Remember the Pump? A lot of people talk about begging their Moms for Jordans, but in a lot of areas, the Reebok Pump held as much cache as any sneaker on the market. Sneakerheads who "really lived it" may contest, but hop in a time machine to 1992 and ask any second grader what sneakers they want, and you'll get a 50/50 split.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the sneaker that had everyone pressing the air-filled basketball before sporting events, stunting in the lunch room, or just plain wasting time pretending to talk to girls. The Reebok brand is investing heavily on bringing the sneaker back with a series of new releases, and you know what? It just may work, because the sneaker has history. Hit the jump and take a walk through the Pump's best moments...
'06: ALLEN IVERSON'S THE ANSWER IX FEAT PUMP TECHNOLOGY
• AI's kicks feature the Pump Auto/Off Smart Valve that allow the pump system to automatically engage or deactivate depending on performance needs-please keep it turned on when he (eventually) signs with the Knicks.
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2007-2009: PUMP COLLABOS
• The pump's collabo with ALIFE was so dope, and for the first time in years Reeboks were killin' the sneaker nerds. Not only did it open the doors for other shops and brands to come in, it placed the pump as one of the top sneakers of the decade. Oh and they're made of that tennis ball felt-y stuff! Win.
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'08: THE REEBOK PUMP X MLB
• Pump technology made its way into baseball, and we're not talking about those unreleased baseball gloves. These special editions paid homage to New York's two historic stadiums. Hey, someone's got to fuck with the Mets, right? RIP Yankee Stadium, RIP Shea. We got you.
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'08: THE REEBOK PUMP X AUDET
• The Reebok Pump x Audet gold Omni Lite was leaked online in winter of 2007, and drove the Internets nuts. Unfortunately for a while the only place that Sneakerheads could cop them was in Japan until summer of 08'. It just goes to show you how powerful a good Pump can be (pause?).
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'09: REEBOK PUMP X ORCHARD STREET
• Known for their illicit custom Nike collaborations, the dudes from downtown New York did work on the Reebok Pump, don't front. Complex cover star Kid Cudi tried, and got tasered. Keep 'em coming.
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'09: 20th ANNIVERSARY COLLABS
• For their two-decade mark, Reebok teamed up with top tier shops around the globe, check the full collection here. We want one of each, if anyone is listening.
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