Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
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
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru vehicle data collection class action lawsuit investigation
May 17, 2024 | Legal News
386 thoughts onSkechers Shape-Ups Class Action
I had major knee surgery and started wearing these shoes right after. Thinking the shoes would help strenghen and tone my lower body, therefore, helping my knee. I retuned to the doctor for several visits and was told that the knee was not healing. When I stopped wearing the Skeetchers, my knee healed and I have not had ant problems since. These shoes nearly cost me another surgery that I didn’t need and they also cost me a custom knee brace ($850) and time off work that had I not worn the shoes my knee would have been fine
I also have constant back pain that started with the Skechers and has never gone away and I had 6 mos of grueling physical therapy with no relief.
anyone receive a refund yet?
Another lying company that doesn’t care about people,just the allmighty buck! We should all know that if it sounds to good to be true,it probably is.
I too have bought at least five pairs of sketches for work changing my sneakers daily for the type of work I do. I really like them as well however did have some pain issues with my feet, toes,, heal and was told that it was the type of shoes I was wearing I have complete and submit a form however my email has change and I wondering if this is why I have not heard anything yet since I moved from the previous address as well as my email has changed to the one now listed
I initially bought the rocker shoes when I started working 16 hours standing and walking alot for my jobs. After about 1 year I started having an increase in tendonitis and bursitis in both legs. About 6 months later I started to develop increased hip and groin pain.
I have been seeing doctors for 31/2 years now for my leg and hip pain. I have also recently had both hips replaced. I have been on pain meds, anti-inflamitory meds, muscle relaxers and have recently started on Humera to help with the inflamation of my lower extremities.
my name is sun maston my husbend and I try to make shape up are body my husbend cant walk it all hes hips and leg k nead back was so much pain he have been taking lot of pill everyday just make day he pass it way 7.month go but i love some of you ther shoe some of them heart my foot and leg I was trying to get my money back they do like used he dent get to used 10 mints I need my shoe walk so tried wearing my food till me it is pain full
I walked five miles a day wearing Skechers.When my hips started hurting I bought New Balance shoes. I could not make it a mile. I have severe pain. I did not keep the boxes they were in- I thought they were going to be good for me as they did not bother me for several months walking everyday. Now I can barely walk across the room. I can’t afford to go to the Doctor. I don’t have medical proof but I can say that now I have to be careful about what kind of shoe I wear.A law office called me and said I would have to have proof I bought them and Dr.s diagnosis. I have neither.
I have been wearing shape-up shoes for almost 2 years.
I absolutely love them and have never turned my ankles or fallen because of them. However, i now have cartilage damage in both knees- one worse than the other. I have stopped wearing the shoes but the damage is irreversible. So for you out there that call us babies or klutzes because we dont know how to walk— KISS MY —!!!
Does anyone know the status of the suit? I applied for the refund when it first came out and have not heard a word about any of the settlement payments. Did I miss something?
I have two pair,I thought it was just me.I feel off balance all the time.They are changing the way I walk,Not in a good way. I feel Ishould be refunded for them.