Firestone Winterforce

The Firestone Winterforce is inexpensive and durable. Critics say it's a decent budget snow tire, especially if you're looking for something studdable, and it's especially adept at carving through deep snow, experts and owners report. However, a newer studdable tire on the market -- the General Altimax Arctic (*Est. $65) -- now beats the Winterforce in nearly every category, and owners say it works fine even without studs. If you're looking for the ultimate studded ice-traction tire, experts recommend the markedly pricier Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5 (*Est. $145).

ConsumerReports.org has the most recent, thorough head-to-head test of the Firestone Winterforce, comparing it with 16 other winter tires. Canada's Automobile Protection Association (APA) also conducts unbiased tests and ranks the Winterforce against more than two dozen other tires, but it gives far fewer details. Experts at TireRack.com recommend the Winterforce among studdable tires, but customers there prefer another brand.