Schwalbe Durano plus in 25 or 28 .... beats the crap out of Gators.... and much much better Gator Harshell, and they grip well in the wet and dry (Gators are very bad for wet and you will crash)...
and they roll better. Gators feel like hosepipes
Durano Plus have the Schwalbe puncture resistance of 6 (same as Marathon Plus, and according to Schwalbe, there is no other road racing tyre that offers the same puncture resistance) .... many people buy Gators because their LBS stock them because the LBS makes more profit on Gators than Durano Plus
this my my tire choice for winter in 25's
in summer, I use Continental Grand Prix 4000S II
I have never used Duranos, and wonder about their use on a loaded bike, but given that I have used and ridden Gatorskins for years in the wet and have yet to crash, loaded, half loaded and unloaded, I question your statement.