The people at work like to laugh at me... since I started commuting to work in June, I had a rash of flat tires. So far, I've got 28 commutes under my belt and 10 flat tires... 3 of them in one night. Part of the problem is that I had a pinch flat that tore the tire and I didn't realize it for 3 flats (they would bulge through the tear and pop, but it was on the back and I didn't look close enough after re-inflating), but a large part of the issue is just my route. Potholed, lots of debris... this is what makes tire makers wake up at night in a cold sweat.
Previously, someone had put Kenda 700x23 ultra-light racing tires on my bike, for some reason. You don't have to look too close at me to realize that I'm no racer... but the shop did it anyway. My first step in finding a new tire was to try out some old 700x26 Kenda tires my father had lying around his shop. They already had a few thousand miles on them, but I was hoping to figure out if they solved the issue. No dice... I still got flats, although the wider tire meant fewer pinch-flats and let me know that the old Panasonic could at least go up to 700x26 (although the brakes don't have a quick-release on them, so it was a little tough getting the wheels on and off).
After shopping around, I went down to the LBS and bought a Specialized All Condition Armadillo. I figured I'd put one on and if I could put 100 miles on it without getting a flat, I'd buy another. Well, that week came and went and I was flat-less... so the front also got the Armadillo. And since that day, I've been spinning along, happy as can be. I've probably forgotten how to use my tire levers!
Yesterday I rode them in the rain for the first time as well... rock solid. During my Tire Quest, I also tried a Continental 700x23 (don't remember the exact line) and I always felt like the rear wheel was going to swing out from under me on turns when the road was wet... even a little. These practically feel like they're glued to the road. I didn't even bother to slow down more than normal on my 1.6 mile descent on my way to work.
The downside of these tires is that they are HEAVY. I'm no weight weenie, but I could tell the bike felt different with these on... I think they weigh in at about twice as much as the slightly larger 700x26 Kendas I took off! They're also very very stiff... so getting them on the rim can be a bit of a trial. They may have loosened up by now, with several hundred miles on them, but luckily I haven't had to find out as they haven't gone flat... which was the whole point.
Still, if you've had problems with flats on your ride or if you're using a road bike for city commuting and find yourself becoming very familiar with the local tire-salesperson (I started buying mine in packs of 10, which was really quite a deal), I think these are a great way to go.
