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Cushioning

Cushioning is a term used to describe the level of softness created by a shoe's insole and outsole padding. The higher the level of softness, the greater the ability the shoe has to absorb the impact of the foot strike against the ground. The less cushioning a shoe has, the less likely it is to absorb the shock of impact on the foot.

Depending on your chosen activity, it is important to have a certain amount of cushioning in a shoe. Athletic shoes that are specifically tailored to certain activities, such as running shoes or tennis shoes, will have a greater level of cushioning in the sole and insole. This is because the foot is constantly pounding on a dense surface, meaning the foot will absorb the full shock of the impact. The cushioning elements in the shoe help to diffuse some of the impact on the foot, making the shoe more comfortable. Many shoe manufacturers such as Nike, Asics, New Balance and Adidas have constructed their own cushioning devices such as Nike Air and Asics Gel. These devices are marketed so that consumers will gravitate to their technology, which will hopefully produce more sells. For example, Nike has trademarked the air technology making them a well known leader of cushioned athletic shoes.