7 Sneakers With The Best Shock Absorption in 2025

How we test Sneakers with the shock absorption

All the tests we performed are standardized, which means all sneakers are tested under the same conditions (e.g., same forces applied, duration of the test, temperature, etc.). 

The shock absorption test is done according to the ASTM F1976-13 methodology. This specifically means that we remove the upper from the sneaker, lock the platform in place, and then drop an 8.5kg mass from a 50 mm height onto the heel, at exactly 12% of the inner sneaker length. Total energy input equals 5 J. We repeat this 25 times to mimic the natural break in and another 5 times for the lab data that we use by calculating the average. 

These lab tests are done in our independent lab, which is kept independent by not accepting brand deals, ambassadors, or having any other contracts with the brands. All the footwear we test was bought with our own money. 

Looking at the sneaker’s platform, in almost all cases, we can find an insole, a midsole, and an outsole. While the whole sneaker works wonderfully in sync, it’s the midsole that’s responsible for shock absorption. Actually, it’s the foam that the midsole is made of. 

Shock absorption or shock attenuation is the midsole’s ability to dampen the impact forces at every step. Whenever you land on the heel, you squish the midsole and the shock absorption tells us how good that midsole is at absorbing the impact forces. The better it is at this job, the less stress for your legs to handle. This becomes even more important on prolonged efforts (walks, sightseeing, traveling) because low shock absorption could very well cause premature foot fatigue in such cases. 

When we test shock absorption, we get varying results. For a sneaker to be classified as having high shock absorption, it has to score at least 105 SA on our test. For the record, the moderate range is 80-105, and low is anything below 80.

Who is high shock absorption good for?

High shock absorption is great for people who spend a lot of time on their feet because this result tells us that the sneaker is very protective. This protectiveness applies to the impact forces, not the protection from outside elements like rain, sharp objects, etc. It is exactly why shock absorption is one of the so-called leg-saving features (the other one is energy return). 

Testing the shock absorption of sneakers in RunRepeat lab

Given this protectiveness, high shock absorption is also recommended for heavy people who especially enjoy this feature. And, we can say, it’s perfect for those who want superb comfort! No wonder all the top-rated sneakers with high SA got all the praise for comfort. 

How to recognize sneakers with high shock absorption

Short answer: Look for high-stacked sneakers but it's not a guarantee. 

Longer answer: Low-stacked sneakers, or, should we say, those close to the ground, don’t have enough foam that would do the shock attenuation (well). The average heel height of sneakers with low shock absorption is 1 cm lower than the average heel stack of sneakers with high shock absorption! 

Stack height of sneakers with high shock absorption

If you love the ground feel, barefoot/minimalist footwear, and if you’re avoiding chunky sneakers/platforms, the chances are you will not find sneakers with high shock absorption. This is because for a sneaker to offer high shock absorption, it has to have a midsole thick enough to do the job. Sneakers that are low to the ground simply can not deliver. 

To get a better understanding of this, we can look at the average stack heights for the 3 shock absorption groups: 

Shock absorption vs softness of sneakers

Softer foams are easier to squish and this often feels great on our feet. However, just because the foam is softer does not mean that it always has high shock absorption. 

Averages do tell us that softer foams are usually found in sneakers with higher shock absorption. 

However, it’s important to know that exceptions always exist and that this correlation is not perfect. 

Energy return in sneakers with high shock absorption 

Energy return is a very important feature, but it is prioritized in running shoes where things happen fast (the full gait cycle) and where it’s important to be fast. That’s why in running, we focus on the energy return at the forefoot. In sneakers, we measure it only at the heel. 

Looking at the lab data for sneakers, high shock absorption usually comes in the same package with high energy return. Why is that important? Because there could be foams that are very protective but quite dull, you sink in and need extra effort to “get back up”. Energy return is all about responsiveness, or the ability of the foam to recover after it has been squished. 

This high energy return can be quite important if you tend to spend all day on your feet or if you exercise in your sneakers. 

For context, the average energy return of sneakers (at the moment of writing this) sits at 50.2%. 

Low or moderate shock absorption: who is it good for?

Moderate and low shock absorption is most often found in sneakers that are low to the ground and classic. Chunky, futuristic sneakers and even dad shoes tend to have a higher stack height and therefore higher shock absorption. Sneakers that score lower on the shock absorption test are perfect for those who love the minimalist/classic vibes. 

How heavy are sneakers with high shock absorption?

The average weight of sneakers with high absorption is 339.6g or 12.0 oz (at the moment of writing this guide), which makes them 13% lighter than the average sneaker overall. 

If we want to compare the weight of sneakers with high shock absorption with the weight of those with low or moderate shock absorption, we can’t look at 2 features only: weight and shock absorption. We must take into account the overall sneaker design (chunky or minimalist), the stack heights, and what the midsole is made of. Usually, there’s a foamy layer stacked between the outsole and the insole. But sometimes, in shoes with lower shock absorption, though, we see midsoles with no foam or it's a lower quality, dense foam. This inevitably leads to a higher weight. 

It makes sense for sneakers with high shock absorption to be lighter because it’s all about the foam (although the air units in Nike sneakers can do the shock attenuation as well). High-quality foams that feature high shock absorption tend to be lighter. 

Cheapest sneakers with high shock absorption

At the moment of writing this guide, the average price of sneakers with high shock absorption sat at $128, while the average price of all sneakers was $125. 

The price of sneakers with high shock absorption can vary wildly. In the tables, we list an overview of the cheapest and most expensive pairs. Keep in mind that these numbers represent MSRP or manufacturer’s retail suggested prices. This means that they tell us how much the sneaker cost when it was released. This price does not include any potential discounts. Good news is, we have a page dedicated to finding good deals.