The popular running shoe brand, On, is facing legal action from several customers who allege a defect in the footwear that results in a “loud, embarrassing, and difficult-to-stop squeaking sound with each step.”
This class action lawsuit was initiated on October 9 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon. Plaintiffs argue that had they been aware of this noise issue, they would have reconsidered their purchase. The complaint attributes the squeak to On’s CloudTec shoe design, which features “hexagonal, octagonal, and oval-shaped holes forming the external landing surface of the shoes.”
According to the lawsuit, each step causes the rubber components in the CloudTec design to rub against each other, producing the unwanted noise described as “noisy and embarrassing.”
On, a Swiss company operating from Portland, Oregon in the U.S., has stated that it does not comment on pending legal proceedings.
Numerous customers have voiced their concerns about the noise on platforms like Reddit, with some offering tips to mitigate the squeaking. The two individuals who initiated the lawsuit reported they stopped using their On running shoes soon after purchase, due to the embarrassment caused by the noise.
The lawsuit also emphasizes the premium pricing of On’s shoes, noting that the CloudTec models range from $140 to $180 per pair, which surpasses the average running shoe price of $132.90.
On, a Swiss company with U.S. offices in Portland, Oregon, said it doesn’t comment on ongoing legal matters.
Other customers have complained about the noise in online forums such as Reddit, with some posting hacks for trying to stop the shoes from squeaking. The two consumers who filed the lawsuit claim they stopped wearing their On running shoes shortly after purchasing them due to the noise, which they both described as embarrassing.
The lawsuit also points out that the On running shoes cost a premium, with its CloudTec shoes retailing between $140 to $180 a pair, higher than the average running shoe price of $132.90.
The complaint names 11 types of On shoes made with CloudTec that could experience squeaking:
- Cloud 5
- Cloud 6
- CloudMonsters
- Cloudtilts
- Cloudsurfers
- Cloudeclipse
- Cloudleap
- CloudSky
- Cloudswift
- Cloudzone
- Cloudrunner
The lawsuit claims that consumers haven’t been able to successfully return the shoes based on the squeak because On’s warranty “does not extend to defects due to the wrong fit, normal wear and tear,” with the company allegedly describing the squeaking as “normal wear and tear.”
The complaint is seeking compensatory, statutory and punitive damages for what it believes are likely “thousands of people” who purchased On shoes with the CloudTec design.
