I'v been running the 697's for about 12 months now and find them a good tyre. They carcass appears resistant to puncture.
It's an AT so has characteristics particular to the style - they all pickup and fling gravel. They are all useless in mud.
But they are a very quiet tyre, and on-road handling is excellent (both wet and dry). Fast dirt is very good, and the hard shoulder bites well in loose material.
Would I buy them again? Yes.