Vibram stands by FiveFingers
28/05/2014
In 2012, a consumer in Florida raised legal action against Vibram, alleging the Italian company had overstated the health benefits of FiveFingers, specifically the shoes’ ability to help wearers strengthen muscles and reduce injury.
Vibram has agreed to refund US buyers of the product and has put aside $3.75 million to pay for this. Consumers validly claiming a refund will receive up to $95 each. The company will also tone down its claims about the benefits the product can offer runners, at least until it has additional scientific evidence for them.
In the days immediately following the settlement, Vibram made no official statement about the case. However, media in the US, citing court documents, said Vibram denies any wrongdoing and “neither admits nor concedes any actual or potential fault, wrongdoing or liability”.
Observers have pointed out that the complaints have centred not on the product but on the advertising messages used to promote FiveFingers.
Share this story:
