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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
Am also interested in how to join the suit. Am a physician and broke my heel last summer due to wearing the Shape Ups. Am still trying to recover from the injury and subsequent pain and disability.
Skechers Shape-Ups Class Action
I wore these shoes just 2 to 3 hrs a day and I followed their instructions. I am a healthy, fit person but since last Thursday I can’t walk due to extreme pain on my knees and feet due to knee strain and patellofemoral Syndrome. Please be careful with these shoes .
How do i join the suit for reimbursement.
Skechers Shape-Ups Class Action
These shoes messed up my calve muscles. My doctor confirmed it when he saw me. I had to learn how to walk with normal shoes. I wore these for an extended period of time as recommended by another doctor to relieve pain due to a missing joint on my right foot.
Skechers Shape-Ups Class Action
I am now learning to walk again & now have a gait with my step now & never had one before i wore those shoes
Skechers Shape-Ups Class Action
I would like to be in this law suit as well, my left knee and hip have been affected by wearing these shape up sneakers.
Skechers Shape-Ups Class Action
I would also like information regarding this class action lawsuit. I have purchase two pair of their sneakers and have had increased pain my my right knee and hips with pain radiating down my leg. I will be having this pain looked at by my physician and expect that the problem is now the sneakers that I have been wearing. I look forward to getting more information re. this suit. I have obviously stopped wearing the sneakers – although do not expect the pain to go away, as the damage has already occured.
Skechers Shape-Ups Class Action
I love my Sketchers!! They cost less then my Nike’s and make my feet and back feel 100% better then any other tennis shoe I’ve owned.
Skechers Shape-Ups Class Action
I would also like to know how to get involved in this class action lawsuit. I suffered injury to my hips and back that Ortho Dr.s said was caused by the Sketchers Shapeup shoe. I wore them for about 3 months and thought at first the reason my spine hurt and my hips and tailbone pinched and spazamed was due to using different musles but unfortunately that was not the case. I Look forward to someone posting the information on this suit.Thankyou.
Skechers Shape-Ups Class Action
I am a fan of these shoes and have multiple pairs. I have been wearing them since they’ve come out on the market. I followed the directions that came with them. I am on my feet from 8-12 hours per day 5-7 days per week. I have plantar fascitis and these make my feet “happy”.
My thoughts are that those who have had problems with this type of footwear may have had problems prior to the use of these shoes or may not have taken the time to read the instructions or follow the advice from the sales representatives at the time of purchase…
Skechers Shape-Ups Class Action
I have been wearing Skechers Shape ups since they came out. I have lost my balance several times and have suffered sciatic leg and back pain. It was to the point that I could not walk without meds at times. I am going to stop wearing as of today after reading some of the comments.