[jyl]

I've had Nokian CS (or CQ? can't recall) all-weathers on the Vanagon, they have been excellent in dry and wet, pretty good in snow (as good as a 2WD Vanagon w/ open diff can be), and no unusual treadwear. Have high hopes for the Nokian WRG2, they happen to be low-rolling-resistance too, so popular w/ the eco-crowd. Tire Factory stores carry Nokians.

I think OR road surfaces look awful. Worse than CA and that is saying something. A lot of OR roads seem to be worn down in ruts, which I attribute to studded snow tires. Why we allow studs here is beyond me - most of the state doesn't get that much snow, this isn't upstate NY or Eastern Canada. Lately I've been seeing a flurry of resurfacing around Portland, which is welcome, except when you're stuck in the resultant traffic backup.