Reebok Pump

The original Reebok Pump

In 1988, Design Continuum, an industrial design firm, partnered with Reebok to design a shoe that used inflatable chambers that pump-up for a custom fit, the Reebok Pump.[2][3][4] A demo version of the Pump, a customizable inflatable/deflatable high-top shoe, was exhibited at the Sporting Goods Manufacturers' Association in February 1989.[2][4] On November 24, 1989, the first Reebok Pump was released.[1][4] That month, Dominique Wilkins was featured on a television commercial introducing the Reebok Pump.[5] Reebok released the Omni Zone, Twilight Zone and the SXT Pump in 1990.[4] That year, Michael Chang's Court Victory Pumps was launched.[1][5]

Reebok Pump advertisement of 1989

In February 1991, Dee Brown inflated his Reebok Pumps in front of a national audience before scoring a title-winning dunk during the 1991 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.[3] That year, Pump expanded into cross-training, off-road, golf, walking, aerobics and running shoes.[4] Fullfoot, midfoot, collar, arch, footbed and Dual Chamber support was offered at the time.[2] The pump technology was patented as USPTO #5113599 in May 1992.[3] That year, Shaquille O'Neal was given his own pair of pumps.[3] The Pump Graphlite, a running shoe endorsed by Dan O'Brien and Dave Johnson was released in 1992.[4] That year, the film Juice included a montage of Omar Epps' character trying on different Reebok Pumps before meeting up with Tupac.[1] The Blacktop Model was released in 1991.[5] In 1994, Reebok partnered with Above the Rim, an American drama directed by Jeff Pollack and Tupac to create a full line of shoes named after the movie.[1] In the same year, the Instapump Fury was launched.[2]

John Cena wore Pumps as part of his old-school hip hop gimmick in 2004.[5] During the NBA All-Star weekend in 2005, Reebok introduced the ATR (Above the Rim) Pump.[6] Allen Iverson, Yao Ming, Steve Francis, Baron Davis and Jerome Williams showcased the ATR Pump during the NBA All-Star Game 2005.[6] In April 2005, the Pump 2.0 was launched.[7] The following year, Allen Iverson's The Answer IX featured the Pump Auto/Off Smart Valve.[5] The system automatically engaged or deactivated depending on performance needs.[5] The Reebok Pump X MLB, an edition paying homage to Shea Stadium and the Yankee Stadium was released in 2008.[5] Reebok released an original reproduction of The Fury in its 'Black/Citron/Red' colorway and 27 additional collaborative design versions of the shoe for its 20th anniversary in 2014.[8] In September 2014, the Keith Haring x Reebok Classic "Crack is Wack" collection Pumps, named after the 1986 mural, were released.[9] That month, the Reebok Court Victory Pump was re-released.[10]

From 2007 to 2009 Reebok partnered with ALIFE to create shoe designs.[5] Reebok's retro program has collaborated with Rolland Berry, John Maeda, the Commonwealth store in Virginia, Boston's own Bodega, Ubiq in Philadelphia and Atmos in Tokyo.[2] Reebok also worked with Orchard St, a New York-based retailer, to create a design for the Reebok Pump Omni Hex Ride.[2] In March 2014, Reebok collaborated with sneaker retailer Limited Edt to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the InstaPump Fury.[11]

25th anniversary

In 2014, Reebok collaborated with various designers to release the 25th anniversary edition Pumps.[12]

Pump shoes, pictured in 2014

Pump Omni OG 2013 Re-Release

• VILLA x Reebok Pump Question[12]
• Bodega x Reebok Pump 25th Anniversary "1989"[13]
• Sneaker Politics x Reebok Pump[14]
• hanon x Reebok Pump[15]
• Kasina x Reebok Pump[16]
• Titolo x Reebok Pump[17]
• 24 Kilates x Reebok Pump[18]
• Social Status x Reebok Pump[19]
• atmos x Reebok Pump[20]
• The Footpatrol x Reebok Pump "G.O.A.T"[21]
• Crossover x Reebok Insta Pump Fury[22]
• Major x Reebok Pump[23]
• mita sneakers x Reebok Pump[24]
• Burn Rubber x Reebok Pump[25]
• INVINCIBLE x Reebok Pump[26]
• CNCPTS x Reebok Pump[27]
• ShoeGallery X Reebok Pump[28]

• Official website
• Reebok Pumps It Up a Notch from ESPN (November 12, 2004)