Track Star Abby Steiner is Suing Puma and Mercedes-Benz Formula 1 Over Defective Shoe Claims
PublishedQuick Facts
- According to an in-depth look at the lawsuit by The Athletic, Steiner’s filing in a Massachusetts court argues that Puma’s carbon fiber plate and nitrofoam technology, along with the brand’s shoe designs, “altered the biomechanics of runners or the manner in which the stresses of running impact their bodies"
- Steiner joined the Puma track team in 2022, and in the years since, she’s undergone multiple surgeries, run through pain, and, in 2025, stepped away from the sport altogether
- The lawsuit was filed late last week, so we likely won’t know more information about the case for a little while
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World-class athletes are finely tuned machines, and, as we saw last week at the London Marathon, performance gear can be the difference between world record finishes and the back of the pack. Or, in the worst-case scenario of world record-holding sprinter Abby Steiner, it can ruin a career. In a new lawsuit, Steiner is looking to make her sneaker horror story public, claiming that running shoes made by Puma and Mercedes-Benz Formula 1 were responsible for the demise of her career.
According to an in-depth look at the lawsuit by The Athletic, Steiner’s filing in a Massachusetts court argues that Puma’s carbon fiber plate and nitrofoam technology, along with the brand’s shoe designs, “altered the biomechanics of runners or the manner in which the stresses of running impact their bodies,” “caused bone stress injuries,” and “increased the likelihood of foot injuries.” Steiner’s lawsuit claims that Puma and the brand’s design partners at Mercedes-Benz Formula 1 were aware of the issues with the shoes but refused to correct them.
The Athletic reached out to Puma and Mercedes-Benz for comment but did not hear anything back. In the lawsuit, specific sneakers are named, including the Deviate Nitro Elite 2 and 3, evoSpeed Tokyo Nitro, evoSPEED Tokyo Nitro 400M, along with “any others that utilize the plate or foam.”
Steiner joined the Puma track team in 2022, and in the years since, she’s undergone multiple surgeries, run through pain, and, in 2025, stepped away from the sport altogether. The lawsuit was filed late last week, so we likely won’t know more information about the case for a little while, but for all the latest updates on Steiner’s claim, download the Sole Retriever App.
Zach Harris is a writer based in Philadelphia. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Vice, Complex, High Times, and more. He is obsessed with skateboarding and bowling. He is still looking for his first 300. For tips, reviews, and anything in size 10.5 - zach.h@soleretriever.com
