A shock absorber support rail is formed of an elongated, stiff, but springy, plastic extruded strip that is M-shaped in cross-section. The M-shape is turned on its side and its legs are substantially parallel. The converging legs of the V-shaped center portion of the M-shape form a central, acute angle apex where they join and they form upper and lower apices at their junctures with the parallel legs. The converging legs are bent to form integral leg parts that are angled at different acute angles relative to the axis of the M-shape, so that the spring rate may be varied during compression of the parallel towards each other. The strip has the same spring rates per unit length along the full length of the strip. Thus, pieces of predetermined length may be cut off the strip to form separate support rails, each of a predetermined spring strength dependent upon its particular length. A number of rails of required strength, that is, of predetermined lengths, may be positioned between an article to be supported and a support surface for absorbing shock loads and vibrations transmitted therebetween.