How to Choose a Strap-On

Here’s what you need to know to get started.

Strapping it on can be a great way to add some extra fun into the bedroom - whether you’re pegging, penetrating, or just playing phallic-ly!

With that said, the world of strap-ons is vast - with so many options and styles of harnesses, dildos, and sets - and picking the right one can be pretty intimidating. That’s where we come in to help.

✨ Selecting your Strap: Choosing the Right Harness ✨

First, think about materials:

Leather: When most folks think about strap-ons, they think of leather harnesses. Leather is long-lasting and can mold to your body shape nicely after regular use, plus the aesthetic of leather - the look, the smell, the feel, the attention to caring for the material - can be a huge turn-on for many.

Vegan Leather: For those who like the rigidity and texture of leather, but maybe want an alternate that’s animal-product-free and/or less high-maintenance, vegan leather alternatives are a great option.

Fabric: The easiest to care for out of the bunch, fabric harnesses come in a variety of options - neoprene, polyester, jersey, cotton blends, and so on. Fabric harnesses tend to be a bit more flexible than leather or rubber before it’s worn in, and some are even machine-washable!

Now, style and fit:

Some harnesses come in fitted sizes, whereas others have adjustable straps - so think about your specific fit and whether you want to share your strap with a partner of a different size.

With brief-style harnesses, you get the ease of pulling on your harness without having to handle any buckles, straps, and so forth. These come in all different aesthetics, from boxer-briefs to ribbon-and-lace panties. Keep in mind, brief-style harnesses don’t have that adjustable sizing, and often the O-ring (that’s what holds the dildo in place!) is not interchangeable, so the real girthy toys may not fit this style.

Strap-style harnesses allow for adjustability through - you guessed it - straps! Some are designed in a jock-strap style, while others are simple and minimalistic. Most will have interchangeable O-rings to fit a variety of dildo sizes as well. Strap-style harnesses depend on hardware like buckles or velcro to fit onto the body, so they may take a minute to get on, but being able to adjust to your specific fit will ensure a perfectly snug and sturdy strap.

Harnesses also don’t just have to go over the hips! There are harnesses designed to go on the face, the chest, the thigh, and plenty of places elsewhere.

✨ Deciding on a Dildo ✨

First things first, in order for a dildo to be able to be used in a harness, it needs a flared base to hold it in place in the O-ring of the harness. Glass and metal dildos are great for hand-held play, but are NOT recommended for harness use — most are not harness-compatible, plus a mis-angled stroke could be uncomfortable with hard materials, so we highly recommend sticking with good ol’ high-quality silicone.

Picking your Proportions:

Insertable Length - When looking at the specs of your new toy, you may see different measurements for length and insertable length. Length is the entirety of the toy, from base to tip, while insertable length alludes to the maximum length of the toy that’s intended to go inside the body. So, for example, if your dildo has balls, the insertable length of the toy would start in front of those.

Diameter - This is the girth of the toy, or how thick it is. Consider the firmness of the toy when thinking about girth - a more rigid silicone will feel girthier than a softer silicone, even if they’re the same size, since it will have some give when against the walls of the body. Also, keep in mind whether or not your harness has an adjustable O-ring so that you know whether you have to swap out for a different size.

Aesthetics:

Dildos come in all sizes, and also all shapes! Whereas there are tons of realistic-looking dildos, there are also ones that are penis-shaped but without the flesh-toned colors, and ones that straight up look nothing like an anatomical part. Let whatever fantasy you want to explore shine through your strap!

✨ Strap-Ons Can be Fun for Anyone ✨

Whether you’re strapping it on for playing with penetration, taking part in pegging, exploring or affirming gender, or just want your hands free for even more pleasure and fun, harnesses let you engage with your toy and your partner in new and wonderful ways! So, strap one on and explore!