Skechers False Advertising: What You Need to Know About Comfort Shoe Claims

When you buy a pair of Skechers, a popular footwear brand known for its memory foam and cushioned soles. Also known as memory foam shoes, they promise relief for tired feet, yet have faced legal action for overstating benefits. The issue isn’t just about one brand—it’s about how comfort shoes are marketed to people who need real support, not just soft padding. Skechers was sued by the FTC in 2012 for claiming their Shape-Ups line could burn calories and tone muscles without evidence. That case wasn’t an outlier. It opened the door to questions about other brands making similar promises.

What makes this matter is who’s being misled. Nurses, retail workers, and older adults buy these shoes because they’re on their feet all day. They trust the ads that say "engineered for support" or "clinically proven comfort." But comfort doesn’t equal support. A shoe can feel soft and still lack arch structure, heel stability, or shock absorption. Foot health, the long-term condition of your feet, ankles, and posture depends on proper biomechanics, not cushioning alone. Brands like Skechers, Hey Dudes, and others often blur that line. And when you’re paying $80–$120 for a pair, you expect more than a temporary bounce.

There’s a pattern here. Many comfort shoes are designed for short-term feel, not long-term function. They use lightweight foam that compresses quickly, leaving your feet unsupported after a few weeks. That’s why people end up with plantar fasciitis, knee pain, or lower back issues—even after switching to "supportive" shoes. The real solution isn’t buying a new pair every season. It’s understanding what your feet actually need: structured arches, a firm heel counter, and enough room to move. Deceptive marketing, the practice of making unproven or exaggerated claims to drive sales exploits the hope that pain can be solved with a simple product. But foot pain doesn’t vanish because a shoe says it’s "ergonomic" or "doctor-recommended." Those labels aren’t regulated.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real stories and facts about footwear that actually works—or doesn’t. From why nurses wear Crocs to whether UGG slippers are worth the hype, these articles cut through the noise. You’ll learn how to spot empty promises, what to look for in a shoe that won’t hurt you later, and why some of the most popular brands are missing the mark. This isn’t about hating Skechers. It’s about protecting your feet from marketing that sounds good but doesn’t deliver.

What is the controversy with Skechers?

What is the controversy with Skechers?

by Fiona Worthing, 1 Dec 2025, Footwear

Skechers faced a major controversy for falsely claiming their toning shoes could help users lose weight and tone muscles. The FTC fined them $40 million and banned the claims. Here’s what really happened.

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