No one can really tell you what to get, but l swapped out my stock Kenda Nevagals for the thick slicks. The 2 inch thick slicks mind you. The difference in rolling resistance is huge. They have exactly zero tread. They look like I just blew up a tube and forgot to put a tire on.
I'm riding every day for about 15 miles. The tires are very good on the road and fine on the grass. Mud and sand are very bad on these tires. I was huffing up a hill and rolled over sand without realizing it. The bike suddenly got very shaky.

Sheldon Brown says the best street tires have no tread
Bicycle Tires and Tubes
He must have liked excitement.

All that said, I went with the 2 inch because I like being comfy.
max PSI on the thick slicks was 65 psi.

If you are doing distance then you want to be comfortable.
I don't mind the weight of the 2 inchers because it has a bit of a fly wheel effect.

Good Luck!

 

Really good ones are continental contact 2, and schwalbe marathon supreme. look into those.

 

I ran the Kenda Kross Plus on a 26 MTB that I would do road rides on a few years ago when I was getting on the bike after a lifetime hiatus and a new severe injury recovery. They were great, super cheap, and impossible to wear out. I remember paying only $11 a tire at JensonUSA at the time. They were very easy rolling and the knobby edges where unnoticeable on the road but were great when hitting the gravel and fire roads.

 

I ride my 1997 Rock Hopper mostly on the road as a commuter.
I got tired of wearing out knobby MTN tires so I tried these they last for ever roll really nice and are cheap like $13 on sale.
Only down side was the widest they come in is 1.75
They have great traction wet or dry.
Forté Gotham ST Road and Mountain Tires - 700x32, 700x35, 26x1.75
Recently I wanted to try MAXXIS hookworms I couldn't find the 2.0 width only the 2.50 so I bought a set they don't even feel like they are 2.50 they roll smooth and give me some cushion making the bike ride smoothly.
I haven't had a chance to ride them in the rain yet but they have traction on wet which I was surprised.
MSRP is like $40 thou but Price Point has them for like $28.97 IIRC I will post link:
Maxxis Hookworm Wire Bead Tire 26x2.50 | Maxxis

 

I have a set of Kenda Komfort on my commuter mountain bike. they are pretty fast and cheap too

Kenda K841A Komfort Tire > Components > Tires > Pavement Tires | Jenson USA

 

Hello everyone, Thanks for all the input! I ended up getting a few tires before the replies started coming in. I was looking at mixing tires since some riders had said that it would allow for a nice combination of speed, durability, and comfort.

If you guys could please give me suggestions or advice on which combination would be best, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, which tire should go in the front and which in the back? Thanks!

Tires:

WTB Freedom ThickSlick Deluxe Sport Tire 26x2.0

WTB Slick Flatguard Sport Tire - Performance Exclusive 26x1.85

Forté Metro ST Tire 26x1.5

Maxxis Overdrive Tire Kevlar Belt/Steel Bead 26X1.75

Continental Sport Contact II Tire Black, 26 X 1.6

Schwalbe Marathon Tire Black, Greenguard 26 X 1.5

Kenda Kwest High Pressure 26" Tire Black, 26x1.5