What's GoSoft?
Let’s introduce ourself, nice to meet you!
GoSoft is a brand that includes supplementary grip devices of textile construction, commonly called ‘snow socks’, intended to be fitted on the driving wheels of vehicles when tyres fail to provide grip on icy and snow-covered road surfaces.
Unlike classic supplementary-grip devices such as snow chains, the GoSoft snow socks are technical fabric covers wrapping the tyres and offering improved traction compared to summer tyres on snow and ice.
How do GoSoft devices work?
When summer tyres come into contact with a snow- or ice-covered road surface, they are unable to provide the necessary friction to ensure an acceptable level of safety while driving.
The lack of friction between summer tyres and the snow-covered road surface manifests itself in the difficulty in making even slight ascents, maintaining control of the vehicle when steering and stopping in the necessary spaces when braking.
The operating principle of GoSoft snow socks is based on the higher surface of contact and the subsequent friction created between snow flakes: this simple principle is the basis of GoSoft technology.
All this is possible thanks to FlowTex, the technical fabric from which the tread of GoSoft devices is made.
And do they really work?
Yes! And we would like to explain what you can expect from GoSoft devices.
The above graph is intended to provide a general representation of the performance of the different product types and does not refer to specific models which, depending on their individual characteristics and qualities, might perform differently.
GoSoft snow socks are designed to be installed on summer tyres, on which they offer better grip during both acceleration and braking.
Like all non-metallic textile devices certified according to the new European standard EN 16662-1:2020, GoSoft snow socks are designed to overcome slopes of up to 13%.
In fact, this standard has enabled textile devices that meet its requirements to become part of the list of valid products for meeting winter equipment requirements. At the same time, textile devices do not offer the performance and resistance of metal devices (snow chains), but are an optimal solution for meeting the winter equipment obligation.
Therefore, they are not a suitable product for those who face mountainous areas, where snowfall is more frequent and abundant and especially slopes are more pronounced, both uphill and downhill.
How are GoSoft snow socks fitted?
Easier to do than to describe
Fit the upper part of the wheel
Move the car up to make 1/2 wheel rotation
Fit the remaining part of the wheel
Are they a legal alternative to snow chains?
Although snow chains remain the product par excellence within the segment of the supplementary grip devices, the new European EN 16662-1:2020 authorises the sale and use of GoSoft approved snow socks.
Thanks to the introduction of this new standard in the legislative systems of all EU member states (with the exception of Austria), it is in fact possible to carry a pair of GoSoft snow socks with you in your car in order to comply with the obligation to carry winter equipment on stretches of road marked by the classic road sign indicating the need for snow chains.
GoSoft devices are not only certified according to the new European standard EN 16662-1:2020 but also have additional approval O-Norm V5121:2021.
Find out which GoSoft is compatible with your needs
Just a few seconds with the GoSoft FitGuide
Select the tyre size of your vehicle
This search instead indicates the GoSoft snow sock size compatible with your tyre size only, the technical parameters of your vehicle and its wheel arch are not taken into account. If intend to you use this search, please check your vehicle’s owner’s manual before purchase to see if the manufacturer recommends the use of additional grip devices such as snow socks and snow chains on your tyre size.
