Condom Monologues

Tag: consumer report

  • Durex Condoms: Profile Summary

    Durex Condoms FeatherliteAccording to Global Industry Analysts, Inc. (2010) and others, Durex is the most popular brand of condoms in Europe.  Their line offers 9 different latex condoms, with the top choices being Durex Love, Extra Sensitive and Ultimate Feeling.  Durex produced the very first male condom to be made of polyurethane, then Durex Avanti BARE was the next non-latex upgrade made of polyisoprene, a synthetic version of latex with the same elasticity, but without the scent or allergies. However, this product has been discontinued and Durex does not offer no latex products at this time.

    In 2004, Durex ceased production of condoms containing Nonoxynol-9.  Durex also puts a substantial amount of money into sexual wellbeing research and STI prevention programs worldwide.

    View our Durex Condom Size Chart

    Best Condom:

    Reviewing various sources including Undercover Condoms, Condom Choice, Consumer Report, etc. the hot picks of Durex are tied between Durex Love, Extra Sensitive and Ultimate Feeling, but these latexes are likely to change as MicroSheer polyurethane and polyisoprene become more mainstream technology.  Durex’s top selling non-latex condom was Avanti BARE.

    Durex Love gets its reputation as easy to put on, easy to please.  Thinner than standard latex, built with a little extra headroom and length (8.0in/203mm) for somewhat larger than average guys and are specially shaped for easy roll-on.  It is made with 25% more lubricant than the standard condom for an extra silky smooth and natural feel.  It is a 6 time winner on Condom Depot’s World’s Best Condom Award.  Love scores on our personal top list too and is highly recommended: here’s our review.

    Durex Extra Sensitive is as thin as you can get with latex condoms at .0019 thickness, which is 20% thinner than standard condoms.  It was awarded most reliable and dependable condom in 2005 by Consumer Report Magazine and is a 6 times winner on Condom Depot’s World’s Best Condoms Award.

    Durex Ultimate Feeling equals the same thickness and lubrication as Extra Sensitive.  The only difference with this pop pick is its textured rib.  In 2011, it was rated as one of the top condoms for sensation by Live Strong.  If you or your partner enjoy over 58 lines of ribbed stimulation, this condom is a safe choice.

    Not so hot:

    We found Durex Performax with one of the lowest ratings from Undercover Condoms, Condom Depot and Condomman.  Users complain about numbness, taste, smell, and lose of erection.  However, it was rated one of the most reliable condoms by Consumer Report Magazine.  Not recommended if early ejaculation is not a concern.  There are no readily available criticisms about the Durex company. The main criticism we found was by one sex educator and medical research, Dr. Petra Boynton, who argues that the Durex Global Sex Survey lacks ethical validity and academic standards.  However, we have not yet found other sources validating her claims. This section is still undergoing research.

    Durex Condom Size Chart

    Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durex

  • LifeStyles Condoms: Profile Summary

    LifeStyles Condoms: Profile Summary

    Lifestyles is an Australian owed company that produces approximately 25 different types of condoms.  They are the first to make polyisoprene condoms (more on that soon) and named this product SKYN. Their other featured condoms include THRYLL, WYLD, THYN and KYNG.  Life Styles prides itself as the first condom company to establish a sexual health division and sell condoms to the public health community at the low retail rate.  In cooperation with Planned Parenthood, Life Styles developed their popular “Sex Ed Kit” which contains teaching manuals, “how to” brochures, etc. to help preteens and adults feel more confident dealing with sexuality and social issues.

    Lifestyles Condom Size Chart

    Best Condom:

    Life Styles’ His & Her Pleasure is highly rated by numerous sources including Undercover Condom, Condom Depot and Live Strong. In order to please and stimulate both parties, this is one of the only condoms that offer both vertical ribbed lines from the base to the tip and a larger head.

    LifeStyles Ultra Sensitive made top of the list for the same sources above as well as  the top of Consumer Report ShopSmart Magazine, 2009. This is a non-textured, simple, reliable condom with a water-based lubricant.  It is slightly thinner than their Ultra Thin condom which equals .0197.  Ultra Sensitive measures .0024 thickness.

    LifeStyles SKYN tends to get mixed reviews from poor to excellent.  Some say it’s just a normal condom; others vow they will never go back to latex.  SKYN has not won any awards or competitions.  However, according to research by Millward Brown, 2011, two-out-of-three surveyed users described it as their ‘best condom experience ever’ and that 66% of condom-users convert to SKYN after their first experience.  This has more stretch than Durex Avanti or Trojan Supra and is very soft (e.g. it doesn’t sound like Cling Film or Saran Wrap).

     Not so hot:

    According to Condom Depot’s worst condom review database, Lifestyles Thryll Condoms are at the top bad, with complaints that the studs were dull and that the condom was thick, thus reducing feeling.

    Life Styles Condom Size Chart

     

  • Proper Attire Condoms, Dots

    Not long ago I wrote a review of this new condom line, commenting on its unique, yet limited accessibilty.  Then I met a woman who worked at Planned Parenthood.  She carried with her a sheer sachet containing all four Proper Attire ware:  “Dots”, “Color”, “Basic” and “XL”.  She kindly handed me the yellow polka dotted pack, Proper Attire’s studded version.  This is my review:  It’s a decent condom.  Though I’ve only tried it once, “Dots” was slick and easy to roll onto my partner.  I typically find studded condoms to be rough, like a Guiro-Scrapper; or completely unnoticable.  But the studded bumps on this condom were pleasantly mild (although the woman from Planned Parenthood admitted that she did not feel the studds…to each their own, right?).  And just to clear up any confusion, it’s not the latex that is fashioned with polka dots or funcky colors; rather, the condom itself is transparent in color.  Another plus:  Both the material and lubricant smells are faint.  If you have $6.00 to spend on a 3-pack of condoms, or are lucky to get some for free from a friend, give these a try.