I think it depends on the manufacturer, and maybe just on the guys running the machine. They were almost undriveable in the wet for the first 30km or so. Now they're great. On dry pavement they would have been fine, but the combination of whatever release oil they use in the factory during the mould process and the cool wet weather we had last week was borderline scary.
Maybe it's the brand. They're Continentals, so they're not cheap and they review well. Most people wouldn't notice it in the dry. I took them out for the first time in a light, cold rain. It's a turbo motor, so that won't help, but I drive like a grandpa now. I was legitimately afraid to pull in front of oncoming traffic with what would normally be lots of space.
Well, not so much about snow tires, but low profile tires. One of my cars years ago, came with them and they were the most awful tires for even rain or light snow .....they slid all over the place for stops and we're only good for sunny days.
Low profile should mostly break your back - it has little to do with grip and if anything, *should* be grippier in summer because they are generally performance tires that wear faster and are supposed to grip in the corners. But yes, once the temps drop, they become hockey pucks. I look for summer or all season tires that are good in the wet - your big danger in the spring, summer and fall is aquaplaning or skidding in the wet. Dry performance is generally pretty close between tires. Then they are off in November, hopefully before they become hockey pucks.
How did the meetup occur?
... tired of the subject by then. 