non-Magnum condom alternatives

April 29, 2008 8:27 PM

Are there reputable large condom lines other than Trojan Magnum?

My girlfriend has an unpleasant reaction to the spermicide or the lube or something else in Trojan brand condoms. Unfortunately, I'm accustomed to using Magnums. The drugstores around here barely carry any non-Trojan lines at all, and most of the ones they do carry are silly Durex Clown Pack assorted novelty kinds. Are there any other larger alternatives from known, reputable brands? If there's something else out there, I'm more than willing to order online.

posted by anonymous to Health & Fitness (20 answers total)

I really like the Good Vibrations Extra Wide. Very comfortable, sensitive, and (importantly) non-lubricated. (Also check their Condom Chart!)
posted by mykescipark at 8:40 PM on April 29, 2008

Oh, well, damn, I guess they're lubricated now. Anyway, carry on :-P
posted by mykescipark at 8:41 PM on April 29, 2008

sounds like you are looking for kimono large.
posted by phil at 8:48 PM on April 29, 2008

Lifestyles has a large condom that should be available in most drugstores (at least in Canada?) I've never been...involved with this specific variety, so I can't vouch for the dimensions and such.
posted by thisjax at 8:50 PM on April 29, 2008

If you need the large ones don't skimp. Anything smaller will kill all sensation; a too small condom is like a torture chamber. Size is far more important that thin rubber in this area. Anyway, I don't know of any large variety which is not lubricated, but Trojan does have a condom called the Enz which is not lubricated but which is larger at the head where it matters. If you are not too large this may work for you. There is a spiral tip one somewhere which also may or may not be lubricated. Some other brands also have larger sizes, Durex, and their lubrication may be different. If all else fails, get the Magnums and rinse them with water first. The lubricants are water based and will wash out easily. Make sure first that it is the lube though, as many women have issues with nonoxyl-9, but not so many with the lube.
posted by caddis at 9:02 PM on April 29, 2008

My ex and I swore by the lifestyles XL condoms. Also, spermicide is bad news for the ladies and when added to the lube on condomsdoesn't help protect against pregnancy or stds. And if you need lube, O'My natural lube is ph balanced to help maintain the balance of friendly bacterias in the vagina (doesn't taste too bad either.)
posted by nerdcore at 9:29 PM on April 29, 2008

Here are some reviews of Kimono condoms.

Unfortunately, I don't have firsthand experience with extra large condoms. But I drive a Hummer, so there! Actually, I don't.

posted by HotPatatta at 9:40 PM on April 29, 2008 [1 favorite]

Condomania should have something to suit your needs.
posted by brujita at 10:02 PM on April 29, 2008

kimono large are GREAT. i introduced them to my lover, who previously only used magnums, and he was instantly converted; they fit so nicely and are so thin, you really get great sensation and heat through them. i get weird reactions to some trojans and all durexes, but have never had problems with any kimonos. if you're going to buy good condoms online, you might as well get some quality lube while you're at it—liquid silk is amazing.
posted by lia at 10:51 PM on April 29, 2008 [1 favorite]

lia: "you might as well get some quality lube while you're at it—liquid silk is amazing."

Recommending Hydra Smooth.
posted by lostburner at 12:42 AM on April 30, 2008

Ansell Megas have been good, but they're a bit hard to find at the moment - I'm hoping they aren't discontinued.
posted by rodgerd at 1:04 AM on April 30, 2008

My girlfriend has an unpleasant reaction to the spermicide or the lube or something else in Trojan brand condoms

Are you sure that she's not allergic to latex? It might be an issue with any brand you try. Other advice here is good, just a thought.
posted by psmealey at 2:34 AM on April 30, 2008

If she is allergic to latex, the Durex Avanti is made of polyurethane. And just FYI, all condoms (unless they're novelty condoms), are classified as medical devices and tested rigorously (in the US, anyway). So all condom brands are just as reputable as others.
posted by Stewriffic at 4:30 AM on April 30, 2008

On the lube front, I'm ducking back in to second the Liquid Silk recommendation. Amazing stuff.
posted by mykescipark at 6:02 AM on April 30, 2008

CondomDepot is a great site to look at because they actually give measurements. I have never ordered from them though.

get the Magnums and rinse them with water first

If you plan to do this by fully unrolling the condom before you are wearing it, don't. Condoms should not be fully unrolled and then fitted (this may be due to trapping air that can lead to breakage).
posted by ALongDecember at 6:06 AM on April 30, 2008

In my limited experience, anything Durex is infinitely better than anything Trojan. I haven't used the Magnums but never was comfortable with anything before I tried the Durex ones that have the red design on the cover. The purple covered design is good too.
posted by sully75 at 6:07 AM on April 30, 2008

If you live in a US city, there's a sex store somewhere that has every kind of condom and lube you could ever want. Even outside of large cities, there's likely one around somewhere within an hour or two.
posted by gauchodaspampas at 7:56 AM on April 30, 2008

Switching brands among the larger condoms is difficult, because not all "large" condoms are equally, well, large. A quarter of an inch can make the difference between "comfortably snug" and "intensely tight erection killer". Condomania has a condom size chart for all the brands they sell (all pretty mainstream). You should probably seek something as big or bigger than the Magnum.
posted by jjg at 9:02 AM on April 30, 2008

If all else fails, get the Magnums and rinse them with water first.

No, don't do this. Rinsing them means you're handling them--fingernails can introduce micro tears. Then you have to roll it back up--more handling--before putting it on. Bad idea.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 6:17 PM on April 30, 2008

I think the rinsing probably is not good, more so from the chance of getting too much air in than from fingernails. I think you could be careful with the fingernails, but you would have to be and if you aren't that is bad, but air is the major cause of breakage. Skip the rinse. Find something from the very many choices offered up in this thread that works all on its own. The rinse would be a pain anyway.
posted by caddis at 6:30 PM on April 30, 2008