Shock-Absorbing Running Shoes from Enko

The Enko running shoe is a revolutionary design and the product of 12 years of research and development. French runner Christian Freschi is responsible for designing and developing the shoe, which features two coil-sprung shocks for each foot.

The upper section of the shoe looks much like other models of running shoes on the market, but the bottom half is where the Enko starts to get a little bit different. Many models of running shoes feature shock-absorbing cushions, but Enko takes the science behind the idea one step further.

The coil absorbs energy as the runner’s foot hits the floor before pushing it up and forward as they make their next stride, providing a welcome boost. Not only do the shoes promise to improve performance, they can also help to prevent impact injuries to runners’ joints, which are a particular problem for those restricted to running in concreted urban areas.

Coil tension can be adjusted using a lever on the side of the shoe, and runners can fit coils of different stiffness depending on their weight. The company claims the shoe “optimizes the stride, reduces fatigue and lets people run effortlessly for long,” and it should also last for years thanks to replaceable rubber studs on the outsole.

The shoes are available in a variety of colors on the Enko website, where they are on sale for $330.