Agreed.

My bike came with cheap Ritchey Tom slicks that wore out fast. After about six months, the rear wheel would get a flat each time I went out on a ride. While waiting for my Marathon Slicks to arrive, I purchased those tire liners (Mr. Tuffy) from the LBS and to my surprise, no flats for four more months! The tire was BALDING and I still didn't get a flat! My Marathon Slicks finally arrived but there was no need to change because the liners were doing just fine. Then one Sunday, it happened, I got one more flat and decided to discard those cheap Tom Slicks once and for all and put on Marathons. I kid you not, those Tom Slicks were so thin, the rear tire felt thinner than the Tuffy tire liner!

By the way, I now have the Tire liners on along with the Marathon Slicks for extra protection. The liners never wear out and you can use them forever.

I think my rear Marathon with tire liner will last 4K miles and then I'll simply rotate the tires for an additional 1K or more!