RH tires are expensive, for sure. They also are lovely to use, in my experience. I started with 26” x 2.3” Rat Trap Pass tires in extra light casing, which really transform every bike I’ve put them on (mine, and now also 4 friends’ vintage rigid steel MTBs converted to gravel/all-road use). I’m not sure I can think of “peer” products for those, since options for nice 26” tires are limited these days. I commute, train and bikepack with mine; I’ve run them with tubes & got flats occasionally, and tubeless with no flats I can remember; and I’ve not had any problems with torn sidewalls (but I do carry needle, thread and a Tyvek boot in my bikepacking kit).

I’ve also had entirely positive experiences with the 650b x 48mm Switchback Hill, also training and bikepacking. I have those in standard casing, from a friend who switched to 650b x 42 Babyshoe Pass because they fit his bike better. In these sizes/styles, I think there are more “peer” options, but I’m new to 650b and haven’t tried others so far. Anyway, our experiences with these has also been positive - they ride great, have held up well so far, and have been easy to set up tubeless.

I’ve just started using a set of 650b x 48mm Juniper Ridge tires for winter. RH claims that they’re not slower than the smooth tires, despite the knobs, and so far my experience is consistent with that, in terms of ride feel and also ride times.

Aside from aerodynamics - maybe - I really don’t feel like I’m giving anything up riding these tires anywhere I use a drop bar bike: I’m certainly more comfortable, probably more secure, and if I’m any slower - which I don’t know - I think the comfort and security more than make up for that.