Just my 2 cents here. I tour and ride locally with a Surly LHT. I live in the country about 4 miles off of pavement on gravel roads. Moderate goat head country, but my tours have taken me into some regions with greater puncture pressure. Began with the new LHT and the Continental contacts that came with it. Got about 2500 miles on the contacts and could have gone further, but on an 1100 mile tour through Western Nebraska, eastern WY and the Black Hills of SD, I had 5 flats. I replaced those tires with Armadillo Nimbus. I have around 4000 miles on them, with one flat (tire wire). On a recent tour of over 1000 miles, no flats. They don't feel heavy, although I don't feel I'm a great judge of that with the LHT being my ride of choice. I don't notice much drag or rolling resistance difference from the stock tires. When I replace this set, it will probably be with another pair of the same.