A progressive stage load distributing and absorbing system that is adapted to lie below a superstructure material which is exposed to percussive forces, the progressive stage load distributing and absorbing system being adapted to be interposed between the superstructure material and a foundation, the progressive stage load distributing and absorbing system comprising: one or more load distributing and absorbing tiles, at least some of the tiles having: a barrier layer that is adapted to lie below the superstructure material; an underlayment infrastructure positioned below the barrier layer, the underlayment infrastructure including one or more progressive stage hat-shaped absorbing members, at least some of the progressive stage hat-shaped absorbing members having: a stiff stage absorbing subsystem with members having a basal portion that is positioned adjacent to the barrier layer; a curvilinear wall extending from the basal portion, the curvilinear wall having a top region extending from the basal portion and a bottom region, and a shoulder portion extending from the bottom region; and a compliant stage load absorbing subsystem that is adapted to extend from the shoulder portion towards the foundation, wherein the compliant stage load absorbing subsystem deflects before the stiff stage absorbing subsystem in response to the load, characterized in that the compliant stage load absorbing subsystem includes a star-shaped feature and an assembly of hat-shaped absorbing members that have different heights, wherein the star-shaped feature has a polygonal configuration which includes a male feature that is recessed within and protrudes from the shoulder portion of an associated absorbing member. one or more load distributing and absorbing tiles, at least some of the tiles having: a barrier layer that is adapted to lie below the superstructure material; an underlayment infrastructure positioned below the barrier layer, the underlayment infrastructure including one or more progressive stage hat-shaped absorbing members, at least some of the progressive stage hat-shaped absorbing members having: a stiff stage absorbing subsystem with members having a basal portion that is positioned adjacent to the barrier layer; a curvilinear wall extending from the basal portion, the curvilinear wall having a top region extending from the basal portion and a bottom region, and a shoulder portion extending from the bottom region; and a compliant stage load absorbing subsystem that is adapted to extend from the shoulder portion towards the foundation, wherein a barrier layer that is adapted to lie below the superstructure material; an underlayment infrastructure positioned below the barrier layer, the underlayment infrastructure including one or more progressive stage hat-shaped absorbing members, at least some of the progressive stage hat-shaped absorbing members having: a stiff stage absorbing subsystem with members having a basal portion that is positioned adjacent to the barrier layer; a curvilinear wall extending from the basal portion, the curvilinear wall having a top region extending from the basal portion and a bottom region, and a shoulder portion extending from the bottom region; and a compliant stage load absorbing subsystem that is adapted to extend from the shoulder portion towards the foundation, wherein a stiff stage absorbing subsystem with members having a basal portion that is positioned adjacent to the barrier layer; a curvilinear wall extending from the basal portion, the curvilinear wall having a top region extending from the basal portion and a bottom region, and a shoulder portion extending from the bottom region; and a basal portion that is positioned adjacent to the barrier layer; a curvilinear wall extending from the basal portion, the curvilinear wall having a top region extending from the basal portion and a bottom region, and a shoulder portion extending from the bottom region; and a compliant stage load absorbing subsystem that is adapted to extend from the shoulder portion towards the foundation, wherein the compliant stage load absorbing subsystem deflects before the stiff stage absorbing subsystem in response to the load, characterized in that the compliant stage load absorbing subsystem includes a star-shaped feature and an assembly of hat-shaped absorbing members that have different heights, wherein the star-shaped feature has a polygonal configuration which includes a male feature that is recessed within and protrudes from the shoulder portion of an associated absorbing member.