Continental X-kings?

I'm planning a few days of bikepacking in december, in big bend texas, and the tires I have on my bike right now (WTB Vigilante's) are a bit on the worn side, and it bit knobbier than I think I need, so I thought I'd pick up some new tires. Has anyone used the conti x-kings? they look pretty decent, but I've never ridden their mtn bike tires before, though I like their road tires.

Also, I use tubes, is there any reason to not get a wire bead tire? My vigilante's are tubeless compatible and they're a pita to seat the bead on the rim.