Although a motoring question I reckon I’d get a wider response under general discussion since this is not really a technical question, and people living in snow hit areas may have some experience.
At the end of January and into February we’re driving through France - part of the route is Langres - Valence - Monte Carlo. We will also be spending several days driving over some of the Cols and passes (on minor roads) so expect to meet snow.
I am aware of the rules about using studs or chains but do snow socks pass the legislation?
And has anyone used them before - and if so how are they? Use on driving wheels only or all four?
Yes they do. I have no idea about their effectiveness but they’re handier to keep in the car than chains. Possibly easier to put on too. I only want them for the driven (rear) wheels.
I bought these ones on amazon FR. They take up no room in the boot.
When I lived in Grenoble forty years ago in my first winter I thought of getting chains but my French pals told me they never used them and I’d never need them, and they were right. We used to drive up to Alp D’Huez and les Deux Alpes and many other ski stations every weekend in the snow and never needed them. pointless having them in town too. Driving on snow is just another skill one acquires.
However, In those days they, and I were driving smaller and manual cars which were easier to manage on slippery surfaces than and automatic with loads of torque. I still wouldn’t use the socks on new or soft snow but maybe on compacted or icy snow they might give a bit more traction. Anyway, as you say, it’s the law so they’re in the boot.
You don’t actually need to fit them if driving in an area where they’re required - it’s sufficient to have them in the boot. Also in some departements like the Aveyron where we live, the reg only applies in very limited upland areas - in our case the causses of the Cevennes.
OTOH in the neighbouring Cantal they’re mandatory throughout the departement,
Same here, you only need them in the Haute Var. But if we didn’t have them in the boot we could get caught out if there was a control when we popped up for our weekly truffle order (BTW, I have to admit to such a plebeian palate that I don’t like truffles).
Bought some many years ago as I was often going over the tops, but they are still in the bag, never used and never inspected.
Even longer ago, the 70s I was asked to drive an artic to Italy in January. Not my motor but I appreciated the presence of a bunch chains hanging on 2 hooks on the rear of the chassis. Did the journey there and back and thankfully never had to work out how to put them on.
When I drove into the yard I said to the Boss, ‘never had to use the chains’, to which he replied, ‘just as well, that’s just a bunch of bits of chains draped there in case the gendarmes ever ask to see them’.
As others have said snow socks are legal, but do make sure they are ones that conform not a rip-off product. Have given a link to a page with the logos that should be on the box.
If you go Valence -Aix -Monte Carlo you will avoid snow. Only if going via Grenoble. As someone who has been inconvenienced by a road being blocked by drivers unfamiliar with snow getting stuck do please drive sensibly (ie consistently, no sudden gear changes or braking etc) and make sure your reservoir is full with winter screen wash.
When I bought mine I was passing through Perigueux on my way to the Alps and I did ask for chaines but only later did I read the package and realise they were chaussettes. I’ve read the instructions but never opened the package, and I think having come this far without, I never will.
When we first moved here we used to get snow, one time it snowed for 3 days and we were snowed in so I bought chains. After a couple of years we seemed to stop getting any real snowstorms and like Spardo they have never been used. I’ll sling them in the boot if we decide to have a winter trip to the Cantal, less than an hour away, but wouldn’t expect to have to use them. Avoids any fine though.
The reason I put the socks in the boot is that I think it’s easy to “stray” into an area where they are obligatory. Most of the Var doesn’t require them but every now and again you come around a corner and see the snow chain sign. Better to have them onboard IMO in case some bord gendarme set up a little control.
We have just booked an appointment on 30th to have wheels changed on the EV….
We have sets of winter wheels for both cars. A pain as they take up room, but makes getting around in winter easier. Wouldn’t want to be without them in snow and ice even if we weren’t legally required to do so.
Once when the pompiers had to whisk me to hospital… our village was completely snowed-in… but major roads had been cleared enough…
Their emergency vehicle arrived at our door…
I think it had snowsocks on all 4 wheels, which worked well (obviously) and were removed swiftly when we got close enough to a decent road surface…
I was fascinated by it all, as I’d not seen such things before…
Good point. For those with socks in the boot, if they ever need to come out and be used remember to remove them and certainly don’t leave car parked with them on overnight.
I’m expecting them to be used if what everyone I’ve spoken to is correct - expect show Monaco to Valence via Digne-l-Bains, Saint Greve, Laborel, Remulazt and the Cols like Turini and Saint-Raphaël.
The car has a new set of winter Vreidsteins and I was advised to go for a Silknet socks
It’s a few years since I’ve had to do any serious driving in the snow, and certainly not in a rwd car without power steering
The route covers all the dark blue area down the Alpes
Although 17 doesn’t see snow (often!) we know the rules - but since a lot of people seem to opt for studs (which would be redundant after this event) I was checking out advice from a fellow Scot who did the drive with a similar socks equipped Volvo back in 2017
Make sure you leave yourself plenty of time… no rush… and don’t let yourself go tooo long between stops…
When there’s snow (or risk of snow) one needs to bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
wishing you a safe journey… no matter what your footwear
(BTW, I have to admit to such a plebeian palate that I don’t like truffles).
(white chain on blue background… )