Touring - 700c tires for loaded bikes

Am looking for some tires for my recently purchased 1991 Miyata 1000 LT. It's currently got 700c x 45 very knobby Ritchey tires on it. I'm used to riding w/ 700c x 32 tires but am wondering what tires/brands would be best for a fully loaded bike. I don't plan to ride off road but I'm sure I'll encounter the occasional dirt road and certainly bumpy pavement and road debris. I've got some conti gatorskins on my 27 x 1.25 street bike but need some 700c recommendations for loaded touring. Thanks!

Some version of Schwalbe Marathons. If you are really concerned about durability, get the (heavy) Marathon Plus.

--J

I put 35mm 700c Marathon XRs on my LHT a couple years ago for a Baja tour. I liked them so much left them on and have used them for all my LHT rides ever since. When they wear out I'll put on another set. Great tires - they roll well, tough [zero flats], enough tread for some unpaved riding, but nothing excessive to slow you down on paved roads.

I'd also recommend Schwalbes. More specifically, the foldable Marathon Supremes . I have the (700c) 35 mm width. They're very tough, fairly light and not bad on dirt roads. I've accidentally ridden over a few rocks with my 100 lb. bike fully loaded. Still going strong. The cheapest I've seen them is at Niagara Cycle Works in Lewiston NY: 49.99 USD. www.niagaracycle.com (http://www.bikeforums.net/www.niagaracycle.com)

i had great luck with the continental ultra gator skin 700*28 on my cross country tour this year. got about 2500 miles before my first flat. changed them out after 2800 miles and ended up with a whopping two flats for the whole 4400 miles. i think they are less expensive and lighter than the schwalbes.