9 Best Shock Absorbing Shoes (Review) In 2022

New Balance was founded in 1906. You might think of them as a pretty modern company because they’ve enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in the last few years. But they are one of America’s oldest and best-loved shoe companies.

New Balance 840 V4 is a super popular running shoe designed for women. They do make a men’s version but we fell in love with this model. It falls nicely into the category of mid-range running shoes, costing anywhere from $70 – $125, depending on your size.

The shock absorption is provided by the ABZORB full-length midsole. Made from EVA foam, it sits on top of a blown rubber outsole to provide excellent kinetic energy displacement. Amazingly, it somehow feels like you’re running on air and bare feet at the same time. You don’t lose the ‘feel’ of the road.

The upper part of the trainer is made from a synthetic fabric and has mesh engineered into the design. On a hot day, you can really feel the air blowing around your feet and stopping them from getting too sweaty.

The New Balance 840 V4 is made from premium materials and has no-sew overlays, making it both attractive and super durable. One of the nicest features is the plush cushioning around the ankle. Not only does your ankle feel super secure, but it will also be extremely comfortable.

On Amazon, many users have commented that they are great shoes for people with foot problems. If you’ve got plantar fasciitis, bunions, or neuromas, these shoes will allow you to exercise in amazing comfort.

Skechers Performance is one of those brands that fly beneath the radar. Because Skechers makes so many different types of shoes and has so many brands, they sometimes don’t get taken seriously as a running shoe manufacturer. But they should.

The most noticeable feature of Skechers Max Road 4 is the HyperBurst midsole. It’s one of the most resilient and cushioned midsoles on the market, making it perfect for long-distance runners. It’s similar in design to the Adidas Boost but this one is more suited to races and long runs. The reason is that you get more midsole material, so the energy is displaced over your whole foot.

The shoe is extremely lightweight. At size 11, the shoe is just 9.3 ounces, which is incredible. That means you have to do less work with every step.

The upper part of the shoe is its most contentious feature. In our opinion, it looks fantastic – the mixture of lime green and black stands out on the market and will add some color to your running outfit, but we know it’s not a look that everyone will like. Users and expert reviewers have complained that the shoe doesn’t feel tight enough when running. Thanks to the stretchy design, your foot will be able to move around.

This is another mid-range running shoe and is reasonably well-priced. Sketchers are known for making affordable shoes and they’ve lived up to that reputation here. It’s certainly cheaper than the running shoes it’s competing with. You’ve just got to decide whether you like the way it looks.

If you’re not a running aficionado, you probably won’t have heard of Saucony. Unlike most sporting brands, they focus on doing one thing well – making high-end running shoes. But, just cause you haven’t heard of them, don’t think they’re new kids on the block. They’ve actually been around since 1898, making them one of the longest-running athletics brands in the USA.

Users and experts alike rave about the heel on the Saucony Triumph 17. It has a super soft, memory-foam feel that hugs your heel and keeps it from moving around when you’re running. Saucony calls this technology FORMFIT and, if you’ve got narrow heels, it’s the ideal running shoe. It’s also got a really impressive PWRRUN+ midsole that cushions every step when you’re running on a hard surface.

One of the things that customers love about this shoe is the luxury feel. Everything, from the laces to the insole, is made out of premium materials. It all feels thick and cushioned and it’s not going to come apart after a few hard runs. You’re not paying for the brand here, but you are paying for quality.

Often when shoes are made to feel this comfortable, they become heavy. But the Triumph 17 uses cushioning that is 25% lighter than Saucony’s previous running shoes. That means the extra comfort isn’t going to slow you down.

If you’re looking for a high-end running shoe with amazing heel comfort, the Saucony Triumph 17 is the shoe for you.

ASICS has a reputation for making some of the best-performing footwear on the market. Check out any list of the best running shoes and you’re bound to see a pair of ASICS in there. For this list, we’ve selected the ASICS Men’s Gel-Nimbus Running Shoes, one of the most popular mid-range running shoes on the market.

Our favorite thing about this shoe is the combination of the FlyteFoam Propel midsole and the gel in the heel. The gel in the heel is amazingly flexible. Push the heel down with your hands and you will see just how squishy it is. Combine this with the FlyteFoam Propel, and it gives you an amazing toe-off so you can maintain a high speed.

The other impressive feature is the super breathable mesh upper. It’s one of the most breathable shoes on the market, making it ideal for running in hot weather. This is surrounded by the AHAR (ASICS High Abrasion Rubber) Outsole, which protects both the shoe and your foot, providing amazing durability. It might not look it, but this shoe is capable of running on just about any surface you can throw at it.

New Balance Men’s 1080v10 is one of the company’s latest designs. 1080 itself has been around for a while, but this is the most recent iteration.

We’ve selected this as our Premium Pick mainly because of the price. It’s one of the most expensive running shoes on this list and it’s designed purely for road use – take it on the trails and it’ll get roughed up pretty quickly. Because of that, we’re aware that this shoe isn’t going to suit everyone.

The most noticeable feature is the thick Fresh Foam midsole that reaches all the way around the shoe, making it look like some kind of futuristic hovercraft. It might look rigid, but it provides a huge amount of bounce to each step, allowing you to spring forward and maintain speed.

It’s super comfortable. Even out of the box, it feels like a shoe that has molded to your foot after hundreds of kilometers. That’s thanks to the Hypoknit upper, which gives your foot plenty of room to move around; and the cushioned heel, one of the thickest on the market. Unlike cheaper running shoes, you can choose from four different widths – narrow, standard, wide, and extra-wide.

It’s also got a bootie-style construction around the ankle. This stops your heel from slipping and your ankle from rolling, so it’s ideal to prevent injury. One of the misconceptions about this shoe is that it looks soft, but it’s actually pretty rigid for a running shoe.

We know it’s expensive but that’s what you have to pay these days for a high-quality running shoe. At least you know you’re getting a trainer that’s lightweight, comfortable, and will last you for a few years at least.

We know that not everyone is looking for a pair of running shoes when they search for ‘the best shock-absorbing shoes’. Some people are just looking for a comfortable pair of trainers to walk around or a shoe for light exercise. Skechers Women’s D’Lites Memory Foam Lace-Up Sneakers fit that category perfectly.

These shoes are designed to be just as comfortable after eight hours as they are when you put them on. That’s why a lot of doctors and nurses wear them on long shifts. A lot of the comfort is provided by the thick midsole. It has two gel inserts to cushion every step. Other comfort features include a padded collar and tongue, which hug the arch and heel of your foot.

The shoes also have a grippy and flexible rubber sole. Whether you’re walking on a rocky trail or moving around a ward as fast as you can, you shouldn’t slip in these shoes.

Style is always subjective. Some people love the way these shoes look and of course, like all shoes, they have their haters. But, as you can see from the Amazon reviews, the haters are few and far between. These shoes have a 4.5 out of 5 ratings, maintained over more than 16,000 reviews. This impressive performance has made them one of the best selling women’s shoes on Amazon.

If you’re looking for a comfortable pair of shoes to run trails in, these are one of the best from last year’s crop. ASICS Women’s Gel-Venture 6 Running-Shoes quickly gained a reputation for their comfort, performance, and low price point when they came out last year.

Users and experts agree on the fact that the outsole is perfect for trail-running. Check out the bottom of the shoe and you’ll see a series of reversed lugs, which provide excellent traction on both uphill and downhill sections. Also, like most of ASICS’ modern running shoes, they are protected by AHAR (ASICS High Abrasion Rubber). This covers the most vulnerable areas of the shoe to stop them from coming apart after hitting a few rocky trails.

To provide shock absorption, they have GEL technology in both the front and back of the midsole. This is designed to displace the impact of energy and allow a smooth transition to midstance. However, we found them to be harder than they look. They force you to run on your toes a bit more. Then again, at this price, you can’t expect the best in shock-absorbing technology.

If the ASICS Gel-Venture 6 running shoes just weren’t cutting it for you, why not try the ASICS Gel-Venture 7 running shoes. This year’s Gel-Venture running shoes have a couple of key changes that might warrant the cost money, but that’s up to you.

They have a similar GEL midsole that provides shock-absorption in both the rearfoot and the forefoot. In the Gel-Venture 6 shoes, this GEL technology wasn’t quite cutting it. They still felt quite stiff underfoot, especially when running on trails. These shoes are much better. They feel comfortable, have plenty of bounce, and are suitable for long trail runs.

The other main thing that’s been improved is the fabric lining. As you can see, they have a partly-mesh upper that lets air into the shoe and keeps your feet cool and dry during a long run. This new version of the Gel-Venture also has an Ortholite Sockliner, which is designed to reduce the amount of moisture inside the shoe when you’re sweating.

The outsole of the shoe is largely the same. Compare the two shoes and you’ll see they have the same reversed lugs that provide grip on both uphill and downhill sections of trails. They are also protected by AHAR (ASICS High Abrasion Rubber), making them extremely durable and hardwearing and a perfect womans’ shoe for trail running.

Here’s the bottom line – the Gel-Venture 7 has an improved midsole and upper. They provide better shock-absorption and let more air into the foot on a run.

Last on our list, we’ve got the Skechers Men’s Afterburn Memory-Foam Lace-up Sneakers. We’d describe these as a hybrid trainer because they can be used for running, hiking, and everyday use. Admittedly, they’re not the best shoe for long-distance running but you can’t beat them for true versatility.

One of the most striking features of these shoes is the chunky midsole and outsole. It’s hard to tell whether they’re designed for running or hiking. In truth, they’re designed for both. The midsole is made from EVA foam and has an impressive amount of flexibility, despite how solid it looks. The outsole, on the other hand, is quite rigid.

Users were particularly impressed by the memory-foam insole on these shoes. They mold to the shape of your foot, giving you a perfect fit. This makes these shoes some of the most comfortable on the market.

The main reason we included these shoes was the amount of positive Amazon reviews. At the time of writing, they’ve had 13,405 reviews and maintained an average rating of 4.4 out of 5. That’s extremely impressive for any type of product and it shows how well-loved these trainers are.

If you’re looking for super versatile shock-absorbing shoes, these are definitely some of the best on the market. The only question is with their durability – but you can’t have everything when you buy cheaper shoes.