It's rather difficult to find accurate information on tire studs. Here's a good document covering the history, types, advantages, road wear, etc. associated with tire studs. It was prepared in 1999 for the Washington State Transporation Commission.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/research/rep...orts/471.1.pdf

js.

 

Woa... government issue. 79 pages.

 

Yes, but well worth the read for those of us considering studs.

This 1999 document is somewhat pro-stud, but a second document from 2002 is not. It's interesting to note that the 1999 document was authored by 4 people where-as the 2002 document is from a single person working for "GT Engineering" and not for the state. I have to wonder who funded this research report...

The 1999 document: http://public.mvlan.net/content/Jeep...20-%201999.pdf

The 2002 document: http://public.mvlan.net/content/Jeep...20-%202002.pdf

And here's another 2006 document that looks at pavement wear from studs: http://public.mvlan.net/content/Jeep...20-%202006.pdf

js.

 

BTW, the 2002 document mentions the Bridgestone/Firestone Blizzak - a studless winter tire - 98 times. I thought that was rather interesting... :-)

js.