Snow chains and anti-skid straps: how to match them to your tyres
Chains or straps
Full chains go over the whole wheel and give the best grip on ice and deep snow. Anti-skid straps are belts or links that wrap the wheel in parts: they are quicker and cleaner to fit and suit cases where there is little room in the arch, but they are usually weaker on ice and meant for slow driving and short stretches. For regular trips on snowy hill roads and heavy off-roading, people take chains, and as insurance in the boot of a car, straps.
Tyre size and room in the arch
The choice starts with the tyre size printed on the sidewall, for example 225/65 R17. A chain or strap is made for a range of sizes, so give the size in full. Just as important is the free space between the tyre and the arch or the suspension parts. On modern cars with wide tyres and small arches there is little room, and not every chain will pass. In that case the car’s manual often says that only a certain type with a thin link can be used. Be sure to ask the seller whether their model suits the space in your arch, and also what the car maker advises.
What to put in your request
- Type — full chains or straps.
- Tyre size — for example, 225/65 R17.
- Vehicle type — car, SUV, van, truck.
- Quantity — usually for the driven wheels; for example, 6 straps for a four-wheel drive.
- Room in the arch — whether there is little space, how many millimetres.
- Maker — a known brand or any other.
- Delivery and budget.
Example: “I need anti-skid straps for an SUV, tyres 225/65 R17, 6 pieces. There is little room in the arch. A known brand preferred. Courier delivery to Dehradun, budget up to ₹4,000.”
How to compare offers
How many wheels does the set cover: one axle or both? For a front-wheel-drive car the driven wheels are enough, for four-wheel drive it is better to have four. Ask which models fit quickly, and whether there is a storage bag, gloves and a mat for fitting. Check the warranty and return terms, because it is easy to get the size wrong.
A tip before the season
Try putting the chains on at home, not for the first time on the roadside in the cold. That way you see whether they fit and don’t lose time on the road. Buy before you travel to the hills: in the season the choice and delivery times are worse.
How BlaBlaPrice helps
You describe what you need in a request, and sellers reply in the chat: what they offer, price, availability, delivery. The site shows the offer with the best value first, with reviews next to it. Sellers see their place among the others and often improve their terms. Your phone is hidden. Details are in the “How it works” section.
For a winter road trip you may also want a car tyre inflator and car mats.
