ok, you somewhat saved yourself with this clarification and I think it is a good convo for mtb tires.
Yes, it is/can be confusing and I can see how it may lead to paralysis by analysis. To confuse it even more, every tire manufacturer uses there own terminology.
Without really knowing you, I would say that any XC tire will meet your needs, but lets dig further:
Sidewalls:
What this really means is sidewall protections, yes, different tire brands do have different suppleness and it is kinda related to level of protection but at the same time it isn't.
Most XC tires have very limited sidewall protection to save weight. Most trail tires have more, like Maxxis EXO, Similar to Specialized GRID, then Maxxis EXO plus (even more) and then DH has more, like Maxxis double down. If you find yourself getting flats alot, then bump up to the next level from where you are at or add a liner (which essentially bumps you to the next level). I ride some fast tech stuff and I don't find that I need EXOplus.
Compound:
This is where it gets really confusing. XC tires will have the hardest tread of all of the tires to maximize speed/rolling resistance, however has the least amount of grip. Here is a quick guide from Spec and Maxxis:
Spec:
T5: XC, relatively hard, if you run too high of a pressure, it will slip off weird angle rocks but it will last a long time.
T7: Trail, potentially different compounds for center and cornering knobs, best all around tread for all conditions. Will be better at gripping weird angle rocks and cornering confidence will be greatly increased but you have a slight tax in more rolling resistance.
T9: Even more grippy, wet weather or DH compound. Cornering and braking will be greatly increased yet rolling resistance is even more.
Maxxis
Maxxspeed, similar to T5
Dual compound: their generic compound that is available for most of there tires, good all around grip/speed
3C MaxxTerra, multiple compounds to maintaining rolling resistance but also have good cornering and braking. Similar to T7 but better. This is my preferred combound from Maxxis.
MaxxGrip: similar to T9, these freaking things are slow but you will corner really really well.
or read this:
https://thelostco.com/blogs/blog/ma...VrZhAA6cNWmAbv_oN1gO8YDWEYbZIg6IXS5m-6p_cW4tt
