My bike came with WTB Rangers, but they're the standard version and the sidewalls are a joke. I'm looking for heavy tires with strong walls. Was looking at ARdent EXO TR's, since they are going cheap on CRC, but open to suggestions?
Ardent 2.4 EXOs are pretty tough, I've used them for the last 8 years or more on local Chiltern flint and plenty of loaded tours and the odd race on all sorts of terrain. Rated as an all-rounder. Got Ranger 2.4 TCS Lights on there now and they're fast but do have a thinner and less durable feel to them (as expected). TCS Tough casings are good though, comparable to EXO I think.
Another vote for the Ardents here
I took a look at the tyres that were on the bikes on bikpacking.com.....
A lot of them favour the Vittoria Mezcal.
Didn't look like a front tyre to me so paired it up with a Vitoria Barzo up front.
I've been very impressed with them but they may not have the sidewall support your after. Worth a look though it you fancy something different
Barzo front mezcal back here for every type of riding
2.25 WTB Nine Line are Mezcal-esque and come up a true 2.25/57mm
Barzo front and Mezcal back just wonderful for general XC stuff. And they look cool too.