Nobody wants to be the 2WD rental spun out sideways, blocking all of westbound I-70 in a storm. A little preparation avoids it. Here are the traction options that actually work and are easy to put on, plus how to pick and size them.
Our picks at a glance
Everything below, side by side:
The picks
AutoSock (larger fit) — the easy chain alternative
A textile “snow sock” that slips over your drive tires in minutes — no tensioning, no crawling under the car. CDOT-approved as an alternate traction device, it grips snow and ice, works with ABS and stability control, and stores tiny. Confirm the size for your tire.
- 𝗨𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗸 - only textile tire traction device for snow approved by USDOT across the US where chain laws exist. Made with an innovative grip for tires driving on snow and ice.
- 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁, 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 - outside webbing prevents snow impaction, enabling a self-centering, vibration-free and smooth ride after a quick and easy installation.
- 𝗡𝗼 𝗗𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝗺𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗸’𝘀 𝗧𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝘀 - works with electronic safety systems like ABS, ASR, ESC, ESP & TCS, etc. systems in the vehicle.
- 𝗥𝗲𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝗛𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 - strong, durable and tear resistant snow tire sleeves when following manufacturer use instructions.
- 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱, 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 - 20+ years of innovation and collaboration with car manufacturers. - meets or exceeds all performance, safety and durability requirements of any snow chain standard worldwide.
AutoSock (smaller fit)
The same easy-on textile traction in a size for smaller tires. Check your tire’s size code against the fitment chart before buying — a correct fit is what makes them work.
- 𝗨𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗸 - only textile tire traction device for snow approved by USDOT across the US where chain laws exist. Made with an innovative grip for tires driving on snow and ice.
- 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁, 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 - outside webbing prevents snow impaction, enabling a self-centering, vibration-free and smooth ride after a quick and easy installation.
- 𝗡𝗼 𝗗𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝗺𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗸’𝘀 𝗧𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝘀 - works with electronic safety systems like ABS, ASR, ESC, ESP & TCS, etc. systems in the vehicle.
- 𝗥𝗲𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝗛𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 - strong, durable and tear resistant snow tire sleeves when following manufacturer use instructions.
- 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱, 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 - 20+ years of innovation and collaboration with car manufacturers. - meets or exceeds all performance, safety and durability requirements of any snow chain standard worldwide.
Tire traction mats — for getting unstuck
Not for driving in a chain law, but the fastest way to free a stuck car: slide them under the drive tires and go. A smart companion to keep in the trunk alongside your chains or AutoSocks.
- Provides emergency traction for your tires in snow, ice, mud and sand. Works on all vehicles with summer, winter, or all-season tires.
- Comes with 2 reusable polypropylene solid and virtually indestructible traction mats.
- No installation required, making it hassle free, easier and safer to use than tire chains and snow chains.
- Each only 2.5 pounds and 36 inches long, allowing easy storage in your trunk or under your seat.
- Avoid the stress of shoveling, slipping and sliding, being stranded, or calling for a tow truck in emergency situations.
How to choose traction for I-70
- Know the two laws. A Traction Law requires snow tires, AWD/4WD, or a traction device with adequate tread. A Passenger Chain Law (the strictest) requires chains or an approved alternate on every vehicle. See our I-70 guide.
- AutoSocks vs. metal chains. Textile AutoSocks are far easier and faster to fit, quieter, and gentler on the car — and they’re CDOT-approved. Traditional metal chains offer maximum grip in deep snow and ice but are a hassle to install.
- Size to your tire. Both chains and AutoSocks come in sizes keyed to your tire’s code (e.g., 225/65R17). Check the fitment chart — the wrong size won’t work.
- Practice once, at home. Learn to fit them in your driveway, not on an icy shoulder in a whiteout. It takes five minutes when you’re not panicking.
- Traction mats are a supplement. They free a stuck car but aren’t a chain-law traction device for driving — carry both.
FAQ
Do I need chains to drive I-70 to the ski resorts?
When it’s snowing, often yes. CDOT activates a Traction Law (snow tires, AWD/4WD, or a traction device) and, in worse conditions, a Passenger Vehicle Chain Law requiring chains or an approved alternate on every vehicle. Carry a device, especially in a 2WD rental.
Are AutoSocks legal and approved in Colorado?
Yes — AutoSocks are an approved alternate traction device under Colorado’s chain law for passenger vehicles. They’re textile "snow socks" that meet traction-device requirements and are far easier to fit than metal chains. Always confirm current regulations.
AutoSocks or metal chains — which is better?
For most drivers on I-70, AutoSocks — they’re dramatically easier and faster to put on, quieter, and CDOT-approved. Metal chains give more grip in extreme deep snow and ice but are a hassle. If you just need to satisfy the chain law and keep moving, AutoSocks win on convenience.
What size chains or AutoSocks do I need?
They’re sized to your tire’s code (found on the tire sidewall, e.g., 225/65R17). Match it to the manufacturer’s fitment chart before buying — a correct size is essential for them to fit and work.
Do I need traction devices if I have AWD?
Under a Traction Law, AWD/4WD with adequate tread usually qualifies. But under the stricter Passenger Chain Law, every vehicle — including AWD — needs chains or an approved alternate. Carrying AutoSocks covers you either way.
How do I put on AutoSocks?
You pull the textile sock over the top of each drive tire, then roll the car forward to seat the rest — a couple of minutes per tire, no tools. Practice once at home so you can do it fast in bad weather.
Written by
Melissa
Melissa splits her year between Texas and Summit County, Colorado, where she has spent countless summers and winters hiking, skiing, fishing, and exploring the high country. She started Breckenmendations to help visitors make the most of Colorado's mountains with the gear, tips, and local know-how she wishes she'd had on her first trip up I-70.
Breckenmendations is written by locals who actually hike, ski, and explore Colorado — see how we pick what we recommend.