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Name: Eddie Nelson
Branch: US NAVY
Rank: HM2/E5
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Currently stationed in: Naval Undersea Medicine Institute at Naval Submarine Base Groton, CT
Years in the service: 5 years, 6 months.
How long have you been collecting sneakers and how many do you have? I started collecting sneakers as a hobby around 4 years ago, but I got really hard into it last summer. I think I have around 50 pair.
Top five sneakers of all-time:
1. Nike Air Jordan 3 Black Cement (the illest colorway Nike has ever produced.)
2. Nike Air Yeezy (The first sneaker Nike ever collabed on with a non-athlete. Forget the hype, this sneaker is one of the freshest sneakers ever worn. You know when you see somebody wearing it, it makes a statement.)
3. New Balance MT580 x Burn Rubber (if anybody out there is selling this in a 10, let me know!)
4. Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Lo (Classics never die.)
5. Nike Air Jordan 1 “Banned” (I know this is new, but I spent the past 2 weeks calling every Nike Factory store in the country trying to track down a pair. JB, if you’re reading this, you’re breaking my heart with this release.)
What sneaker started you collecting shoes? When I was younger, we were pretty poor. We weren’t going hungry or anything like that, but we just didn’t have the money to go spend on sneakers. I grew up wearing Riddell and other D-list joints from Wal-Mart and K-Mart. I used to see kids at school wearing all the hottest Jordans and other kicks and I was so jealous. The Jordan 3 white and black cements were a childhood dream of mine. Those sneakers are really what set me off, I think.
What is the next shoe you plan to grab? True Blues! And the Kobe VI Italian Camo if I can find it.
What is your favorite sneaker in your closet? 2001 Jordan 3 black cements (no Jumpman on the heel!) or my Air Yeezy net/net colorway.
If you had to pick one shoe to represent your military branch, what would it be and why? Nike SB Dunk Hi “Born in the USA.” I think it pretty much speaks for itself.
What is the worst part of trying to collect shoes and serve at the same time? Getting stationed somewhere where there are NO sneaker shops. There is nothing where I live now. Also, being deployed or out of the country whenever a drop happens. It’s hard to pick up heat for retail price when you live in Cuba.
Do/did you ever try to work sneakers into your military-assigned attire? No way. That would never fly.
What?s the best part of being in the Armed Forces? The travel can’t be beat. Also, the appreciation of the rest of the country is awesome. I just spent some time in New York for fleet week. That city goes off for us and it’s really great to know that people appreciate what we do for them. It makes al of the sacrifices worth it.
Since you?ve been all around the world, what?s your favorite sneaker store? Gotta plug my boy Nate at Sole Brothers n Virginia Beach. Always get the hottest SB’s.
If you could design a sneaker dedicated to you particular branch, what shoe would you use and how would you create it (colors, materials)? I was thinking about this whenever I saw the Wolf Grey 5 photos for the first time. That shoe looks like a Naval ship, right down to the 23 on the side. I think with a little more style, you could turn that shoe into a legit Navy sneaker.
Do you have any memorable shoe-related stories? I guess it’s all one big story. Whether I was tracking down my favorite colorway, the most limited heat, or just picking up my favorite general release, it’s something I have grown to love. I have gone from a little dude picking his nose wearing Wal-Mart velcros, to a grown man who saves lives, defends freedom, and wears Air Yeezy’s. I got nothing to complain about.
