Name: SSgt Stalin Alvarado
Branch: United States Air Force
Years in the Service: 8
Originally From: Dorchester, MA
Currently Stationed: Malmstrom Air Force Base, Malstrom, MT
Nice Kicks: What is the favorite shoe in your collection?
SSgt Alvarado: I would have to say my favorite pair is my “Cool Grey” 3s. I haven’t seen many pairs these days, and they were a birthday present. A couple of buddies of mine and I have made a pact to get each other a grail for our birthdays. There are three of us, so two of us go in half on a shoe for the other. We love the culture. Regardless of what I get for my birthday, I can count on one gift being a must have. Shout out to Jeffrey Robey and Marvin Lat!
Nice Kicks: Has being in the military helped or hurt your ability to cop the shoes you want?
SSgt Alvarado: Being in Montana has completely destroyed my chances of getting anything I want. Luckily family back home, great friends that share my struggle, and phenomenal Facebook sneaker groups, like Kick Game Fresh, share the passion, and help whenever possible.
Nice Kicks: What is your favorite shoe or model of all time?
SSgt Alvarado: My favorite shoe of all time is the Air Jordan 3 Black/Cement. Ironically, I’ve started collecting for my son as well, and that’s his favorite pair too even though he is only 4 years old.
Nice Kicks: Do you notice a difference in kicks worn in the various places you have been stationed, visited, or people you come in contact with being in the military?
SSgt Alvarado: Being that I have been stationed in Montana for going on 9 years,there are a select few who care about kicks here. Military members from big cites are the only ones who care about any kind of sneaker out here. I have come to realize its a fad now, everyone wants to be “sneakerhead”. Everyone wants the new J’s. Most people from Montana dont care, because all they care about their “S&@! Kickers” or cowboy boots more than anything else.
Nice Kicks: What is the craziest thing you have done for a pair of kicks?
SSgt Alvarado: I paid my mother in law to camp out for me at a skateshop to get me a pair of the Nike SB Dunk High “Cigar City.” She camped out for for about 9 hours, and then apparently started getting harassed by a bum. She ended up leaving and missing a ticket for a pair by about 30 minutes. Needless to say, I got my “Cigar” Dunks, but didn’t get the special edition or my money back.
