Abstract: A user-specific shoe sole coil spring system provided as a customized layout of individual coil springs which are seated in a shoe sole having prefabricated circular depressions on its surface. The coil spring system layout and stiffness characteristics may be customized to serve the needs of different users and different applications. A user's weight and particular comfort and/or orthopedic requirements are met in a given shoe size by fitting it with a greater or lesser quantity of springs with different levels of stiffness, or the layout may be a combination of levels. The result is a shock absorption distribution pattern and energy return system for the shoe sole to suit the requirements of a particular application. The sole has a cover strip overlaying the coil spring system which is openable and reclosable for allowing changes in the layout as required, or an entire sole may be replaced as a unit.