New Balance has a shock absorption technology called ABZORB EX. It’s a combination of New Balance’s ABSORB foam and a peripheral pocket of air that is enclosed in engineered thermoplastic. It was designed to slow shocking absorption, stress relief and comfort. Its two piece design is composed of an outer component, designed for heal shock which is softer for greater compression on impact, and an inner component which is made of a denser material designed for stability of the inner foot to reduce pronation.