The Traction Matrix

Tire Type Categories

Studded Tires

Designed for icy conditions and hard-packed snow. Metal studs provide additional grip on slippery surfaces. Suitable for extreme winter conditions where maximum traction is required.

Friction Tires

Specialized rubber compounds provide grip on wet and slushy surfaces. These tires work well in transitional weather conditions where surfaces vary between wet and frozen.

Slick Tires

Smooth tread patterns optimized for dry pavement and summer conditions. These tires offer low rolling resistance and efficient performance on maintained road surfaces.

Terrain Conditions

Black Ice

Transparent ice layer on road surfaces creates extremely slippery conditions. Studded tires provide the highest safety rating for these conditions, while friction tires offer moderate performance.

Slush

Wet, partially melted snow creates challenging traction conditions. Friction tires with specialized tread patterns perform well, providing balance between grip and water displacement.

Forest Trail

Mixed terrain with varying surface conditions requires versatile tire selection. Friction tires often provide good performance across different trail conditions, adapting to both wet and dry sections.