I went OEM size

 

Because it's more narrow.

 

I've found that the OEM sizing usually works great for snow driving and still decent for dry roads during the winter. Going 10mm narrower really doesn't help that much and the stock size is already narrow enough since most snow tires are molded narrower with rounded treadblocks compared to the square shouldered dedicated summer tires. In the end just switching to dedicated snows makes the biggest difference of all, rest is a minor change in snow traction. It has to be some really deep snow for a wider snow tire to actually lose grip, maybe once it starts getting below half tread depth it would be more of an issue.

 

I ran 215 wide when I went though a blizzard and stayed up north for 3 weeks. The blizzaks hooked like a wet dream. Why spend the money on wider and more expensive rubber when you can have solid performance on a skinny snow tire? Also the compound is so soft that when you do get on dry pavement there is no issue with traction. They are a poor mans drag radial during the summer.

 

I run 225/45/18.......and I will outlaunch any 265 shod snow tire any day of the week, studs or no studs.

It's a fair difference to the 275 I run in the summer.

 

Every little bit narrowing the tire can help aid in winter traction. We've found a 235/40-18 works well diameter, wheel fitment and load wise.