According to CBS News in the U.S. on the 18th, a complaint was filed against OnLearning in federal court in Oregon on the 9th. The complaint argued that consumers who purchased sneakers containing “CloudTec” technology applied to On’s flagship product line “make a loud, difficult-to-stop squeak every time they move,” adding, “A reasonable consumer would never have purchased them knowing this noise.”
Cloudtech soles consist of various types of “hollow pods,” including hexagonal, octagonal, and oval shapes. Consumers complained that the structure is designed to increase shock absorption and ignition, but that the internal rubber material rubs against each other when walking or running. In particular, consumers who work standing for a long time, such as hospital workers, said, “I suffered inconvenience and shame due to the sound I hear every time I walk.”
The lawsuit is said to include a total of 11 products, including On’s Cloud 5, Cloud 6, Cloud Monster, and Cloud Runner. The shoes cost between 140 and $180, which is a “premium product” that exceeds the average price of general running shoes.
The legal panel requested a refund for the noise, but On excluded it from the warranty, judging that it was “normal wear and tear, not a product defect.” In fact, On’s customer service terms and conditions state that noise generated during the ignition process does not correspond to “defects.” On told CBS News, “We do not comment on ongoing legal matters.”
The legal representatives said, “On did not make technical improvements even though he was aware of the problem,” adding, “This constitutes deceptive business practices” and “fraudulent marketing.” The plaintiffs are demanding compensation for damages and product refunds through jury trials.
Some experts point out that the noise from the sneakers can simply be due to the air or moisture inside the soles. Brooks Sports, a sports equipment company, advised that “the noise can be reduced by removing the shoe in the shoe and drying it.” Consumers are also sharing their own solutions such as “How to reduce friction by applying coconut oil to the holes in the soles.”
JULIE KIM
US ASIA JOURNAL
