Vibram FiveFingers Footwear

December 2015: The First Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the District Court’s approval of the settlement.

February 2015: Three objectors filed Notices of Appeal regarding the approval of the settlement. Click on the links below to see each one.

• Ference Notice of Appeal
• Monti Cain Notice of Appeal
• Narkin Notice of Appeal

January 2015: A federal judge granted final approval of a settlement of this action. In May 2014, Vibram USA, Inc. agreed to a $3,750,000 settlement of a class-action lawsuit alleging that the company deceptively markets its FiveFingers footwear. According to the settlement terms, class members may receive a refund of up to $94 for each pair of FiveFingers footwear purchased (class members without proof of purchase may receive refunds for up to two pairs of shoes). In addition, the company agreed to make changes to marketing materials for the footwear, including not making claims that the footwear strengthens muscles or prevents injury without scientific support for such claims.

2012: A false advertising class-action lawsuit was filed against Vibram USA, Inc. for allegedly deceptively marketing FiveFingers footwear. Specifically, the complaint (which was originally filed in March 2012 and amended in June 2012) alleges that the company promises FiveFingers running shoes provide “health benefits” that traditional running shoes do not without scientific evidence to support such claims. (Bezdek v. Vibram USA, Inc. and Vibram FiveFingers, LLC, Case No. 12-cv-10513, D. MA.)

For more information about other class-action lawsuits filed against Vibram and TINA.org’s coverage of the issue, click here.

For more information about the marketing of shoes and TINA.org’s coverage of the issue, click here.