September 4, 2026 — A recent incident report details a concerning safety issue with Ground Up MTN DEW clogs, where the strap reportedly broke on the first attempt to latch, leading to a direct injury to a child’s foot. The report highlights a design flaw that allegedly caused the shoe to “cut upon first time gentle wear,” along with difficulties in returning the defective product and a potential privacy risk involving personal information written inside the shoe.
Product Details
Incident Overview
On June 30, 2026, a consumer purchased a pair of Ground Up MTN DEW clogs green for $10.88 at Walmart Store 3749 in Evendale, Ohio. The incident occurred shortly after purchase when the strap of the clogs broke at the seam during the very first attempt to latch it. The consumer reported that the child “never wore after” this incident, and the tread was “like-new,” indicating minimal to no prior use.
Further details provided on August 20, 2026, reveal a more severe issue: “The way the clog is designed it tears upon work, which can cause serious injury to child. The design is a large button with a slight slit and it cuts upon first time gentle wear. The shoe needs reengineered as my child became injured with first time barely wear.” This clarifies that the failure was not just a broken strap but also caused a direct injury due to a design flaw.
The consumer had written the child’s name and a personal cell number inside the shoe for summer camp lost-and-found purposes. Attempts to return the defective clogs to the same Walmart store were unsuccessful, with a customer service employee and supervisor reportedly refusing the return. Subsequent efforts to escalate the issue with Walmart corporate were also denied, with the corporate representative instructing the consumer to return to the store manager. Despite difficulties verifying the purchase online due to a technical error where “Send Code” was disabled, the store eventually located the receipt using the consumer’s debit card information showing checking ending in a specific sequence. The consumer is seeking a full refund of $10.88 to their original debit checking payment method, not store credit, and expresses concern about the privacy risk if the shoes are resold with personal information visible, requesting a prepaid label and assurance that the shoes will be destroyed or inspected after redaction. The incident report noted product defects as strap seam failure, trip/fall hazard, and privacy risk.
Safety Concerns
This incident raises several critical safety concerns for consumers:
- Direct Injury/Laceration Hazard: The most immediate and alarming concern is the reported design flaw where the shoe “cuts upon first time gentle wear,” causing injury to a child. This suggests a sharp edge or pinch point within the shoe’s design, specifically the “large button with a slight slit,” which can cause cuts or lacerations to a child’s delicate foot.
- Trip and Fall Hazard: The strap breaking at the seam compromises the shoe’s ability to stay securely on a child’s foot. A loose or detached strap can cause a child to trip, stumble, or fall, potentially leading to sprains, fractures, concussions, or other impact-related injuries, especially given children’s active nature.
- Product Durability and Quality: The strap’s failure on the “first latch attempt” and “first time gentle wear” indicates a severe defect in manufacturing or design, suggesting the product does not meet reasonable expectations for durability or safety in footwear.
- Who Might Be Affected: Young children wearing these clogs are most at risk due to their developing bones, thinner skin, and less stable gait.
- Privacy Risk: The consumer’s personal information written inside the shoe, combined with the retailer’s alleged refusal to properly handle the return and request for destruction or redaction, creates a privacy risk if the product were to be resold or handled improperly.
What Consumers Should Do
If you own Ground Up MTN DEW clogs green, please take the following actions:
- Stop Using Immediately: Discontinue use of the clogs to prevent potential injury to children.
- Inspect Your Product: Carefully examine the straps and the “button with a slight slit” design for any signs of tearing, weakness, sharp edges, or potential for failure.
- Contact the Manufacturer: Reach out to Ground Up International LLC regarding the product’s defect and your options for a refund or replacement.
- Report the Incident: If you have experienced a similar issue or any injury, report it to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at SaferProducts.gov. This helps the CPSC gather data and potentially initiate broader safety actions.
- Address Privacy Concerns: If you have written personal information inside the shoes, take steps to black out or remove this information before disposing of or attempting to return the product.
Manufacturer’s Response
Ground Up International LLC has acknowledged receipt of the incident report.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process. Farzan Law is a California based Personal Injury law firm focusing on protecting the rights of those wrongfully injured.
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Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.