What kind of tyres should I buy? Types of Tyres There are three distinct categories of tyres: 1. Winter tyres have tread patterns that are specially designed to bite into snow and ice. They’re made from softer rubber than normal tyres and they stay more flexible in cold weather. This means the tyre can grip the road better in snow or icy conditions. Winter tyres are labelled ‘MS’ or ‘M& S’ (Mud and Snow) with the alpine symbol as shown in Figure 1. 2. Summer tyres are most commonly used in Ireland. This does not mean that they are for use during the summer only—it’s merely the term used to separate them from winter tyres in countries where there is a practical need and sometimes a legal requirement to fit winter tyres. 3. All-season tyres are a cross between summer and winter tyres and are designed to cope with all sorts of conditions, including dry roads and rain. They are not specially designed for any one kind of weather condition. All-season tyres carry the marking MS or M& S (Mud and Snow) but without the alpine symbol.