Shop Block Tires

Before buying block tires: independent tread blocks for traction

Block tires are tires whose tread is divided into separate blocks by grooves running both around and across the tire. Each block has its own edges, and the edges bite into snow, mud, gravel and wet pavement, giving more traction than a rib tread. Block treads also make more road noise and wear less evenly than rib treads.

Where buyers choose block tread tires

• Winter tires use small, heavily siped blocks that grip snow and ice.
• All-terrain tires use medium blocks for gravel, dirt and light mud.
• Mud-terrain tires use large blocks with wide gaps that clear mud.
• Truck drive tires use block or lug treads that put engine torque into the road.

Block size and spacing to compare before buying

Block tread tires with small, closely spaced blocks run quieter and suit pavement, snow and ice. Block tread tires with large, widely spaced blocks clear mud and rocks but hum on the highway and wear faster on pavement. Buyers match block size to where the vehicle drives most, not to how aggressive the tire looks.

Block vs. rib treads before you buy

Block treads suit wheels that need traction: drive axles, winter driving and off-road use. Rib treads suit wheels that steer or roll freely on pavement, where even wear and low rolling resistance matter more than bite.

Sipes and snow ratings to check when buying

Many block tread tires add sipes, thin slits across each block that create more edges for wet and icy roads. Block tread tires with the 3PMSF (Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake) symbol have passed a severe-snow traction test; block tires marked only M+S have not.

Sizes to check when ordering block tires

Block tread tires are ordered in the placard size and load index, or in the LT size and load range for trucks that tow or drive off-road, such as LT275/70R18 load range E.

Shopping block tread tires by size with NeoTires

Block tread tires are chosen by where the vehicle drives and the size on the placard. Search your vehicle or size on NeoTires, compare block tread tires by snow rating, tread type and price, and add the set of four to the cart. NeoTires dispatches block tread tires the same day across the US, free where the listing shows Free shipping, and Klarna, Affirm and Afterpay financing is available at checkout for buyers who prefer to pay over time.