my point was based off of personal experience and extensive research from when i use to do track days (motorcycle / cars) racing. slicks usually come with softer rubber compound and provides better grip due to full contact patch vs a treaded tires. think of treaded tires like nubs on mtb tires, it is suppose to disperse water when riding over wet surface. i dont know how different this applies to bicycle tires, but id assume the concept is the same.

slick tires should be pretty sticky once broken in. then again, it depends on how soft the rubber is and the condition of the weather. soft rubbers will become hard in cold condition and softer in warm/hot condition. thats why there is a difference between winter and summer tires.

obviously in wet/loose surface, any tires will not perform at 100%.