Avanti (Durex)
Non-latex condoms which can be used With Oil-based lubricants. Sensitivity t a is a «-
Confidence iv x s Ar a
Ease of use 4r at at
Fred: ’A bit hard to unroll, this certainly felt different to any other condom. In use, it was very sensitive. Perhaps the most sensitive I’ve ever used.’
Ginger: ’The best thing was the lack of smell. I hate it when you put a condom on and it smells. OtherWise it Just felt normal.’
Comfort (Durex)
A larger condom, shaped for a better fit.
Sensitivity * a *
Confidence at s a: a
Ease of use a r: at sir *
SuSie: ’Nondescript.’
Wayne. ’We liked how you c0uld Get it on in a hurry.’
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Elite (Durex)
Straight-sided With extra lubricant. Sensitivity *~< 7‘ w r» 1‘: Confidence ~‘=* tr u
Ease of use a «r x w Wayne:’Really smooth to get on. Perforations in the fOil so you don’t have to up little bits off With y0ur teeth in the throes of passion’ Susie: ’We liked this one a lot, but didn’t feel like part of the Elite. I suppose yOu can take things a bit too literally!’
Extra (Boots)
Shaped to fit, standard condom Sensitivity « i. 3» =‘~
Confidence 0
Ease of use a w a a at
Sassi: ’Went on well and felt good to begin With but burst around the opening of the condom.’
Jack: ’Pleasant to use, but be careful, it didn’t take much to burst.’
H
Extra Safe (Durex) ’Uniquely shaped to enhance comfort.’
“3 Sensitivity Ginger: t. at Fred: 0 ‘ Confidence v w it at at
Ease of use a‘r *
Ginger: ’Tricky to get into position '
Fred: ’Once on, it wasn’t gomg to budge, but I could hardly feel a thing.’
UTC‘T . Extra Safe
Fantasy Ribbed (Safex)
Shaped to fit With ridges around the stem Packets have a scratch and Win competition.
Sensitivity vi a :2
Confidence I? v -« 1
Ease of use v- r '~
Jack: ’Felt qUite good, but didn’t go on too easy’ Sassi: ’Nothing special. I liked the "scratch and Win ” idea, for a bit of post-(:Oital fun.’
Fetherlite (Durex)
cr'n
i. Straight-sided, extra thin Sensitivity -- -~ ~ r. r Confidence Ease of use
Susie: ’lt was so feather-light that it almost felt there was nothing there -- so we kept panicking that it had burst.’
Wayne. ’A bit too delicate for rough and tumble This would be a romantic (ondom ’
Gossamer (Durex) Non-spermicidal lubricant, ’more liibricious for committed, experienced users.’
Sensitivity at a: ir *
Confidence ~k 1r *
Ease of use *‘kfi'i
George: ’Pretty comfortable and well lubricated.’ Mildred: 'Very slimy, we both played hunt the condom after use. Tends to get a bit lost.’
Intensrty (Mates) ’Raised rubber studs for maXimum sensation and excitement.’ Sensitivity at 7‘:
Confidence at x t i it
Ease of use i t at 1:
Ginger: ’In theory I th0ught this was going to be dead good, but in practice I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. Initially you could feel the bumps and that felt nice, but then it increased the friction which made me sore.’
Fred: ’Too thick for me.’
McCondom
Whisky flavoured condom. Sensitivity * t *
Confidence * *
Ease of use it at
Fred: ’Very slippery and fiddly to get on, but they smell of whisky.’
Ginger: ’That’s no single malt though. And they taste of slime.’
Natural (Safex)
Straight-sided, standard condom. Sensitivity ir fir iv it at Confidence at a
< Easeof use tar—“Hr
George: ’Easy to use, go anywhere condom.’ Mildred: 'A condom With Wings: you can go anywhere and it Will stay on.’
Ribbed (Durex)
Straight With ridges on the stem. Sensitivity t t at it * Confidence at t * 1? *
Ease of use mun: *
George: ’Very well received, a big thumbs up.’ lvlildred: ’A star under the duvet.’
Ribbed (Mates)
Straight With ridges on the stem. Sensitivity Susie: air * Wayne: * tit Confidence w x rt
Ease of use r »+ r
Susie: ’Didn’t really feel much different to normal condoms.’
Wayne: ’It was quue thick though, so we felt gune relaxed about it. Don’t think I’d be in a hurry to try it agarn.’
Safeguard Forte (Safex)
m The only kite and CE-marked condoin recommended for anal sex. m
Sensitivity t a at we "fr-"L Confidence i w 2': 2 Ease of use Keith: *r a t N&mm*wt¢*
Keith ’Although these are clearly recommended for anal sex and gay men, the foil inside has both female and male symbols on But that didn’t stop us ' Alastair. ’Easy to unroll and we didn’t feel any loss of sensitivrty'
CONDOM TESTING
Safe Play (Durex) Straight-sided standard condom. Sensitivity t t t t it
Confidence at *
Ease of use *****
Sassr ’Nice lubricant and silky smooth, but felt a little thin — thus the low confidence mark.’
Jack: ’But it slipped on like a dream! We liked it a lot.’
Select (Durex)
filers!» Xilt'l'ldy
A selection of ribbed, coloured and
“i Mi flavoured condoms.
« Sensitivity Keith: * t t * Nfimmttt
Confidence * it (oral sex)
Ease of use x r: Alastair: ’It’s a bit funny to taste strawberry in these Circumstances, I prefer the real thing. We wouldn’t use them every time.’ Keith: ’They’re fun sex toys. I enjoyed them, but the colour of the ice-mint one is not particularly attractive'
Sensutive (Safex)
Half the normal thickness for extra sensmvrty.
Sensitivity * t t x it
Confidence at ‘k at 'k
Ease of use ** it t
Sassr ’Thin but felt strong.’
Jack: ’Comfortable and easy to use. Simple as that, really.’
Skin Thin (Mates/Benetton)
’Ultra-thin condoms for experienced users who are seeking extra sensation.’
Sensitivity George: * 1r Mildred: * t t Confidence 1? it at *
Ease of use t at
George: ’I’m not really into them, rather tight and ill- fitting. A bit like a polo neck knitted by your gran.’ Mildred: ’Could have been better lubricated. Most condom packets look very functional and tacky, but the packaging for this one is really good.’
Ultra Fine (Boots)
Straight-sided standard condom. Sensitivity * t *
Confidence int ‘k
Ease of use i 'k at it
Susie: ’The packaging was really cool — lime green, but it’s not like you'd really care.’
Wayne: ’I didn’t like the lubricant. It was really slimy and had collected in droplets when we unwrapped It. Yuck.’
Ultra Safe (Mates)
Fitted shape for additional sensitiVity and reasswance.
Sensitivity 0
Confidence * ‘k a: 1* *
Ease of use it it
Susie: 'Had to bite open the packet and the lubricant made my fingers stick together.’
Fred: ’Felt super-safe, but I’d rather just not have sex than endure it again.’
Ultra Strong (Durex) Thicker condoms for maXimum seCUrity. lmpIiCitly recommended for anal sex.
Sensitivity 1i: i: a: 1?
Confidence at at ‘k *
Ease of use *****
Alastair: ’Unrolls very easily, but we must remember to open the packet before applying the lubricant. No loss of sensitiVity.'
Keith ’Because it’s not coloured, the penis looks more natural.’
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4—18 Feb 1999 THE lIST 109