Reebok to Pay $25 Million in Refunds to Settle FTC Charges Over EasyTone Shoes
Posted on September 28, 2011
Reebook will pay $25 million in customer refunds as part of a settlement agreement with the FTC over charges of deceptive advertising in marketing its line of toning shoes. Reebok's EasyTone walking shoes and RunTone running shoes retail for $80 to $100 a pair. EasyTone flip flops retail for about $60 a pair. Consumers who bought Reebok toning shoes or toning apparel can submit a claim.
The FTC complaint said Rebook made unsupported claims that its shoes could strengthen and tone key leg and buttock (gluteus maximus) muscles more than regular shoes. The FTC's complaint also alleges that Reebok falsely claimed that "walking in EasyTone footwear had been proven to lead to 28 percent more strength and tone in the buttock muscles, 11 percent more strength and tone in the hamstring muscles, and 11 percent more strength and tone in the calf muscles than regular walking shoes."
The settlement bars Reebok from making claims its toning shoes are effective in strengthening muscles without backing the claims with accurate scientific evidence. Reebok also cannot make health or fitness-related claims about the toning shoes without scientific evidence backing the claims.Rebook said it stands by its shoes in a press release.
Skechers also has a line of body-shaping shoes called Shape Ups. CNN reports that the FTC would not comment about whether or not it is investigating Skechers' shoes.