Classic

If there were a starting five for basketball kicks, the Reebok Pumps would be the perfect power forward. They’re sleek enough to run the floor but eye-catchingly powerful, like a body-to-body banger on some unworthy opponent.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Pump, Reebok teamed up with Sneaker giants like A-Life, Bodega and atmos, to release new designs for the iconic classics on Nov. 20.

“The style is classic and it was on target during the day,” said Pump creator Paul Litchfield. “What’s really cool about the new colabo shoes is that all the teams that came in catered to their customer base. Theses shops are like the hip centers of their own environments, and I’m proud that they could be inspired by our product.”

Litchfield’s design acted as the perfect canvas for the various artists to get busy when it came time to create for the new generation of sneakerheads.

ALife Pumps

The Pump became the sneaker to rock on the court after Dee Brown’s performance in the 1991 dunk contest. Litch said his inspiration to make the shoe was to give athletes total comfort, a custom fit and great support without having to get taped up or wear an ankle brace. Going into its 20th year, the sneaker’s new look is geared to catch notice even if you’re not hooping.

“We have some more casual things coming for 2010,” said Ryan Cross, the product manager behind all the collaborations. “It allows people to say ‘I might not play basketball, but I still have a shoe that’s comfortable.’ The pump allows you to run around New York, jump on the train and in-and-out of cabs, and your feet aren’t going to hurt. It’s a beautiful shoe that’s so fashion forward, that you could wear on the runway or on the court.”

Colette Pumps in gray jersey material upper with blue accents/Stolen Riches in black upper with yellow accents

The look of the pump is what drew attention at first, but the function is what sold it. Players of that era were tough, facing hand-checks, double-teams and even “rules” for high-flyers who dared to venture into the lane. So a shoe that could withstand all that was definitely necessary.

“It was a perfect fit, and the shoe just had great performance,” said the human-highlight film, Dominique Wilkins. “They were always good to me, and I thought the shoe was innovative.”

Reebok has a new challenge with the ballers of today. While the bigs still battle down low, everyone from the point to the center is mobile. New problems for the next generation of greats equals no problem for Reebok’s think-tank.

“The possibilities are endless with our shoe,” Cross said. “Our goal is just to make sure that our customers can have a shoe that feels the best, fits the best and maximizes your ability to perform better.”

Stay on the lookout this year for a heavy-hitting return of the pump to the playgrounds. After withstanding the test of time, Litch said Reebok has a lot more in store for the future.

“We’ve got some really cool stuff coming,” Litch said. “We have different platforms that allow us to change the way we make the pump and how we package it, so it’s like completely new. I look at it like if were hooping, I’m the point. If I set up the play right, things are gonna roll.”

personal favorite from Kicks/Hi. Dope.

top to bottom: Patta Pumps with tan leather upper, Solebox Pumps with black leather and glow in the dark accents and Espionage Pumps with black upper and red/white accents

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