Fresh wrist restraints - wrist cuffs by PHS International - review by sparklesneeze

My boyfriend and I are into moderate bondage and D/s play, but are new to incorporating restraints into our play that aren't silk scarfs. I decided to try these Fresh wrist restraints because they are inexpensive, adorable, and match my Fresh buckle collar. They are definitely not for someone who is into very extreme play or bondage suspension, because the vegan material (a thin, plastic-y feel) does stretch with more rough play. These cuffs are more suited to ornamentation or light restraint, which was perfect for us. My boyfriend was very nervous to use them at first but he loves them now and they have really brought us closer. For the price, quality, and look, these are great for a first-timer.

Fresh as a brand is great for animal lovers, because all of their materials are vegan. However, the polyethylene they use is simply not as strong as leather if you're looking for something very serious. As an upside, I love the plastic material because I can use soap on it. The foam lining is also very comfortable. I have very, very small wrists (five and a half inches) and they fit me. However, a huge bother to me was the tail of the outer pink polyethylene sticking straight off the cuff. It was a big disappointment in aesthetics and made me nervous that the buckle would come undone. The cuffs are lightweight, but have enough weight to not seem "cheaply made". There is a D-ring in the center for clipping hooks and tethers to which is riveted through the outer pink layer. The pink layer is very thin and probably my least favorite part of the cuffs. If any rough play comes in, I feel like it's going to stretch and break. My favorite part, of course, is the colors. I'm a huge fan of bright colors and they match my boyfriend's and my playfulness and not so serious approach to D/s play.

As I said before, my boyfriend/partner and I are not so much into extremely serious D/s play; it's more of a mindset for us. I purchased these cuffs to enhance this because of the price and design. We wanted to see if they were right for us and if we should graduate to something more professional and serious. If you are looking for something light and fun, ESPECIALLY for first-timers or with a nervous partner, it's perfect. In the past, my boyfriend was nervous about tying me up with silk scarves. Yet with the cuffs, he thinks they are insanely fun and sexy without being over the top or intimidating. I'm not much of a struggler, so a couple of clips were enough to keep me in place. The padding helped keep me comfortable, but during extended wear, the edges rubbed into my hand. The Fresh wrist restraints worked for us, and would work probably for any other light/moderate BDSM player.

The best part about the vegan polyethylene for me, is you can use soap and water on it unlike leather. Also it is less high maintenance. I haven't had them long enough to determine if the metal buckle would rust, but if that's a worry for you, clear nail polish should help. The foam padding on the inside is comfortable, but also be prepared to sweat in it. Because the foam padding is white, be prepared to clean some stains! My go to is a tide to go pen, but tiny bits of soap on a toothbrush works well too. I wouldn't recommend bleaching this item.

Like all Fresh products, the cuffs were packaged in a blister-type package in the shape of a surfboard. It just popped open with no scissors, which I liked. There is a cardboard backing in matching colors to the cuffs and the back displays a little information about the product. It's recyclable. I wouldn't store my restraints in it anyway because it is too bulky. It is also not discreet seeing as the package is clear and the cuffs are clearly visible.