Condom Testing or Water Balloon Testing?
So I talked about Trojan changing their condoms about a month ago and then found today that Consumer Reports had actually done a round of testing on 22 different “models” back in November. The one thing I don’t agree with on their testing was they only did a capacity test, not a friction test. They filled the condoms to a higher capacity than normally done at the production company and then submerged them to see if there was leakage. Apparently its a little difficult to round up couples who want to do the friction test with so many condoms over a long period of time and come back with results of their findings. I’m sure there could be another way to test friction in a lab, but of course it’s not the same thing as two humans performing the same test.
Another thing I noticed on their site was that they mostly tested the thinner condoms and how they held up. Wish I had the full subscription to see if they tested the condom I mostly use (and have witnessed a lot of other girls using) and if they were just trying to find the best combination of thinner and strong, instead of just the strongest condom. If you read what was said on ABC about the subject, more failure occurs with user error than anything else. Goes back to what I’ve said before: a lot of people don’t realize that water based lubricants are the only way to prevent tears or breakage in the condoms. I have to tell girls quite a bit about this rule when I see them pull out lotion or try to use baby oil.
Well maybe in the future Consumer Reports or some other independent testing agency will actually perform a friction test for the condoms instead of a water balloon test. Any volunteers? I’m sure they could find them if they looked harder!
For practical reasons, a lot of people would want to use the condom that “9 out of 10 escorts recommend.” But that label could also be a powerful marketing tool for the winning condom. I mean, I think a lot of couples would be turned on by the idea of using the same condom that escorts use.
April 1st, 2010 at 6:51 pmLmk if you want an independent test partner
April 1st, 2010 at 7:40 pmWell, not oil-based for certain, but water is not the only condom-safe option. My preference 250% of the time, is silicon-based lubes.
April 1st, 2010 at 9:01 pmDo you have any recommendations for those poor souls among us who are allergic to latex? Lambskin breaks so easily and is so damned expensive, and while I am in a monogamous relationship right now and on the pill, I’d like to know for future reference. Thanks!
April 2nd, 2010 at 5:23 amgirl goes kaboom: I haven’t had any experience with someone who has said they were allergic to latex yet, which I find slightly odd since I have a friend who is allergic to it. From talking to her, she uses polyurethane condoms instead.
April 2nd, 2010 at 1:03 pmJay: I would use silicone based lubes since you use less of it and doesn’t get sticky but it’s difficult to wash off and much more expensive. Mostly its the feeling after I wash off that annoys me and then I have to put on clothes for the rest of the night.
April 2nd, 2010 at 1:07 pmMy preference is Trojan Ecstasy. Have you ever tried the female condom? I have a couple times. It feels okay, but sometimes I, uh, bump up against the back end and that smarts!
April 2nd, 2010 at 4:40 pmI have a subscription, what would you like checked?
April 2nd, 2010 at 9:10 pmI’d love to know what condom you prefer to use. What lube you prefer to use. I’ve used many and prefer the pjur and astroglide lubes. With condoms, I’ve always liked the durex or the trojan.
-D
April 5th, 2010 at 9:56 amThat sounded like an invitation. If I had you as a partner, I would be more than willing to do the friction test. And what’s most important here is that if it breaks, there are no worries about you getting pregnant. I’m fixed!
So just let me know when and where.
Also, see, I have learned something new. I had no idea that Water based lubes were better.
April 5th, 2010 at 5:19 pmAnd one of those user errors that you mention is doubling up, which you claim to practice. Heck, I even looked at an instruction booklet that came with Durex, and they explicitly warn against doubling up becasue it increases friction, as well as increasing the chance of it slipping off.
Just curious, in the last month have you changed your practice of “doubling up?”
April 9th, 2010 at 7:55 amI’m shocked no one has mentioned this- I’m fairly sure the most common reason of failure, specifically, condoms breaking, is that you’re supposed to slightly pinch the resevoir tip on top of the condom as you put it on. Otherwise air is caught in there, which with friction and heat will then expand & cause the condom to break. This is on the instructions that come on the box but it’s amazing the number of people who are unaware! It’s extremely important! Please pass this on & teach your clients even! You could be saving lives & preventing unwanted babies!
June 4th, 2010 at 10:38 pm