Reebok introduced Pump technology in 1989.
The Reebok Pump was an inflatable fitting system built into the shoe. A small bladder around the ankle or upper could be inflated by pressing a button, allowing the wearer to adjust the fit. Reebok presented the idea as a way to improve support and personalization, especially for basketball players.
The technology became famous through the Pump Omni Zone and other basketball models, as well as through NBA player Dominique Wilkins. The visual act of pumping the shoe before play became part of the product's identity and helped distinguish Reebok from rival brands in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Pump is sometimes confused with the name of one specific sneaker. In fact, it was a technology used across several Reebok models. The brand introduced it in 1989, while individual Pump shoes appeared in different years and served different sports and lifestyle markets.