I am not found of gatorskins myself. For flat resistance and pretty good grip when I was in the rain I like the Panaracer RibMo's (i think 700x35 is the largest). I am moving back towards comfort so I am going to try some Soma's Supple Vitesse EX's and Rene Hearse's.
For flats, you need to make sure you don't ride over glass. If you use tubes, use tire talc in the tire and on the tube. Or go tubeless.