Generally Chicago winters are more slop than ice, but a couple of winters ago it was more ice than slop so I ran studs all winter and it was pretty nice when I hit icy patches! I loved the security. But the tires were knobbier and heavy and had quite a bit of drag relative to my usual. I ran them all winter, even when it was clear. It was definitely a trade-off, but I left them on because I don't like falling, and would do it again.