Customers sue over 'embarrassing' squeaky On Cloud shoes

Athletic shoe company On is facing a class action lawsuit in the US District Court in Oregon filed by customers claiming its CloudTec sneakers, which retail for around $200, emit a “noisy and embarrassing squeak.” The lawsuit alleges that the shoes, designed with holes in the sole to simulate “running on clouds,” are defective and cause issues in daily life, particularly for professions requiring prolonged standing, such as nursing. Customers claim they were unable to return the shoes after complaining about the noise and accuse On of deceptive marketing.

The plaintiffs are seeking refunds and damages, arguing that On could have addressed the design flaw or offered remedies but failed to do so. The complaint specifically mentions the Cloudmonster and Cloudrunner models as being affected. Customers have shared at-home remedies, like applying coconut oil, on social media platforms like TikTok and Reddit to try and mitigate the squeaking.

Despite the lawsuit, On reported strong earnings in August, with revenue boosted by direct-to-consumer sales, and highlighted the Cloudmonster and Cloudsurfer models as key contributors to its growth. The company has not yet publicly commented on the allegations.

(Source：BBC)