Strap-on dildos are sex toys that were strictly in the lesbian domain, but nowadays they are being experienced by a broader spectrum of people. There are still lesbians who favor these toys for hands-free loving, but now men in the gay community and heterosexual couples are using them to add some spice to their relationships too.
Unlike strapless dildos, strap-on dildos can also be used for masturbation should the right type of strap-on dildo harness be used.
Strap-on dildos are made to the same specifications as regular dildos but have bases that allow them to be held into place on strap-on harnesses. Now it is possible to please a partner through hip thrusting, compared to using a dildo with just the hand. These allowances help couples to venture down many different avenues of play because they can interact very differently with each other.
One significant difference though, is that glass and steel dildos are pretty standard, but in the strap-on world, it’s silicone that rules the roost, and it’s scarce to see either glass or steel dildos in use here.
In most cases, a strap-on dildo is made to look and feel like a male penis, although there are variants on this design that users can choose too. Some strap-on dildos are designed with females in mind, while others can be designed for men and offer distinct benefits when they come to use them.
Different Types and Styles
Aside from the base of the strap on the shaft that sits inside the harness, these types of dildo are almost identical to a regular dildo. Silicone is the material of choice, and this is because steel and glass are too heavy and will most likely hang downward and not really resemble an erection.
Here is a look at the common types of strap-on dildos you can find…
Strap-on harness kits – These are great for beginners as they come with the harness and one dildo. The choice of dildo might be limited to being only a regular one, but it does give everything you need to go hands-free.
Regular strap-ons – These are the phallically shaped dildos that replicate the male penis. They are soft (yet firm) like a real penis and come with bulging veins and (in some cases) added testicles for additional realism and stimulation.
Hollow strap-ons – These are man-exclusive and work just like a penis sleeve. They can be used with a soft penis or with an erection. This means they can be used by men who have erectile dysfunction problems or for the man who wants to increase the size of his penis to deliver more pleasure to his partner.
Anal strap-ons – These will be thinner than a regular dildo which can be quite meaty in girth. These are used for anal sex and also for prostate stimulation in men while they are being pegged by their partner.
Double ended strap-ons – These come with a shorter second length that sits inside the vagina of the harness wearer. They allow her to receive sensations and stimulation just as her partner is feeling them.
Double penetration strap-ons – These come with the intention of performing double penetration on a partner. There will be two dildos in one unit, or you can find harnesses that accept two O-rings as an alternative for the wearer to add dildos.
Vibrating strap-ons – As with all the above, these vibrate and can even come with remotes to fire the buzzer as required.
How to Choose a Strap-On Penis for You
When looking for the best strap-on penis, a few things need considering. One thing that can restrict your choice is the type of fitting on the harness. There are basically two types. There’s the O-ring fitting which is universal and allows for adjustment and the use of different sized strap-on penises, or the Vac-U-Lock system that is patented by one of the most significant sex toy manufacturers in the world.
For beginners (or those who want to be able to swap and change their strap-on penis), the O-ring variety will suffice until they get serious.
Choosing a strap-on penis isn’t as clear cut as you might expect. This is because you’re not picking it for yourself unless you are purchasing the dildo to be used with your partner's harness.
The first consideration will be size, and this will be dictated by how the dildo will be used. Hollow strap on will be larger in size because they are designed to sit on top of a penis, but generally speaking, you will need a strap-on dildo that the body can accommodate.
Experience level is also one thing you need to think about. Starting smaller is recommended, but if you know the size you can cater for, then you are on your way to choosing the correct size. One thing to understand (with regard to the size of the strap-on dildo) is that the O-rings will change depending on the size of the dildo shaft. There is no “one size fits all,” so you may need to change the O-ring at the same time. Also, check that the O-ring can be changed, because some harnesses are fixed in size, so that will be the size of dildo you can aim for.
O-ring sizes that will relate to shaft diameter are 1.25, 1.5, 1.75 and up to 2 inches in diameter. This should be more than enough sizes of girth to cater for most users.
As was mentioned a little earlier, silicone is the primary material, but there are also the cyber skin strap-on dildos too. These give the most realistic feel compared to silicone, but they might not be as durable if there’s any aggressive thrusting going on.
Although a significant number of strap-on dildos are made to resemble a male penis, this doesn’t mean they are the only choices. Like any regular dildo, you can have curved, smooth, ribbed, and beaded, as examples. It all depends on you and your partner's tastes, and what stimulation you are seeking.
What Are the Benefits
The primary benefit of strap-on dildos is that they enable hands-free loving for the users. Now there is no need to manhandle a dildo on your partner when you can strap them into a harness and act like the dominant.
These not only benefit women in the lesbian community, but also other individuals who have unique needs too. Women can fill a male role, and stimulate the prostate of her male partner through anal penetration when the correct prostate stimulating dildo is used, or she can just perform ‘pegging’ if he is keen on trying anal sex.
Other benefits are those that help men who need help with their sexual performance. This can fall into two main areas:
- where a man wants to prolong his lovemaking session and would wear a hollow strap-on dildo to reduce any stimulation in his penis. So he can go through the lovemaking act until his partner is ready for real penetration.
- Some men suffer from erectile problems. This can be premature ejaculation, or where they are unable to get a full erection. Again, a hollow strap-on dildo is used, and in the case of premature ejaculation, the senses are not passed to the penis so he can make love without worrying about finishing too early. In the case of not having an erection, the man can insert his flaccid penis, or half erect penis in the hollow strap-on dildo and go through the motions to please his partner.
In both cases, they can help men overcome the problems which cause their erectile dysfunction.
Strap-on dildos also deliver the benefit of double penetration should a woman desire this, and now one partner can perform both duties with the correct double penetration dildo attached. Or, in the case of the man, he can wear a strap-on dildo alongside his penis.
Some Safety Considerations
Some of the safety considerations come from the harness as well as the dildo itself. These can have buckles in certain positions and might run against the person being penetrated. Manufacturers do allow for this, but depending on the size of the person wearing the strap-on dildo, these buckles may be out of position.
Lack of sensitivity is also a consideration. With regular intercourse, a man can feel his partner through his penis. He will know if they are wet enough or dry, and/or if they are feeling any discomfort. A strap-on dildo doesn’t deliver any of this, so there is the need for continual communication between both partners.
When inserting a strap-on dildo, there is a need for plenty of lubrication, and this will need additional applications, especially in the case of any anal play.
Sharing the use of the strap-on dildo might seem appropriate at the time so both partners can enjoy the feelings, but this is not recommended to help reduce the risk of any infections being passed on. There is also the risk of STDs and STIs (sexually transmitted diseases and sexually transmitted infections). Play safe, always.
Where Can You Use a Strap-On Penis
Strap on penises are versatile, so they allow for many different scenarios to be enacted or played. Female couples can partake in hands-free bedroom frolics, and by doing so, they can show much more intimacy than they would when using a regular dildo.
One other area that many wearers and users are finding very much a turn-on is the simulation of oral sex on the strap-on dildo. For couples, this helps the wearer become more attached to the harness and the strap-on, rather than it merely being an appendage. It looks really sexy too!
Now, with the introduction of hollow strap-on penises, men can wear these and perform anal sex on their partner. This allows a very different experience other than using his own penis. It can not only allow for prostate massage and mind-blowing orgasms as a result, but it can feel like the recipient is with another male.
One of the newer types of strap-on harnesses allows users to use the thigh or arm type. New unique situations are opened up, and the partner who is being penetrated can perform all manner of seductive routines while grinding against the strap-on penis which is resting on their partner's thigh.
While hands free loving is the main focus of strap-on penises, these arm or leg harnesses can make use of pillows or chairs. Users can carry out personal masturbation in a unique way compared to a suction cup dildo.
Cleaning & Storage Tips
Care for a strap-on dildo will be the same as a regular dildo when it comes to washing and cleaning. The same routine of checking around all the veins and under the ridge of the penis head needs to be carried out to make sure there are no ‘stuck on’ bits. This is even more important if anal penetration has been performed without the use of a condom.
Washing needs to be done with warm water and good antibacterial soap, and in the case of silicone, these can be either boiled for up to 10 minutes or run through a dishwashing cycle to sterilize.
Once they are cleaned and thoroughly dried, all of the surfaces need checking for any small tears. This is one area where a strap-on can become damaged because they can go through more harsh action than a regular dildo. Also, around the base will be pushing and pulling against the harness and the O-ring too, so it can lead to a weakening of the material.
Silicone is durable, but the cyber skin models may lack the same durability and tear easier.
Whilst checking the surface, the dildo surface might be tacky. Douse in renewal powder before packing the strap-on penis away in the original protective pouch. These need storing in a cool area that is dry too. Additionally, as the strap-on penis is soft, they should not be touching other sex toys as this can deform their shape.
Common Questions People Ask
I see that there are some strap-on dildos that are body safe, what is this?
This is regarding the materials used in the construction. Some manufacturers (in their goal of getting the most realistic material) may still use phthalates. This is toxic to the body and should be avoided at all costs. Always buy from a seller who cares about your safety.
I use a dildo, but my husband is keen on being pegged. Do I need a different lubricant?
You can choose a lube that’s designed for anal use. These are thicker and stay on the dildo and around his anus longer without drying out as quickly. A great seller will have these ‘anal types’ available. If the dildo being used is made from silicone, stay away from silicone based lubricants as these can deteriorate your toy more quickly.