Athletic shoe company On is currently facing a class action lawsuit filed on October 9 in US District Court in Oregon. The lawsuit involves customers who allege that On’s popular “CloudTec” sneakers produce a “noisy and embarrassing squeak” during use. These sneakers, typically priced around $200 (£150), are designed with holes in the sole to create a sensation of running on clouds. However, the plaintiffs claim this feature instead causes problems, particularly for individuals like nurses who wear the shoes for extended periods.
The customers assert that they would not have purchased these shoes had they known about the audible squeaking noise produced with each step. The lawsuit accuses On of “deceptive marketing,” with plaintiffs stating that multiple styles of their shoes are effectively unwearable without significant modifications. They also claim they were unable to return the sneakers after raising concerns about the noise.
The complaint highlights that On could have addressed the issues by fixing the design, offering repairs, or providing refunds, but did not take any of these actions. Specific models mentioned include the Cloudmonster and Cloudrunner. One plaintiff noted that the embarrassment caused by the noise rendered her shoes unusable as intended.
Additionally, the complaint references various social media posts from other dissatisfied customers on platforms like TikTok and Reddit, where they have suggested DIY solutions for the noise problem, such as applying coconut oil to the shoe soles.
On, which has received backing from tennis player Roger Federer, recently reported stronger-than-expected earnings, citing a boost in quarterly revenue due to direct-to-consumer sales. Earlier in the year, the company noted that sales of its Cloudmonster and Cloudsurfer models played a significant role in its growth.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c803lzr87yno?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss