A shoe sole construction adapted to absorb and store impact energy and including a shoe sole that has a heel portion and a forefoot portion. The forefoot portion includes the toe of the sole. The shoe sole includes a base member and at least one pressure plate for receiving a wearer's foot. A first pivot is disposed between the base member and the pressure plate. The first pivot is disposed at the toe of the sole. A bladder is provided to receive and store impact energy delivered thereto, and is disposed at the heel portion of the shoe sole and positioned to be compressed under the impact energy imposed thereupon by the pressure plate. A locking mechanism is disposed at the forefoot portion, between the base member and pressure plate. The locking mechanism is responsive to a compression of the bladder and released during the propulsive phase of the wearer's gait to return stored energy for release during the propulsive phase.