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$25 Million Settlement Against Reebok for False Claims

by Corey Nagle » on Sep 28, 2011 1

Way to go FTC! Apparently (according to Gawker) Reebok has agreed to a settlement of $25 million “to resolve charges that the company deceptively advertised” its EasyTone and RunTone shoes.

Reebok's false claims in action.

Apparently, there’s no data backing up Reebok’s claims that these types of shoes actually do you any good whatsoever.

Surprise, suprise.

From AdAge:

Under the settlement, Reebok is barred from making claims that toning shoes or apparel strengthen muscles or that using the products will result in a specific percentage or amount of muscle toning or strengthening, unless the claims can be supported by scientific evidence. Up until this point, Reebok claimed, consumers would see a 28% increase in the strength and tone of the butt, as well as an 11% increase in the strength and tone of hamstrings and calf muscles.

Here’s where I get confused.

Weren’t they supposed to be doing this from the beginning? Apparently, shoe manufacturers can make all the false claims they like, as long as they don’t get caught.

Though, in this case, I’m not sure who to feel worse for: Reebok, or people who bought these shoes thinking they would actually accomplish something.

Note:  No word from from the FTC on whether or not they were investigating other brands for making similar claims (read: Skechers).

1 Comment

  1. I was just reading an article on fashionista.com and was disturbed to see this in the last line:

    “Is this the final nail in the coffin of gimmicky exercise shoes? We suspect not. After all, those weird five-toe minimalist anti-shoes are all the rage now.”

    Coming from a reputable source such as fashionista.com (pff!) I’m sure that the popular consumer sentiment on minimalist shoes is the same as those big nasty companies that just want to rip us off with their dodgy claims?

    Well, I’ve never seen Vibram make any dodgy claims, their websites link to articles and to anyone who does even the smallest amount of research will find that although the jury is still out regarding the health benefits of minimalist vs. fully shod runners, the evidence supporting them is encouraging .. and I don’t think we’ll see this sort of class action against Vibram anytime soon.

    – Richie

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