From what I hear the "sticky" nitto isn't so much meant to have a softer compound but to be more chip resistant and the side effect is they're a bit softer. I think just about every generation of the K-specs is different in compound and construction. I have run the DOT 40's hard in sharp rocks prerunning KOH and they did throw some chips here and there but that's the tradeoff for a DOT tire. Those same tires are living the easy life now on our '99 K2500 as a daily driver now and they're fine. They really respond well to low pressures and are tough enough to take it. Places I would run 18psi on a MTR we run the nittos closer to 12.