this winter & there will be no risk of receiving a €135 fine if you do not have this equipment. See News Blog for details of the law.

May not be a fine but if the roads are bad the gendarmes stop all the cars on the road and if your tyres don't comply or you don't have chains you will be turned back.

 

[ceejayt]

Are there any routes at the border from France into Spain that don’t pass through areas where it is mandatory to have chains etc?

Come through Perpignan ie Eastern route. That is the way we will go so crossing almost at coastal level

Have snow chains with you but extremely low likelihood of needing them

 

[TheMachMan]

Come through Perpignan ie Eastern route. That is the way we will go so crossing almost at coastal level

Have snow chains with you but extremely low likelihood of needing them

Interesting. What about on the Atlantic side as that all seems low level? I guess regardless, we’ll need snow chains etc for compliance.

 

[VXman]

Personally I like to drive in bare feet.

 

[ChrisL]

Interesting. What about on the Atlantic side as that all seems low level? I guess regardless, we’ll need snow chains etc for compliance.

It depends on where you're going once you cross the border, if you're heading in the direction of Zaragoza then the road does gain quite a bit of altitude where you might need chains if you're unlucky through hills covered in electricity generating wind mills hundreds of them.

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[Mullet Man]

Many regions now covered by new law / rules.. Worth a google.

"In areas established by the prefects, vehicles will be required to:

• have in their trunks metal snow chains or snow socks suitable for fitting at least two driving wheels; or
• or be equipped with 4 winter tires, mounted on at least 2 wheels of each axle. For the coming winters, from 2022 to 2024, the appellation « winter tire » cover all tires identified by one of the markings « M+S », « M.S » or « M&S » or by the joint presence of « alpine symbol » (recognized as « 3PMSF » (3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake) and one of the markings « M+S », « M.S » or « M&S ». From 1er november 2024, it will only cover tires identified by the joint presence of the marking « alpine symbol » (recognized as « 3PMSF » (3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake) and one of the markings « M+S », « M.S » or « M&S »."

AFAIK in France after 1/11/2024, just M+S tyres will still be legal as long as you carry socks/chains.

 

[TheMachMan]

What do the M S refer to?

 

[tacr2man]

What do the M S refer to?

Mud and Snow .

 

[Orion]

AFAIK in France after 1/11/2024, just M+S tyres will still be legal as long as you carry socks/chains.

That’s correct. Up to 1/11/24 M+S are legal with no requirement to carry socks/chains. Here it is from the bouche de cheval:

Winter tires, chains: mandatory equipment in mountain areas from 1 November 2023

Winter tires or snow chains: mandatory equipment in mountain areas from 1 November 2023

www.service-public.fr

We’re heading down the west side to Spain/Portugal at the end of February on M+S tyres and I’m not going to have chains/socks with me. Travelled that low level route a few times and in the unlikely event that the A63 gets bad enough to warrant them then I’d want to sit it out anyway.

 

[Kayak Kid]

Aside the discussion on whether needed or not - for whatever reason - as well as having Cross Climate 3 peak tyres, I also have Michelin Easy Grip Snow Chains as well as the additional Plastic units (both) shown in the photos. They are both relatively light in comparison with steel chains and sooo much easier to fit - when the conditions are bad.

I have had to use the Michelin Easy Grips once in my motorhome in Austria, which involved driving around 5/6 miles in a mixture of patchy/ icy/ snow without issue.

I have little doubt that heavy duty steel chains are best for sustained use but I would recommend the above as a good compromise to avoid the potential nightmare of fitting chains if unpracticed and in bad conditions.

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[Tony50]

That’s correct. Up to 1/11/24 M+S are legal with no requirement to carry socks/chains. Here it is from the bouche de cheval:

Winter tires, chains: mandatory equipment in mountain areas from 1 November 2023

Winter tires or snow chains: mandatory equipment in mountain areas from 1 November 2023

www.service-public.fr

We’re heading down the west side to Spain/Portugal at the end of February on M+S tyres and I’m not going to have chains/socks with me. Travelled that low level route a few times and in the unlikely event that the A63 gets bad enough to warrant them then I’d want to sit it out anyway.

We travel on February 20th down West side to Spain but, I thought it's mandatory to carry chains, they are probably cheaper than a fine, I spoke to supplier and she said if I wasn't going to known bad snow places, the ones she advised me were okay, so she didn't stitch me, very happy

 

[Tony50]

Should read above chains or socks

 

[Orion]

We travel on February 20th down West side to Spain but, I thought it's mandatory to carry chains, they are probably cheaper than a fine,

If you have M+S tyres then there’s no requirement for chains/socks until 1st November 2024 - see the link I posted above for details.

 

[ceejayt]

Interesting. What about on the Atlantic side as that all seems low level? I guess regardless, we’ll need snow chains etc for compliance.

From memory - the road gies up quite high before crossing over to Spain, someone will be along to tell you, long time since we wet that way

 

[Funnymunny]

Having fitted and used chains more times than I like to remember I would say forget them. If it snows lay up, the roads will be cleared pretty quickly. If you have to use chains then believe me it is no fun lying in the snow trying o fit them and the chances of damaging your van increases greatly. If you drive on deep soft snow then fine but once you are through to the hard tarmac it doesn't take that long to break the chains and before you know it you have flailing chains bashing hell out of your underside, much the same if driving on hard ice.
During my working life we had no choice other than use them and almost always a link broke and done damage. Chill out for a day and lay up you will enjoy the journey more

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[TheMachMan]

If you fit the 3 peak M&S tyres then you don’t need snow chains?

 

[Sue and Rick]

Snow today over the tops. Parked in Teruel now. Just watched the 3 kings procession. Great for the kids.

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Driving from Calais to Spain end of January , would you recommend chains or socks in snow / ice conditions

Definitely a good pair of thick socks and some good sturdy boots.
I find chains a trifle cold on my tootsies in the winter.
Happy to help.

 

[Tony50]

Definitely a good pair of thick socks and some good sturdy boots.
I find chains a trifle cold on my tootsies in the winter.
Happy to help.

I expect you are into leather and whips as well

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

I expect you are into leather and whips as well

Well.........now you mention it!
I prefer a good tight pair of pvc thigh length waders and a split- crotch bobble hat, but only wear them on Funster Rallies.

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