Reebok Australia has been ordered to pay $350,000 for false claims about its shoes.

The footwear manufacuturer was handed the fine by the Federal Court after action was taken over ads for its ‘EasyTone’ shoes by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

It turns out you cannot work out simply by wearing shoes - court documents suggest that actually exercising in the shoes would have a greater effect.

The ACCC argued Reebok's claim - that simply walking in a pair of EasyTone shoes would increase muscle tone in the legs more than traditional walking shoes - was false and misleading.

The court found Reebok had no reasonable grounds for making it appear that this was the case.

“Where businesses claim their products have certain performance characteristics and benefits, they have a responsibility to ensure that those claims are accurate and supported by credible evidence,” the ACCC's deputy chair Delia Rickard wrote in a statement.

“This is particularly important in cases such as this where it is difficult for consumers to independently verify the claims.”

Reebok accepted the judgment and fine, and will provide a refund of $35 per pair of shoes purchased to those that feel they suffered loss or damage as a result of the shonky claim.