I am considering adding the AutoSock pack to my car emergency kit.
I have seen them mentioned occasionally in the forum, and researched a bit.
But I am curious whether their real purpose is "snow chain replacement" or just a wishful thinking.

Most of the writing online seems to vouch for it in case of getting caught in snow and ice with summer tyres.
I have proper winter tyres on my car.
Would they bring any benefit whatsoever in a condition where snow chains might be necessary, as opposed to "just" winter tyres?

Durability compared to chains is also probably worse.
On the other hand there is less chance of damaging the car + less effort to put them on/off.

What are your experiences and recommendations?
Should I consider them as "substitute" for snow chains, i.e. addition to proper winter tyres.
Or are they just an emergency kit for people caught in snow/ice with their summer tyres - and I should just go for the full on chains.

Note: I am not really living/driving through the snow-packed mountains that much, just going to occasional ski/snow weekend (and roads are mostly clear).
Perhaps I don't need even the chains - but you don't "need" an emergency kit until you actually need it once.


One source which directs me towards ignoring it: http://www.tractionnews.com/tire-socks-winter-test/



Thoughts?
Thanks!

Bump check.

Any experiences?

Merci

You answered your own question with the graph - performance is basically the same as winter tyres, so since you have winter tyres the socks would be pointless.

Might help if you get stuck in Sahara sand?

Accelerating from 5 to 20mph is not a problem, no one gets stuck on a flat street, just watch the video. And the outcome depends on front/rear wheel drive, driver carefulness with the gas, etc. Much more useful to see the max slope you can climb with and without chains/socks.

And some tests last year made them road legal in CH when snowchains become mandatory. https://www.tcs.ch/de/der-tcs/presse...zugelassen.php

Last Jan 15ht the streets were covered in snow, up to cm in some places. It was funny with winter tires and no traction control. The only place I got stuck was the ramp to leave the underground parking. I had to back off, carry a bit more speed and I could climb it. If it didn't worked at the 2nd attempt....I had autosocks

For me the only really useful test is cornering and breaking on a downhill.

Going uphill is almost always safer and gives more options - I can use plenty of power, zigzag a bit, and still be pretty confident that just stopping will work.

If you lose traction downhill and the speed gets away from you, there aren't many things you can do.

Most likely scenario is I'm up a mountain and the weather comes in, then I may need chains. Otherwise, unless I was committed to get somewhere or a big melt was forecast, I'd just avoid the situation.

If my drive or carpark ramp needed chains, I'd just get the snow shovel (or complain to the factors)!

Socks are for nerds.
Real men use chains.

Winches are for men….where's the winch guy?

I got a pair of socks in my car after i read/heard that they were much easier to put on and that they gave more grip. So I have socks and chains in my car for 10 years now but both are still new, never used (RWD bmw).

Use only socks when you need them or you will destroy them after 10 meters on the road.

So a bag of sand and a shovel in the trunk would be cheaper and better. Plus the extra weight will provide more traction.

Only when worn with sandals...

No! That is Swiss!

I would say more Czech than Swiss.


Nevertheless, back on topic - I decided to give it a pass.
Based on your inputs and info online, it is near useless for my use case.
Thanks everyone for contributing!