for snow and ice, the sidewalls being stiffer makes the tires less grippy. my dunlop grapics are on their second winter and going strong....everytime I switch from the summers to them, it feels like I'm riding on air....star specs for the summer aren't for the weak heartedYes, Dunlap Grippens I think I had before my Pirelli Scorpions. I sold the Grippens with the car and wasn't sure I'd need that size. I'm not doubting the Pirellis that I have now. Very deep channels yet responsive as the sidewall must be stiff. I don't know as much as I should about them, but I'll be storing them after the weather looks better.