NorCalDiscoII said:
In most places you are required to carry chains, regardless of what you're driving or what kind of tires you have...
I'm not sure what you mean by "most places". I've lived in a number of snowy states, VT, NH, OH, NJ, WI, plus mountains of VA. None of those places required carrying chains, even though I usually did.
Many areas allow some winter rated tires in leu of chains now, but they have to have the little mountain/snowflake emblem on them. Like the Nokian Hakka's.
One thing to keep in mind with chains, don't count on them for stopping better. If your tire stops rotating without chain between it and the road, you can still slide. It's not as likely with the diamond pattern chains however.
Another thing is that the colder it is (once you're below the point where ice forms on the road), the less the need for chains. You're more likely to skid on ice at 25 degrees F than at -25.
For off-roading, chains can be a godsend. For on road, I'd sooner buy a set of Nokian Winter tires.