Latex doesn’t agree with my delicate flesh, so I thrilled when the non-latex Durex Avanti condoms came out way back when. They’re made of polyurethane and while they have a bit of a Ziploc-baggie feeling — even when they have to stretch extra extra tight around the person wearing them (ahem). But they don’t irritate and burn the skin the way latex does for those who are allergic or sensitive to latex.
Lifestyles has just introduced a new non-latex condom, made of polyisoprene, called SKYN. They’re also taking a wild step in their advertising, at least for the United States, with a television spot showing sex (rather than the traditional way to sneak condom ads onto TV, using humor, although you can’t beat the balloon animals). The claim is that SKYN not only protects against children and other sexually transmitted diseases, it “enhances sensation” and “feels like nothing at all.”
You can see the ads and other marketing here:
I’d like to hear from you about SKYN condoms as it’s going to be a while before I have the opportunity to try them. (Testing condoms on a toy doesn’t provide enough data for a real review.)
Edit: A commenter reminded me of the existence of the Trojan Supra, for those of you looking for even more latex-free choices.
9 responses so far ↓
1 daveincm // Mar 27, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Hmmm… where to start? Ok, well, my wife is allergic to latex (and turns out, I may be mildly sensetive as well). We started using Trojan Supra – polyurethane condoms (no spermacide of course) and they are pretty good. I hear what you are saying about the ziploc baggie feel as they are not very stretchy. The upside though, is that they are very thin and do transmit body heat.
So I read about the new SKYN from Lifestyles and thought, great, maybe a even better alternative. We got a 3 pack to give’em a try and I have to say… I and pretty luke warm about them. The problem may be that we are used to the feel of the polyurethane. The SKYN’s felt very squishy and stretchy, which may not be a bad thing, but they did feel quite a bit thicker, which I did not like. They also seemed a little more slippery (than the Supra) but that may be due to whatever lube they use in the packaging. I also noticed a rubber-like odor that I am now not used to with the polyurethane. While not as strong as the odor of latex, still something that was noticeable.
All in all, I would say that if you need a alternative to latex, these are worth a try, but give the Supras a turn as well. The Supras are very thin but as said, not very stretchy so if you find yourself outside of the comfortable fit range, plus or minus (do they have fit models for this?) then the SKYN line may be your condom of choice. We may subject them to some more “testing” in the future.
2 regina lynn // Mar 27, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Thanks for the thorough review!
I do really like that the non-latex condoms can transmit body heat, but saying they are “like wearing nothing at all” is a bit of wishful thinking. (Still, they feel a lot better than unwanted pregnancy or infections.)
I can’t remember why I liked the Avanti better than the Supra, but I forgot all about the Supra when I wrote this post, so thanks for bringing it up. It’s nice to have choices.
3 daveincm // Mar 27, 2009 at 3:47 pm
No Problem Regina, thanks for your blog! Miss you onWired. Ya, “like wearing nothing at all” is pretty much only achieved with actually wearing nothing but it is nice to have options. To their credit, I have had moments of thinking, “is that thing stll on there?” so I think that’s the best you can hope for with any condom. I think we tried the Avanti too, can’t remember why I liked the Supra better… I think the Supra may have only come with spermacide originally so maybe that’s why you counted it out.
4 taffygrrl // Mar 27, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Huh. I actually tested these several years ago, I think, as part of a medical study. I have to disagree with @daveincm. It actually felt better than wearing nothing at all. We were blind testing them – we had what I think were these, as well as the Avantis and some latex ones. The difference was very noticeable, and these were outstanding (as in, my then-husband-had-problems-holding-off outstanding). I was hoping they’d come out soon!
5 daedae // Mar 27, 2009 at 11:36 pm
I’ve been using SKYNs since I found out about them last summer, mixing them with regular Lifestyles Ultra Sensitive. I much prefer the SKYNs, partly because I think they’re a little bigger and so they fit much better, but also I guess I like the feeling better.
6 regina lynn // Mar 28, 2009 at 8:47 pm
wondering “is that thing still on” is a mixed blessing, when it comes to condoms … LOL
7 ehrichweiss // Mar 30, 2009 at 11:18 am
“children and other sexually transmitted diseases”
I LOL’ed. A friend used to say she had “the 9 month virus” again.
I’m curious how a condom can feel better than “nothing at all”.
8 daveincm // Mar 30, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Regina… ya it is a mixed blessing, while not feeling like you are wearing one is a testament to the thin-ness and feel of the condom, it can be a little unnerving. Ehrich… I second your question. Whenever I have been with someone and gotten used to condoms (and we have convinced ourselves that they feel pretty good), when we switch to the pill and eliminate the condoms, the reaction is always the same… “nothing at all” feels amazing and condoms suck. But hey, to each his/her own… You have to make the best out of the situation at hand.
9 awantonwoman // Apr 1, 2009 at 11:16 pm
I tried them out last night (YAY ME!!!) for the first time, and I loved them. I’m not even slightly sore today, and even with Trojan Supra’s I would be – I’m also sensitive to lubricants, and whatever Trojan brand uses has always been bad for me. *sigh*
I asked my partner what HE thought and he was enthusiastic. He said “It kept feeling like I didn’t have anything on… which was a little unnerving, but felt GREAT!”. So… pretty much what everyone else said.
PLUS, since the Avanti and Supra are less stretchy I’m hoping this will suit my more… er… well-endowed friends.
As to the Supra – really hard to unroll. Expensive, and when you have to throw one out because you couldn’t get the bugger unrolled… grrrr…