Reebok Pump: Meet the Man Who Invented It

March 4 -- The original Reebok Pump debuted in 1989. The shoe made Reebok a force in the basketball world for the better part of the 1990s. The Pump, and its $170 pricetag, made a major statement on and off the court. Paul Litchfield, the man who invented the Pump, tells Bloomberg how it came to be. (Video by Alyssa Zahler and David Yim.)
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[@davidredacted6959]

"We were in a competition with our competitors" - Classic

[@machomadness9027]

David Redacted lol that’s not the complete sentence so now you look stupid

[@hwburner1524]

Macho Madness that comment was 3 years ago

[@astroninja136]

Hunter Wong I wonder if someone from 3 years later will comment back on this comment.

[@MrGerter1]

@@astroninja136 Hey - Oops too early, story of my life...

[@lustforlow-end6022]

@David Redacted yes, like when people say “it is what it is”… obviously!

[@alvinbarrios4704]

I remember being in elementary school and every time we played kickball I would make everyone wait while I pumped my kicks up.

[@Maki-yb4lj]

You better run, better run, faster than my bullet

[@pongsatonrattanapriyanuch7331]

all the other kid with the pumped up kicks

[@muhammadalfandimasabdillah9831]

finally... i got the this comment you are the reason why i came here LOL

[@kestedreu7758]

oooo no robert

[@Jordan-bj7pw]

faster than my mullet

[@czar-das]

Rotha has a quick hand

[@patrioterminat0r364]

"All the other kids with the pumped up kicks"

[@sealedpack]

@DONALD SHAUN LOTHIRATH he meant the song but ok

[@philipcoffman4372]

I had these back in 92 in russia . My pops brought em from Germany......awesome shoes ....to this day and im 42 now , I never had such amazing kicks. If I was of proper age I'd wear them

[@armonianumerica5830]

You still got the proper age for the PUMPS!!!!

[@aaryaputra108]

I'm 42 and recently bought a new pair of Reebok Pumps. Don't let your age stop you, you only live once and these shoes are just amazing.

[@censorthis-uu6cc]

'you only live once' How do you know that?

[@jeremyharper9930]

I AM A REEBOK FANATIC!! Paul Litchfield is the truth!

[@datrandomgeek5205]

Man Js are iconic undoubtedly but Pump has its own place, its design language is something else!

[@fernandoajanel8586]

Bring back those shoes!!!

[@facckeleins4053]

I got my first pair of Pumps in the early 90s as child...Today i actually got some new shpes delivered..Pumps of course.Very cool to see this man.Respect!

[@steveabitante8220]

These are REAL CLASSICS BRING THEM BACK!

[@supermax_1232]

This aged well

[@JetEye-Knight]

I still want a pair, 30 years later

[@TheRetroManRandySavage]

Get yourself some bro. I just turned 40 and I wear retro reebok pumps all the time. I must have nearly 30 pair of Reebok pumps.

[@paulgeorge9228]

@@TheRetroManRandySavage are they comfy?

[@TheRetroManRandySavage]

@@paulgeorge9228 I've always found the pumps to be comfortable. The Reebok pump graphlite, Iverson 9 & 10 auto pumps are by far the most comfortable. But the 89 pump, twilight zone, and omni zone 1's are right up there too. I have no complaints about the blacktop, court victory, and omni zone 2's either.👍

[@TheRetroManRandySavage]

Yes sir! Reebok pumps are the goat. I have just about every model that ever released. I wish they would retro more of them.

[@marklowery8193]

How could we rally support to get Reebok to Re-sell all the Pumps from 89 to 93? I want the originals and the blacktop line!!

[@Dominickudo]

Man I still love the pump shoes.

[@elitedima9672]

All the other kids with pumped up kicks..

[@dylan8736]

Damn, Daniel.

[@HeatLedgerKicks]

I got the OG's from '89

[@nathanstahl4066]

HEAT Ledger my dad has them as well

[@noudialp]

Are they falling apart or can they still be worn?

[@salmonline]

I bought the OGs in 1990 from JC Penny's for $200 in 1990 money. Wore them everyday till they fell apart, which wasn't very long.🙄

[@TheRetroManRandySavage]

@@noudialp some can. Especially the ones with hexalite. I have a few pair's that are still wearable.

[@fwk32]

I had two pairs as a kid that I had to wait until Christmas or a Birthday to get. These made me the most popular kid in my respective 3rd and 4th grade classes. I have the Reissue Moni Zone II's arriving today. Can't wait.

[@jtjtrs8806]

This shoe brings back so many childhood memories 😭

[@MikeleKonstantyFiedorowiczIV]

1980 - The most advanced Reebok model 2019 - The most advanced Reebok model

[@philipcoffman4372]

Dude , but noone came with this originality besides them

[@philipcoffman4372]

Plus broski back then the best kicks were made out of leather. Its nowadays we have all kinda new materials. Back then if its not a leather its garbage

[@thisistheendpt2]

Dee brown was the reason sales for pumps EXPLODED. I hope, to this day, Reebok are paying him. He earned it in that dunk comp.

[@kupsh42]

Weakest dunk contest in history

[@jedqwerty]

Faster than my bullet

[@lynnh.863]

As a kid I loved the dunk.. but yeah, I look back at man was it really a cheesey ass dunk! Haha

[@lynnh.863]

Pumps were out before Dee did that dunk comp. As a matter of fact, probably was the last year of em if I recall correctly. The black suede ones he sported were the last pumps I ever bought. He didnt boom sales.

[@ptlutube]

I wanted a pair of these so bad when I was a kid.

[@DIYDanCars]

My favorite shoe of all time.

[@alexandregoncalves6066]

awesome. pump shoes are awesome.

[@mp6183]

Love the Pumps... Nothing like em...Set Reebox apart from the rest of the shoe companys aswell...

[@RandomnessTube.]

I had a pair of these when I was about 10 the best trainers I ever wore as a kid.

[@fatboy7219]

I got a pair for Christmas 1991..High top pumps..Loved them..Best shoe I ever owned...Wish I had them Today...The air would pump tight around my Ankles...I could sleep standing up.

[@dusty56g]

I got a pair of the og's early 91 from a Reebok outlet, 135 bucks was almost unheard of at that point to pay for a sneaker

[@THESNEAKERADDICT]

Awesome

[@SamiUddin13]

I regret not copping myself a pair when I saw them for $40-$60. Now they're expensive.

[@teddyhart2913]

Hope AI and Shaq bring it back

[@joelkern6971]

Man could you please remake the original pumps again please.

[@joelkern6971]

With the release valve in the back

[@realx1311]

Awesome shoe! I have 2 pairs of those white.

[@edgar1749]

Reebok if you see this message we need the pumps back

[@theevilpunisher1073]

I wanna buy SOME. I had a pair a long time ago, early 90's.

[@Eagles.Fan.Since.Super.Bowl.52]

I had the bright yellow Twilight Zones BITD. Sneakers were life back then.

[@silvershock82]

what pumps are those black and red @0:06?

[@ElisPalace]

I remember a kid in my class having a pair of these over 10 years ago

[@jedqwerty]

He better run, better run

[@jhonnyandthesexymamas9943]

i want one of each!

[@morinmacias3907]

I love my rebooks pump

[@dustinfonnesbeck8246]

If Zion comes back from his injury and started wearing Reebok Pumps, sales will skyrocket through the roof.

[@bendavis6662]

and you help inspire pumped up kicks

[@petesanchez4215]

I still have a pic of me rocking them when I was in kinder, bad ass shoes

[@BlendBoundBroadcastsACZ]

Hi there I have a couple questions they make a fake or bullet or replicate of the reebok pump OG 25 anniversary and my other question is my reebok pump OG the size tag in the shoes in not in the tongue is inside but on the side of the shoes by the ankle is ok if is there dont make this shoes fake

[@flyerthantheg6]

I've wanted these even since I watched saved by the bells 😂😂

[@mawbtowngf765]

He dabbed on em lol

[@snm7795]

mawbtowngf ll

[@NOAOFFICIALPAGE]

mawbtowngf Indeed

[@JesusMedina-nv9fg]

Do these run true to size?

[@mferozc]

What is the model the inventor is holding in the main pic. I have those with a numbered tag but don’t know what they are called?

[@TheRetroManRandySavage]

That's the 89 pump hi. The numbered ones are from 2004.

[@mferozc]

@@TheRetroManRandySavage thanks. Are the 2004 ones also called 89 pump hi? Any idea what they worth - I’m looking to sell (deadstock pair)

[@jorisbonson386]

Ah yes I used to love the hissing sounds these and Nike Air's would make back in the early 90s when my fellow students would puncture them with compasses under classroom tables 👍

[@nickodemo1]

bring them back!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@firebirdgaming1248]

My dad used to have these shoes in 1991

[@tk3dump]

Robert's got a quick hand

[@pro-horsepunter5554]

I remember when my parents purchased it for me and when I went to school with it even the teachers were jelous lucky I had older guys looking after me people have been killed for these heard lots of sad stories

[@justoroteta2234]

Actually, my eighth and ninth grade English teacher (who was in his mid-20s at the time) had two pairs of the 1989 Reebok Pump high tops and would wear them on an almost-daily basis with Levis blue jeans and a polo shirt.

[@salmonline]

Bought my own at JC Penny's in 1990. $200.

[@salmonline]

@Cheryl I've never spent that much money on a pair of shoes since. They fell apart after 4 months. Taught me a lesson.

[@salmonline]

@Cheryl Didn't Converse have a shoe called Blacktop back then? Oh, just remembered: I had a pair of original(cuz I bought 'em new) Converse Dr. J. w/blue accents, lowtop. My favorite sneakers of all time.😉 I was 14 and nobody else had 'em.

[@salmonline]

@Cheryl Completely forget about British Knights. Wow.

[@osirisdelacruzasto3073]

Donde puedo comprar

[@him3zz]

Who invented it? the man did

[@profileone5655]

0:47 what shoes are those?

[@halfadozen6]

Legend

[@isaiah5034]

What are the white shoes he's holding at 16-20 sec???

[@grrayfox2300]

+Isaiah Murrell Those are the original Reebok Pumps model with the release button on the back.

[@benjaminhernandez3325]

what are the name of the black shoes in 00:06 & 00:12?

[@WhathehadasSole]

Reebok AXT × The Hundreds

[@davidebuonaurio2599]

Bellissima perché non la rifate di nuovo questa bellissima scarpa come la desidero di nuovo e non la posso più trovare

[@evanpasche3126]

Pumped up kicks

[@Syahidsahoarder]

dab at 2:14

[@billyshead1339]

The good ol days

[@meh_neh6968]

Twilight edition was the best one's. I had a pair in grade school and was the only kid with them.

[@toddlecher4097]

i had some grey&white ones

[@danielc.7313]

“All the other kids with the pumped up kicks better run better run, outrun my gun”

[@antrod2309]

Hi im looking for a very rare Reebok Blacktop InstaPump from winter 1994 do anyone have it ?

[@craigbailey79]

I had a pair of these

[@Cccc-ky4vq]

170 in 1989 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $358 in 2019

[@sarahjanereborns21]

i have some reebox pump main how can i get black hair dye off them

[@suntimes9465]

Thomas Stevens Lol

[@AQUAPHREESH193]

Sarah jane & reborns lololol how hair dye ended up on them?

[@kledus420smith8]

I would feel retarded if I got BLK dye on my shits

[@DAatDA]

I had a pair of reeboks with a large rubber basketball on the tongue ( not pumps, it didn't inflate) I have never been able to find out what they were

[@WWERULEZ1000]

John Cena brought me here....Word Life!

[@din7291]

damn straight. thuganomics word life!

[@ramezthegreatest62]

yo where can I buy those pumps??? anybody know

[@davidtokyocarlisle79]

Amazon has them.

[@Acord718]

Eastbay

[@skinnypenis614]

All the other kids with the pumped up kicks...

[@user-yw9hp7qs7e]

I think Robert with he six shooter hate this.

[@monuts7604]

Most comfortable cross trainer I ever wore by far.

[@soldierprincess8422]

I swear by Reebok pump and so are my kids !! :)

[@alexthelizardking]

pumps a great design but why does it still need laces?

[@ihavebolarip6273]

alex thelizardking To create pressure against the foot.

[@camdendrive1672]

I've wanted a pair of these since I was a kid

[@justinbustin677]

What was the other knock off of the Pumps back in the day.?Started with a R. It had a pump to. I want to say renegades.

[@justinbustin677]

@Cheryl i thought that was it i googled it and nothing came up on them. Also forgot they were made by LA Gear

[@TheRetroManRandySavage]

La gear regulator bro.👍 I just bought an original 91 pair for the misses.

[@manueltav.154]

The best shoes ever..i hope they dont finished

[@myothercarisadelorean8957]

I play ice hockey and I my Reebok skates have the pump

[@olanolan7660]

Make a retro of shaq attack pump pleeeaasse..

[@limwang75]

Remember those la veat shoes and bk shoes

[@biiges]

I have them, like 3y ago and everyone in my school wanted to pump them lmao

[@jedqwerty]

Pumped Up Kicks reversed

[@faceduro6719]

Question, was Dee Brown first Endoresed by Reeboks for the Pumps line or was Dee Brown being invited to the Dunk Contest decided for entertainment purposes to wear the Reebok Pumps to give an entertainment to the Contest???

[@brianjoachim8442]

I still wear Reebok shoes and I still like Reebok shoes I think they're the best tennis shoes out there on the market Reebok I do not like Nike do not like Adidas do not like Puma I only wear and like Reebok

[@vladimircrausos7634]

I miss my first and only Reebok Pump when my house is burning to ash

[@83jbbentley]

Gimme two pairs of each and a jelly doughnut 🍩

[@lilcreature4006]

i have the original battleground hexalite ones

[@smokegbabylbc]

So what I learned here was d brown invented the dab ..😅

[@nickiblack1990]

Please bring back this shoe!!!!

[@killer2403]

2 days before I was born.

[@meno2294]

I had a pair mine literally fell apart in the first month lol

[@surfingjc]

Yeah well I love pump.

[@DashSpaceski]

As long as it works!!! 1 in 3 pairs I get from the Reebok Factory don't even inflate! Either the valve is screwed or they just put in a pathetic effort making them. I have 7 sets of them ranging in era. This years is just shocking manufacturing... You'd think they could test em before asking someone to dish out $100 for the product. Wt heck are you doing Reebok!

[@BreannaBrenko]

All the other kids with the pumped up kicks

[@ajoq892]

you better run, better run

[@ifrababur]

Here because of Rhett

[@neindochoohh7955]

A buddy in school bought these for a hefty 399.- DM when they came out in germany. The Jordan VI was 269.- DM to give you an idea. I bought the CB 180 black air force. Still have them in the silver box

[@Amu655]

Nic

[@ordinary_]

I have the Reebok Cross Training Pump SXT ii’s Please rerelease some pumps, Reebok, what are you guys even doing? So many people want to see pumps available for purchase at mall shops like footlocker. So tired of the same Jordans

[@dicktracy4306]

A classic rib was to sneak behind someone and pump their shoes until their feet were squeezed to death.

[@SterlingSigurdsen]

Insta pump for the win

[@Doug2KKES]

Pumped Up Kicks