djwoody

I can't seem to find an opinion anywhere on this question:

I have all-seasons (Toyo Versado, a touring performance tire) on my 3G TL right now and they are pretty new (about 75% tread remaining).

I have Blizzaks with about 20% tread remaining on them and they are already mounted on my stock rims.

Which will give me better braking and handling in the snow (considering that a winter tire has a softer rubber compound designed to grip in cold conditions)?

Ramrodthrusterpuppy

Neither....spring for new Winter tires. You're from Canada, you should know better!

djwoody

Yeah, I know that's the obvious answer but I don't really want to spring for another set of new tires when I just bought the all-seasons a few months ago.

I just want to know in theory which tires would provide better handling - i.e. is the rubber compound or the tread depth more important?

MVR 155

The answer is neither.... All seasons dont have nearly the traction of a dedicated winter/snow tire and a dedicated winter tire that is worn down to 20% tread is not going to serve its intended function. As suggested above you should spring for a new set of winter tires, there are some very well priced tires availible that wont break the bank. I currently run the General Ultimax Arctic's and they are fantastic in the snow (this will be my second season on them). I think they were well under $500 shipped for the whole set.

Springing for a set of dedicated winter tires will just make your all seasons last that much longer so in the end its a wash in terms of money.

TLAwesome

The Versado LX. This is especially so if your Blizzak is one that uses the multicell compound (e.g., the WS60) which, at 20% left, is completely gone. Your Blizzak would then be an all-season tire, so you'd be comparing one all season with 20% tread to an all-season with almost 75%.