The best tires for Minnesota winter roads carry the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol, fit your exact size and have deep tread; dedicated winter tires are strongest in snow and ice. Of the eight listings below, five claim the snowflake marking in the listing, but they are mostly light-truck sizes, so most car owners will need a different size.
Disclosure: some links are Amazon affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We have not road-tested these tires. Specs come from the Amazon listings and tire-size data from tiresize.com.
| Summit Trail Climber AT02 LT265/75R16 |  | 3PMSF per listing, LT truck size | Tire size: LT265/75R16 | Winter marking: 3PMSF per listing | Type: All-terrain light truck | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Ironman All Country AT-X 235/70R16 106T |  | 3PMSF per listing, 16-inch | Tire size: 235/70R16 106T | Winter marking: 3PMSF per listing | Type: All-terrain, all-weather | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Summit Trail Climber AT02 LT245/75R17 | | 3PMSF per listing, LT truck size | Tire size: LT245/75R17 | Winter marking: 3PMSF per listing | Type: All-terrain light truck | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Summit Trail Climber AT02 245/75R16 |  | 3PMSF per listing, 16-inch | Tire size: 245/75R16 | Winter marking: 3PMSF per listing | Type: All-terrain | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Summit Trail Climber SUV2 225/60R18 100H |  | Winter rating not listed | Tire size: 225/60R18 100H | Winter marking: Not listed | Type: All-season SUV | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Firestone All Season 225/65R17 102H |  | Winter rating not listed | Tire size: 225/65R17 102H | Winter marking: Not listed | Type: All-season touring | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Summit Trail Climber AT02 (size conflict: 245/75R16 or LT235/80R17) | | Size unclear – confirm first | Tire size: Heading 245/75R16, spec LT235/80R17 | Winter marking: 3PMSF per listing | Type: All-terrain light truck | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Evoluxx Capricorn 225/60R17 (4-pack) |  | Passenger car 4-pack | Tire size: 225/60R17 99H | Winter marking: Not listed | Type: All-season, 4-pack | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Summit Trail Climber AT02 LT265/75R16
A light-truck all-terrain in LT265/75R16 for full-size pickups and SUVs. The listing says it carries the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol; check the sidewall. LT tires are stiffer and rougher on small cars.- Tire Size:LT265/75R16
- Type:All-terrain LT
- Winter marking:3PMSF per listing
- Rim Size:16 inches
Pros
- Snowflake marking per listing
- Truck-ready construction
Limitations
- Not for passenger cars
- Ride is firmer than a car tire
Ironman All Country AT-X 235/70R16 106T
An all-terrain in 235/70R16 for midsize SUVs and light trucks. The listing mentions the snowflake marking; check the sidewall.- Tire Size:235/70R16
- Load Index:106 (2,094 lb)
- Speed Rating:T
- Winter marking:3PMSF per listing
- Rim Size:16 inches
Pros
- Snowflake marking per listing
- Lower-cost option
Limitations
- Fits only 16-inch SUV and truck wheels
- Lesser-known brand
Summit Trail Climber AT02 LT245/75R17
A light-truck all-terrain in LT245/75R17, common on mid-size pickups and 4×4 SUVs. The listing says it has the snowflake marking; check the sidewall.- Tire Size:LT245/75R17
- Type:All-terrain LT
- Winter marking:3PMSF per listing
- Rim Size:17 inches
Pros
- Snowflake marking per listing
- Truck-ready construction
Limitations
- Not for passenger cars
- Ride is firmer than a car tire
Summit Trail Climber AT02 245/75R16
An all-terrain in 245/75R16. Check whether it is a P-metric or LT version on the listing before you buy.- Tire Size:245/75R16
- Type:All-terrain
- Winter marking:3PMSF per listing
- Rim Size:16 inches
Pros
- Snowflake marking per listing
Limitations
- Fits only 16-inch wheels
- Load rating not confirmed
Summit Trail Climber SUV2 225/60R18 100H
A crossover tire in 225/60R18. The listing does not mention a snowflake marking, so check the sidewall for M+S or the snowflake before relying on it in Minnesota winters.- Tire Size:225/60R18
- Load Index:100 (1,764 lb)
- Speed Rating:H
- Winter marking:Not listed
- Rim Size:18 inches
Pros
- Crossover-friendly size
Limitations
- No winter marking listed
- Not a dedicated winter tire
Firestone All Season 225/65R17 102H
A touring all-season for compact SUVs and crossovers. The listing does not mention a snowflake marking, so it suits mild winters better than severe ones.- Tire Size:225/65R17
- Load Index:102 (1,874 lb)
- Speed Rating:H
- Winter marking:Not listed
- Rim Size:17 inches
Pros
- Name-brand touring tire
Limitations
- No winter marking listed
- Not a dedicated winter tire
Summit Trail Climber AT02 (size conflict: 245/75R16 or LT235/80R17)
The heading says 245/75R16 but the spec cell says LT235/80R17, and it shares a title with another Summit listing. Check the Amazon listing size before ordering.- Heading:245/75R16
- Spec cell:LT235/80R17
- Winter marking:3PMSF per listing
Pros
- None until size is confirmed
Limitations
- Conflicting size data
Evoluxx Capricorn 225/60R17 (4-pack)
A 4-pack in 225/60R17 for passenger cars and small crossovers. The listing gives only general all-season grip, with no snowflake marking mentioned.- Tire Size:225/60R17
- Load Index:99 (1,709 lb)
- Speed Rating:H
- Pack:4-pack
- Winter marking:Not listed
Pros
- Full set in one order
Limitations
- No winter marking listed
- Not a dedicated winter tire
Tires for Minnesota winter: what to look for
What to look for
- Snowflake symbol: shows the tire passed a snow-traction test; M+S alone is a weaker sign.
- Dedicated winter tires: usually best for sustained cold, snow and ice.
- Tread depth: snow traction falls as tread wears; 6/32 inch is a common winter threshold at tire shops.
- Studs: some states restrict studded tires by season, so check current Minnesota rules.
Fit checklist
- Read the size on the door-jamb sticker. See how to read the door-jamb tire sticker.
- Keep the same rim diameter, and match or beat the stock load index.
- Buy four matching tires.
- Check pressure monthly in the cold: tire pressure in cold weather.
- Also see tires for Michigan and tires for snow and ice.
FAQ
Do I need winter tires in Minnesota?
Not required statewide as far as we found, but they give much better grip in snow and ice. Check current Minnesota rules.
Are all-season tires enough in Minnesota?
They can handle plowed roads and mild cold, but are weaker in packed snow and ice than winter tires.
What is the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol?
A sidewall mark showing the tire met a standard snow-traction test.
Are light-truck tires good for winter?
Some are, but LT tires are stiffer and heavier and are meant for trucks and SUVs, not small cars.
How does cold change tire pressure?
Pressure drops roughly 1 psi for each 10 degrees F of temperature drop, so check cold pressure monthly in winter.
When should I replace my tires?
When tread reaches 2/32 inch, or sooner if tires are cracked or older than about six years.
Which one to choose
For pickups and full-size SUVs on 16 or 17-inch wheels, the Summit Trail Climber AT02 sizes and Ironman All Country AT-X list the snowflake marking. For crossovers, the Firestone 225/65R17 and Summit SUV2 225/60R18 list no winter marking, so check the sidewall. Confirm the size of the conflicting Summit listing before ordering.
