The History of the Reebok Pump
In 1988, Nike was taking the lead in the sports world with Michael Jordan's Nike Air models, due to the Air technology in the sole that gave better cushioning while playing basketball. Reebok had to do something to stay in the game, but what?
It was Paul Fireman, the then head of Reebok, that brought in industrial design firm Design Continuum to help design a sneaker that would put them back in the spotlight.
The team was looking for an innovation that would put them on the same level as Nike's Air Jordan shoes. They came up with the idea of installing an inflatable bag inside the shoe. This bag would inflate itself with air, giving better support to the ankle. Reebok was sceptical at first, but gave them a chance to prove themselves.
The design team made two prototypes. In one, the consumer could inflate the shoe themselves, and in the other, the bag inflated itself while the wearer was walking. The head of the team tested these sneakers on the playground of a secondary school. The youngsters found it fun to keep inflating the shoe, and it became a kind of gimmick. By working with another designer, Paul Brown, the prototype was given a new look and became more of a basketball shoe.
In 1989, Reebok showed the shoe to the outside world for the first time. In November of that year, the shoe was launched for $170, which was a lot of money for a shoe at that time. The idea that you could inflate a shoe through the tongue was unique and very innovative at the time. The Reebok Pump was so successful that in 1990, the New York Times wrote that if the shoe were its own company, it would be the fourth largest in the industry.
A true breakthrough for the model came in 1991, when NBA Star Dee Brown famously pumped up his Reeboks before the dunk that won the Slam Dunk Contest. The moment skyrocketed the Pump's popularity and turned it into a true sneaker legend.
In the 1990s, Reebok expanded the Pump line beyond basketball, with models like the Court Victory Pump for tennis, multiple silhouettes for running, cross-training and aerobics, and the InstaPump Fury, which was a bold, laceless shoe introduced in 1994 that would quickly become a cult classic.
While the Pump became less mainstream as we entered the new century, the public turning to more minimalistic and less tech-heavy shoes, Reebok continued to release limited-edition collabs and retro versions, and the InstaPump Fury in particular gained traction in the fashion and streetwear scene.
Reebok Pump: Answering Your Questions
When did Reebok Pumps come out?
The Reebok Pump was first launched in November 1989 for $170. Then Head of Reebok Paul Fireman brought in industrial design firm Design Continuum to create something to compete with Nike Air, and the Pump technology was created.
Who wore Reebok Pumps?
NBA Star Dee Brown wore Reebok Pumps in the 1991 Slam Dunk Content. He famously pumped them up before making the dunk that won the content, skyrocketing the sneaker's popularity. Other celebrities that have worn the Reebok Pump include Jay-Z, Eminem, The Beastie Boys, David Beckham, and Snoop Dogg.
Shaquille O'Neal created his own signature shoe with Pump technology, the Shaq Attaq, and John Cena had a significant partnership with Reebok and wore Pump sneakers during his WWE career.
Are Reebok Pumps good for basketball?
Reebok Pumps were originally designed to be worn for basketball, the Pump technology created to provide players with a customised fit and extra ankle support. Several NBA players including Dee Brown, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal wore Reebok Pumps during their careers.
While many modern basketball shoes have surpassed the Pump system in terms of cushioning and comfort, the Reebok Pump is still a solid sneaker for basketball.
How do Reebok Pump shoes work?
The Reebok Pump works via a small, inflatable air chamber in the tongue of the shoe (and sometimes around the collar) that is activated by pressing a small pump button on the tongue or side of the shoe. When you press the pump, it inflates the air chamber, tightening the shoe around your foot. It can be deflated by pressing a valve or button.
Do Reebok Pumps stop working after a while?
Reebok Pumps can lose their effectiveness over time due to air leakage and pump mechanism malfunction, and the materials surrounding the pump degrading. Modern Reebok Pumps are built with more durable materials to prevent this, and certain parts can be replaced if necessary.
How do Reebok Pumps fit?
In general, Reebok Pumps fit true to size, and due to the Pump technology, can be adjusted to any fit. People with narrower feet can pump the shoes for a tighter fit, while those with wider feet can keep the chambers less inflated.
How do I tie my Reebok Pump laces?
For guidance on tying your Pump laces, check out our Ultimate Sneakerjagers Lacing Guide!
How can I clean my Reebok Pump?
A Reebok Pump is best cleaned by hand. For the best results, remove the laces, then use a toothbrush to remove obvious dirt from the surface. Mix a mild detergent with some water, and use a sponge or cloth to gently scrub harder stains, or for suede, use a suede brush (water can damage suede). Use a damp cloth to wipe off the residue, then let them air-dry.
For a smelly sneaker, you can sprinkle baking soda inside the shoe, then leave overnight. The powder will absorb moisture and neutralise the smell. Shake out the excess before wearing again. Alternatively, you can use silica gel or activated charcoal bags for the same results.
Laces can be cleaned with a mild detergent and rinsed afterwards, or you can put white laces in a 1:5 bleach and water solution for a few minutes and then rinse thoroughly with clean water.
In addition, we do not recommend putting your shoes in the washing machine. Sneakers made of leather and suede can come out damaged. With shoes made of canvas or cotton, the risk is less, but the chance of damaged sneakers remains. So we recommend always washing your sneakers by hand. If you do put them in the washing machine, then place the shoes in an old pillowcase beforehand.
Where can you buy Reebok Pump?
Do you have your eye on this model? With our sneaker search engine, you can browse the Reebok Pump at different retailers and at different prices. Our release calendar also keeps you up to date on Pump restocks and new releases!
Notable Reebok Pump Collaborations
Reebok x BAPE
BAPE and Reebok are no strangers to each other, launching multiple vibrant and high-energy collaborations on models like the Club C and InstaPump Fury.
But perhaps the most iconic collab between the two brands was the 2022 release of the InstaPump Fury featuring BAPE's signature camo overlays. Splashed with a riot of colours, from orange and blue to purple and green, the APE HEAD logo replaced the usual pump button, and 'BAPE STA' was embroidered on the heel. The eye-catching design remains a favourite on the bold model.
Reebok x Vetements
The Vetements x Reebok InstaPump Fury collab first dropped in 2016, the model being an obvious canvas for the fashion house known for its ironic and subversive aesthetic.
The 'Official Fake' featured a stark white upper covered in hand-scrawled text and doodles, making the shoe look like something torn out of a notebook. The tongue-in-cheek sneaker design blurred the lines between product and parody in a delicious divide.
The 'Emoji' followed in 2017, adorned with all-over Vetements branding and in-your-face emojis replacing the standard pump buttons. It retailed for just under $1,000, a brilliantly cynical nod to the absurdity of social media. Loud, subversive, and unmistakably Vetements, the collabs embodied moments where high fashion and streetwear collided with satire.
Reebok x atmos
Another Tokyo-based collab, atmos has reworked the InstaPump Fury multiple times over the years, but the most celebrated drop was when the brand placed its typically loud style on the model in 2017 with the 'Bleached Denim'.
The colorway featured a distressed denim print with hits of neon orange for a strong contrast, the clash working well on Reebok's wildest silhouette. It was intended to imitate a pair of perfectly broken-in jeans, faded in the sun and full of memories.
Reebok x Maison Margiela
Parisian fashion house Maison Margiela didn't just give the InstaPump Fury a makeover - it rebuilt the entire silhouette.
In 2020, they introduced the Tabi InstaPump Fury, with Margiela's signature split-toe added to the already futuristic Fury in an impactful fusion of high-fashion design and street-tech performance. The colorways ranged from clean black and white editions to the original Fury palette of yellow, red and black, and dropped in both heeled and flat versions made from luxe materials.
They also released the Tabi InstaPump Fury Oxford in 2021, a low-cut sneaker with the same split-toe design and pump technology and released in the same black, white, and yellow/red/black editions.
Variations of the Reebok Pump
Over the years, the classic technology of the Reebok Pump has been placed in a number of different models.
Reebok Pump Omni Zone II
Designed for basketball performance, the Reebok Pump Omni Zone II is the latest version of the original Reebok Pump model.
The high-top sneaker was the first to incorporate Reebok's Pump technology, and it features both a Pump chamber in the tongue and on the ankle collar for maximum fit adjustment.
Reebok Pump Court
The Reebok Pump Court is a lower-cut shoe, primarily designed for tennis. The Pump system helps improve support during lateral movements. The sleek and simple design is focused more on functionality than boldness.
This model has no laces, but a hard plastic band on the instep, which gives the shoe a good connection.
Reebok Pump Court Victory
The Reebok Pump Court Victory is a different variant of the Court. It's designed specifically for tennis players seeking optimal ankle support and cushioning.
Featuring the Pump technology on the tongue and within the collar, it provides a snug and supportive fit for quick movement on the court.
Reebok InstaPump Fury
One of Reebok's most iconic sneaker designs, the InstaPump Fury has a laceless, futuristic silhouette. Its bold colorways made it a standout shoe in the 90s, with Pump technology integrated into the tongue for a customisable fit.
The unique design, featuring bulbous chambers and intricate mesh overlays, is very popular today in both performance and lifestyle circles.
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