I got a second set of wheels to try to optimise my tyres for winter and expected to just get some all season tyres and that would be sorted.
When I started looking none of them had a ‘A’ rating for rain. Typically ‘B’ or even ‘c’ ( Kumbo SOLUS).
I presume this is because they need to cope with snow? I live in west Cornwall so my ideal winter tyre needs to cope with low temp on the tarmac and copious rain. Any recommendations or should I just stick with summer tyres?
Currently using Kumbo 51’s that have yet to breakaway except when playing about on tight roundabouts. I may have answered my own question here but keen to know if there is a magical wet weather tyre that gives some feedback; the Kumbos grip until they don’t. Thanks
The Solus 4S is B rated for wet weather. I’ve found it perfectly fine in wet conditions since I switched to them in October and they’ve dealt with plenty of wet weather up here in Cheshire. And they’ve excelled in the recent snow and ice.
I think you’re right in terms of absolute wet weather performance, that All Seasons do suffer slightly according to the testing regime. Possibly due to alterations to the tyre compound and tread design to work year round. You’ll always have compromise somewhere.
Even the class leader is B rated for wet weather, the CrossClimate2.
Overall, it depends what’s important to you, and if driving in winter conditions is required.
Cheers,
Steve
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Those aren’t arguably the class leader anymore in All Season. Many a test now sees them around the 3/4 mark. The Pirelli AS3 newly released All Seasons got an A wet rating. Mind you, correct me if I’m wrong (I probably am), but aren’t what constitutes the ‘wet ratings’ a bit one dimensional, stopping distances etc in a straight line, whereas wet performance in reality covers so much more; cornering, handling, aquaplanning in curved and straight scenarios etc.
You’re absolutely right about the rating. The EU rating focuses only on one aspect of wet grip – the wet braking performance of the tyre.
So I use it as a helpful guidance/comparison across different manufacturers, rather than an absolute.
Try watching this The BEST All Season Tires for 2024/25 - Michelin vs Bridgestone vs Continental vs Pirelli & More! has some great testing, I went for the continentals on my partners Fiesta, and it has improved the feel of the car and grip seems very good in the wet and cold, the tyres on the car when we got it were summer tyres and not premium brand so there should have been an improvement anyway.
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Glad two peeps have highlighted it’s not just about stopping distance already 
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Finding that something must have banged me on the head, as I’m agreeing with glug ^, but that link, and indeed the tester, is the business. Tells someone all they need to know, and more.
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All tyres grip until they don’t. The more grip you have, generally the faster you will be going when they don’t grip any more.
“Best” and “Better” are always subjective and depend on circumstance and better to have more progression than more ultimate grip. If you are happy with your current tyre, stick with them.
I’m not sure tyre grip is either ‘On’ or ‘Off’ . Surely that would make drifting impossible?
Being an ex motorcyclist I’m amazed how modern compounds allow racers to turn their bikes into a bend by the controlled break of traction of the rear wheel for example.
Looking at the link upthread it’s plain that as I not going to drive in snow or ice, a summer tyre is the way to go. It was top by a huge margin in the wet and only became a bit more nuanced if tested in lower temps ( third best rather than first)
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Also, remember that typically, it’s very hard to have tires that are very good in the snow and can also be very good in the wet. Although I can’t remember the technical reason why that is on top of my head.
im running snow tyres on my ND. (very northern scotland).
they are a must have here.
in the wet, they are fine. in standing water summer tyres out-perform winter tyres (there may be exceptions, but winters dont have the rain channels. theres youtube demos showcasing this too). i can attest to this from driving through puddles up here in the winters, aquaplanes much sooner. but, not to confuse with a wet road. plenty of wet grip.
most importantly, more grip in snow, ice, frost, and sub zero conditions!
i get sub 7*C for 5 months of the year where i am (averages), so snow + summer separate sets for me make logical choice.
If you only get cold weather for a couple of months, and you drive in those conditions even seldom Winters might not be justified.
but on that same argument, all-season tyres will see you compromise your summer driving grip levels for that limited winter driving…
theres no 1 size fits all. hear some opinions, watch some tyre reviews, make a logical decision 
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Helpful post thanks. I think my ideal tyre would be a summer pattern but with a compound that optimised for low temps. I can live with it not being best at summer temps as I’m sure they would still be beyond my driving skills anyway. I’ve read a few reviews but so far nothing has popped out.
I’ve got CrossClimate 2’s on my NC - they’re very good in the wet. I have CrossClimate 1’s on my other car and they’re also very good in the wet. They’re All Season rather than Winter tyres.
The CC2’s are supposed to be better in snow but we’ve not had any. Both tyres have been predicatable, to a limit, on the recent icy roads we’ve had up here in Scotland. The NC has slipped on some black ice, which caught me out as it was only one the left hand side so the car got a bit squirrely but in the rain, I can’t fault them. They’re not the quietest tyre however.
I’m sure I’ve read that they’re more effective at ambient temps under 7 degrees but don’t quote me on that.
I would probably recommend sizing up to the 215’s though as they’re significantly cheaper than the £170 each of the 205’s.