The Pump Technology Story

The original Pump design was unveiled back in 1988. It featured an innovative pump on the heel that sent a cushion of air around the contours of the foot, and a release mechanism to get the fit just right. Several engineering tweaks later, the pump ball landed on the tongue of the shoe in the iconic shape of a basketball. The Pump first hit America's courts and streets on November 24th, 1989 and by year's end 50,000 pairs had flown off the shelves. Twenty-two years later… The Pump legacy continues. The world's first fully customizable shoe is still going strong, fitting your personal style as uniquely as it fits your feet.

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Reebok Pump Celebrates its 20th Anniversary

On the 20th November 1989, Reebok released the first shoe to incorporate an inflatable air mechanism for a custom fit. Originally launched as a basketball high top, the use of top NBA icons helped the Pump gain instant street cred and cross the divide between a performance and lifestyle sneaker. The Reebok Pump was a success the moment it hit the streets - selling 50 000 pairs in the US before the end of the year and 20 million pairs in just four years.

Other than basketball stars, Michael Chang became one of the noteable spokesmen for Pump technology as he rose to fame in Reebok's Pump Court Victory through 1990 and 1991.  As the different ranges started pumping out, the new Pump Omni Lite gained instant notoriety at the 1991 All-Star weekend Slam Dunk contest when Boston Celtic rookie Dee Brown walked out in the new Pumps. Before taking his final dunk in a tied contest, with cameras and fans focussed on him, he bent down, pumped up his Reeboks, and took to the air with the winning dunk while covering his eyes with his arms.  In a moment that will go down in history, he then casually leant forward and deflated his Pumps while the crowd went wild.

Keep an eye out for key Pump styles at selected stores to make sure you claim a piece of history.

The Pump Technology Story

The original Pump design was unveiled back in 1988. It featured an innovative pump on the heel that sent a cushion of air around the contours of the foot, and a release mechanism to get the fit just right. Several engineering tweaks later, the pump ball landed on the tongue of the shoe in the iconic shape of a basketball. The Pump first hit America's courts and streets on November 24th, 1989 and by year's end 50,000 pairs had flown off the shelves. Twenty-two years later… The Pump legacy continues. The world's first fully customizable shoe is still going strong, fitting your personal style as uniquely as it fits your feet.

The original Pump design was unveiled back in 1988. It featured an innovative pump on the heel that sent a cushion of air around the contours of the foot, and a release mechanism to get the fit just right. Several engineering tweaks later, the pump ball landed on the tongue of the shoe in the iconic shape of a basketball. The Pump first hit America's courts and streets on November 24th, 1989 and by year's end 50,000 pairs had flown off the shelves. Twenty-two years later… The Pump legacy continues. The world's first fully customizable shoe is still going strong, fitting your personal style as uniquely as it fits your feet.

The Pump Technology Story

The original Pump design was unveiled back in 1988. It featured an innovative pump on the heel that sent a cushion of air around the contours of the foot, and a release mechanism to get the fit just right. Several engineering tweaks later, the pump ball landed on the tongue of the shoe in the iconic shape of a basketball. The Pump first hit America's courts and streets on November 24th, 1989 and by year's end 50,000 pairs had flown off the shelves. Twenty-two years later… The Pump legacy continues. The world's first fully customizable shoe is still going strong, fitting your personal style as uniquely as it fits your feet.

The original Pump design was unveiled back in 1988. It featured an innovative pump on the heel that sent a cushion of air around the contours of the foot, and a release mechanism to get the fit just right. Several engineering tweaks later, the pump ball landed on the tongue of the shoe in the iconic shape of a basketball. The Pump first hit America's courts and streets on November 24th, 1989 and by year's end 50,000 pairs had flown off the shelves. Twenty-two years later… The Pump legacy continues. The world's first fully customizable shoe is still going strong, fitting your personal style as uniquely as it fits your feet.