Can anyone recommend a durable condom?

October 11, 2007 7:19 AM

Can anyone recommend a good, resilient condom?

So, the thing is, I keep breaking through most condoms I find. At first I thought it was a size issue, and I've tried the next size up a few times, but it works out to be too big. So I'm looking for recommendations on a good, durable condom.

posted by anonymous to Human Relations (12 answers total)

Are you sure that you are putting the condom on correctly? Are you leaving some space at the end? And are you sure that the ones your using haven't expired or been in a wallet, or exposed to heat or bright sunlight? All of those things can weaken the latex. Most mainstream brands of condoms shouldn't have the issue of repeatedly breaking.
posted by kimdog at 7:26 AM on October 11, 2007

Use lube. Lots of lube. It is cheap, and it makes condoms less break-y.
posted by nursegracer at 7:33 AM on October 11, 2007 [1 favorite]

You don't need to rush putting a condom on. Take the condom and put it tube side down on top of the head of your penis and unroll it slowly. That way, it won't break. Maybe clip your fingernails, that will also be fun for your partner. Take your time. Don't make an time trial out of putting a condom on, it's not a sport.
posted by parmanparman at 7:36 AM on October 11, 2007

2nding kimdog, the conditions the condoms are stored in have a big effect on their resilience. Is this happing with brand new, fresh-from-the-drugstore condoms? You should be fine with any of the big brands, trojan, durex, lifestyles, etc, generally found in drugstores, as long as you're using them properly. Stay away from truck stop restroom condoms, and if all else fails, there's also lube.

Note, however, that it should be a water-based lube. Oil-based lubes like baby oil and the like can actually break down the condom and cause more of the trouble you're trying to avoid.
posted by craven_morhead at 7:37 AM on October 11, 2007

Use more lube.
posted by flabdablet at 7:38 AM on October 11, 2007

I don'tknow about durable but when I switched to Durex condoms I realized I'd met my match. I've never had one break. They feel really good.
posted by sully75 at 7:43 AM on October 11, 2007

Seconding that you're doing it wrong. About 1000 condoms in (mixed major brands) and I've never had one break.

They're not supposed to store warm; they're not supposed to be exposed to oil-based products. If you're breaking them all the time there's no brand that you need to switch too.
posted by a robot made out of meat at 8:19 AM on October 11, 2007

I like Durex too... especially the non-latex Durex Avanti. Try it out- it's a bit more expensive, but you'll be thanking me ;)
posted by sunshinesky at 8:46 AM on October 11, 2007

I'll second the suggestion for a polyurethane condom like the Avanti. They are immune to many of the enviromental hazards that degrade latex. On the plus side they conduct heat better, on the negative they don't stretch and they are quite a bit more expensive.
posted by Mitheral at 9:34 AM on October 11, 2007

This is strange, I used to give talks about AIDS and we would regularly shove our entire arm into a condom to show just how strong they are.

Make sure you are not keeping them in your wallet or in your pocket.

If you are having trouble put a little drip of lube on the INSIDE of the condom before you put it on. You only need a very small drop and only on the tip. This will help lube up the tip, but not the base (you don't want the base lubed or the condom could slip off, which is just as bad)

Slowly roll the condom on, or have your partner do it which can be fun too. Make sure it is as unrolled as you can get it.

Make sure you are not just stretching it down like you would a glove. It has to be rolled.

Also if you have any piercings that might be rubbing on the inside of the condom (or your partner does) think about putting different kinds of beads on the ends, or taking them out while having sex.

good luck
posted by stilgar at 1:22 PM on October 11, 2007

Ditto all above

Highly recommend ewly-ordered Beyond Seven condoms. Strong and sensitive.
posted by lalochezia at 6:22 PM on October 11, 2007

Make sure it is as unrolled as you can get it. ditto, and have discovered that this is yet another reason to trim / landscape things down south.

seriously. if nothing else trim the long stragglers. it makes all the difference in the world comfort-wise, and you really should roll the condom all the way down.
posted by lonefrontranger at 8:38 PM on October 11, 2007