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@blorg
Continental GP 4 Season
Schwalbe Marathon Plus
Vittoria Open Corsa Evo CX
In one poll. W T F.
Seriously, very different tyres for very different uses.
None is "best." Define "best."
Grip, rolling resistance, puncture resistance, weight, price, ride quality, surface versatility, durability, even resistance to skidding if you like. No tyre is optimal, any will be a compromise depending on your priorities.
To be honest Gatorskins are a good compromise to my mind for a commuter tyre, or touring on relatively good tarmac roads. They are relatively cheap and relatively puncture-resistant without utterly ruining the tarmac ride quality like Armadillos or being anchors like Marathons. With Marathons you can manage light off-road though which is impossible with Gatorskins. Gatorskins roll better on tarmac. They are not a race tyre and have nowhere near the grip and don't roll so well as the likes of GP4000s from the same company. But then they are cheaper and not sold as such.
What is the objection to Gatorskins?
Ultremos would get my vote for a summer/race tyre. GP4000s also good in this regard but I prefer the Ultremos. Have lost confidence in them with the "R" debacle though.
Currently looking for a 700x25 winter training tyre (to go on winter racer) and a 700x28 or 700x32 preferably slick, lightish, good rolling tyre to go on my commuter... just because I have the space and would like to give it a go.