Winter and Cyclocross tyres / tires

They dont have very aggresive tread, as the are designed for hard packed snow and ice (ie. what you find on roads). But this also means they offer a nicer ride then most studded tyres. Yet they still have a large number of, well placed, quality carbide tipped studds.

In deep softer snow, its the tread that gives traction, not the studds.

So far so good with my Marathon Winters and I've done well over 800 miles on them already. I've lost a few studs and in deep snow, as you mention, they aren't great. I find I tend to "snake" down hills, but I haven't fallen off (yet!), they do tend to slide and then bite. On roads with a thin covering of snow, or sheet ice they are great. And once you get them up to speed they are really pretty nippy. They are probably the best compromise for my route which starts out in the countryside (lots of snow) and ends in the suburbs (clear roads).