On Cloud Class Action Lawsuit Filed Over Alleged ‘Squeaky’ Sneaker Design Defect

New to ClassAction.org? Read our Newswire Disclaimer

A proposed class action lawsuit alleges that On sneakers designed with CloudTec cushioned support technology suffer from a defect that produces a loud, bothersome squeak with each step.

Want to stay in the loop on class action lawsuits that matter to you? Sign up for ClassAction.org's free weekly newsletter.

The 29-page lawsuit contends that the signature CloudTec design incorporated into the majority of On’s “wildly popular” sneakers— which features a geometric pattern of pods designed to absorb impact and cushion a user’s feet as they step— causes a squeak to be emitted due to rubber friction. As the lawsuit tells it, defendant On, Inc. has drawn the ire of consumers after refusing to remedy the defect, which, “[t]hough seemingly inconsequential,” has left proposed class members with “no relief after buying almost $200 shoes.”

The plaintiffs, consumers from California and New York, bought On sneakers with the CloudTec design in September 2024 and quickly noticed the squeaking noise at issue, the complaint says. The consumers felt like they were “no longer able to wear [their] shoes as intended due to the embarrassment and annoyance the squeaky noise defect causes,” the class action lawsuit states.

Per the suit, the CloudTec sneakers plagued by the apparent squeaky defect include, but are not limited to, the Cloud 5, Cloud 6, CloudMonsters, Cloudtilts, Cloudsurfers, Cloudeclipse, Cloudleap, CloudSky, CloudSwift, Cloudzone, and Cloudrunner models.

According to the filing, many other consumers have reported their own experiences with the allegedly problematic CloudTec design online. Some have turned to online forums to search for insight from fellow users, while others have created how-to blogs on the best way to break in On sneakers and stop the squeak with do-it-yourself solutions, the suit shares.

Regardless, these at-home remedies are neither permanent nor sustainable answers to the sneaker issue, the case contends.

“No reasonable consumer would purchase shoes as highly priced as Defendant’s— or paid as much for them as they did—if they needed to make DIY alterations to make the Products wearable,” the lawsuit claims.

According to the complaint, On is aware of the squeaking issue present in its CloudTec sneakers but has provided no solutions to consumers who have contacted the manufacturer. Instead, the complaint charges, On hides behind its warranty notice, which “does not extend to defects due to the wrong fit, [or] normal wear and tear.” Per the suit, the defendant has “categorized the squeaking as normal wear and tear,” and all CloudTec models are still available for sale on its website and from third-party retailers.

The proposed class members for the On Cloud class action lawsuit include all consumers in New York and/or California who purchased a pair of On sneakers with CloudTec during the applicable statute of limitations period.

Looking for current class action lawsuits to join? Check out ClassAction.org’s class action lawsuit list.