Everything You Need to Know About Strap-Ons

The history of the strap on dildo is a little vague, but there are paintings that depict strap on use. One such 19th-century Chinese painting shows a woman using a dildo that has been strapped to her shoe. There was also one other painting from the same era of two lesbians partaking in strap-on sex, so it is good to believe that they were in use at these early stages.

As to hard evidence, there have been old, dildo-shaped artifacts found with holes in the end that were likely used to fasten them to a harness, but aside from these little snippets, it’s hard to see concrete evidence. However, it is safe to say that the strap on more than likely mirrored the history of the conventional dildo.

Benefits

Hands-free sex: Strap ons allow theer to partake in hands-free sex with their partner. This is the case with a woman being able to perform penetrative .

More intimacy: Now the wearer (especially women) can wear as they become more intimate with their partner as they perform. The entire situation changes when compared to using a dildo by hand.

Power play: The wearer can now fulfill their power play fantasies, whereas before, this wasn’t possible. , with the use of a strap on, taking a dominant role is easy.

Erectile dysfunction: Some strap as appendages for men. These are now helping men with erectile dysfunction problems so they can overcome the lack of erection, or as a means of delaying ejaculation, so they can fully pleasure their partner.

Different Strap On Types

While the basic design of a strap on is similar, there are some differences which can make the experience very different and more comfortable for the wearer too.

Here are the various types of straps and harnesses you can find…

Strap-on dildos: These can come in all shapes and sizes like conventional dildos. These are made to be as lifelike as possible, similar to the male penis with large glans, shaft veins and Some strap come with separate attachments which allow the wearer to perform double penetration on their partner.

Vibrating strap-on dildos: These will look and feel similar to an everyday dildo, or they will be smoother and don’t focus on realism, but focus on stimulation. These vibrating strap have inbuilt motors which send vibrations as the user performs penetration. Some models even come double ended, so the user slips one end into her vagina and receives identical sensations as she takes on the male role.

Three strap jock harnesses: This type of harness is one of the most popular as it contours the body while only using three straps. This is one around each thigh and one around the waist. Unlike other harnesses, it leaves the wearer’s body fully exposed.

G-string harnesses: This wraps around the waist with a single G-string strap under the body. It lacks control like other harnesses, but it has the added benefit of stimulating the groin.

Corset harnesses: These come with high-sitting straps, and corset style fastenings around the back. These not only look hot but also secure the harness in place. The overall design is very similar to the jock harness, but with different styles of strapping.

Hollow strap-on: A hollow-strap on can be worn by men, with or without an erection. Men who suffer from erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation are users, but even men who have no problems are wearing these. Hollow strap-ons allow men to perform penetration for longer because they loose sensation and ejaculation is delayed. Or, alternatively, hollow strap-ons are used as penis extenders so the wearer can please their partner with a larger penis.

O-ring harnesses: Many harnesses come with O-rings which slip around the base of the strap-on dildo. This is the more common because the O-rings can be changed to accommodate different sized dildos.

Vac-U-Locks: This is a patented system that has a fixture fastened onto the harness. A dildo will merely plug this, without the use of an O-ring. These are sized under the patent, so not all dildos will fit.

Double ended strap-on: If you have a compatible harness, these can deliver to the wearer as well as the receiver (women only). There is an additional shorter section that sits inside the vagina, while the more extended portion is held in place by the strap-on harness. These are very similar to strapless strap-ons.

Material Options

• Silicone: Medical-grade silicone is hypoallergenic and non-porous. It is also temperature resistant; therefore it may be used for hot or cold fun. Silicone is phthalate free, so there are no toxic compounds contained in its construction. Silicone strap- can simply be sterilized in hot water; thus there's less likelihood of bacteria being passed on. Silicone also does a decent job at preventing bacterial growth.
• TPR/TPE: These materials are not as expensive as others, while still delivering those soft, sensual feels. They should also be phthalate free, but it is worth checking. This material is porous, so it can’t be sterilized in the same way as silicone, and bacteria can grow under the surface. These are a mix of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), polyvinyl chloride and silicone, so they don’t like silicone lube or oils.
• Rubber: Often the most affordable of materials you'll find on a strap-on dildo. But, it’s far from the best and should be avoided if you have allergies. There may be latex added, and in some people, this may cause allergic reactions. Rubber is usually used dildos as a result of the stiffness, while still delivering flexibility. This material is porous and can't be completely sterilized. Therefore, bacteria can breed below the surface.
• Glass/Steel: You can find strap made from either glass or steel, but these are rare because of their weight. A strap on will hang down, so it requires manual manipulation to get it a penetrating position. However, both glass and stainless steel are the two most body safe materials you can find. They also deliver very unique experiences when compared to softer materials.
• Nylon: This is made from synthetic polymers called polyamides. It’s used in creating strap-on harnesses and is very durable and easy to care for. Nylon is also phthalate free and hypoallergenic. This can be cleaned in a regular washing machine.
• Leather: This is a natural material and used to make some harnesses. It’s much harder to care for and can’t be washed or sterilized. It also needs the addition of leather soap to keep it supple. It looks great though, and when cared for properly, it can last for years.

How to Choose the Right Strap On for You

When choosing a strap on, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you’ll have the strap-on dildo to consider, and you’ll also have the harness style and type to choose for the wearer too.

Looking at the strap-on dildo first, here are things to check:

• Shape: Most dildos are shaped like a male penis, but some different shapes are available, depending on their use. They can have a realistic appearance, or they can come in a variety of colors, but when is concerned, you need one that is arousing or designed for the use in mind. An anal strap-on can be very different in shape to a strap on that is intended for vaginal penetration.
• Length and girth: Once you have the shape decided upon, you then need to take a look at the length and girth. These can vary considerably, depending on use, and anal strap- may be somewhat thinner than vaginal strap-ons. Smaller strap-on dildos are better for beginners, whereas a thicker girth can be more suitable for larger or more experienced women and men.
• Rigidity: Some strap may be too soft and make penetration difficult. In anal penetration, this is because there is more force the sphincter muscles than in a vagina. This rigidity can also affect how the prostate or the G-spot are stimulated, because if they are too soft, they won’t be delivering pressure like stiffer strap do.
• Materials: This needs consideration because many individuals like temperature play. In many cases, this is where glass and steel come in, but as these two materials are less common in strap on design, it will leave silicone. Other softer materials are not suitable for this and may leave users dissatisfied from their overall experience.
• Harnesses: A strap on with a harness is a considerable investment. So making sure you have a harness that is comfortable to wear, and which also delivers some stability for the strap on is crucial. Most harnesses are adjustable, but they do have limits. For an average-sized person, this is more than sufficient, but if you (or the wearer) are on or larger size, then you may need to check that the harness can be adjusted as much. One other thing with harnesses is the material. While leather is a fantastic material, it might not fit around the body as comfortably as nylon harnesses will. It’s also harder to care for and may be more restrictive.

Additional Things to Consider

One of the most significant things to consider when purchasing a strap on is that of the receiver or partner. This can change, depending upon if the strap on is being used for vaginal penetration or for anal penetration.

The wearer won’t feel any sensations, so they can’t tell how the other person is feeling. will be required in both instances, but this can dry up, and if there is no reapplication, it can result in chafing and lots of discomfort. Plenty of communication is required between both participants here.

Secondary to using lube on the receiver, if the strap on is a hollow strap-on, then the man will need to lube his penis and also inside the channel that sits inside. He might not realize the extent of his erection, and with the thrusting action, he can easily rub the end of his penis against the material of the hollow strap-on. Keep this in mind.

Depending on the size of the wearer, there can be and straps that are sitting in the most uncomfortable places. What might feel comfortable for the wearer can cause discomfort for the receiver. This is why it’s crucial to find a harness which fits without too much adjustment.

There is one additional thing to mention about wearing a harness. Users can become bruised in certain areas after using the strap on. This doesn’t happen to everyone, and some people like to know they were amidst lots of action the night before. Ways around this are to either try a different strap-on dildo that has a softer base, or you can buy special harness pads. This acts as a buffer against the harness and the areas where the more severe bruising appears.

Overall, material choice is also a crucial thing to consider. While there are realistic strap-on dildos available, these can be very soft. If one of these is being used for anal penetration, the outer material can be placed under extreme pressure. If this pulls against the rigid inner core too much, the material can tear too. This will ruin the strap on immediately, but it may also leave possible sharp edges in a position that can cause injury. If this happens while the strap on is inserted, this can cause internal bleeding.