In short:

For Ukraine, especially where there's snow and ice in the winter, it's better to have separate winter and summer tires.

All-season tires are a compromise. They're convenient and save money and time, but always come with some safety tradeoffs.

Let's take a closer look.

All-season tires: pros and cons

Pros:

You don't need to go to the tire shop twice a year.

Buy one set of tires - immediate savings.

They're a good fit for those who don't drive much, mostly in the city.

Cons:

In the summer, they usually offer worse road holding than standard summer tires.

In winter, they're still weaker than true winter tires on snow and ice.

They wear out faster if you drive a lot.

All-season tires are an option for those who:

mild winters,

rare trips,

have a relaxed driving style,

and don't want to worry about them.

If you live, for example, where winters actually bring snow, ice, and uphill/downhill conditions, I wouldn't install all-season tires on your main car. Safety is more important than convenience.

Winter vs. Summer: Why They're Still the Best Option

Summer tires are designed to:

grip well in hot weather,

make less noise,

save fuel,

brake well on dry and wet pavement.

Winter tires:

soft at low temperatures,

grip snow and ice,

greatly reduce braking distances in cold weather.

A very simple rule:

If you experience snow/ice in winter and the temperature is below 7°C, you need winter tires.

Yes, two sets are an expense:

You either need rims for the second set,

somewhere to store the wheels,

tire service.

But in exchange, you get handling and braking, which isn't a matter of comfort, but of life and health.

Which tire brands to consider

If you're not going crazy on price but want decent quality for a reasonable price, here's a guide:

Strong brands (if you have the budget):

Michelin - very good, comfortable, quiet, but also expensive.

Continental - excellent handling and grip, especially on wet roads.

Goodyear - a solid balance of price and quality, decent all-season and winter tires.

Solid mid-range:

Nokian - strong in winter tires, making good tires for snowy climates.

Bridgestone - reliable, a bit stiffer, but durable.

Hankook - often the best value for money, especially for everyday driving.

Budget segment (but best to choose carefully):

Barum, Debica, Matador, Sava - subsidiary brands of major manufacturers. They're often better than completely unknown no-names.

If you drive lightly and quietly, you can get a good mid-range tire like Hankook, Nokian, or Goodyear.
If you drive a lot, fast, on highways, it makes sense to pay extra for Michelin or Continental.

So, what should you choose?

In short:

If you drive a lot, there's real snow and ice in the winter, and you want maximum safety →
buy separate winter and summer tires.

If you don't drive much, mostly around town, have mild winters, and don't like to worry about tires, consider high-quality all-season tires from a reputable brand (Goodyear, Michelin, Hankook, etc.).