If you want trials tire like traction with a knobby try the Metzeler Unicross with the Tubliss. The Metz Unicross sidewalls are much softer than most knobby tires giving it a lot more flexibility to adhere to different surfaces. I have run at various pressures.

I have run trials tires for 9 years on my 01 GasGas XC300 and for 3 years on my 06 EC300, including the Michelin, Dunlop, IRC & Mitas radial trials tires. The Mitas was all around the best performer for me.

I have ridden the Metzeler/Tubliss for 1387 miles over 2+ years on my 06 EC300. I ran pressure down as low as 4 psi. I found 6 psi to be the sweet spot for traction and higher speed control. For comparison, I had the Mitas ET-01 trials tire on my 01 XC300 normally at 6.5 psi with a HD tube.

The most difficult conditions where I ride are mostly greasy, wet clay and occasional snow/ice. In same day, same location, back to back comparison riding between my 2 GasGas 300's. One with a Mitas trials tire and one with the Unicross this is what I found: On the greasy clay the Metzeler/Tubliss at 5-6 psi is very comparable to the Mitas at 6.5 psi. On glare ice, they both have difficulty hooking up. In deeper snow, the Metzeler has a clear advantage. In loose rock the Metzeler has a clear advantage. It pulls harder and straighter. On solid, exposed rock the Mitas had a slight advantage. In sand the Mitas has an advantage. Cornering clearly goes to the Metzeler. It is more stable and predictable in hard, leaned over cornering.

Tubliss pushes some knobbys close to the trials tire performance for sure. An MT-16 with Tubliss at 6 PSI is excellent as well. In pure rock though the trials rules and saves me a lot of $$ in trashed tires.

To offer an opinion on the original question. I agree the dunlop works great for the average competitor on a trials bike for roughly half the money of a Michelin . I could tell little difference between the two if any . I think Jeff Aaron won his last couple national championships with them and I will buy the dunlops again when I need another pair.

I run tubliss here, but find i have to use tires with reinforced sidewall to avoid sidewall cuts, like the mitas c18

I've had that problem with the Michelin X11's before. Even punched a small stick right through the side wall.
But in all fairness the tire was a few years old and showed signs of side wall cracking:D

Hey Xenia guy, do you know John Manly?

I do not know him