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The Instapump Fury 'Prototype' is Back After 25 Years!

Reebok Instapump Fury Og Return
Reebok Instapump Fury Og Return Desk
Reebok Instapump Fury Og Return Closeup

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the iconic , will release a faithful reproduction of the shoe’s inaugural ‘Prototype’ edition. From the citron yellow rubber outsoles to the classic ‘The Pump’ logo riding high on the inflatable tongue widget, the 1:1 remake will satisfy Fury aficionados and newbie fans alike. Limited to a period-correct 1994 pairs, this is a purist’s love letter to Reebok’s masterpiece of modernity.

The so-called ‘Prototype’ is a quirky historical footnote in the Instapump Fury’s complex development process. The original production version — as released in March 1994 — featured citron rubber outsoles. Unfortunately, the vibrant pigment used to colour the rubber was too soft, and the soles degraded quickly after even light use by runners. Today, the Prototype remains one of the rarest Reebok runner releases of all time, and they are highly prized by vintage sneaker collectors.

Rewind to 1994
To solve the quality control issue, Reebok quickly edited the Fury design and upgraded the citron soles to carbon-infused black rubber, which was tougher and far more durable, but still offered excellent grip in all conditions. Released in September 1994, this version is considered the OG (original), even though it was technically the second version of the shoe to hit the street.

Aside from the switch from citron to black rubber, the OG version features several design details that make the ‘Prototype’ edition highly distinctive, albeit in subtle ways. The Prototype’s inflatable ball widget was branded as ‘The Pump’, and the pull-tabs on the heel were also unique design details. The footbed also bore the ‘Reebok Advanced Concepts’ logo, which was a nod to the creative team that developed and fine-tuned Steven Smith’s remarkable design. The Prototype also features a trio of interlocking Hexalite cutouts in the heel, as opposed to two on the OG version. While these miniscule differences can only be detected with a keen eye for detail, among hardcore vintage Reebok collectors, otaku-level nerding-out is the stuff of legend — the micro details are all that matter!

Some 25 years after it was first released, it’s high time we welcome back the ‘Prototype’ Instapump Fury. Look for it to hit select Reebok Stockists on March 22.

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