I've never tried folding bike tires before, and I really am very impressed! This makes it very easy to carry spares, and while I thought they might be more difficult to install, in a way they're actually easier. Because they are not completely pre-formed into a shape like a regular tire, you just have to use a little bit different technique, but it really doesn't take any longer. By the way, these are directional tires, and there is a rotation direction indicated on the sidewall.I've ridden these on pavement and dirt, and they do get a very good grip. Braking is definitely improved over my old tires. My riding is mainly on pavement, fairly smooth packed dirt paths, and beach bike paths that have occasional patches of sand, and on those they perform very well.