Rain and wet roads are some of the most dangerous driving conditions drivers may regularly face. According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), wet driving surfaces and rain were the top two contributors to weather-related vehicle crashes based on a 10-year average. Some regions of the United States can experience rain in any season so preparation is essential.
Tires are a huge factor in driving safety so it’s important to ensure your vehicle is properly equipped. Check out our suggestions below for the best tires for rain or shop our extensive inventory of wet weather tires yourself!
CHOOSING THE BEST TIRES FOR WET WEATHER
The best wet weather tires are the ones that suit your vehicle, your driving needs, and where you drive. At the end of the day, wet weather tires must provide optimal stopping power and consistent handling.
Typically, summer or all-season tires (or even the emerging all-weather tire category) are well-suited for rainy conditions. But performance tires offer the best performance because they are designed to max out water evacuation and traction while handling at optimal levels. Depending on your driving style and vehicle, good old all-seasons may best suit you.
Here is a list of must-have features:
Rubber compound: Specialized mixtures and additives help your tire grip the road for better traction.
Grooves: Circumferential and other types of grooves help evacuate water away from your tire and reduce the chance of hydroplaning.
Contact patch: The surface area where your tire touches the road directly. Wet and winter condition contact patches are narrower for better control.
Voids: Allows your tire to flex appropriately, aiding in handling and resilience.
Sipes: Also called a “kerf,” these small slits create additional tread surface area to boost traction in wet, icy or snowy conditions.
Blocks/lugs: Allow maximum surface contact for traction.
Ribs: Provide stability and work in tandem with tread blocks for better performance.
BEST TRUCK TIRES FOR RAIN
A truck’s heavy weight, large size, and uneven distribution of mass can make it unwieldy and dangerous in slick conditions. This makes it especially important to choose the best tires possible. Many trucks use all-terrain tires which can handle wet conditions fairly well but fall short when compared to winter tires, even if they have the three-peak mountain snowflake designation.
If you don’t need all-terrain tires, then an all-season highway-terrain or touring tire will do the trick in the rainy season.
For your three-quarter-ton or larger truck like a RAM 2500, we suggest the Yokohama YK-HDX, an all-season truck tire that’s robust and capable enough to handle work, personal, or commercial driving needs. Its top three best qualities include long lasting wear, excellent all-season traction (both wet and dry conditions included) and a comfortable, quiet ride.
The YK-HDX’s features also include:
Advanced 3D siping pattern for boosted wet traction that also minimizes wear.
Multi-sipe blocks for increased biting edges for light snowy conditions.
Twin circumferential grooves to channel water away from the contact patch.
We shouldn’t forget to mention the 50,000-mile treadwear warranty (which is void if used for commercial purposes) and improved fuel efficiency via its reduced rolling resistance using Yokohama’s proprietary tread compound.
Best half-ton truck or SUV rain tires
For a half-ton truck (comparable to a Toyota Tacoma) or SUV (the Toyota 4Runner, for example), we like the Cooper Discoverer HTP II. This all-season tire incorporates performance-based characteristics to handle rain and wet conditions like no other thanks to Cooper’s Wet Grip technology tread compound and computer optimized tread design.
Focusing especially on wet grip, the HTP II incorporates circumferential grooves and full depth 3D siping to keep your tires on the road where they belong. These elements also offer great light winter traction.
Other nice features include:
Enduraguard design for a stable, smooth ride even on uneven surfaces.
Snow Claw tread elements deliver for snow-on-snow grip.
Fuel efficient tread compound formula makes this an excellent highway-terrain option.
Wear Square allows for easy maintenance and tread life checks.
The Cooper Discoverer HTP II includes a 55-65,000 mile tread warranty based on size.
BEST PASSENGER CAR RAIN TIRES
Passenger cars cover a range of vehicle types, including sedan, crossovers, and performance models. Contrary to popular belief, larger vehicles (even those with 4x4 capability) do not inherently perform better in the rain – your tire’s contact with the road is what matters most. Stopping ability comes from your tires, not your drive train or frame.
(Check out our blog on what wheel drive is best in snow if you’re curious)!
Best Sedan Rain Tires
For your typical four door sedan, the best tires for rain tend to have sportier treads and features. This is because performance-oriented tires often focus on maintaining high levels of traction in wet conditions in order to achieve elevated levels of driving.
If you have a four door sedan (such as a Honda Civic), we recommend the Continental ControlContact Tour M A/S. Combining all-season, touring, and performance-oriented features, it delivers a wonderful blend of premium control, treadlife, and traction. It is consistently one of our highest rated tires by customers and frequently bought again when replacement time rolls around.
Other great features include:
Eco Plus Technology and +Silane additives boost grip on slippery roads and reduce stopping distances.
Traction grooves in the optimized tread design allow for increased wet, dry, and light snow handling.
Continental’s Eco Plus Technology with Tg-F polymers improve tire wear and fuel efficiency.
Even treadwear and extended treadlife via a uniform pressure distribution design.
This tire is also EV compatible and includes a huge 70-80,000-mile treadwear warranty.
Best Crossover Rain Tires
Crossovers, or CUVs, are the most popular car category in the United States thanks to their happy blend of space and efficiency. Some drivers feel that, due to a crossover’s increased ground clearance, better visibility, and all-wheel drive (AWD) options in some trims, crossovers perform better than a traditional sedan in rainy conditions. America's Tire cannot verify if this is correct.
However, even if that’s true it does not mean you should not be prepared with the right tires and safe driving habits. Accidents can and do happen, regardless of driver experience or vehicle capability.
We recommend the Yokohama YK-CTX for your crossover (such as the Toyota RAV4). The YK-CTX is an America's Tire exclusive option with a loyal following – and for good reason! High-end performance, all-season dependability and amazing value come in one handy package.
The YK-CTX’s tread compound includes micro silica to help it keep flexible at a wide range of temperatures, which is handy when things cool off during a rainstorm. Plus, pass-through grooves and four wide circumferential grooves channel water away to help avoid hydroplaning.
Other must-know features include:
Combination of 2D and 3D interlocking sipes for light snow traction, specifically in loose powder snow.
Five-pitch block variation tread design for limited road noise.
Wide shoulder blocks and semi-solid center rib for snappy steering and confident highway maneuvering.
Optimized tread contour for smooth driving experience and enhanced steering response.
Yokohama backs this tire up with a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty.
Best Performance Rain Tires
Performance vehicle tires are designed for spirited, high level driving. However, you should check your original equipment tires (if still equipped or if you bought the same ones as replacement) to make sure they’re optimized for wet weather as some may not be. Even if they offer wet weather handling, they may not be designed for harsh wet conditions, such as monsoons or flooding.
We recommend using Treadwell, our personalized tire guide to verify and compare tire options in less than a minute for you and your ride. Whether you have a Mazda 3 Hatchback or the Audi A5 Quattro, it can find the best tires for you.
It can be easy to “overdo” even a simple grocery run in your performance vehicle due to the power and pep this vehicle category can wield. Making sure you have tires that are prepared for the worst is how you keep you and your vehicle safe.
But performance drivers have high expectations for their tires, so what’s the solution?
Our recommendation? The Continental Control Contact Sport SRS+. This performance all-season tire is dependable, thrilling, and luxuriously comfortable. This tire offers everything and sacrifices nothing, from its one-two punch responsive ultra-high performance and reliable all-season grip, rain, snow, or shine. Fans of the original SRS model of this tire will be impressed with the improvements, too.
Features include:
+Silane tread compound keeps tread flexible in cooler temperatures and increases traction on wet streets.
A controlled linear feel with a wide semi-solid center rib.
Stellar cornering control and steering via wide outer shoulder blocks.
Four wide circumferential grooves allow for hydrophobic grip in wet conditions.
Two-ply reinforced sidewall for quicker maneuverability than previous iterations.
Easy-to-read wear indicators make safety checks a breeze.
Unlike many performance-oriented tires, the Control Contact Sport SRS+ includes a handsome 50,000-mile treadwear warranty.
Ready to roll?
Don’t get bogged down with making the right tire choice for you and your vehicle. If rainy weather is your reality, then hopefully our recommendations give you a good jumping off point for your next tire purchase.
But if you’re still not sure, give us a ring or drop in. We’ll help you get the best possible option (and price) for you and your vehicle.
Walk-ins are always welcome but we encourage you to buy and make your appointment online first. Customers who buy and book online wait less time in-store!
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