Remember the TRIX cereal commercial where it goes, "Silly rabbit, TRIX are for kids"?
Well, look at the review categories and figure out how ANY dedicated winter tire, let alone the top of the line winter tire - before studding - and then stud them and what do you get?
You get the "8". Dry handling is mushy, wet handling OK, rides fine, tread life as expected for the soft compound and studs are noisy. If you bought this tire considering those criteria YOU made a MASSIVE mistake.
I bought the "8" because I MIGHT have to travel in the winter in situations where I don't have the option to wait for fairer weather. On the several occasions I have actually used this tire, the experience has been outstanding. I have total confidence in this tire to augment my limited snow/ice driving abilities, since I now reside in the South - tidewater Virginia, but travel North when needed.
I must add that I have the tires mounted on spare rims and only use them when necessary.