In an anti-skid device for vehicle wheels the tread network is formed by components (5) made of rubber or plastic and chain strand sections (3,4) mutually connecting the latter. The components (5) consists of longitudinal pieces (10 and 11) substantially aligned with the chain strand sections (3,4) arranged in the region of the shoulders of a tire fitted onto a vehicle wheel and X-shaped distance elements (12) retaining said longitudinal pieces at a mutual distance. The longitudinal pieces (10,11) are equipped with spikes (7) in the region of projections (6) of high relief construction.