I've run BFG AT T/A, Nokian Hakka CS, and Vredestein Winter Comtracs.

The BFG and Vredesteins are very quiet when new, but get noisier as
they wear.

The Nokians are very VERY  noisy when new, but get substantially
quieter as they wear. So, don't worry about it. Just get some miles on
them.

On Sep 12, 2008, at 2:03 PM, Tom Buese wrote:

> I just got my new Hakka CS Mud & Snow All Season tires put on my
> westy this am, & the 1st thing I observed is how noisy they are
> compared to my old Michelin LTX Mud & Snow All Season tires, & I
> haven't even been on the freeway yet. The tread is much more
> aggressive, so hopefully they will be much better in the snow, but I
> thought I read that these were quiet tires?
>
> YMMV,
>
> Mr. BZ-whinewhinewhine
>
> On Sep 11, 2008, at 7:38 PM, Cullen Stewart wrote:
>
>> I have a set of General Altima's on my Jetta and have found them to
>> be
>> extremely loud going down the road. They are noticeably louder than
>> my Hakka
>> snows. My Westy on the other hand has Polar Trax snows on it year
>> round and
>> does fairly well for a car tire. They are quiet and I never get
>> stuck going
>> into sketchy campsites or muddy festival grounds.They have adequate
>> sidewall
>> strength and are rated at 1500lbs @ 35 PSI. and have seen over 20K
>> in 3
>> years.
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "azsun99" <azsun99@EARTHLINK.NET>
>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>> Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2008 8:12 PM
>> Subject: General Altimax RT
>>
>>
>>> yes, the one mentioned a few weeks ago, in size 205/70R14
>>> described as XL
>>> for Extra
>>> Load which I see is used on many tire sites interchangeably as
>>> Reinforced.
>>> Is anyone using this tire on a Westy or non-Westy, and do you have
>>> any
>>> comments?
>>>
>>> Jerry, in Outback, Arizona