Like most of us, I have ridden on a bunch of different tires. I did like 4000S2s, but given the conditions we ride in for a good part of the year, they were just too flat-prone for my tastes. Punctures are a huge problem here. I don't race, though, so factor that in. That said, if you look at the work that has been done on it, the rolling resistance of a Hardshell isn't shockingly higher than it is for the 4 Season, but it is obviously way, way higher than that of a 4000S2 or a 5000. That said, the Hardshell is so far and away the most puncture resistant tire that there really is no comparison.

I just think tires should be chosen based on practicality. Is there a bunch of crap and debris on the roads where you often ride? Do you enjoy changing tubes? Are you fairly regularly racing or trying to set PRs? Those are the things I believe ought to drive the tire choice decision. If you know the answers to those kinds of questions, picking a tire is easy.