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The Adidas Stan Smith is a sneaker designed for 1960s tennis star Stan (Stanley Roger) Smith, this year it receives a small make over with a ‘Vulcaniz’ or Vulcanized sole. The term Vulcanized refers to a specific curing process of rubber involving high heat and the addition of sulfur and other equivalent curatives. It is a chemical process in which polymer molecules are linked to other polymer molecules by atomic bridges composed of sulfur atoms or carbon to carbon bonds. The end result is that the springy rubber molecules become cross-linked to a greater or lesser extent. This makes the bulk material harder, much more durable and also more resistant to chemical attack. It also makes the surface of the material smoother and prevents it from sticking to metal or plastic chemical catalysts. (Wikipedia) In the sneaker world, the most famous use of the vulcanized sole is on the Vans line of sneakers. The Adidas Stan Smith Vulcaniz is available at select Adidas retailers and eBay. Photo: StepToRun
