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How to Choose a Strap-On Harness

Lovehoney
by Lovehoney on June 22, 2008 09:29 26 comments  |  Add a comment

Sportsheets Sedeux Corsette Dildo Harness With Vibrating BulletThere's nothing more pleasurable than indulging in erotic strap-on sex with your partner for the very first time.

It doesn't matter if you're gay, bisexual or straight, every couple can put their imaginations to good use and benefit from explosive orgasms with a harness and dildo combination.

So, if you want to experiment with strap-on sex, you should first read our need-to-know guide to harnesses and how to use them.



Harnesses Explained

Generally speaking, a harness lets you strap a dildo onto your body so that you can penetrate your partner while keeping your hands free for other sexual activities.

Each harness consists of:

Strap-on Guide1. A padded section that sits against the pubic mound, shaped to fit the body comfortably.

2. An O-ring or opening for attaching sex toys to.

3. A series of straps made of adjustable materials.

This design seems very simple but it works! Of course, each harness is slightly different and has evolved to include more pleasure-led features over time.

Whatever you plan on using your harness for, be it pegging, double penetration or girl-on-girl strap-on sex, there's sure to be a harness within your budget that will fit just right.


Types of Harness

The majority of harnesses come in a variety of styles and materials, and with different features to suit your needs. It's therefore important to take your time when choosing your first harness. You can later build up your collection and choose different harnesses to achieve different naughty things!

Thong

Fetish Fantasy Extreme Hollow Strap-On Dildo

Thong harnesses consist of one strap that goes around the waist or hips and one that goes between the legs and over the buttocks, hence the name 'thong'!

Pros: These harnesses are easy to use and allow your chosen sex toy to sit in a natural position on your body.

Cons:
The middle strap on thong harnesses is rarely adjustable and the dildo will often rest against the skin, making it uncomfortable

Jock

Sophia Santis Red Rider G-Spot Strap On Kit

Based on the classic American jockstrap design, jock harnesses consist of three straps – one that goes around the waist and two that go around the legs.

Pros: These are easy to adjust and don’t cover the wearers anal or vaginal orifices so other toys or activities can be enjoyed at the same time.

Cons: The downfall with jock harnesses is that the attached sex toy will often sit higher on the pubic mound meaning that it won’t stimulate the wearer and will feel unnatural.

Vac-U-Lock

Doc Johnson Vac-U-Lock Harness and Plug

Vac-U-Lock is a system by Doc Johnson which doesn’t require O-rings. The harnesses come with an attached ridged peg that securely holds the dildo in place instead.

Pros: Vac-U-Lock harnesses are secure, meaning that your dildo won’t come off during use. They are also comfortable as the attached sex toy rests against a pad, rather than your skin.

Cons: Unfortunately you can only use Vac-U-Lock compatible products with your Vac-U-Lock harness as there is no O-ring or other fitting for it.


Harness Materials

Doc Johnson Vac-U-Lock Leather Ultra Harness 3000As with any sex toy the material used to make your harness can make a huge difference to your erotic experience, which in turn affects your orgasm. So pay attention!

Leather or leatherette harnesses, such as the Doc Johnson Vac-U-Lock Leather Ultra Harness 3000 (£34.99), are sensual to touch and have a naughty Dominatrix vibe to them, so it's an excellent harness material for steamy strap-on sessions.

Nylon is much cheaper than any other harness material, which is great for sex kittens on a budget. It's also machine washable in cold water and can do its thing in a hot tub!

Rubber, like that used in the Doc Johnson Janine Vivid Dildo and Harness (£28.99), is perfect for neat freaks as it can be easily cleaned but it's also great for larger girlies because it's form fitting and flexible.

The other main material used in harnesses is vinyl, which is again easy to look after, long lasting and sturdy.


Harness Hints and Tips

We have covered most of what you need to know about harnesses, but here are a few more pointers to help you choose the heavenly harness for you:

  • If you plan on using lots of different dildos and accessories with your harness, choose one with removable O-rings. This way you can buy different rings to fit your different sized dildos.
  • Have a look at the sizes listed in the product description for your harness to see if it will fit properly. Measurements will often include minimum and maximum waist size, minimum and maximum leg size and supplied O-ring size.
  • If you want to enjoy pegging with a partner, you should invest in a harness with an internal dildo or vibrating bullet, such as the Sedeux Corsette Dildo Harness (£44.99), so that you can get in on the action too!
  • If you've bought a harness but need to know what dildos will fit it without changing the O-ring, the quickest way to find out is with our handy Strap-On Harness and Compatible Dildos guide.

You may also like:

Dildo Harnesses & Kits | Harness Dildos

Category: Buyer's Guides

Comments (26)

  • Iris: September 22, 2009 22:11

    Hi, I (female) am searching for a good strap-on that can be used by my male partner to give me double penetration. Any recommendation?
    Thanks

  • LoveHoney - Carly: September 23, 2009 10:37

    Hi Iris,

    You may like to take a look at the brilliant Sportsheets Double Penetration Harness: http://www.lovehoney.co.uk/product.cfm?p=8748
    Not only is it designed especially for double penetration, but it is well made and durable too!

    Alternatively, why not take a look at the Manline Tag Team Strap-On Harness set: http://www.lovehoney.co.uk/product.cfm?p=14869
    Developed especially to be worn by a man, it's secure, safe and easy to use!

    If you want something more discreet, then there are some brilliant cock rings which do the same, such as:
    Anal Special Strap-On Cock Ring Dildo - http://www.lovehoney.co.uk/product.cfm?p=11056

    Porator Cock Ring and Anal Probe - http://www.lovehoney.co.uk/product.cfm?p=11596

    Hope that helps!

  • mm: October 02, 2009 13:33

    hi im a female and im lookin for a big strap on dildo that can be used for my girlfriend im looking for a big one and thick but i dont know where i can find them.

    this is my first time buyin a strap on dildo ...
    do you have any advice??? i would appreciate it ..

    thanks

  • LoveHoney - Carly: October 05, 2009 08:37

    You've come to the right place - we sell all sorts of strap-on dildos here!

    We have a whole section of harness kits (complete with dildos) - http://www.lovehoney.co.uk/store.cfm?cat=18

    But we also sell the strap-on dildos separately - http://www.lovehoney.co.uk/store.cfm?cat=21314

    One of the biggest ones we sell is the Doc Johnson Bam Black Dildo which is a whopping 13.5 inches long with a 8.5 inch circumference - http://www.lovehoney.co.uk/product.cfm?p=12107

    This will comfortably fit our Huge Leather Strap-On - http://www.lovehoney.co.uk/product.cfm?p=14690

    Hope this helps!

  • bee: October 13, 2009 14:00

    Hi. i am a bisexual female looking for a jock-style harness and a small and not very thick dildo to try with my female partner. It's the first time we are trying it, so i was hoping to find something a bit below the usual mesures. Everything looks too big in size. Thank you for your help.

  • LoveHoney - Carly: October 13, 2009 16:10

    Hi Bee,

    Why not take a look at the gorgeous Sportsheets New Cummers Strap-On Starter Kit - http://www.lovehoney.co.uk/product.cfm?p=2442

    It has Jock-Strap style straps and comes complete with a small dildo which is just 2.5 inches in circumference and 4.5 inches in length.

    In fact, you can sort the harnesses and dildos within the Dildo Harnesses and Kits section, simply by choosing the length of the dildo you want in the 'Length' drop down at the top. Go here and give it a go: http://www.lovehoney.co.uk/store.cfm?cat=18

    I think you'll find something you like!

  • nick: October 13, 2009 18:22

    hi,i'm looking for a newcomers strap on which will also give my wife pleasure ?

  • Liza Fishnets: November 23, 2009 14:38

    Hi my name is Liza a bi transvestite, my girlfriend enjoys using a strap-on when i'm made up & dressed in my maids outfit. I enjoy tremendously the feeling of her penetrating me but we would like her 2 get more out of it as the strap-on dildo does not stimulate her very much!
    What do u suggest we have a double ended dildo that we use but my girlfriend prefers being in control are there any doudle ended dildos that do not require a harness but will not slip out of her & that will stimulate her while she penetrates her "french maid"?
    Kisses Liza ur "Maid 2 Order"
    xXx

  • LoveHoney - Carly: November 30, 2009 08:50

    Hi Liza,

    Have you taken a look at the Mantric Sysil - http://www.lovehoney.co.uk/product.cfm?p=17044

    This nifty bit of kit is truly unique as it's a strapless strap-on with its own special positioning system! So not only do you get extremely pleasurable penetration, but your partner also gets some satisfying stimulation too!

    And it looks great as well!

  • bigben: January 01, 2010 22:43

    can someone please tell me a harness that keeps the dildo firmly upright and in place.i dont care about the price any one that will meet those requirments.i have tried the sportsheets but sadly did nt work out

  • LoveHoney - Carly: January 04, 2010 08:50

    Hi bigben

    If you could tell us which dildo you plan on using with your harness and what your waist/hip measurements are, we should be able to help!

  • Liza Fishnets: January 05, 2010 07:43

    thnx 4 the advice hon we will definately b ordering 1 it looks fantastic & hopefully will give both myself & my gf lots of pleasure when she uses her "maid 2 order" french maid liza!
    kisses
    liza
    xXx

  • Jack: January 09, 2010 05:18

    I sleep with a dildo inside me when my girlfriend is at her house and I wish there was a harness to hoid the Super Victor Giant Dildo inside me. I am a bisexual guy and a harness for men are not really available in this size :-(

  • LoveHoney - Carly: January 11, 2010 11:17

    Hi Jack,

    Sadly the Super Victor Giant Dildo isn't harness compatible but you might find that wearing tight latex or PVC underwear whilst using a butt plug or dildo will hold it in place securely. It's worth remembering that you should only insert things anally that have a flared base or a way to pull it out safely though.

    Hope this information helps!

  • Robert: January 12, 2010 12:56

    hi there.
    i am a male looking for a stra-on my girlfriend can use on me. i like it rather big. the best would be if there was a strap-on to penetrate and give pleasure to both at the same time!

  • LoveHoney - Carly: January 12, 2010 16:38

    Hi Robert,

    How about a strapless strap-on such as the Feeldoe (http://www.lovehoney.co.uk/s.cfm?term=feeldoe&x=0&y=0)? These come in a range of sizes and allow you to both enjoy some fantastic sensations!

    Alternatively, how about the Mantric Sysil - it's a LoveHoney favourite! http://www.lovehoney.co.uk/product.cfm?p=17044

  • bigben: January 15, 2010 13:52

    sorry carly for taken this long to reply,but the dildo we plan using is the tantus p spot silicone anal dildo and perhaps something bigger in the future.waist measurments are 24 and hips are 35.hopefully them measurments stay that way

  • LoveHoney - Carly: January 18, 2010 09:02

    Hi bigben,

    Hmmm, sounds like it may be a combination of the material of the harness and the O-ring size that are giving you problems. As the Tantus P-Spot Silicone Dildo has an unusal O-ring diameter, getting it to sit comfortably and ridigly in a harness can be difficult.

    You might like to try a leather harness as these provide a much firmer grip on the dildo. My recommendation would be for the Spartacus Leather Ulti-Mate Dildo Harness - http://www.lovehoney.co.uk/product.cfm?p=8074

    Not only is it adjustable for a perfect fit but you can change the O-ring to fit any size of dildo! We recommend using a stretchy cock ring as an O-ring as these are much more adjustable - http://www.lovehoney.co.uk/store.cfm?cat=43

    Hope this information helps!

  • bigben: January 19, 2010 13:24

    thanks,that spartacus looks the part we will just have to put it to the test now.you could be right about the p-spot dildo as it is akward but hopefully that will be in the past and thanks again for your time

  • LoveHoney - Carly: January 19, 2010 15:26

    You're welcome, bigben. :)

    Don't forget, we have a 365 day return policy so if you try something but it doesn't fit the bill, we are more than happy to refund, exchange or replace!

    http://www.lovehoney.co.uk/help/returns-policy/

    Have fun!

  • sissycowgirl: March 09, 2010 23:56

    Hi, I'm looking for a strap-on which can fit over a chastity device, so I can still pleasure my girlfriend even though I am caged, do you have any suggestions?

    Thanks in advance. :-)

  • LoveHoney - Carly: March 10, 2010 09:14

    Hi sissycowgirl,

    It all depends which chastity device you're using but for the most part, you'll want something that is quite roomy and that allows you to adjust the position. Any jock style harness should do but here are some recommendations for you.

    The Sophia Santis Red Rider G-Spot Strap-On Kit is really adjustable, allowing you to position it above or on your chastity device: http://www.lovehoney.co.uk/product.cfm?p=16971

    Alternatively, you might like the look of the Spartacus Leather Ulti-Mate Dildo Harness which has a special curve in the leather that allows it to sit on or above the mound of your chastity device: http://www.lovehoney.co.uk/product.cfm?p=8074

    Hope this helps!

  • marie: April 26, 2010 06:33

    Hello,
    I am looking for a stylish, but not to expensive harness. This would be my first harness and I would like to be able to use it with a double ended dildo. I Really like the silver Jaguar Harness, but wonder if will suit my needs.
    Also, have you heard anything about the Feeldoe slipping out?
    I'm wondering if there might be a harness to use with that.

  • dave: June 07, 2010 21:43

    hi i really enjoy my fiance penetrating me anally - but i dont think it does much for her! i would love it if there was something that she could get penetrated at the same time - to give herself a ''workout' ' while she is taking me. i dont like the look of the strapless contraption that ive seen on here. any suggestions?

  • peter: October 11, 2010 11:12

    Hi my wife & I are interested in a Doc Jonson vac u loc harness & dildo are the harness male friendly or are they just for females to wear

  • archie: March 26, 2011 18:45

    im a female lokking for a strap on to penetrate my girlfriend while stimulating me without penetration..

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