New Subaru Outback -- Winter tires?

my daughter spent last winter in her new impreza, 400 mile round trip weekends from boston to the catskills and back. she didn't have any trouble with the oems a/s tires, but drives conservatively.

 

Speaking of daughters, lol: our daughter's got Nordman WR SUV tires on her Pilot. They've got the mountain/snowflake symbol, described as an "all-weather" tire, something you'd leave on year 'round, as opposed to doing snow tire swaps.

I've driven it a few times and they're uneventful, which is good I think. They're actually a Nokian tire, their budget line of all-weather tires, if I'm not mistaken. A pricier alternative is the Nokian WRG3 SUV. Up here Kal Tire is the main (and maybe only?) source for Nokian, not sure regarding availability in the States.

Tires | Car, Mini-Van, Cross-Over, Truck & SUV Tires

 

Not sure which trim it has, but, assuming that it has 225/65/R17 (check that your tire specs match first):

My #1 recommendation would be:
Set of four Nokian Hakka R3 Studless, $661.21, free shipping
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 SUV 225/65R17XL 106R BSW (4 Tires) 6419440302768 | eBay

 

The OEM all-seasons, especially ones fitted on SUV's, will be on their "best behaviour" for the first winter at least.

OTOH, if you go for snows, check with dealerships, maybe they have some fall package offerings, compatible steel Subaru rims with snow tires.

Our son got a Mazda CX5 last summer, and in fall local Mazda dealers were all offering such packages. Of course he didn't go for it, but I believe he will this coming fall; after his wife mentioned the Mazda steel rims didn't look half-bad.

Interestingly, with Mazda TPMS sensors: 10 minutes of steady driving within some parameters, and the car will automatically detect and adjust to the new sensors. Maybe Subaru is similar?

 

I'd still go with the Autosocks. You have one of the best AWD systems available on the Outback, and that is about as good with all seasons as FWD with snow tires.
If two sets of socks are needed with the AWD, it will be less than half as much as a set of wheels and tires. Still have TPMS, and they lay flat in the cargo area.

 

How big is your OEM wheel? I suggest Xice3 for Prius hands down, but I don't know if that is the best choice for AWD SUV or not. I think there is different Xice for SUV and Truck, but they are more expensive than the passenger car version. Yes, it can get very expensive to outfit big wheels with big tires. I recently purchased Pathfinder AWD SUV. It came with OEM 20 inch wheels. If I keep the OEM size, wheels and tires will cost at least $1500 without TPMS. Even if I go without separate rims and just buy tires, would be about $800 with the installation. Plus at the OEM size, there are very few winter tires to choose from. Tirerack list only two in that size. I could go with smaller rim and tire down to 17 inches which will bring the cost down some but still more than $1000 without TPMS. I am leaning toward saving money and keep the OEM tires for a couple of winters. I have done this many times with my passenger cars. With new tires while more than 6/32 inch of tread, I can manage winter driving without too much trouble. After OEM all season tires are down to 5/32 or below, I will change them with all-weather tires like Good Year ASSURANCE WEATHERREADY.