SUMEX Pair of Multigrip Snow Socks, Tyre Covers

I got these two days ago, just in time for the latest snowfalls. Not having tried them, I was a little wary about setting off on a 250 mile round trip to collect my daughter from Uni for the Christmas holiday. The roads were clear in the morning but heavy snow was forecast. As it turned out, I got all the way there and most of the way back before the snow got bad enough for me to think about the snow socks, by which time we were on an A-road about 10 miles from home. With traffic at a standstill while an HGV tried to get up the next hill, I took the opportunity to fit the snow socks. It took me a while to fit them, as it was quite tricky getting the retaining cord to slip all the way over the rim of the tyre, but now that I have managed it once I think it will be a lot simpler the next time.I have to say that initially, although I could drive with more confidence i could not actually drive any quicker, because I was in a queue of other cars that did not have the same traction I did. Where the snow socks really cam into there own was when I left the A-road for the last 4 miles cross country to home. About a mile up the road we stopped to help a Merc that couldn't make it up the hill - pulled away no problem after that. Between there and home we passed 4 vehicles that had been abandoned and pretty much the only vehicles still on the road were 4x4s.Once we were home we decided to get a takeaway in, so off I went to town, passing more abandoned cars, to a large restaurant with only one table occupied on the Saturday before Christmas and waiters busy discussing the number of cancelled tables.If I sound like a smug git it's only because I am. These are seriously the best motoring product ever. If they fall apart tonight they will have been money well spent. As it is they don't show any signs of wear yet (although I probably wouldn't try driving a long distance on clear tarmac with them).For anyone interested in driving characteristics, I have them on a front wheel drive Saab 9-5. The only thing I found slightly strange was that having more grip on the front wheels there was a tendency for the car to oversteer rather than understeer, which wasn't really much of a problem at all.

After getting stuck in the snow last January I was helped by a neighbor whose snow sock freed the car easily. I purchased these and a week later found myself stuck in snow on a shallow incline. Summer tyres! They were very easy to fit approximately 2 minutes each and enabled me to pull straight out. There was an incredible amount of grip on the front but care is needed as the back wheels are still prone to sliding. These are now part of my emergency winter kit. If you know you may get stuck best put them on in a safe place beforehand and think about where you can safely remove before you hit tarmac again. A lot cheaper than a tow truck

I purchased these following the heavy downpours of snow we had in the midlands during January (2013), but the snow had gone before I had chance to use them.Now, having had a heavy dumping of the white stuff late March, and having to ferry the wife to work, I put them on and ventured out into difficult conditions that would ordinarily would have presented me with a huge challenge in even making it off the driveway.Wow! What a difference. My C5 Tourer in standard form is absolutely useless in the snow, and back in January I got stuck numerous times despite the car being front wheel drive and having had new tyres fitted only one month previous.With these socks fitted, I was able to drive on side roads that I would never have dreamed of attempting before, even performing three-point turns with total ease.They are relatively easy to put on, and so far have stayed on. Driving with appropriate care, I have experienced no wheel-spin, and positive traction throughout - even driving through banks of snow formed by ploughing. Inclines were also no problem, and the wife even commented how much more confident she felt as there was no slipping, sliding and juddering that had been so evident to her as a passenger back in January.The vast improvement in traction however, also makes it much safer under braking. Not once did I feel the anti-lock braking feature kick in during my sortie out into the white wilderness.For under £40, these have been invaluable this weekend, and when I change the car next October, I shall definitely replace them with a new set should the new vehicle not come equipped with the same size tyre.Absolutely 5 stars !

We bought these with the intention of taking it on our skiing holiday and using our holiday car we have parked up in Europe. They fitted perfectly onto our 2006 Fiesta Zetec S, and the change in levels of grip was amazing.Our front drive to the chalet is not steep, but has enough of a slope to ensure that if there is any snow or ice laid down, we cannot get more than a quarter of the way up....and this was proven again this time round.Since we had these in the case, and they packed down brilliantly for us to travel with, we thought well lets see how well they work....it took all of maybe 2 or 3 minutes to fit them without the use of instructions, it really is common sense to be honest, slid the elastic over the rim of the tyre so it was held snugly, got back in the car and used 1st gear to drive straight up the driveway, and under the cover.I truly cannot believe how these make that much difference to the levels of grip, we have a pair of £90 ones from Honda for the Type R, and although they offer the same amount of grip AND are customer for the vehicle, dont bother, find this brand and the size for your tyre, and job is done, trust me, we also saved £60 over the manufacturers one.As with both types and all of these products, make sure you wash this in clean warm water to remove the salt, and dry it before repacking it.Highly recommended product.