Things You Should Pay Attention to When Shopping for Male Strap-On
Usually, strap-ons for men come with a hollow dildo. The wearer’s penis goes inside it, helping to deal with issues like erectile dysfunction (ED) or insufficient penile size. This design, however, isn’t the only one.
If you’re buying a male strap-on for the very first time, here are some of the most important things to pay attention to:
Strap design and comfort: Comfort is very, very important. If you have tight, plastic straps digging in your waist and butt while having sex, you’re not going to enjoy it. Look for straps made of high quality materials – leather, poly blends, canvass, etc. Other materials can also feel comfortable if the strap itself has a little bit of padding on the underside.
Adjustability: For the harness to feel comfortable, the straps should be fully-adjustable. This means you should be capable of adjusting the length and the tightness of the straps going around your waist and the ones around the buttocks. Always check the waist size that the harness can accommodate. This is the one measure that will determine if it’s right for you.
Harness type: There are jockstrap harnesses (a favorite for most guys), G-string harnesses and underwear-style harnesses. One of these designs isn’t better than the others. The choice you make will depend on personal preferences and what you feel comfortable with. Underwear-style harnesses are very comfortable but if you’re looking into a kink or some type of fetish play, they’re not the most visually stimulating ones.
Hollow dildo inner diameter: Whenever a strap-on comes with a hollow dildo, the penis of the wearer is meant to go inside it (usually, in non-erect state). To determine if you’ll fit comfortably inside the toy, check out the inner diameter or circumference. Manufacturers should provide such information to help you choose the size that’s just right for you.
Hollow dildo outer girth and insertable length: A strap-on isn’t meant for use by a single person. Usually, you’ll be enjoying it with a partner. This is why the outer measures of the hollow dildo will also matter. Always check the insertable length and the outer girth of the toy. These are the things that will determine just how much pleasure the recipient is going to receive. If you’re using such a toy for anal play, it may be a good idea to opt for a more streamlined probe.
Dildo material: Once you’re done checking the dimensions of the dildo, take a look at the material that it’s made of. Some materials are soft, easy to clean and they can’t harbor bacteria. Other materials can contain dangerous chemicals and they may disintegrate after a few uses. Good hollow strap-ons need to be a bit stiffer than other dildos. Since they are hollow, there’s some risk of the toy collapsing or becoming difficult to use during penetration. Some good materials to look for include medical-grade silicone, thermoplastics and PVC.
Options other than hollow strap-ons for men: While the hollow male dildo is one of the most common varieties, there could be other fun toys in this category to check out. The double penetration male strap-on is an excellent example. The name gives you a good idea about how this toy works. Usually, the dildo is positioned above your penis, allowing you to experiment with double penetration in a safe, comfortable way.
Additional functionalities: To make sex more exciting than ever before, some strap-ons have additional features. An ejaculating hollow strap-on is an example. Usually, such toys get filled up with lube or a specially-formulated “ejaculate.” Squeezing the dildo (or using a bulb/syringe) will allow the toy to come in a very realistic way. This can easily turn into a major turn-on for your partner. Vibrating hollow dildos are another fun option to explore, especially if your partner needs some more stimulation to orgasm. These toys are most often equipped with a remote control that either one of the participants can use to turn the heat up or down.
Versatility: Some harnesses for men brag standard O-ring designs. This means they can be used with the dildo that’s provided with the kit or another favorite toy. If you already have a collection of hollow dildos or other probes you’d like to use with your brand new strap-on, make sure that the harness and the metal rings provided with it are compatible with the toys you own.
Ease of cleaning and maintenance: Usually, the dildo should slide out of the harness easily to be sanitized. Some strap materials allow cleaning in a washing machine. Otherwise, you’ll have to wash them by hand. Look at the manufacturer instructions before buying anything. Some toys will be very difficult to sanitize and store properly. If you’re not that meticulous when it comes to hygienic procedures, opt for a toy that is easy to take apart, wash, dry and store.