My vote is for the Air Zoom Vomero 2+. Great cushioning, comfortable ride even for a bigger guy like me. It's also from the Nike Plus line so that it works with your iPod for time and distance. I find that to be a great help when on the dreadmill.
If you are a neutral striker, the Glycerin is the shoe for you. I put lots of miles on mine with varying terrain. It's gives you great forefoot cushion and the toe box flexes with the mesh so you don't have any "toe top rub".
Racing flat wise - Brooks T4/5. Raced most of the season in the T4 and last race in the T5. No problems with races up to a Half Ironman and never did I have my feet blister or chafe.
I am a fan of Brooks Adrenaline. I am a netural heal to mid foot striker. The mesh is very breathable and flexible. The shoe is lightweight and durable.
I have big feet (size 13) and have had issues with Asics and Addidas shoes but nothing but praise for Brooks.
I added karhu. I ran with them for the first time this past season and loved them. I am normally a big fan of brooks and still use them for training, but karhu are great racing shoes, light weight and have the support like brooks... and they look cool......
I run in Brooks Radius R6's. But not so much anymore since they have been replaced byt he R7's. I just bought a pair of the R7's the other day and so far so good.
I switched to Asics Evolution this year and loved them. My fav shoes of all time though are the Brooks Adrenaline 5, I hated the 6's, and the 7's. I really wish that shoe companies would not change the fit of a good product just to make the looks better.
Asics 2120, at first I thought they were a little stiff. But after 3 marathons and about 200 miles of training runs, they still have enough life in them for one more. Marathon at the end of 2007.
Elite 2515 Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Subject:RE: Best Running Shoes - 2007
Loooooooove my Brooks Adrenalines. I'm on pair #4. They're a great stability shoe and have served me very well. I had three pairs of the Adrenaline 6 and recently got a pair of the 7s and I think the updates they made to the shoe were extremely well done. I think the cushioning material is their newest and it makes a difference. Of course, that could just be my perception of running in new shoes compared to a pair with >300 miles on them.
Went from Mizuno Wave Riders to Brooks Adrenaline GTS to Mizuno Wave Inspires, then promptly back to another pair of Brooks Adrenaline GTS before wearing out the Wave Inspires. The Adrenalines have the right balance of stability without being too stiff and providing ample cushioning. Its a great, balanced, comfortable and durable shoe.
I'm on my 7th pair of asic cumulus. Cheap, super cushy-comfy-soft feel, very neutral, not really ugly (infact, new ones are almost cool), holds up for me over 350 miles (may not be typical).
I am an Asics Gel Kayano die hard...have gone through 7 pairs. They work well with my orthotics, have the right amount of cushioning and last way longer than other shoes. More pricey, but I don't buy shoes as often.
So I guess the 2130's are technically the next years model but I bought them in 2007 and I've been running in them in 2007. I used to have the 2120's but for a little while they were stiff and klunky and then broke down way too fast. The 2130's have seemed to cuddle with my feet while I run sicne the first day I got them. Hopefully they don't brak down as fast.
The Nike Air Zoom Orizaba is a killer trail running shoe with awesome bash plate and speed laces included that helped me blast the tri trail 5ks this summer and thrash a few roadie runners. No need to tippy-toe through the rcky stuff with these. (Also comes with a gaiter in case you want to do really long trail runs and keep out the rocks and stuff)
I have been using the Asics Nimbus for 3 years. Every year they updated the sneaker. If you like cushioning this is your shoe. This shoe has a good lifespan and absorbs the road nicely.
Adidas Supernova - perfect for my slight pronation and high arches with nice squishy cushioning. Plus, they are a classic, so they never change the shoe!!
New Balance 1223's. After years of using the 76X I stepped up to the 1223 and found that they had everything I loved about the 767's plus more cushioning. Great stability shoe, great fit, great cushion, great look. They are a bit steep in the $$ dept. but I have no more heel pain and I can run everyday if I want.
New Balance 1223's .. simply the best runners I have worn.. was in ascis .. tried saucony .. but the 1223's rule .. bought 4 pairs.. and am now in my 2nd.. half-marathons are now pretty tolerable - footwise