We've tested and
compared more than 100 condom brands ...
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Condoms
compared
If testing the feel of condoms isn't wildly subjective, we don't know what is. Most testers tried more than one condom per session. Natural variations in timing, lubrication and emotion surely colored our experiences. In the final analysis, however, we did find a good amount of agreement among testers, suggesting that informal testing can yield consistent results. The categories we evaluated are as follows (on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being high):
Sensitivity.
We assessed how much sensation we could feel through the material. Testers based their reports on touches, vaginal squeezes and oral approaches.
Lubrication.
We tested only lubricated brands (without spermicide). We evaluated the degree and comfort of perceived wetness.
Temperature.
We reported how quickly and comfortably a condom allowed one's natural body temperature to radiate through the sheath.
Comfort.
We scored each brand based on our overall impression of how comfortable it was. Factors here included fit and intangible aspects of our perception of the material used.
We averaged these scores, reported by both men and women, to get our final rankings (listed below in the order of male preference). While there were slight variations among male and female testers, everyone agreed that Trojan Ultra Pleasure was a winner.
Where to get them
While the Trojan and Lifestyles condoms can be found in many drugstores, the remaining condoms are usually offered only by specialty outlets. Our favorite is Condomania, which features more than 300 varieties of condoms. We favor its Web site -www.condomania.com- but also enjoy its catalog, which is available by calling 1-800-926-6366. All prices listed below are based on the Condomania selling prices for condoms.
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TROJAN ULTRA PLEASURE
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Baggy head
Male score: 8.37
Female score: 8.58
Length: 206 mm
Width: 54/69 mm
Thickness: 0.07 mm
Cost: $10.95 (12)
Comments:
"We liked this Trojan's "headroom."
"The bagginess at the head did create a pleasurable sensation
during thrusting." |
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TROJAN VERY
SENSITIVE |
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Baggy head
Male score: 7.31
Female score: 7.55
Length: 206 mm
Width: 50/62 mm
Thickness: 0.07 mm
Cost: $10.95 for 12
Comments
Most testers found this one warm and comfortable. "It was a
little loose at first, but as I got harder, it fit well."
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LIFESTYLES
ULTRA SENSITIVE |
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Baggy head
Male score: 7.31
Female score: 7.50
Length: 186 mm
Width: 54/62 mm
Thickness: 0.06 mm
Cost: $9.95 for 12
Comments:
One couple rated this tops: "A natural, warm experience. It seemed
as though the condom wasn't there." |
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KIMONO
SENSATION |
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Superthin
Male score: 7.34
Female score: 7.55
Length: 200 mm
Width: 53 mm
Thickness: 0.06 mm
Cost: $9.95 (12)
Comments:
While the Sensation didn't warm up as quickly as the others, it proved
to be a thin, snug alternative to the baggies. |
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SCHMID LAB'S
AVANTI |
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Latex-free
Male score: 7.09
Female score: 7.00
Length: 180 mm
Width: 60 mm
Thickness: 0.04 mm
Cost: $11.95 (6)
Comments:
Most testers mentioned the "crinkly, wax-paper-like" feel of
this condom. Some felt the lube was "kind of strange." |
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CROWN SKIN LESS
SKIN |
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Superthin
Male score: 4.23
Female score: 5.80
Length: 190 mm
Width: 55 mm
Thickness: 0.04 mm
Cost: $9.95 (12)
Comments:
Most felt "secure" in this condom, but reported that this came
at the price of sensation. The lubricant was lacking. |
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