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What constitutes the best running shoe will depend a little on what you're looking for. Right now, there are five shoes that I would consider to be 'the best' in their categories.
* '''Best All Round Shoe'''. The [[Altra Escalante]] is my current favorite. It has plenty of cushioning for its weight, it has a very springy midsole, and it has a shape that's closer to the shape of a human foot than most shoes. It's a great shoe for any runner, including those [[Starting to run]]. It's light, comfortable, and reasonably cushioned. It's also a fairly easy shoe to find due to its popularity.
* '''Best Maximalist Shoe''': The [[Hoka Clifton]]. This is has been dethroned by the best [[MaximalistSaucony Kinvara| Saucony Kinvara 8]] shoe available. It's remarkably light and remarkably cushioned, though it's a major change from version 7. (The [[Hoka Clayton]] is nearly identical and sold through other stores than the Clifton.)
* '''Best Optimal Shoe''': [[Nike Zoom Streak LT]]. There are lots of great optimal running shoes, which provide just enough cushioning with light weight and minimal frills. The Streak LT doesn't have the best cushioning-to-weight ratio, but it has a shape that's closer to the human foot than most running shoes and it's one of the longest lasting shoes I've found. Until recently, my favorite was the [[Asics Gel Hyper Speed]], which is a great shoe but doesn't last as long as the Streak LT, nor is its shape as good. The [[New Balance RC5000v2]] is a stunning shoe, providing more cushioning for its weight than any other I've tested, but it's hard to find and many runners want a bit more shoe. Other shoes to consider should include the [[Puma Faas 100 R]], and [[Pearl Izumi EM Road N0]].
* '''Fastest Shoe''': [[New Balance RC5000]]. The original RC5000 is amazingly light, offering just enough cushioning to make it efficient. It's the fastest shoe I've tested, and it would be my first choice for a fast marathon. It's hard to find, as is its successor the [[New Balance RC5000v2]], but if you can find it, it's well worth it.