How The Reebok Pump Changed The High-Tech Sneaker Game Forever

When it comes to cutting-edge athletic footwear, Reebok and its competitors - Nike being the most prominent among them - have been at the forefront of industry-shaking innovations that literally change the way people wear (and buy) sneakers. But few innovations have caused a stir quite like the Reebok Pump. On its way to becoming a veritable game-changer, the Pump - introduced at the tail-end of the 1980s - featured technologies that many brands, including arch-rival Nike, had been tiptoeing around for years.
To read more about this, go here:
www.ranker.com/list/reebok-pu...
Be sure to subscribe to the Weird History Newsletter: www.ranker.com/newsletters/we...
#reebok #shoes #weirdhistory

[@lozantoninocreations]

I was obsessed with my Reebok Pumps. I bought them in 1991 and everyone at school was envious. 20 years later, I was given the exact same design pair for Christmas, after they rereleased the early 1990s styles. I still have that pair now and love to bring them out for special occassions.

[@isaacdejesus4936]

Yup I just got the shaq attack two pumps street fighter edition they're so awesome

[@jermainefloyd6558]

My gym teacher would always ask me pump them up that alone gave me confidence ❤

[@largol33t1]

Yesterday was a small but noticeable day in my life. After trying for 20 years, (seriously, I'm amazed that Reebok hasn't collapsed by now. Nobody sells their shoes in stores) I finally got my hands on a pair of Pumps. They were too expensive back then but was able to grab a pair online for $90. I was pleasantly shocked that they still have the word "Hexalite" stitched on the shoes with their famous honeycomb air cushion windows on the bottom. I probably will wear them only on special occasions too. The Hexalite name still holds a place in my heart. It was the only model I had that came closest to the Pump designs. I loved those shoes because Reebok wasn't falsely claiming anything. They were and still are among the lightest sneakers I've owned. I remember walking all over Disney World in those and they were amazingly comfortable. I'm glad the Hexalite name isn't dead but I still worry about the future of Reebok. I was shocked that the massive German brand Addidas bought them out. The shoe box said "Imported from the Netherlands." I am holding on to my Pumps. I'll never sell them.

[@TheNumbasign2]

Just got a pair of Iverson Pumps today 😊

[@dan003]

The best tech in sneakers for me was the LA Gear Lights. Absolutely amazing as a kid!

[@btetschner]

I remember those! I never had a pair, but they looked awesome!

[@dan003]

@@btetschner Genius tech! Haha. 😂

[@btetschner]

@@dan003 Real genius! I would buy a pair today if I found one for a decent price.

[@btetschner]

@@dan003 I remember, this was more than twenty years ago, that some punk kid in St. Louis, Missouri fled from the police during the night on foot. He had lights on his shoes so they were able to pick up the general trail where he was running and they were chasing him for a long time.

[@dan003]

@@btetschner d'oh! Haha! 😂

[@jameshardy6084]

Got a teal pair as a kid, after begging my parents for weeks. It meant no allowance for many months, but this was life or death. I made a big deal about pumping them up before playing b-ball, only to find that I still sucked at sports. I also grew out of them before I’d even paid off the shoes. $120 well spent!

[@Whats_a_ZJ]

Damn you actually got an allowance? I thought that was just shit kids said in movies.

[@MyKeeP81]

@@Whats_a_ZJ bro everyone i knew got one. we werent poor tho

[@ruipacheco2939]

A friend of mine, whose stepdad was a pilot, brought a pair for him from the US - living in Portugal, that was the only way you could get your feet in pair. They seemed like they came from another dimension! Love these Weird History episodes!

[@TheSharter]

My first pumps were the Michael Chang tennis version back in 1990. Currently have the Dee Browns and Shaq Attaqs in my shoe collection

[@johntomik4632]

Yea they had a little half tennis ball pump. I had forgotten about those

[@MyKeeP81]

i want those to retro so bad

[@TheSharter]

@@MyKeeP81 Yep, Reebok should definitely retro the Changs

[@joseoctaviomorenorodriguez9541]

A few months ago they released a Club-C collection with the green pump ball. Pure gold. I still want those.

[@paigemalloy4276]

10/10 The awe-inspiring puns. The tone used for Nike, making it sound like a curse word. The superbly delivered jokes. Pumpology. _Perfect_ ✨👌 (I'm so glad I found this channel)

[@KeyKiller74]

I was lucky enough to have Reebok pump called the Black tops as a kid. I'd would love the see Reebok bring them back someday.

[@Kit_Bear]

I'm wearing a pair of Pump Blacktop Battleground right now (2014 release).

[@KeyKiller74]

@@Kit_Bear Nice! for sure I'll be on the look out for them.

[@mangrove]

Those were my first Pumps, they were great!

[@utubeisazzhoe1413]

We were poor. I had a pair of Jordache pumps. Seven year old me still thought they were cool but still knew they were knock offs. Eventually I learned the valuable lesson that trends are stupid.

[@TurdJesus]

We all had that fad thing as a kid, the 90s were great 😂

[@michelleneal6860]

I had L.A. Gear Regulators, another pump knock off. They did nothing for my street cred aka popularity on the playground.

[@patrickaker4380]

@@michelleneal6860 I had them too. Thought they were cool as hell and I felt cool as hell as a 9 year old.

[@matthewsavant447]

Bro I did too! I used to make the air noise with my mouth. It feels good to know I'm not alone in this. Thank heavens!

[@caseysmith544]

@@TurdJesus Yep, when the slip on Vans were popular in the 1990's as a summer shoe due to Skateboarding and BMX trick bikes taking off again with the early X-Games, I wore some Cheaper B.U.M shoes often in navy blue or on pair of black that were look alike to the Vans slip on model in the summer. My mom was going to get some shoes like this anyhow becuse at the apartment complex the playground for them, I was always dumping sand out of my shoes or sandals when playing on the ground.

[@TheRetroManRandySavage]

I've been a huge fan ever since my mom bought me the twilight zone pumps in 1990. I've got just about every pump model ever made. The blacktop line is probably my favourite pumps. I love the nike pumps too. I have the 89 air pressure and the 90 command force.

[@Kit_Bear]

I've got a pair of those two pumps.

[@TheRetroManRandySavage]

@@Kit_Bear we just need that force 180 pump to release. Been patiently waiting for 30+ year's. 😂

[@nater86zx]

In early elementary school I watched a bored kid take apart and dissect his pumps while in class. He took out the air bladder and everything. I remember thinking; "My family can't afford these and he is just tearing his apart...wth." I did have a pair of the knockoff Spaulding Typhoon pumps, and loved them.

[@Factsoverfeelingspeople]

Actually, Reebok had been the No1 selling shoe brand from 87-94. It's just that the pump sent sales through the roof. They sold more than nike and Adidas combined.

[@melindakinnaird]

How about a video about Rod Ansell? He was an Australian man who reportedly inspired another 80s icon, Crocodile Dundee.

[@btetschner]

"Hot on their heels...both metaphorically and literally..." hahaha!

[@sfeliciano1984]

Would love to see a video on the 90s airwalks. I remember seeing them everywhere.

[@mandiemoore3272]

Oh my God I wanted airwalks so bad for so long and then when I finally got a pair my mother's got them for me for Christmas and I was an adult and they were so not cool anymore but I thanked her as if I would have when they were still cool and I was still her baby

[@ervoro5949]

@@mandiemoore3272 sounds like you finally got your pair once they started selling them at Payless

[@btetschner]

"Shoe-premacy" hahaha, love it!

[@superm7864]

I always wanted a pair so bad as a kid. Unfortunately we were too poor to get em when I was little but thankfully Reebok makes retros because I can buy them now and make childhood me happy.

[@Kit_Bear]

Yep. I was in the same boat as you. Got two pairs now going on three.

[@JMVIDS78]

Funny and informative retrospective look at my favourite sneaker. Also strange hearing about Reebok Pumps in past tense when I haven't stopped wearing them since 93. Anyone else feel the same?

[@redstratus97]

I had a pair of “low tops” that I remember my parents paying $90 for. I loved them and wore them proudly until they started to wear out and eventually I outgrew them as well.

[@Kit_Bear]

I nor my parents could afford them when they came out, they just couldn't justify spending so much on a pair of shoes that I'd outgrow in 6 months so I had to wait 30 years to finally get a pair. Now I own two pairs soon to be three. They were well worth the wait. Everyone who sees them freaks out. People my age instantly know what they are, people who are younger don't know but ask you what they are and even kids ask me what they are and I'm happy to give them the story. When they have it explained to them they think it's the coolest thing ever and want a pair of their own. They are certainly a head turner and grabs everyone's attention wherever you go. If they know you see them smile and give you a nod. The ones who don't look down as you are walking by and ask their friends if they know what they are. It's a unique feeling. I can't tell you how many times I've been stopped by strangers in a supermarket and had a good half hour conversation with them, even in the checkout queues I've had people looking down and taking photos of them, they really stand out amongst everyone else's footwear that's for sure.

[@jok3r906]

The pump tech from Reebok was so advanced, that at the time, when Reebok was still making hockey equipment, even the skates had a form of the pump system for better ankle support

[@caseysmith544]

Some of the people playing a Statewide non school type hocky you had to be the right age for, South Dakota has this as its only form of the sport for Kids, one of the players used those shoes in 2000's possibly used but in very good condition shoe with new blades before switching to some Nike Bauer because they used Pabax platform on the bottom of one model like specific track shoes and were the stiffest of skates then and possibly ever, this guy liked skates that were super stiff despite being 135--140 pounds due to the fact of how he used and odd feet almost sideways type skate method that was more like cross country skiers or biathlon skiers on the steepest uphill portion of the skiing doing the side to side feet out like a V almost sideways at the steepest point. If he was not doing that he was feet inward but again almost sideways doing an inner shuffle for tight turn moves. This is why he needed really stiff skates, he even debated getting some goalie boot then putting regular skate blade on them but really only needed the bottom sections below the ankle stiff.

[@joeo1725]

Ha, that's pretty cool

[@UnchainedAmerica]

haha, my parents bought me a pair of Pumps. I used to play with the pumps til they worn itself out. So much fun.

[@charlesgreer7245]

I remember when these came out. I was working after school and spent a good bit of my money on shoes and cloths. I bought the tennis, basketball, and cross trainer ones. Had all three at same time. I loved them shoes. Probably my favorite shoes at that time.

[@manchesterunitedno7]

Sonics high flyer Shawn Kemp actually never wears any iteration of Reebok Pump sneakers. He got his own signature Reebok shoe called the Kamikaze & Reignman series. Ditched the pump tech, and focused more on Reebok's version of air cushion on the sole, called Hexalite.

[@donniedavis6163]

I was in 3rd grade in 91 when my dad came over one day out of the blue and had a brand new pair of pumps for me. Top 10 best day of my life for sure. To this day I don't know where my dad got that kind of money as we were broke but I was one of three kids in my whole school that had a pair. Everyone wanted to pump them them up. For a few months I was on top of the world

[@alvinhang8721]

Oh man so much memories. The pump on your shoes.

[@jamesmoss3424]

The Pump shoes are still a brilliant idea 💡. 😀👍🏀

[@vaibanez17]

When I think of Reebok pumps, I think about me at 6 years old pumping them before every play in rinky dink basketball, and Dee Brown winning the Dunk Contest.

[@bball3048mm]

The Tennis version of the Reebok Pump is my favorite one. (Court Victory White/green/citron colorway)

[@bball3048mm]

I never owned the originals from 1991. I bought a retro pair of this shoe from Amazon in 2016. Not sure if it was real though

[@aquaDo156]

I never knew what year those shoes came out but when I saw them growing up in the '90s I literally want one but since I couldn't get one I fell in love with Reebok and still wear em til this day. BTW: Juice & Above the Rim are THE CLASSICS OF ALL TIME.

[@cherrypink1108]

I vaguely remember these but I was very young when they were out. I did own a pair of LA Lights. That would be an interesting video! Those types of shoes are still popular!

[@btetschner]

Just looked up that bungee jumping commercial on KZbin, it's so insane! That is a classic of rogue advertising.

[@btetschner]

A+ video! Incredible how an innovative idea and an extremely effective endorser (Dee Brown) could help the shoe become a pop culture phenomena!

[@Chris-st9mm]

I never owned them but I always thought they were soo cool and high tech. I honestly love gimmicky high tech sports products and products in general.

[@randallhill7979]

Awesome video, I remember the pumps. I didn’t have a pair then but now as a adult I do. Amazing shoes and very cool 😎

[@MedicatedMemory]

I saw that bungie jumping ad on tv. Old memory unlocked

[@45eno]

I remember in 6th grade getting a pair of these in black with the orange pump. These were already yesterdays pumps as people wanted the Nike pumps by then. What a gimmick.

[@Super_Tee]

I was about 16/17 years old when I got a pair. They were cool as sh*t. I still miss them.

[@InfectiousGroovePodcast]

Somewhere along the line, I picked up some low top Pumps with a tennis ball as the pump. I was very into playing Tennis at the time and they quickly became my fvaorite shoe to play in.

[@nwo.p.r.7873]

😊 in the 90’s, every year there was a new sneaker tech poppin up. I remember adidas torsion, reebok pump, L.A. gear light, puma disc.......

[@hectormontedehonor6167]

I never thought that shoes were so well design, with a porpoise in mind. Awesome video, thanks.

[@skutchwashere]

I remember when these came out. They were hotter than Jordans. At least where I lived. I can't speak for other people.

[@Michaelengelmann]

I remember I had a Reebok shoe. The top were blue & the bottom were orange with a weird, cool traction shape to it. My favorite shoes as kid

[@highstrangeness3869]

I bought a pair 1991 for $130. Back then...that was almost a whole paycheck. Really wasn't a comfortable shoe to wear. Mainly just a fashion statement. I paired them with my "muscle pants" which were a trend at the time.

[@JB-1138]

Are muscle pants the same as MC Hammer pants?

[@highstrangeness3869]

@@JB-1138 similar yes

[@redneckroy8947]

Spoken like Abe Simpson

[@andrewweaver2517]

My grandmother had a pair of penny loafers. You're supposed to put pennies in the shoe somewhere undr a flap, buckle or string. She got them brand new to wear on a date. When the date came to a close the guy she was seeing said "put out ot get out" so she walked home and it ruined her shoes. Long story short, that dude aint my grandfather.

[@thegreencat9947]

I wore saddle shoes.

[@chadcollins1056]

I remember the Michael Chang tennis pumps. The commercial aired every 5 mins

[@Dozah58]

I bought a pair last summer and love them! They're so comfy & I get a ton of compliments

[@Allison_White]

These were SO popular. We didn’t have that kind of money when I was a kid, but I had a friend that got a pair & she let me try them on during gym. It was fun… but I didn’t think they worth it, even as a kid.

[@DEADLINETV]

This is great! I'm kinda on a nostalgia trip when it comes to sneakers! And now I think this could be their own series! I really fell in love with sneakers with the Nike Air 180 and then the Max and many others after that. The Pumps where very cool, so where the Adidas Torsions and in The Netherlands (and maybe the rest of the world?) there was a huge trend with LA Gear's, especially with the matt-style tying of the laces. And I almost forgot the simple trend of the Converse. Was that the first sneaker to get in "fashion"? So, do more videos on sneakers!

[@gravit8ed]

I can't believe I wanted a pair of these as bad as I did

[@seekertosecrets]

I remember as a kid, I owned a pair of those shoes. Fits really sung!

[@FierroDuroRails]

I didnt get a pair of jordans as kid.but I did get a pair of these love them.

[@BruceMusto]

Never bought a pair, never wore a pair; but Dee Brown coached my daughter in travel b'ball. He was a nice guy.

[@yurdp]

“It’s the shoes!!! It’s gotta be the shoes!!”

[@chuck9380]

I remember when I was a kid and I cut grass all summer just to buy a pair of the Shaq Attack pumps. I felt like I was a tall as Shaq all summer lol

[@EdsterIII]

I remember back when the Reebok Pumps were released. If I remember correctly they were extremely expensive. I had asked my parents if they'd get me a pair. My Dad's response was, "Are you OUT OF YOUR MIND?", "There's no way in hell I'm paying $150.⁰⁰ for a pair of tennis shoes!" So if I was going to get them, I'd have to pay for them myself. I eventually got a pair. Black Reebok Pumps, with an orange 🏀Basketball🏀 Pump. I paid $139.⁹⁹ or 145.⁹⁹, maybe even $149.⁹⁹? Were they worth it? Yes and no. They were comfortable 👟tennis👟👟shoes👟, but they weren't $150.⁰⁰+ comfortable....lol. They were a cool gimmick. A unique idea and it worked. Once the inside of the shoes became worn out and the mini air pockets or mini-balloons popped, it was over.

[@MrTUBEular10]

I remember between ages 8-11 a teammate on my basketball team had a pair with the CO2 canister that inflated the Pumps for you instead of manually. It wasn't until I workes at Reebok from 16-18 that I saw them up close. They were mainly for basketball and tennis when we had them and they were terrible. Fast forward to today, and I own a pair of Pumps with air throughout the entire shoe, not just the tongue. There's even a Street Fighter version. They are comfortable af. Solid video. Love all of my Reeboks. Classics, Club Cs, BBs, Pumps, Nanos.

[@JB-1138]

Karl Malone shoes. I had them.

[@MrTUBEular10]

@@JB-1138 I will always remember the sound of it. So awesome at the time. My teammate was a year older than I was so he was the older kid with the nice shoes.

[@the6ig6adwolf]

I remember getting a pair of Pumps in grade 6 (1992) and cutting the tongue open to see how they worked. Mom was not impressed and I was subsequently grounded.

[@amadoortiz1949]

I had a pair. Wore them all the time in 6th grade. Great memories 👌

[@ashevillecomics637]

I owned, and loved, the Michael Chang tennis pumps. I believe that was my first year of high school. They were so cool

[@dkev001]

I had the Emmitt Smith version of The Reebok Pump. They were awesome. Never used the pump though 😅

[@MarkBenYehuda]

What a coincidence on clicking this video! I recently just bought pair of Reebok Pumps!

[@Steve.N1977]

I had the OG Shaqs when they released. Foot locker had a Shaq size 22 in a glass box on the counter, it was awesome and the shoes were so sick.

[@phillscott7712]

I had pumps. I was the coolest kid at school. 😊 I'm 40 now. Haha. How time flies

[@wesgunton238]

I wanted Pumps as a kid and was given a cheaper version of some non famous brand when other companies tried to cash in in the pump.

[@Bunjamin27]

The tennis pumps having fuzzy balls STILL cracks me up

[@jlcasa]

My first visit to the United States. 1993 last year of high school. I have my pumps saved as a souvenir. I am from Argentina. on that trip i tried pepsi cristal and tried nachos for the first time.

[@DragonKazooie89]

I remember seeing these on Wild and Crazy Kids on Nickelodeon!

[@ShaunChaudoin]

Yep! Have had MANY pair since the original ones! Still have a pair that I wear even now.

[@fromulus]

1:47 that's the pair I got for my 14th birthday.

[@fromulus]

And I rememeber watching Dee Brown that night, that was the moment I had to have pumps of my own.

[@taridean]

I certainly had a pair of basketball Pumps when I was a kid. LOVED THEM! Got on the condition that I finished in the top 3 in my class when it came to overall grades average. I came 1st 😁.

[@bridgetsheils1407]

At 11 yr old I got the Reebok pumps and when I wore them to school everybody was gathered around me obsessing over my pumps and our teacher got distracted and he had me in front of yhe whole class talking about my Reebok pumps!!!! Those shoes were so awesome at that time.😂😂❤😮😮

[@fransuke12]

Remember my Reebok Pump Ups back in elementary days.

[@christopher.m.dickinson0315]

The greatest science in pumpolgy 😂

[@0L4F__Duns7]

Sup chris

[@christopher.m.dickinson0315]

@@0L4F__Duns7 who dis

[@Becauseimme]

I had the ProWings pump, we were too broke for the Reebok pumps.

[@jesusnavarrete6317]

I have alot of Reebok pumps but I would love to own the Nike OG David Robinson 180 Pump

[@dgracia72]

I had Iverson's Las Vegas blue pump; love the feeling and style

[@gaylegoodman9097]

I always love the humor you have when presenting your videos 😂!

[@SombraPiloto]

Love the ATL clip at 1:50.

[@robrashiv]

Never had the basketball pumps but I did shell out some cash for the Reebok Golf Pump shoes… they were unreal!

[@GroundersSourceOfficial]

My brother had a pair and he didn't play basketball, but they were the thing in the early 90s. I loved pumping them though.

[@fifthward1983]

i had the g unit pump sneakers back in the early 2000'S . used to have dudes stop me in street to say ''nice pumps bro!''. lol

[@kenethw172]

I remember back in the 90s Nike, Reebok, Adidas, Puma, Avia, Fila, all have market shares In basketball sneakers but with the Jordan Nike emerge, victorious and now dominate the game.

[@Xxsopxx]

Always wanted them as a kid, parents said no. Just got my first pair last month at age 40!!!

[@Kit_Bear]

Same here. waited 30 years for these to go on my feet. Now I've got 2 pairs and soon a third. Let's face it $370 (Modern money) for a pair of shoes that you'll outgrow in 6 months really isn't a good idea in a parents mind.

[@jdh992]

They are a really nice looking shoe. They need to just keep making the OGs in different color waves.

[@Aalu420]

Reebok Pumps were the only Reebok I ever owned. I don't wear anything other than Nike Air.

[@TheHoneymeaners]

I had the reebok 1990 Reebok Court Victory Pumps(Michael Chang). They were corny, but I loved them!

[@jimschultz2179]

I had the football cleats. They worked well. Lots of support.

[@kincamell]

Cool. Ps I recall the Shaq 3 had an external Instapump , one my classmates had them. My mom blessed me with a pair of Blacktop Pumps

[@mikeyfn-a6684]

Jelly Roll( yes the same one that put out that 🔥🔥of a tearjerker track-Save Me) was actually wearing a pair of 'Pumps' in his Hulu special.

[@antoniokastrocarlisledemel6617]

Funny cuz ever since i first heard that song i can't stop thinking Reebok Pump

[@paahl1572]

I have a pair of Reebok hockey skates that are pumps. I love them.

[@MrWhite-yg6yk]

I was the kid wearing Cheetahs and XJ-900’s But somehow got a pair of Pumps one Christmas 😎

[@mikehoang2276]

Best pair of shoes I've owned in 5th grade. Simple times amazing shoe back then

[@davidkeetz]

oh - all I wanted for my birthday was a pair of reebok pumps and I remember getting a pair of pump up shoes - pretty sure they were knock offs but I didn't care. 8 year old me was over the moon to show off my pump up shoes at school that year.

[@Carolina_Rodriguez]

Love this episode !! 😃

[@pushinkeys]

Had me a pair back in the day, really felt like pumping them up made you play better 😂😂😂

[@dem0nchild610]

Now I got that song stuck in my head

[@kcthesledgestoryteller]

Late 1992 I got a backpack with the same pump tech that inflated the shoulder straps

[@JamesChenisKing]

I begged my parents for one of these when it came out. Those and the light up LA gears.

[@btetschner]

Still need to see that film "Air." I heard it is fantastic and those Air Jordans are now a part of pop culture history!