Each to their own I suppose as I get what your saying Klaus. Though I rode an On one with floaters on some singletrack that was a bit wet, not too much and I thought they sucked big time, they were skittering everywhere. Real unnerving in the front. So definitely not my style. I like my Nates and the last two years I haven't even put the Larry or Endomorph back on for the summer. I like the Larry and Endo for the beach and rocks.
As I said, each to their own, and you ride a good bit harder and faster than me, I more tool around in the mountains but do find the Nates good allrounders and am also assured of the front sticking whether rock or mud etc.
I must say that one of the nicest confidence inspiring tyres I have is the Dirt Wizards on the 1X1, they seem to roll well, stick like poo to a blanket and wear OK to boot. Though I have heard some people on another forum who run the 29'er version complaining bitterly about them.
All my tyres are the cheaper 27tpi versions as well, so heavier than the more expensive higher tpi versions. Weight is not really a priority saving on my steel Pugsley with large Marge rims. Though I did recently buy a set of Rolling Darryl rims to build up this winter. I weighed both and there is a difference between the two of about 70 grams from memory, a bit strange. They feel a lot lighter than the large Marges anyway.
Jamie