What tyres are best in the rain?

Here in the UK, we’re seeing more rain than ever before. On average, we get at least 1mm of rain for 156 days of the year – so 43% of the time we’re driving on wet roads! It’s therefore understandable that you might be searching for what tyres are best in the rain. In fact, choosing tyres that have good wet grip is essential if you live in the UK.

Best tyres for UK climate

So why are we getting so much rain; the answer quite simply is down to climate change.

Unfortunately most of us have already experienced the effects of climate change in the UK. We’re getting warmer, wetter winters and more frequent extreme weather events such as torrential rain and flooding.

Rain and wet roads have a huge impact on road safety; Highways England warned drivers that “When it Rains, it Kills” after sharing statistics which showed people are 30 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured on the roads in rain than in snow.

The dangers of wet roads are due to a number of factors, one of the most important being how surface water impacts tyre grip, increasing stopping distances and the risk of aquaplaning.

Choosing tyres specifically designed for wet weather will really help keep you safe. Rain tyres such as the Uniroyal RainSport 5 have inbuilt technology designed to channel away surface water giving you reliable grip on rainy roads.

Tyres with the best wet grip

Selecting tyres that have the best wet grip is made easier with the EU Tyre Label. Tyres which have an A-rating for wet grip have been proven to have the shortest stopping distances when tested on wet surfaces.

All tyres are rated from A-G on Wet Grip, Fuel Economy and Noise.

As wet grip is related to safety, it is arguably the most important factor to consider when looking for a new tyre. The wet grip rating does impact stopping distance with a G-rated tyre taking an extra 18 meters to stop on a wet surface than an A-rated tyre.

What is a safe tread depth for rain?

The amount of tread you have on your tyres has a dramatic effect on how much grip they provide, especially in wet conditions. As the grooves in your tread are designed to channel away surface water, as the tread wears down they get shallower and less effective. Having worn tyres impacts grip, handling and stopping distances.

When tested on wet roads at 50 mph, tyres worn down to the legal limit of 1.6mm take an extra 10 meters to stop when compared to new tyres. It’s therefore recommended to replace tyres with less than 3 mm of tread, especially if you’re driving in wet conditions.

You can check if your tyres have less than 3 mm of tread with a 20 pence coin. Simply insert the coin into the tread, if you’re able to see the band around the coin your tyres have less than 3 mm and will need to be replaced as soon as possible.

Rain Tyres

Rain tyres, also known as wet-weather tyres are a type of tyre specifically designed to provide optimal performance and safety in wet or rainy conditions. These tyres are engineered with several features that enable them to maintain grip on wet surfaces:

Tread Pattern Rain tyres have a tread pattern designed to disperse water away from the tyre’s contact patch. The grooves and channels in the tread allow water to be dispersed very quickly, preventing hydroplaning and maintaining contact between the tyre and the road surface.
Compound The rubber compound used in rain tyres is formulated to maintain flexibility and grip in wet conditions. It is often softer than the compound used in standard summer tyres, providing better traction on wet surfaces.
Wider Contact Patch Rain tyres may have a wider contact patch compared to standard tyres. This helps distribute the vehicle’s weight over a larger area, improving traction on wet surfaces.
Reduced Stiffness Rain tyres are often designed to be more supple than standard tyres. This allows them to conform better to the road surface, increasing the amount of rubber in contact with the road and improving traction.

Uniroyal Rain Tyres

Uniroyal rain tyres are a brand of award-winning premium tyre manufacturer Continental Tyres. Renowned for providing exceptional wet grip, Uniroyal are an excellent and popular choice for the UK weather conditions.

As you would expect from a product associated with Continental, Uniroyal rain tyres benefits from innovative design features and technology to ensure they deliver the best wet-grip possible.

The new RainSport 5 is made for exceptional performance on wet
roads, enhanced mileage and superior steering control – it’s the sporty
solution for compact, middle and upper-class vehicles including SUVs.

The Uniroyal RainSport 5

Reducing the risk of aqualplaning

For rain tyres to be effective, they must channel away surface water from the road as quickly as possible. The tyre tread features wider in-block grooves designed to disperse water rapidly away from the tyre which leads to increased wet grip and protection from aquaplaning.

Reinforced shoulders extend tyre life

The tyre compounds as well as tread design is developed so pressure is distributed evenly across the contact patch, which is the part of the tyre in contact with the road surface. This extends the life of the tyre and also helps lessen road noise. Stiffer tyre shoulders enhance this further.

Handling optimised base compound

The tyre tread features a stiffer base and specifically designed wide centre ribs with a reinforced shoulder; these ensure the rain tyre delivers reliable cornering stability and steering response giving you superior control in the wet.