I’ve been driving Canadian winters since I was 16…over 45 years. In snowy weather nothing beats a good set of snow tires. I put AW tires on our ‘18 crosstrek but even they come off by the end of November.

 

I had mentioned in the top post about how well the Michelin Alpin 5 did in the tests. I looked them up today and their smallest tire size, if I was reading it correctly, is 18”, so it would not be an option for the Forester.

I was always a Michelin winter tire guy, experiencing winters in Quebec, the GTA, Alberta and BC and now the snow belt in Northern Ontario. Moving to a rural area in Northern Ontario, the local tire shop steered me towards the Toyo Observe tires, the Si5 and later the Si6. They are amazing winter tires. We get more snow than the black ice of Alberta, so my only true experience with ice, is on my long steep driveway after a thaw and a quick freeze.

I have read a ton about the NOKIAN TYRES HAKKAPELIITTA R5 and have seen many first hand reviews and they seem like amazing winter tires. They are expensive, but they likely will be the winter tires that go on my Forester. If the Alpin 5’s had fit, I may have chosen those.

 

I had mentioned in the top post about how well the Michelin Alpin 5 did in the tests. I looked them up today and their smallest tire size, if I was reading it correctly, is 18”, so it would not be an option for the Forester.

Our 22 forester came with 225/55R18 tires. Other models have 17 inch tires but 18 is standard on the limited. That said I went down to the 225/60R17 for the snows on both the crosstek an forester just because they were cheaper than 18” tires.

 

Thanks, I was just thinking of the 17” wheels on the Wilderness, but the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5’s could work on your Limited, as you say.

Another Tire that would be good in an urban area that gets some snow and the occasional trip to the snow areas would be the Michelin Cross Climate. I have a friend that swears by them.

 

I spoke with my tire guy today, talking about winter tires. I was originally put on the Toyo Observe by a different tire guy, which I bought the Toyo Observe Si5 from, for my Acura MDX. From my tire guy now, I bought the Toyo Observe Si6 for my Ranger Truck. I liked the winter tire so much, I recommended to my daughter to put them on her van, where she hauls my Grandkids.

I was asking my tire guy about snow tires, and asked about the Nokian Tire. He admitted they did not sell them anymore, but he has Toyo tires on his vehicle, and said if I loved how they have worked for me, he still recommended buying them again for the Forester. He also mentioned the Michelin X-ice, but preferred the Toyo’s.

 

If your running the Geolander G015 there is no point in getting the Cross Climate (IMO). Both are good in snow but no match compared to a good dedicated winter. For example the Michelin X-Ice stopping in icy conditions will be far superior compared to both of them. For that fact also getting going in said icy conditions the X-Ice would do far better. Stopping and getting going in slushy road conditions the dedicated winter will do better. All in all when driving with a good winter paired with Subaru SAWD and the height of the Wilderness you can be very confident you will get from point a to point b without any hair raising butt puckering incidents.
Just my 2 cents worth.

 

Whenever I buy tires, I always look at the Tire Rack database. For studless ice and snow, that database says Blizzak is still the most-recommended tire. Tire Rack 2022 testing also shows that the Blizzak was best in ice acceleration and ice braking.

https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100...id=autolinker&url=https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=304

 

I think there are several excellent winter tires that you cannot go wrong with. Some of them have their strengths and weaknesses and the key is choosing one for your area. When I lived in the Edmonton area, a tire that was better on black ice would be your best choice. Where I live now in the snow belt of Ontario, a tire that is better in snow would be a better choice. If you lived in the coastal area of BC, a tire that is stronger in wet conditions might be your choice.

 

For coastal BC in winter, you want one that is good on ice, with good snow performance as well because you generally don’t know what weather is coming. But you know there will be ice. Coastal BC will also see a lot of dry roads in cold temps. It’s the rest of the year when you want wet performance.

 

An article that came out yesterday:

When Having All-Season Tires On Your Subaru Is The Worst Idea

If you own a Subaru Outback, Crosstrek, Forester, or another all-wheel-drive model and live in snow country, this report is for you. Do you need winter or snow tires with your all-wheel-drive vehicle? I will answer the question.

www.torquenews.com

 

Imhave always used consumer reports as a guid for tires.

 

Been researching the Michelin X-Ice vs the Toyo Observe Si6. The Toyo tire has been my go to tire for the last decade. They are both Premium tires and you would not go wrong choosing either one. My research shows that the Michelin X-Ice is better in the snow and Ice and the Toyo is better on dry and wet.

I will choose the Michelin X-Ice next time.

 

I have used the xice religiously until we got our crosstrek. I went with the Continental winter contact si plus. Like them so much I got them for the Forester too. Also went down to a 17” from the 18” for the snows.

 

I have to admit, I have never looked at Continental for any tire I have purchased, but looking at it, the Continental Viking Contact 7 out performed the X-Ice in the tests I read. Something to consider.

 

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I ended up getting the Toyo Observe Si6. It is the tire I have put on my last two vehicles and on my daughter’s van. It is the tire recommended by a number of local tire shops. I was also able to get a real good price on it.

Not sure if it is the “Best” tire, but it is a Premium tire and there is little difference between the premium tires. Where the Michelin Ice is better on ice, the Toyo is better on wet and dry pavement and is equal with snow. The Toyo is still very good on ice.

I ordered them on line as a wheel and tire package and when they arrive I will share a picture of the wheel and tires. In about a months time, they will be on my Forester.