What is the name of Reebok’s shoe inflation technology?

Reebok’s shoe inflation technology is called the Pump.

The Reebok Pump uses manually activated air chambers to create a more adjustable fit. Pressing the pump button inflates bladders in parts of the shoe, especially around the tongue and ankle, helping the wearer customize support and lockdown. A release mechanism lets the air out again.

Reebok introduced the technology with the first Pump shoe on November 24, 1989. The concept developed from inflatable footwear work associated with Ellesse and was refined by Reebok’s Advanced Concepts team with industrial design firm Design Continuum. Unlike ordinary cushioning, the Pump was primarily a fit-adjustment system.

The technology became especially famous in basketball. At the 1991 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, Dee Brown pumped his shoes before his winning dunk, turning the gesture into a memorable piece of sneaker history. The Pump later appeared in running, tennis, training, golf, and lifestyle models. It is often confused with Nike Air, but Air is a cushioning system, while Pump adjusts fit.