Popular Sneakers Under Fire

Skechers? Resistance Runner, Shape-Ups, Toners and Tone-ups have been advertised to help consumers lose weight and tone muscles, something the Federal Trade Commission claims to be unfounded.

Skechers will pay $45 million to settle the case.

?While we vigorously deny the allegations made in these legal proceedings and looked forward to vindicating these claims in court, Skechers could not ignore the exorbitant cost and endless distraction of several years spend defending multiple lawsuits in multiple courts across the country,? said David Weinberg, the company?s chief financial officer in a statement released Wednesday.

Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced Wednesday that Colorado has joined 45 other states in entering the settlement.

According to the Attorney General?s office, consumers who purchased the rocker-bottom shoes will be eligible for refunds around $20 if they believe they have been mislead by the advertisements.

Claims can be filed online at www.ftc.gov/skechers, or consumers can call 866-325-4186.

?The company fully stands behind its toning shoe products and technology and is permitted under the settlement to continue to advertise that wearing rocker-bottom shoes like Shape-ups can lead to increased leg muscle activation, increased calorie burn, improved posture and reduced back pain,? said Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers.