First, what is a Winter Tire? All winter tires, whether studless or studded, are made to maintain better traction in extreme cold, and on icy, snowy, or slushy roads. The rubber is able to remain softer, which makes it more flexible, allowing the tire to conform to the road better in extremely cold conditions.Click to see full answer. Furthermore, what makes a good winter tire?Winter tires are made with hydrophilic (that’s “water-loving”) rubber which stays softer and more pliable in winter weather. This more flexible rubber is one reason you get more traction on snow and ice. This is how winter tires provide more aggressive traction than all-season tires.Likewise, what is the difference between a winter tire and an all season tire? At, or about 42 degrees Fahrenheit, an all-season and a winter tire have about the same traction, however, as the mercury drops the winter tire gains grip, while all-season tires and high performance tires, lose traction. In contrast, the rubber in the tread of a winter tire will soften, and wear out much faster. Subsequently, question is, what makes a winter tire a winter tire? Winter tires are made with a pliable rubber that is created to stay soft in temperatures below 7°C. All-season tires will become rigid in cold temperatures and will make it harder for you to stop and to accelerate. Winter tires have a special tread design that is made to remove snow and ice from your tires.What does a winter tire look like?A: Tires with the three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol on the sidewall provide the best traction in winter conditions. They are composed of a rubber compound that stays soft in cold temperatures. They also have an aggressive tread design for added traction on snow and ice.