
The company began distributing shoes across the Union Jack flag which were worn by British athletes. For pioneering the use of spikes, the company's revolutionary running pumps appear in the book, Golden Kicks: The Shoes that changed Sport. Foster opened a small factory called Olympic Works, and gradually became famous among athletes for his "running pumps". Foster' in 1900, later he joined with his sons and changed the company name to J.W. After his ideas progressed, he founded his business 'J.W. In 1895, Joseph William Foster at the age of 14 started work in his bedroom above his father's sweetshop in Bolton, England, and designed some of the earliest spiked running shoes.

It is the former official footwear and apparel sponsor for CrossFit and current sponsor for Spartan Race. Reebok produces and distributes fitness, running, and CrossFit sportswear, including clothing and footwear. Reebok International Limited ( / ˈ r iː b ɒ k/) is a footwear and clothing manufacturer owned by German sporting goods giant Adidas from 2005 to 2022.
