I was going to mention Rene Herse before I saw you mentioned them being too expensive. They are more than I was accustomed to paying for a tire. I took a chance anyway, and my Rat Trap Pass tires ride like a dream. I have not used them touring, so I don't know how they'd handle that situation, but I've been commuting on them since summer and they still seem to be going strong. I was reluctant to shell out the money the first time, but at this point, if one wears out, I'll happily buy it again. And I'm looking to fit something similar on my wife's bike. They ride extremely smoothly.