I started running studded tires recently (experience, as the saying goes, gave me the test before the lesson...).

I'm thinking my general purpose bike - a mid-range cross bike with 2x10 105 and rim brakes - could use a second set of wheels. Makes for quick changes, and spares my expensive Velocity / 105 wheels from the slush and salt.

Tires are 700x35 Schwalbe Marathon Supreme Winter. I'm looking at Sora 3500 hubs and Alex Adventurer rims (520g, stainless eyelets).

Looking at the Shimano tech docs, the Soras hubs seem to be sealed no worse (or perhaps that should be 'no better') than any of the higher-end loose ball hubs. Whatever I use will get marine grease.

I don't really care about weight - the weight of the Schwalbes makes caring about plus or minus a couple of ounces on the rims seem silly. I do care about price, while I won't actively abuse them these wheels will be somewhat sacrificial.

Any thoughts on this combo and its suitability?

Sounds good.

My experience has been that using a little anti-seize between the eyelets and the nipples keeps things nicer after a few salty winters, but grease does a passable job there too. I just would not leave those nipple wells dry.

Otherwise, filthy winter riding calls for a little more hub bearing servicing; but with a little TLC, they will serve you well.

Thanks for the tip. Now you mention it, I'm thinking I should use anti-seize as my spoke thread prep too.