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You’ve seen the commercials for Skechers “Shape-ups” shoes, where people such as former NFL quarterback Joe Montana claim wearing the rocker-bottom shoes gets them in shape “without setting foot in a gym.” But are these shoes really all they’re cracked up to be? Not according to a federal class action lawsuit, which claims that not only does Skechers falsely advertise the health benefits of its Shape-Ups shoes, but that the shoes can actually cause injury.
Skechers claims in its advertisements that wearing Shape-Ups can result in noticeable physiological improvements, including weight loss, firmer and stronger muscles, reduced cellulite, improved circulation, and improved posture. These claims, Skechers says, are based on results shown in four clinical studies. According to the class action lawsuit, however, these claims are false.
“Shape-ups provide no health benefit to users beyond what any other ordinary sneaker provides. Worse, Shape-ups have actually injured some consumers,” the lawsuit says. “[Skechers’] false and misleading advertising campaign has allowed it to reap millions of dollars of profit at the expense of the consumers it has mislead.”
The lawsuit alleges the four clinical studies Skechers uses as evidence of Shape-ups’ health benefits are “medically, statistically and scientifically unsound,” and that they are “nothing more than marketing tools.” Studies on Shape-ups and similarly designed rocker-bottom shoes performed by objective third parties have found these types of shoes do not have the benefits that Skechers claims.
“Not only do Shape-ups not provide the benefits as claimed, they have significant drawbacks which Skechers has omitted from its advertising.” The class action lawsuit cites several doctors’ comments published in news reports that state rocker-bottom shoes such as Shape-ups can cause injuries, because they change the person’s walk or gait and are unstable for users who have flat feet or those who have pre-existing difficulties maintaining their balance. They also allegedly can cause injuries in areas that are responsible for maintaining balance, such as the hamstring or ankle.
If certified, the class action lawsuit will seek damages and refunds for consumers who purchased Shape-ups. A copy of the Skechers Shape-ups Class Action Lawsuit can be read here.
NEW DETAILS ON HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR CLAIM IN THE SKECHERS FTC AND CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SETTLEMENTS IS AT http://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/1881-skechers-toning-shoe-class-action-lawsuit-settlement
Updated May 17th, 2012
All class action and lawsuit news updates are listed in the Lawsuit News section of Top Class Actions
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386 thoughts onSkechers Shape-Ups Class Action
Skechers Shape-Ups Class Action
I have been wearing skechers shape- ups since they came out. I followed the directions which come with them, it states to start out just for couple hours a day then increase time.I work at a job on my foot from 8 to 10 hours aday and I found that they work and that they were great on my feet. I have had no pains with them. May be people who have problems had them before they started wearing them.
I had back problems for ten years…got lots of injections that didn’t help…was always in pain… but once I started wearing Skechers’ Shape-Ups two years ago, my back pain went away. Now, when I wear shoes other than Shape Ups, (I have six different pair and colors of Shape Ups at the moment) I have back pain the next day. My only regret is that it is very hard for me to walk in heels now… you can’t roll back if you lose your balance in four inch heels. You just go kaplunk! I wish there was a pretty Shape Up shoe I could wear in place of heels! I have a very high arch, so maybe that is part of why these shoes work for me. I love that they provide cushioning rather than a jolting impact when I step. I feel like my balance is better when I have them on… like a “Weebles wobble but they don’t fall down,” sort of thing. I LOVE my Shape Ups! I wish they would keep making new looks for them. They should just do like the drug companies and follow their ads with disclaimers. As far as toning my legs, I have no trouble standing from a squatting position now…something I always had trouble with before. Sadly, I still have cellulite. I am 48 years old, btw.
I too love these shoes. I went in search to find more recently and found out they dont make them anymore because of this law suit going on. Someone saw where the company stated that they help you loose weight and they ran with it. I think it is just ridiculous. People will go after anything all in the name of easy money. I personally think they were the best shoes ever made because I have high arches and I get pains in my hips if I dont have the proper support. When I wore my first pair….I noticed that I did have more energy and I could walk alot smoother and without feeling like I had to drag one foot in front of the other. It made a world of difference for me with the way I was able to walk, squat or move in any direction that I needed too. Gave me the mobility that I had longed for and provided me with the support in the arches of my feet. I am so saddened by the fact that they had to stop making them. Now everytime I am in search of a good pair of shoes, I know it will be so much harder to find a shoe that will be what I need because someone had to go and file a lawsuit. Why cant people just leave well enough alone. If they dont work for you….just simply dont buy them.
Best shoe I ever bought!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got them for work and absolutely love them. I am searching for my size everywhere. If I find them I will buy all I can. I wore the same pair for almost 2 years.
I do own a pair and I also own plantar fasciitis on my left foot and my knees (left a lot more) hurt because of injuries playing soccer when I was a kid, I have been wearing my shape ups that I bought maybe 4 or five years ago and the pain on my knees and feet has gone away. I don’t know if is only the shoes or with the implants I wear in them.
Skechers Shape-Ups Class Action
After approximately one week of wearing these shoes to walk in, I had severe knee pain. Up to the time I purchase them, I was walking 5 miles every day. After xrays and an MRI, it was determined I had torn the cartilage in my right knee. Now after surgery to repair the cartilage and approximately 6 months of rehab I am once again walking with minimal pain. I asked my orthopedic doctor if sketchers could have caused the injury. He was not familiar with the shoes, so I told him to keep my comments in mind and if he started getting more women with the same or similar complaints, to let me know.
Skechers Shape-Ups Class Action
After approximately 1 week of wearing these shoes to walk in, I had knee pain so bad I had to stop walking altogether. Up to this point I had been walking 5 miles every day. After x-rays and and an MRI, the doctors told me I had torn the cartilage in my knee. After surgery to repair the cartilage and 6 months rehab, I am now slowly getting back to my walks.
Skechers Shape-Ups Class Action
I am having severe pain in my knees, maybe it could be contributed to my shape-ups?
Skechers Shape-Ups Class Action
I thought the hip and back pain was just because I was out of shape. I also got the sandals and always get severe charlie horses in my calves after wearing them. again,I just attributed it to being out of shape.
Skechers Shape-Ups Class Action
I have experienced foot and hip pain after wearing Shape Ups, My foot doctor advised me to stop wearing the shoes and I also had to see an orthopedic who sent me for a MRI for hip pain.
How do I join the suit for reimbursement.
Thank you.
Skechers Shape-Ups Class Action
I started wearing these shoes this past summer. Needless to say. My left knee started hurting. I ended up going to an orthopedic doctor and found that my menicus was torn. I had surgery to repair this. I totally believe these shoes were the reason for my tear. I have been telling EVERYONE I can about this as to help someone else avoid the pain and cost of surgery.
Skechers Shape-Ups Class Action
I too would like to get involved in this lawsuit.. I contacted Skechers to get my money back, but they wouldn’t talk with me… I sent paperwork showing I had had both hips replaced in 2006 and had recovered nicely, walking 2 miles daily. I started wearing Skechers in 2010 for more exercise & followed their instructions, but discomfort and pain caused me to stop wearing the shoes. I tried twice, but could not.
Skechers Shape-Ups Class Action
i wore these shoes all day after work out . My doctor told me the sole of the shoe changes the core of you body which has me in pain. I had to stop working out in order for my body to recoup from the damages of the shoes to my stomach, hip and buttocks. you can’t over do it in the shoes. Skechers don’t tell you can’t wear the shoe all day or that it will shift the core of your body. At one point i couldn’t walk to the bathroom in the morning. Its a lot better but not without a lot of pain. Im still in pain but not as much as I was in December of 2010.
Skechers Shape-Ups Class Action
How do we get involved with this class action lawsuit? I have two pair of sketchers shape-ups and I just got out of the hospital yesterday for back surgery.