There’s little worse than being stood at the roadside, hands numb and rain falling, trying to repair a puncture. It’s why we’d recommend swapping your summer tyres for a pair of winter boots.

There’s no shortage of reliable tyres on the market and the best will see you roll through the winter months with *fingers crossed* few (if any) punctures, regardless of the debris that’s washed onto the roads at this time of year.

However, we think it’s not just a case of fitting the toughest tyres you can find. Sure, you’ll significantly reduce your chances of suffering from punctures, but the extra weight and lack of speed can’t take the enjoyment out of riding at a time of year when motivation may already be waning.

Instead, a growing number of tyres strike a balance between the puncture resistance, durability grip and speed that will make your winter miles roll by faster. They’ll often have a dual compound construction to balance a durable central section with grippy shoulders, and at least one puncture protection belt. Width is important, too, and we’d recommend a tyre which is at least 25mm wide in winter. A wider tyre can be run at a slightly lower pressure and you’ll be thankful of the improved comfort and contact patch with the road.

With that in mind, here are seven of the best winter training tyres. Got a favourite of your own? Tell us in the comments section below or on the forum.