When You Need Protection, Reach for the Best Rubbers Out There
The most successful form of birth control and STI prevention may be abstinence. But it’s also … not a lot of fun. For those of you who want to have sex without worry, condom is great option. For ensuring your sexual escapades don’t lead to the transmission of an infection. But there’s more to the equation than just knowing that condoms exist. You also have to know how to use them — and just as importantly, you need to have some at your disposal.
But which condoms, exactly? That can be a bit trickier. For starters, penis size can vary wildly between men, depending on all kinds of factors — length, width, and shape, for instance. As well, different people want different things from their condoms. Are you looking for thin-as-can-be condoms? Or studded? Ribbed, colorful, or flavorful? Something that produces a specific sensation? Maybe you’re allergic to latex and need a different material? Or you and your partner want to try a female condom?
All these questions and more are important ones to ask yourself when in the market for condoms. Luckily, we’ve put together this handy guide to help you choose the right condom — or condoms — for you. Keep reading to get an idea of what options are out there, which brands we think are the best, and what the different options are like depending on what you’re looking for.
How to Pick the Right Condom
Now, the question of picking the right condom raises the question: Is it possible to pick the wrong condom? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. If you or your partner should be using non-latex condoms and you don’t, you might be looking at a painful allergic reaction. Choosing a condom that’s the wrong size could lead to the condom breaking (if it’s too small), or slipping off (if it’s too large), too. A condom that’s too thick could leave you feeling, well, underwhelmed. A condom with special features you’re not crazy about could leave you feeling overwhelmed.
At the end of the day, you want a condom that maximizes your enjoyment of the sex you’re having while doing its best to ensure that you’re having the safest sex you can. It’s certainly possible to have a fine experience with just any old condom, but why settle for second-best? With a little bit of research, you can find the right condom for you — and the great sex you’ll have won’t be something you regret.
So how do you find that condom? Before we get to your options, here are some helpful pointers:
Read Product Reviews
Before you book a hotel room at a luxury resort for your honeymoon or vacation, what’s the first thing you do? Read reviews of other travelers to ensure you’re getting the best experience for your buck. Why not apply the same logic to condom shopping? User comments can be a powerful tool to decide on how a condom feels and performs. He suggests reading through Amazon before adding anything to your cart — or ahem, your penis.
Try the Variety Pack
It’s the spice of life. The best way to figure out what you like and what doesn’t suit you. It’s always a smart idea to buy an assortment of options so you can test them and receive feedback from your partner, too. From ribbed and flavored to extra lubrication to thin texture, it can be a fun experience to dive in together and figure out what works best for your sex life. Make it a fun. Like wine tasting…
Only High-Quality Products!
To ensure you keep the best physique, you only choose organic ingredients for your meals at home. And when you’re applying facial cream or any slew of beard products, you pick natural solutions to avoid breakouts. With condoms, the same idea applies. “Only use products that can give you full peace of mind before, during, and after the intercourse. That is the primary reason why many users stay with only the big brands. These brands guarantee that their products passed strict quality controls and that they work fully as designed.”
Think of Your Partner
Even if you aren’t in a committed, monogamous relationship, it takes two to tango — and to have an exciting, fulfilling sexual experience. This is where communication is important. Choosing quality ingredients are better for your partner’s body, which could be sensitive to certain products. And if you’re in doubt? Ask them! This ensures you both are satisfying yourselves to the maximum potential.
Focus on Fit
Bottom line though? You need a condom that fits. “When it comes to condoms, it is of utmost importance to choose ones that are safe and comfortable. The most important factor in choosing the right condom is whether it’s the correct size for the penis: too large and it may slip off, and too small and it can become uncomfortable or even break.
