siped

Siped refers to a tire tread feature designed to improve traction, particularly on wet or icy surfaces. It consists of small, thin slits cut into the tread blocks of a tire. These sipes are not full grooves; instead, they are shallow cuts that create additional biting edges.

The primary function of sipes is to increase the number of edges that can contact the road surface. When a tire with sipes rolls, these tiny slits open up, providing more points of contact with the road. This enhanced contact is especially beneficial in reducing hydroplaning by allowing water to be channeled away from the tire's contact patch. On snow and ice, the sipes act like tiny claws, digging into the surface to provide grip.

The presence and design of sipes are often a key differentiator between all-season tires and summer tires. All-season tires typically feature a higher density and more aggressive siping pattern to handle a wider range of conditions. Summer tires, designed for optimal performance in dry and warm conditions, may have fewer or no sipes. The number, depth, and pattern of sipes can vary significantly among tire manufacturers and models, influencing the tire's overall performance characteristics.