Snow chains and textile snow socks give tyres extra grip on packed snow and ice when winter tyres alone are not enough.
Prices checked on Amazon UK, 27 October 2026.
Snow chains and textile snow socks give tyres extra grip on packed snow and ice when winter tyres alone are not enough. Metal chains bite harder for steep alpine roads; fabric socks are quieter and usually quicker to fit for occasional UK use. Every set is size-coded to tyre measurements, so you must match the listing size to the numbers on your tyre sidewall before you buy. This guide compares metal chains and textile socks in stock on Amazon UK using type, size codes and any approval wording from each listing. Practise fitting at home before you need them in a blizzard. We found 8 snow chains in stock on Amazon UK with a live buy-box price when we checked on 27 October 2026. Our overall pick is the Goodyear 12mm Snow Chains Size 230 at £82.20, the budget pick is the RD9 Metal Snow Chains Size 80 at £28.18, and our pick textile snow socks is the LEIVESTE EN 16662 Snow Socks at £34.50. Prices and stock change often, so check both on Amazon before you buy.
Quick comparison
| Product | Price | Best for | Type | Size coded | Pack | Approval (listing) | Extra |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodyear 12mm Snow Chains Size 230 | £82.20 | Overall approved metal | Metal 12mm | 230 | Set (listing) | TUV and ONORM | SUV/van/motorhome wording |
| RD9 Metal Snow Chains Size 80 | £28.18 | Lowest price metal | Metal | 80 | Set of 2 | – | Gloves included |
| LEIVESTE EN 16662 Snow Socks | £34.50 | Approved textile socks | Textile/sock | – (listing) | 2 | EN 16662-1 2020 / Italy approved | Easy install claim |
| RD9 Metal Snow Chains Size 90 | £30.33 | Metal size 90 | Metal | 90 | Set of 2 | – | Gloves included |
| RD9 Metal Snow Chains Size 130 | £31.24 | Metal size 130 | Metal | 130 | Set of 2 | – | Gloves included |
| Easysock Textile Snow Sock Size L | £32.43 | Textile size L | Textile/sock | L | Pack of 2 | – | – |
| Husky HUSTX04 Textile Snow Chain XL | £39.99 | Textile XL | Textile | XL | – | – | Husky HUSTX04 |
| Sparco Artika Textile Snow Chains XL | £42.87 | Textile XL Sparco | Textile | XL | – | – | Silent/vibration-free claim |
Specs from each Amazon UK listing (– = not stated on the listing); prices checked on Amazon UK on 27 October 2026.
Our picks
Goodyear 12mm Snow Chains Size 230
Goodyear 12mm Snow Chains Size 230
£82.20
Best overall
RD9 Metal Snow Chains Size 80
RD9 Metal Snow Chains Size 80
£28.18
Best budget
LEIVESTE EN 16662 Snow Socks
LEIVESTE EN 16662 Snow Socks
£34.50
Best for families
How we pick
We shortlist products sold on Amazon UK using capacity, features, customer ratings and price band. We do not lab-test every model unless a page says so. The Amazon page is the live price. How we recommend.
Compare at a glance
| Product | Last Amazon price | Buy |
|---|---|---|
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£82.20
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£28.18
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£34.50
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£30.33
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£31.24
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£32.43
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£39.99
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£42.87
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The products
Buying advice
Our top picks
Best overall: Goodyear 12mm Snow Chains Size 230 (£82.20). 12mm passenger-car snow chains for SUV, vans and motorhomes. Listing states TUV and ONORM approval, size 230. A known-brand metal set when you need certified chains for winter travel.
Best budget: RD9 Metal Snow Chains Size 80 (£28.18). The cheapest metal set here. RD9 chains size No. 80, set of 2 with gloves included on the listing. Match size 80 carefully to your tyre chart before ordering.
Best textile snow socks: LEIVESTE EN 16662 Snow Socks (£34.50). Textile snow socks with Italy approval and EN 16662-1 2020 on the title. Fabric car snow chains, easy installation in about two minutes on the listing. A sock-style option when you want quieter running than metal.
Other snow chains and socks worth a look
RD9 Metal Snow Chains Size 90 (£30.33). RD9 metal snow chains size No. 90, set of 2 with gloves. Same RD9 line as the budget pick in a different size code for other tyre fits.
RD9 Metal Snow Chains Size 130 (£31.24). RD9 metal chains size No. 130, set of 2 with gloves. Larger size code in the RD9 range for bigger tyre fits listed for that number.
Easysock Textile Snow Sock Size L (£32.43). Textile snow sock size L, pack of 2. Sock-style grip without metal links; check the size L tyre chart on the listing.
Husky HUSTX04 Textile Snow Chain XL (£39.99). Husky textile snow chain size XL on the title. Brand field lists S SUMEX. Another fabric option for XL tyre fits.
Sparco Artika Textile Snow Chains XL (£42.87). Sparco Artika textile snow chains size XL. Listing title says silent and vibration-free with quick, easy installation. Motorsport-branded fabric chains.
Metal chains or textile socks?
Metal sets such as Goodyear (£82.20) and RD9 bite into packed snow and often carry TUV/ONORM style approvals on the listing. Textile socks such as LEIVESTE (£34.50), Easysock and Sparco are usually quieter and faster to fit for short UK snow spells.
Always confirm the size code against your tyre sidewall (for example 205/55 R16) using the seller's size table. A wrong size will not seat correctly.
Fitting and legal use
Fit on a flat safe area, drive a short distance, then retension as the listing directs. Remove chains on clear tarmac to avoid damage.
UK roads rarely require chains by law, but many Alpine countries do in winter — check local rules before you travel. See also our [best ice scraper for car UK guide](https://10deals.co.uk/posts/best-ice-scraper-for-car-uk-2026) for clearing glass before you drive.
What to look for in snow chains
Tyre size match. Use the listing size chart; do not guess from vehicle model alone.
Metal vs textile. Metal for severe snow; textile socks for easier occasional use.
Approvals. TUV, ONORM or EN 16662 wording matters if you drive where chains are compulsory.
Pack contents. Gloves and tensioners help roadside fitting.
Clearance. Check wheel-arch clearance; some cars cannot take thick chains.
Practice. Fit once at home so you are not learning in the dark on a slope.
How we chose these picks
We only included products that were in stock on Amazon UK with a single live buy-box price in pounds when we checked on 27 October 2026, read with a UK delivery address. We skipped listings showing low stock, no stock line or unclear details, and we avoided repeating products already featured in our other guides. Specs in the comparison table come from each product's Amazon UK listing, and a dash means the listing does not state that detail. Descriptions are based on what each listing says; we have not tested these products ourselves, and we have not used star ratings or review counts.
Prices were checked on Amazon UK on 27 October 2026 and can change at any time. Check the current price, details and delivery date on Amazon before you order.
Frequently asked questions
Are snow chains legal?
In the UK you may use snow chains where conditions need them, but you should remove them on clear roads. Many mountain regions abroad require approved chains or winter equipment in season — check local rules. Listings here that mention TUV, ONORM or EN 16662 are selling approved-style products for those markets.
Is snow chains legal in the uk?
Yes, snow chains and snow socks are legal to use in the UK when needed for grip. They are not a general requirement on UK roads. Follow the Highway Code for winter driving and remove chains once the road is clear to avoid tyre and road wear.
Do snow chains work in mud?
Snow chains are designed for snow and ice. Some drivers use them in deep mud in an emergency, but mud can clog links and textile socks, and it is not what these products are sold for. Dedicated off-road tyres or recovery gear are the better tools for mud.
Does snow chains damage tires?
Incorrect size, loose fitting or driving on bare tarmac can wear tyres and chains. Fit the correct size, tension as instructed, and remove chains when the snow has gone. Textile socks are generally gentler on alloy wheels than metal links.
