I totally rocked a pair of these back in the day. They’re still the only shoe I know of where I admit that I “rocked a pair” “back in the day.”

These were performance shoes meant to be equipment rather than just footwear. Nike blew up after the Bo Knows and Jordan campaign and Reebok owned the tennis court shoe market. But basketball shoes were becoming big(er) money.

They were a little heavy and looked a bit like moon boots when inflated. But on the court, psychologically, they were the stickiest, crossover-est shoes I’d ever played in.

Athletic shoes came with literature back then. Sure, it was marketing copy but the little booklets described the materials used and their purpose. The Pump’s edu-flyer had exploded diagrams of the Pump air bladder and valve system, heel counter stability system, midsole energy return system and so on and so forth.

All of these systems combined mainly to help me to look fly doing the Running Man at the all ages club. Most chumps wore Zodiacs and Polo scent while I rocked the Pumps and Cool Water cologne (WEST SIDE!!!) Them fools never stood a chance with the ladies. Plus, I had an accent. It was fake but when “Javier” stepped out, your game was over.

Now you know / Yo, slick. Blow

imremembering:

Reebok Pumps