Are studded tires really any better in the snow than full-on knobbies?

In snow... no.

On ice... absofreakinglutely.

Got lucky today as it rained almost all day save for the time we were riding to and from school but that did not save me from getting drenched thanks to Fedex... passed one of their trucks just as it hit a deep pothole and got a free shower.

They really do deliver.