Once the tires that came with your truck wear out, it can be difficult to find a fitting replacement. There are hundreds of brands, and each has hundreds of models—how do you know which one is the best?
We’ve put together this quick guide to help you explore the best tires for Chevy Silverado 1500 trucks. Hopefully, one or two of them will be your perfect match.
The best tires for Chevy Silverado 1500 trucks are:
What Type of Tire Do I Get?
Vehicle Compatibility
The Chevy Silverado 1500 is a sleek pickup truck that’s tough without being too robust. It may not be the most compact truck in the world and is quite heavy-duty compared to some others, but it counts as “light” as far as tires are concerned.
Any tires designated for light trucks and SUVs work well on the Chevy Silverado 1500, according to owners and tire experts. You can also pick tires made for heavy-duty trucks, but the lighter the tire, the better the ergonomics will likely be. Lighter tires also lead to a smoother and quieter ride if you select the right ones.
Terrain
If you know for a fact that you’ll never be off-road or on any kind of more challenging terrain, then you can choose any tire you like. Highway (H/T) tires are a solid choice, or perhaps highway luxury (H/L) if you want something really smooth.
Though generally, most Silverado owners opt for touring or performance tires as they’re more versatile on different roads.
All-terrain (A/T) tires are also a popular choice, as sometimes off-roading is inevitable. The downside of AT tires is that sometimes they can get loud on normal roads, but some premium brands do their best to minimize road noise.
The Chevy Silverado 1500 is also one of the more noise-canceling trucks on the market. They don’t cancel out the noise as well as some luxury vehicle brands, but they do a fantastic job compared to some direct competitors.
Season
The convenient choice for most drivers is all-season tires. That way, you don’t have to change out your tires once it gets a bit cold, and you can crunch through snow and ice with ease.
All-terrain tires work well in winter if you get the right ones—but not for severe conditions. Some tires can handle up to 10 inches of snow, where others can only tackle 2, maybe 3 inches if you’re lucky.
That’s why, if you live in an extremely snowy area, we recommend investing in some winter tires. You could get both all-terrain and winter tires and swap them out, but if it’s a predominantly snowy place like Alaska, you’d be better off with having winter tires all year round.
The Bridgestone Blizzak W965 Winter Radial Tire is a solid winter tire we’re reviewing for you, for those of you who need it.
What To Look For in the Best Tires for the Chevy Silverado 1500 Truck
Once you nail down what type of tires you want, now we should examine the attributes they should have to ensure a comfortable ride.
Noise
All tires will have some kind of noise, but the quieter the tires, the better. Quieter tires don’t lead to better performance or anything of the sort, it leads to a more comfortable ride for you.
The Chevy Silverado 1500 does its best to be quiet and dampen the sound of that powerful engine. Don’t let the tires ruin the attempt. Opt for something with a comfortable level of noise that doesn’t roar or screech, and you’ll have a more enjoyable experience.
Thankfully all the tires we’re reviewing today do their best to be quiet, including the winter and all-terrain ones, which are usually the loudest.
Handling and Performance
Drivers say that the Chevy Silverado 1500 handles beautifully—so get tires that match. If the handling is difficult, slow, or the tires’ reactions slow down on different terrain, consider looking elsewhere unless you’re used to this.
All tires have a learning curve as you break them in and learn how they respond. Still, it’s best to go with some that handle and perform relatively the same as the tires you’ve had in the past. Going from no braking distances to huge ones can be a steep learning curve. The switch from highly obedient, swift tires to worse ones is also tricky.
Look for comfortable and easy handling paired with a solid performance, and you’ll have the best experience possible. If you’re used to something more difficult to control, then consider a brand with less highly-praised handling to match what you’ve already had—unless you want a change, that is.
Traction
You want tires that feel roughly the same on dry roads, wet roads, and snow. It’s only natural to feel slightly less traction on snow and ice, but so long as you never feel unsafe, then you’re good to go in the traction department.
Grippy wheels are excellent for this, especially if they have sipes or contain silica compounds in their rubber. Michelin often uses silica, so if that’s something you feel strongly about, then go with one of our Michelin picks.
The rest of the time, just ensure you’re satisfied with other drivers’ reports on traction, and you shouldn’t have too much trouble.
Snow and Ice Performance
When dealing with snow and ice performance on all-terrain and all-season tires, look for the ones that people say are the grippiest and can handle the most snow.
Tires that can handle deep snow have a better chance of performing well if a blizzard or heavy snowfall hits your area. As uncommon as it may be where you live, it’s always better to be prepared than to be stuck indoors when a thick blanket of snow falls.
Also, be sure to see how much snow and ice your winter tires can handle if you choose to acquire a seasonal tire. You’d be surprised to know that they can’t all deal with deep snow and thick ice.
Reviews of Best Tires for Chevy Silverado 1500 Trucks
Our Overview
We’re starting off with a popular tire from the most premium brand we know. Suitable for light trucks, SUVs, and crossovers, the Michelin LTX performs well on dry, wet, and snowy ground.
The tires come with a whopping 70,000-mile treadwear warranty, although customers say they last for at least 80,000, which is excellent—but you can’t expect less from a premium brand like Michelin.
Some of the best customer feedback describes these tires as worth the investment, especially for Silverado models, and that tread life is one reason why they’re so fantastic. One user compared them to another brand on a Silverado LTZ Z71, which rotted in under 30,000 miles.
Part of what helps the LTX tires hold up is the silica compound in the wheels, which not only extends tread life but enhances grip on all terrains. Some users still opted to switch out their tires in winter, where other users decided to switch to these tires in winter as they have a “bigger bite”.
Even with that big bite, users found the driving experience comfortable and stated that the handling was made easier by the LTX tires. They’re also quiet but get a little louder as the treadwear breaks down—for some users, that was at 100,000 miles.
Customers say they’re definitely worth the price, although the price is what most people who dislike the tires complain about. Nay-sayers don’t complain about the tires’ performance or give any indication that anything was wrong, but they really, really do not like that price.
Still, you can’t expect to pay pennies for a premium product.
Pros:
- Fantastic traction on all road conditions.
- Silica compound boosts grip as well as tread life.
- Excellent, lengthy warranty.
- Quiet.
- Smooth handling.
- Users note they had a particularly outstanding performance on other Silverado models.
Cons:
- The price is too high for some people.
Our Overview
Here’s another premium-quality brand that people love. These tires are also all-season, and they’re highway tires, so they have enhanced comfort and as little noise as possible. Customers attest that the tires live up to these expectations.
Bridgestone’s manufacturers admit that these tires are more comfortable than some other Bridgestone models, but are functional alongside. For example, part of what the tires do is evacuate water as they glide along wet roads, thanks to the deep tread and the overall pattern.
The tires perform this function for the majority of, if not their entire tread life, which users say is about 70,000 miles. They’re under warranty for 50,000 of those miles, so you’re definitely getting your money’s worth with these.
Users note that the premium-level quality remains through the entire lifespan, and they remain easy to handle right up until it’s time to replace them.
The handling does decrease a little on snow, creating longer braking distances despite the tires being designed to have the smallest braking distances possible. Still, customers don’t feel any danger or sense of slippage and are still thoroughly impressed by the tires.
Overall, the Bridgestone Ecopia H/L tires work well on light trucks such as a Silverado 1500 for daily commutes and tasks and excel on the highway. They’re not made for off-roading at all, but when used on regular tarmac, you’re in for a smooth, quiet ride during any season.
Pros:
- Smooth ride.
- Easy handling.
- They function decently in winter.
- 50,000-mile treadwear warranty.
- They last a hefty 70,000 miles.
- More comfortable than other Bridgestone models.
Cons:
- Slightly increased braking distances in snow.
- Not great for off-roading.
Our Overview
Goodyear is a well-known brand that’s not generally regarded as premium but is well-trusted by its loyal customers. It’s no shock that it’s held in such high regard given the fantastic models it comes out with—like this all-terrain tire.
Truthfully this is more of an off-roading pick than an on-roading one, but it can work for both. What you’re getting with it is fantastic, thanks to the large, knobbly tread that can easily latch onto mud and snow.
Prowess in snow makes these tires a worthy winter pick, too, although you should always go with a tire made for winter if you can. These tires aren’t inapplicable for snow at all, though, and are three-peak mountain snowflake certified.
Once these are on your vehicle, you can expect impressive performance as the tires perform stably and quietly. Off-road tires often have a roar you can’t ignore, but angled center tread blocks help reduce it in this model.
In fact, there are lots of attributes that make the Wranglers more convenient for your Chevy. One is the self-cleaning shoulder blocks that make your maintenance easier. Then rim protector helps protect your wheels, too, so that’s a time and money saver.
Customers enjoy all of these features and find the tires great for all-around use. Not only do they perform aggressively in mud and dirt, but they offer a smooth ride on the highway while remaining quiet.
There’s only one area where users feel these tires don’t excel, and that’s with towing. Even with capable trucks like the Silverado, customers note that the tires feel unstable and lose traction with the increased weight load. Driving feels “sloppy”.
Pros:
- Large, knobbly tread.
- Self-cleaning and self-protecting.
- Quiet, for an off-road tire.
Cons:
- Sloppy driving when towing.
Our Overview
Here’s a set of highly affordable all-season tires covered in microgrooves to help you keep your grip on the road in all weathers. With biting edges and a wet traction compound, these tires are fantastic for your daily needs year-round.
Customers report that they handle well and provide impeccable comfort that they greatly enjoy. The comfort applies across all terrains and all seasons. Some customers state that wet and winter traction feel the same comfort and safety-wise for an all-around well-performing wheel.
While performing well the tires have a lengthy tread life of around 50,000 miles, sometimes just slightly under, according to customers.
A long life and excellent performance come at the cost of auditory comfort. Some users report that these tires create a semi-vibrating, rumbling noise when driving, despite the smooth performance. The noise gets louder at higher speeds.
If you can ignore road noise, then that’s fantastic; there are no obvious faults in the tires. Sadly, some drivers just can’t handle the sound.
Pros:
- Same traction in winter as there is on basic wet roads.
- Highly comfortable ride.
- Fantastic handling.
Cons:
- More road noise than some drivers can tolerate.
Our Overview
Here’s a set of tires for all your winter needs. With a zig-zag, sipe-laden tread pattern, these tires can easily cut through the snow while providing adequate traction. The biting edges also help with this.
Grip is further enhanced by a compound used on the tires that helps shed surface water on snow and ice, keeping you safer. The blocks of tread on the off-shoulder also help with stability and traction as it latches onto loose material to safely drive through it.
Now, the tires aren’t good for anything other than winter use, though they can handle some mud and slush as the rain comes and washes the snow away. As soon as the icy season is over, you should take these tires off and replace them with your regular tires.
Several customers report that using these tires outside of the snowy season wrecks them, killing them off after only about 5,000 miles. Customers who only used the tires in the snow got around 40,000 miles out of them before needing to replace them. That’s about the same as an all-season tire.
One user even reports that driving in warmer weather caused the sidewall to split, so you’d really better be careful with these. When used correctly, they’re highly durable, and customers state they find a lot of value in these.
Despite the hardship that snow and ice bring, the tires provide a smooth ride on all vehicles. Customers found them fantastic for large jeeps and mid-size pickups, making them a prime pick for the Chevy Silverado 1500.
Pros:
- Splendid performance on ice and snow.
- Long-lasting.
- Highly durable when used correctly.
Cons:
- Wear out quickly when used in warmer weather.
The Silver Tire
The best tires for Chevy Silverado 1500 trucks are the Michelin LTX M/S All Season Radial Tire. It’s the one people have virtually no complaints about; it has an immensely impressive tread life, and there are some all-around positive attributes that make it fantastic.
If you need a dedicated winter tire, then the Bridgestone Blizzak W965 Winter Radial Tire is definitely one to pick. While Goodyear’s off-roading tire is also a worthy choice, you just can’t beat one that’s designed for use in snow.