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Hi Jack, with all this snow recently do you have any reviews of Snow Chains? We have a 4x4 that would only need them on normal roads not ski access areas - are there different types availabe? Cheers.

Over recent years there has been great advances in snow chain technology, the most interesting being a product that actually take the place of chains and is easier to fit.

They are called 'Snow Socks' and they are getting some very good reviews of late. They are basically a fabric overlay for tyres and the big benefit is the ease of fitment.

Their one big drawback however is that they can only be used in pure snow and will be damaged very quickly if used on sealed roads.

There are many different types of chains and chain patterns. The most basic ones are ladder chains.

Ladder chains are easy to handle and to install, but they give very little side stability and are extremely uncomfortable to drive.

It feels like you are constantly driving on the ruts on baldy maintained gravel road.

The better chains are ones that incorporate some form of a diamond pattern. Not only do they provide a good level of grip, they also give sideways stability which is very important when you need to turn a corner.

The price of the snow chains very much dictate the quality, grip, comfort and drivability.