It was my understanding that tall skinny tires were best in the desert.
check out
ihana.com ... those guys used their waffle boards and sand ladders a LOT. When you need em you need em. I think it's true though that most people will never need them and should not bother carrying them around... they're a tool for those who are frequently on rough/loose terrain in the middle of nowhere with no help. Weekend wheelers really probably don't need to bother with them, as they're likely in a convoy and can go home at the end of the day.