Track Star Sues Puma Over "Dangerous" Shoes

American track and field champion Abby Steiner has initiated legal action against Puma and Mercedes' Formula 1 team, asserting that their footwear products are unsafe and have caused her significant injuries. Steiner alleges that the design of specific Puma shoes, particularly those incorporating carbon fiber plate and nitrofoam technology, altered her natural running mechanics. These alleged changes, she claims, contributed to serious foot and ankle injuries that have derailed her promising sprinting career.

The lawsuit was filed in Middlesex County Superior Court in Massachusetts on April 24, 2024. Steiner, a decorated athlete with multiple world and NCAA championships, contends that the shoes were defectively designed and that Puma and Mercedes failed to adequately warn consumers about the potential risks. The legal filing specifies several shoe models, noting that the issue pertains to any product utilizing the contentious carbon fiber plate or nitrofoam technology.

Mercedes' involvement stems from providing engineering insights for athletic footwear design. Steiner, who was sponsored by Puma since 2022, used the shoes in training and competitions with the expectation of safety. However, by 2025, she had undergone numerous surgeries and rehabilitation. She reported in 2024 that she was often limping and relying on willpower to train, seeking to fulfill a lifelong dream of competing in the Olympics.

According to the complaint, Steiner asserts that the defendants were aware of the risks associated with the shoe technology, including bone stress injuries and irregular strain on runners' feet. She alleges they failed to report these defects to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. The injuries sustained have rendered her unable to compete professionally, including at the Olympic level, effectively ending her sprinting career as of August 2025 when she announced a step back from running.