Sipes are the small slits you see in the tire tread and their job is to provide grip in winter and wet conditions
Sipes were invented in 1923 by a slaughterhouse worker named John F. Sipe. John grew tired of his smooth rubber-soled shoes slipping on the wet floor, so using a sharp knife, he cut a series of thin grooves in the rubber of his shoes and found much better traction.
The more sipes a tire has, the better it is in wet and wintery conditions. But here's a tradeoff in handling, because the tread-blocks squirm on dry roads during cornering, braking, and acceleration.
Most manufacturers only go 1/3 depth on sipes, so the tire looks great when it's new. Like the General RT43 tires in this picture.
At 30% worn, the tire sipes are disappearing - At 70% the sipes have almost gone!
This is true fo all manufacturers, except Michelin and BFGoodrich, who's tire sipes go full depth, using interlocking and 3D technology that doesn't compromise handling.
Check out our favorite BFGoodrich Advantage tires -- At 70% worn, the sipes are still there and you've still got biting edges to handle the weather.
For independent advice, good tires, quality service, and a comfortable place to wait shop local. At Kenwood Tire we're here to get you back on the road with a minimum of fuss.
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