Reebok Freestyle

About

The Reebok Freestyle was released in 1982, designed by Angel Martinez. It is described in its Wikipedia article as the first sneaker designed and marketed specifically for women. The shoe was created for aerobics workouts during the 1980s fitness craze and featured terrycloth lining and glove-soft leather construction. By 1984, the Freestyle accounted for more than half of all Reebok sales. Fitness instructor Denise Austin was among its first promoters and the shoe appeared in Jane Fonda workout videos. The Step Reebok workout routine, launched in 1989, became associated with the shoe. The high-top version features two velcro straps, while a low-top version below the ankle was also produced. The shoe earned a street slang name, fifty-four elevens, referencing the price of .11 with New York City tax applied. It has remained popular with cheerleading and dance teams and continues in production with collaborations and style variations into the 2020s. The Freestyle remains one of the most culturally significant women's athletic shoes ever produced.