Reebok
ESTABLISHED
1895
HQ
Boston, Massachusetts
FOUNDERS
Joe and Jeff Foster
BIO
If there’s any sportswear brand that can demonstrate a history of rocketing highs and collapsing lows, it’s Reebok. Founded in 1958, Reebok was an extension of the J.W Foster and Sons athletic footwear company, one of the very first to utilize track spikes in their running shoes. Hardly considered a sneaker titan, the sportswear brand has made leaps in recent years thanks to the return of the “dad sneaker” which saw it rocket to an all-time high during the ’80s.
DOES ADIDAS OWN REEBOK?
adidas acquired Reebok as a subsidiary in a takeover deal worth approx $3.5 billion in 2005.
WHAT ARE THE BEST REEBOK SHOES?
The Freestyle sneaker was introduced in 1982 as the first athletic shoe designed specifically for women. The hot new trend was aerobic dance and Reebok jumped on that trend. Now a classic, the Freestyle remains one of Reebok’s best selling shoes of all time.
HOW DO I CLEAN MY REEBOK SHOES?
The best way to clean Reebok shoes depends on the specific materials and design of the shoe. In general, it’s recommended to spot-clean the shoes with a damp cloth and mild soap and to avoid using harsh chemicals or submerging the shoes in water. Reebok also offers specific cleaning instructions for some of its shoe models on its website.
WHAT IS THE SIZING LIKE FOR REEBOK SHOES?
Reebok shoes typically run true to size, but some models may fit differently than others. It’s recommended to try on different sizes and styles to find the best fit for your foot.
WHO OWNS REEBOK?
Authentic Brands Group.
1890s
The company that would later become Reebok is first founded in the 1890s by Joseph William Foster in the town of Bolton, United Kingdom. Foster pioneered some of the earliest spiked running shoes.
1900
Foster founds the company J.W. Foster and focuses on developing athletic footwear. His sons join the family business and the name of the company is changed to J.W Foster & Sons.
1905
Foster develops a new style of running sneaker, designed with a leather upper and spiked soles to help grip the ground.
1924
Foster Running Pumps are a hit with athletes and are famously worn by runner Harold Abrahams at the Paris Olympics, as he grabs gold for GB at 100m.
1930s
J.W Foster & Sons running pumps continue to be popular across Britain, while being spotted on top athletes during the Olympic Games.
1958
Joe and Jeff Foster, formed companion company Reebok. The name, meaning a grey rhebok, a type of antelope – comes from a South African dictionary a young Joe Foster won.
1979
Reebok hit the US. They grow into new markets and starts selling their products in over 28 countries worldwide.
1980
The sportswear giant beings introducing a clothing and sports accessories to its roster, including track tops that are still produced and designed to this day.
1982
Reebok release one of the most popular sneakers of their tie. The Newport Classic (NPC) range.
1983
The Reebok Classic Leather is first released. While originally made with running in mind, the iconic sneaker was the first Reebok shoe to prioritise casual wear and style over on-track performance.
1985
Actress Cybill Shepherd dons a pair of orange Reebok sneakers to the Emmy Awards. The Freestyle line becomes popular on the streets and in the gym at the height of the 80s aerobics craze.
1986
Reebok makes a move from the iconic Union Jack logo. A rebrand brings the vector logo as the company begins to make waves with professional athletes and sponsorships.
1989
Reebok introduces the infamous ‘Pump’ technology – pumping up inflatable chambers in the shoes upper gives the wearer a more personalised fit. Basketballer Dee Brown inflated his Pumps in front of the audience during before scoring a title-winning dunk during the 1991 NBA Slam Dunk contest while US tennis player Michael Chang endorses the sneaker in a multi-million dollar deal.
1995
In collaboration with NBA star Shaquille O’Neal, Reebok makes yet another bold move in the nineties by creating the ‘Reebok Shaqnosis’ basketball shoe.
2000
Reebok signs a 10-year licensing agreement with the NFL.
2001
A deal is struck with the NBA, seeing Reebok kitting out 29 NBA teams and 16 WNBA teams.
2003
In their first collaboration with a non-athlete, Reebok releases the S Carter collection with Jay Z.
2005
adidas acquire Reebok as a subsidiary in a takeover deal worth approximately $3.5 billion.
2010
Reebok forms a partnership with CrossFit as it becomes sponsors for its worldwide CrossFit Games.
2013
Reebok pays tribute to Keith Haring with the Classic Leather x Keith Haring sneaker. Boasting Haring’s signature vivid colours, the shoe features bold blue and yellow colours, based on his ‘Barking Dogs’ artwork.
2014
The vector logo is replaced with a delta logo, a signifier of change and transformation.
2016
Fashion model Gigi Hadid joins Reebok as a brand ambassador as part of their #PerfectNever campaign.
2017
Singer Ariana Grande becomes a new ambassador for the brand.
2019
Reebok releases a replica version of the Alien Stompers – worn by Sigourney Weaver’s character Ripley in Aliens.
2020
Among the most memorable collabs of the year were JJJJound, Sneeze, Adsum, Brain Dead, Awake, Packer, Palace and PLEASURES.
2020 has endured some insane fashion x sneaker link-ups, but none was as weird and whacky as Reebok and Margiela’s love affair. They fused two icons – the Tabi and the Instapump.
Reebok and their Beatnik. A shoe that had reached cult-like status in Japan for years, and then received a Nepenthes collaboration boomed in 2020 with an onslaught of releases and small tweaks.
2021
In February, Adidas announces the divestiture of Reebok alongside its “Own the Game” strategy, with the “understanding that both Reebok and Adidas would better realize their growth potential independently of one another.”
In August, Adidas sells Reebok to Authentic Brands Group for around $2.5 billion.
2022
Reebok releases the Club C 85 Vintage.
Maharishi x Reebok Classic Leather Legacy AZ.
Kerby Jean-Raymond Steps Down as Reebok Creative Director. Marking a 2 year-long collaboration.
Reebok introduced the Margiela’s Scuffed Reebok TZ Pump.
Reebok has new Quilted Beatniks for the winter.
Reebok Zig Kinetica 2.5 Edge become the perfect hiking and gorpcore sneakers.
2023
Danielle Guizio & Reebok collaborate on a hiking shoe.
BOTTER & Reebok’s 3D-Printed Sneakers finally hits the shelves!
NEEDLES & Reebok Sneakily Dropped Some Beatnik Stompers.
More Tabi Sneakers From Margiela & Reebok, of course!
