words & image // Zack Schlemmer
Since the Reebok Shaqnosis is in the sneaker news this week with the Shaqnosis 2012 sample as well as rumors of a possible return in its original form, today's Vintage Ad takes a look back at an earlier Shaquille O'Neal signature model: the Shaq Attaq III.
After the highly popular Shaq Attaq, and the somewhat forgettable Shaq Attaq II, in 1994 Reebok brought us the Shaq Attaq III, complete with Instapump technology. Every sneakerhead should be familiar with the Reebok Pump, but a few of you younger readers may not be familiar with the Pump system's first evolution, Instapump. The Instapump system was the same idea as the normal Pump button on the shoe, but took it to the next level using a seperate tool with a CO2 cartridge to pump the shoe. Anybody that shopped from studied Eastbay as a kid in the 90's remembers seeing the Instapump "gun" for sale, along with replacement CO2 cartridges.
In this awesome two page ad we see the Shaq Attaq III being pumped up with the Instapump gun, which filled a chamber around the ankle of the shoe for a customized fit. Instapump technology did not last very long, but it was used in memorable shoes like this one, the Shaq Attaq IV, and the Instapump Fury running shoe. Also, Shaq's player edition of the Shaqnosis had a higher cut and used Instapump, but the retail version did not.
Assumng the Shaqnosis does eventually release, who would also like to see the Shaq Attaq models return? Anybody still have an Instapump gun? Discuss!
