Ideal 700c tire size for trekking/touring

[Stingray34]

What are your experiences with touring tires? What width is best for road use and some trails al la strade bianca? 32mm, 35mm, 37mm?

treaded, smooth or knobs or semi-knobbed (shoulders)? Brand? Personally, I really like Contis.

For Mrs new biciclo:

It has Conti Sport Contact 700x32.

 

[bc_hills]

What are your experiences with touring tires? What width is best for road use and some trails al la strade bianca? 32mm, 35mm, 37mm?

treaded, smooth or knobs or semi-knobbed (shoulders)? Brand? Personally, I really like Contis.

I've just put a pair of Ritchey Speedcross Pros on my road bike. They're 32c and I guess would best be described as semi-knobbed. I tend to mostly be on roughly paved to paved roads with some gravel and the occasional singletrack excursion. The 32c is big enough to be comfortable, and just barely big enough to hold on in dry conditions off pavement. I suppose I'd be better off with smooth tires for the road riding, but then I'd have to pass up getting off the beaten track.

I don't want bigger tires because I don't like they way they feel on pavement. It's all a matter of compromise I guess...

Incidentally, I think these Ritcheys are probably too soft and won't last long with all the pavement I ride.