Reebok introduced The Pump basketball shoe technology in 1989.
The Reebok Pump debuted on the Pump Omni Zone basketball shoe and used an inflatable mechanism to help customize the fit around the wearer’s foot. Pressing the pump inflated internal chambers, while a release valve allowed the pressure to be reduced. The visible orange basketball-shaped pump became one of the era’s most recognizable footwear details.
The technology gained major attention through basketball, especially after Dominique Wilkins wore Reebok Pump models. It later appeared in tennis, running and lifestyle footwear, helping turn performance technology into a fashion statement that streetwear adopted.
The Pump is often confused with Nike Air because both use air-related concepts, but they are different technologies and brands. Reebok’s Pump concerns adjustable fit, while Nike Air refers to cushioning systems placed in the sole.