Your Favorite Condom?

June 21, 2007 8:57 AM

Condom recommendations, anyone?

So we've talked about the difference between ribbed and non-ribbed, but I'm looking for any other suggestions of brands, varieties, etc. This is for penis-in-vagina sex.

Neither of us have latex allergies, but if you have a favorite non-latex condom, you may as well mention it as well, in the interest of making this As Useful As Possible.

Obviously, the ideal thing to do is to try a bunch out. But does anyone have any particular favorites?

posted by anonymous to health & fitness (41 comments total)

These are great.
posted by TryTheTilapia at 9:07 AM on June 21, 2007 [1 favorite]

Initially, I thought these were just a gimmick, but they really are the cat's meow. Seriously...mrrrrooow!
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 9:11 AM on June 21, 2007 [2 favorites]

Durex Love is a great no-gimmick condom. They're thinner, and have more lubrication on them. Ok, so they come with a tattoo in the box. That's a bit weird.
posted by ALongDecember at 9:13 AM on June 21, 2007

Avantis are good, but I found when I used them that they broke a lot more often than I was comfortable with.

I'm a fan of the "purple box" -- the Durex extra sensitive condoms.
posted by kdar at 9:15 AM on June 21, 2007

Seconding Durex Love (has anyone ever actually used those tattoos?). If they're unavailable, Durex Extra Sensitive.
posted by solipsophistocracy at 9:22 AM on June 21, 2007

If you are on the large size then you should try some of the 'large' varieties - nothing worse than being constantly tightly squeezed. But don't use such for bragging rights - they tend to slip off on average people.
posted by MonkeySaltedNuts at 9:23 AM on June 21, 2007

Condomi are made without the use of milk, so are the only choice for vegans.
posted by humblepigeon at 9:32 AM on June 21, 2007

Trojan Ultra Thins
posted by pieoverdone at 9:36 AM on June 21, 2007

I oscillate between the Trojan Magnum and the Twisted varieties. I find that nonoxoyl-9 (however it's spelled) is irritating to me and most of my partners, so the lack of it on those is nice. I'm a bit on the chubby side down there, so it's much nicer than being consistently oversqueezed, but I feel a little ridiculous buying them, much thanks to MonkeySaltedNuts' ego presumption.
posted by Xoder at 9:46 AM on June 21, 2007

I find that normal condoms are painfully tight, and Trojan Magnums are great. But for me they slip off after sex. Am I the only one? (Probably way too much information on how much my dick changes size when erect.)
posted by rwatson at 9:55 AM on June 21, 2007

I like the Kimono Micro Thins.

However I've found quite a bit of variation in fit between brands and styles. Best thing IMO is to get a large sampler or two and um, have fun.
posted by Mitheral at 10:04 AM on June 21, 2007

I agree about Kimono MicroThins. They're about as close as you can get to not having a condom on at all. And I've never had one break.
posted by carmen at 10:07 AM on June 21, 2007

Ha, yeah I used to put the Durex Love condom tattoos on my arm in high school. I thought it was a funny to way to be subversive toward my mom.
As a woman, I can't really tell much difference between ribbed or not, or any of the other tectured varieties.
The thinner the better. Also, and YMMV, I find that the pre-lubed kind create a weird friction with natural lady-juices as well as with liquid lubes.
posted by greta simone at 10:09 AM on June 21, 2007

Seconding the sampler idea. It sounds like a pretty reasonable way to try a bunch out.
posted by boreddusty at 10:10 AM on June 21, 2007

No no nonoxynol-9--it can cause lesions for both partners, and the CDC has found it increases the chance of STD transmission.

I really liked Pleasure Plus back in my condom-using days, but I don't know if they're even on the market any more.
posted by MrMoonPie at 10:16 AM on June 21, 2007

Trojan Magnums.

Yes, yes, I know ... but it ain't bragging if it's true. I just found them easier to get 'em on. Sue me.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 10:28 AM on June 21, 2007

I'm about to get married, so I don't use condoms anymore, but I liked the Trojan Magnum XL back in the day.
posted by electroboy at 10:34 AM on June 21, 2007

I used to put the Durex Love tattoo on a hip bone or some other sexy spot =P

I haven't seen them around recently though =(
posted by infinityjinx at 10:36 AM on June 21, 2007

Back before my wife and I started trying to have a baby, I used Okamoto Crown condoms. They are extremely thin, but I've never had one break on me.

I agree that Kimono Micro Thins are great too.
posted by Xazeru at 10:46 AM on June 21, 2007

Polyurethane condoms- both the Avantis that trythetilapia linked to and Trojan Supras, are awesome. They have a looser fit, but are very comfortable and transfer heat amazingly well, much better than latex.
posted by mkultra at 10:47 AM on June 21, 2007

I would avoid those that claim to prolong your f**k: they can turn you completely numb, and the numbness can last a day or two.
posted by londongeezer at 10:59 AM on June 21, 2007

Seconding the Trojan Magnums. The best fit is a very important thing.
posted by djrock3k at 11:10 AM on June 21, 2007

I really liked the polyutherane condoms, but I broke two over the span of a couple months. YMMV, of course, but I really preferred them over latex condoms.
posted by glip at 11:10 AM on June 21, 2007

I'll nth the Kimono Microthins, and I also had pretty good luck with Beyond Seven condoms. I always used Condomania, without any problems. I think that their sample packs are a really fun way to experiment.

I would add that if you are experimenting with different condoms, you might also want to experiment with different kinds of lube. Again, sample packs are a great way to begin. (And a reason to keep some of the polyurethane condoms around, even if you don't use them every day, is that they are ok with oil, in case you get a bit vigorous with your massage oil, or want to act all old-school and get out the Crisco.)
posted by Forktine at 11:15 AM on June 21, 2007

N^th the Kimono Microthins.

With respect to Avanti condoms, the material is far less of an insulator than latex and therefore transmits more body heat, making the experience more pleasurable. On the down side, after breaking the third one, I went back to latex. I've used far more latex condoms than Avanti, and I've broken precisely 1 and that was under fairly...uh...extreme conditions.
posted by plinth at 11:33 AM on June 21, 2007

When I did safe sex work with gay men, the overwhelming condom of choice was Pleasure Plus (they have them at Condomania). Just make sure you are putting them on correctly.

In my personal experience as a woman, I've never really been able to tell too much about the condom. The most important things were the amount of lube (add it on, don't rely on the little bit on lubricated condoms) and using ones withOUT nonoxynol 9.
posted by catsoup at 11:50 AM on June 21, 2007

Man, all the Durex ones feel like vinyl siding on my dick. Best, in my humble, have been the Trojan Her Pleasure ones. They're a little looser, which I like.
posted by klangklangston at 12:30 PM on June 21, 2007

Lifestyles "Ultra Thin" or Lifestyles "Ultra Ribbed." They're both really thin. And I think lubricated on both sides. I don't like Trojans, they feel weird.
posted by mustcatchmooseandsquirrel at 12:47 PM on June 21, 2007

Seconding the Inspirals and Durex Extra Sensitives. Trojan has licensed Inspiral's twisted reservoir as well, if you're brand-loyal.
Personally, I go for the Mates Xtra Pleasures (Lifestyles Dual Pleasures back home). Basically, if you're not a condom fan you'll find that any of the reservoir tip domes are a huge improvement.
posted by Kreiger at 1:04 PM on June 21, 2007

HIV/STD outreach worker, passed out condoms for 6+ years. Kimono Microthins, Pleasure Plus, and Beyond Sevens were always the top choice of every guy over 21 who actually had regular sex (most of the 15-18 boys just asked if they could test the condoms on me.) For larger penises, I've always liked the Lifestyles XL condom.
posted by nerdcore at 1:09 PM on June 21, 2007

I like the Pleasure Plus...and nth the idea of going to get a condom sampler pack...It's the only way to find out which ones you really like and it is fun reasearch.
posted by mmascolino at 1:54 PM on June 21, 2007

Avanti or a lambskin condom. I've only broken one condom, and it was latex.
posted by BrotherCaine at 1:58 PM on June 21, 2007

No, no, no! Agggh, avoid lambskin condoms at all costs.

Lambskin condoms are shit and don't protect you against HIV.
posted by Justinian at 2:39 PM on June 21, 2007

The only time, ever, in all my 22 years of having sex, that I had a condom come off during sex was when I used lambskin.
posted by MrMoonPie at 2:46 PM on June 21, 2007

Sorry, I should have said lambskin != STD prevention. My primary interest with condoms was providing good sensation but preventing pregnancy in my partners until after I got a vasectomy. Now I avoid them entirely.
posted by BrotherCaine at 3:02 PM on June 21, 2007

Ditto Durex Love or Extra Sensitive.
posted by limeonaire at 4:14 PM on June 21, 2007

Nth-ing both Pleasure Plus and Durex Extra Sensitive.

If you're going for as great a sensation as possible, lube on both the outside and inside of the condom (you can add it directly to the penis) and try to get the condom body temperature (only way that comes to mind is holding it in the mouth for 30 seconds and then putting it on).
posted by whitneykitty at 5:43 PM on June 21, 2007

Of the ones I tried in a sampler pack, Beyond Seven were by far the best in terms of heat transfer, sensitivity and fit.

YPPMV.
posted by lalochezia at 5:56 PM on June 21, 2007

Seconding and thirding the Kimonos.
posted by regicide is good for you at 8:53 PM on June 21, 2007

Seconding the Inspiral. They're apparently designed by the same doctor who designed the Pleasure Plus, and they seem to be getting even bette reviews.
posted by klausness at 4:53 AM on June 24, 2007

Babes in Toyland has excellent sampler packs. I got one a while back that had like 4 each of Crowns, Kimono Microthins, Mambas, Lifestyles Slims, I forget what else...it was kind of expensive to try all those fancy condoms, but once I had I knew which ones my boyfriend and I liked best (for the record, Kimono Microthins and Crowns won). I can get Kimonos at certain local grocery and pharmacy shops, and they go on sale sometimes so that's what I use. The Mambas are good too, but they're really hard to find. I don't know if colors bug you; Crowns and Mambas come brightly colored. All the condoms in the sampler except for the Lifestyles Slims were noticeably better than average--we had a problem with standard condoms where they would slip off during certain positions or vigorous going at it, and the higher end condoms put a stop to that. They also do feel better for both of us.

You hear love/hate stuff about the non-latex condom (Durex Avanti, etc). I have never had a specific reason to try them, and they're prohibitively expensive, but you might want to check them out if latex condoms, even higher end super thin ones, aren't doing it for you.

Personally I have no interest in all the fancy add ons like studs and ribs and "warming" added lube (!), so I can't say much on that subject.
posted by ifjuly at 12:50 PM on June 24, 2007