Snow socks ideally should be open faced, this is for two main reasons. Firstly when the sock face is covered (As many sock designs are...but none of ours), as snow is flicked inside the wheel, it is not possible for the snow to escape, therefore it builds up and can build up enough to push the sock from the wheel and come off, it can also build up and compact so that when the vehicle stops, the snow can freeze and lock the wheel from the inside.

Secondly, an open face sock allows the tyre and wheel to be serviced, so air can be pumped into the tyre and the wheel bolts may be removed whilst the sock is on. This is not possible when the wheel face is covered by the sock.