Hi all,

Today I had an absolute ball in and around the the roads of Reigate & Redhill, just for the craic, playing with my snow socks.

I bought them last year, used them for the first time a couple of weeks ago (To get out of a car park) and today I just went for a jolly, really. I towed a few people up some inclines and generally had a laugh; I was absolutly flabagasted at how well they worked.

It's worth pointing out that, my Octavia has pretty much the worst traction in snow / ice of any car I have ever owned - dunno why but older, lighter cars seem to do really rather well, in snow!

Anyways, checkout this video from today:

- It wasn't the steepest incline I made it up today; but having the road closed barrier at the end made me happy

Sadly, I curbed my left wheel later on in the day, which shredded my left snow sock. But by that time I had towed 3 people, helped push 2 and given a lift to a pair of lads who had ditched their car the day before. I also made it to sainsburys for a bit of shopping and discovered the wusses at homebase were closed.

More here: http://www.wastedspace.co.uk/cms/2010/12/18/weisssock-on-an-octavia-vrs/

Edited 18 December, 201015 yr by zacherynuk

I'm loving our set too. Really are excellent.

I'm loving our set too. Really are excellent.

I used mine for a few days in the first batch of snow we had 3 weeks ago and then had to use them again yesterday in appalling conditions to collect my wife and daughter from the station. Had absolutely no problem except got stuck on the A3 for an hour behind totally unprepared numpties who really should have stayed at home.

They're getting a bit shredded now as I've been on a few too many clear stretches of road on them but I've had more than my 45 quids worth out of them so I'm just going to bin them and order another pair. Long term plan for next year is a set of steels with proper winter tyres though.

Bob

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I used mine for a few days in the first batch of snow we had 3 weeks ago and then had to use them again yesterday in appalling conditions to collect my wife and daughter from the station. Had absolutely no problem except got stuck on the A3 for an hour behind totally unprepared numpties who really should have stayed at home.

They're getting a bit shredded now as I've been on a few too many clear stretches of road on them but I've had more than my 45 quids worth out of them so I'm just going to bin them and order another pair. Long term plan for next year is a set of steels with proper winter tyres though.Bob

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+1

WOW!!!! very impressed with your video, SWMBO is sat here saying " are they cheaper than winter wheels n tyres" an i am now trying to explain the pluses of "winter tyres" over "snowsocks". This could take a while!!!!!!!

WOW!!!! very impressed with your video, SWMBO is sat here saying " are they cheaper than winter wheels n tyres" an i am now trying to explain the pluses of "winter tyres" over "snowsocks". This could take a while!!!!!!!

Speak in her language, snow socks are like Shoe Zone slippers, winter tyres are like UGG's. Simples.

Edited 19 December, 201015 yr by Pagey1255

Speak in her language, snow socks are like Shoe Zone slippers, winter tyres are like UGG's. Simples.

Honestly it works, swmbo still thinks that the man who plugged a laptop into the car last year, made it more economical, all for only 80 quid!

Edited 19 December, 201015 yr by Pagey1255

What was the downhill breaking like?? did the back end try to go first

anyone know where I can get these for my 18" Zeniths? might use them this year and get winters on my Pegasus for next year.

Edited 19 December, 201015 yr by daz_pd

anyone know where I can get these for my 18" Zeniths? might use them this year and get winters on my Pegasus for next year.

Got mine on eBay.

Odd, Ive been on and can find them for the smaller sizes, but not 18"

Probably sold out.

What was the downhill breaking like?? did the back end try to go first

It was surprisingly stable; even on the most steep stuff, the trick is simply not to get yourself into an angle. I have had my rear end slide more going down damp grass banks whilst camping.

Great opportunity to see what you traction control can do too, that also really does work ! With it on, you can kick the back end out to 45-60 degrees and recover like a pro. With it off... no chance. With it off and the socks on, it's quite good fun again <= Don't be doing this on the public highway!

@daz_pd

I got some from: http://www.roofbox.co.uk/car-snow-socks/

and this specific set for my CR170 wheels: http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php/car-accessories/autosock_high_performance_size_645_one_pair_no_as645/njNA_v1i5Z_

Next day delivery last week - very impressed.

***Sorry just noticed they've sold out too :(****

Edited 20 December, 201015 yr by deadcert01

Try your local vauxhaul dealer for autosocks. Thats were we got ours from. If your lucky they might have them in stock. If not might take a day or two to get them delivered from another dealer.

We've used ours all weekend. Today was the biggest test of it all. 10 miles of A/B roads. Nicci was driving and she was struggling. They it got to a point were she just said she wants grip so she pulled over and I jumped out. 2 minutes later and she was happy. Completely transformed. She just had to keep the rear end in line now Took us 80 minutes to get to work instead of 30 minutes. Thought that was long but everyone else was taking 2 hours +. Saw -16 on the trip and the fog made it really interesting.

Its fun when you get to some parts where the tarmac is now showing due to traffic clearing it up.Not worth taking them off so you start driving on the snow parts.

Edited 20 December, 201015 yr by faboka vrs

I've just looked at the instructions on the packet.

The car must be on the level when putting them on.

That means they're a fat lot of good for me then as my car's parked on a moderate gradient.

I was going to buy these but most of the roads around here are clear, it's just the odd part of my journey to work when I'm on a quiet country lane and it's snowy. I think I'd end up wrecking them straight away. My biggest problem is just trying to get out of my road as it's a steep hill. Once I'm up the hill I'm onto a main road and it's clear. I don't think it's worth it for just that one hill!

They don't always work though.................

They don't always work though.................

The ultimate driving machine

That reminds me - I saw a new 3-series with snow socks on the M9 the other day. They were on the rears but she was going 50mph on almost clear tarmac, and they were shredding with bits flying off. I pointed to them as I drove past her, but after initially seeing me, she looked straight ahead and ignored me

I've just looked at the instructions on the packet.

The car must be on the level when putting them on.

That means they're a fat lot of good for me then as my car's parked on a moderate gradient.

My car's parked on a gradient and I can get them on fine...trick is to adapt, when you roll the car to pull the remainder of the sock over the tyre, go in whichever way is downhill. My instructions said I had to drive forwards, but as long as the wheel turns you'll be fine

It's a female thing...

I reminds me about the daft bat who went tearing past me doing at least 70 on a motorway section which had a 50 limit which is enforced by SPECs cameras.

I bet she got a lovely surprise through the post.

Genius :thumbup:

They do special ones for BMW drivers, there're called snow cocks.