Locking restraints - ankle cuffs by Spartacus - review by Crystal_Rose

Well, I missed the mark by just a little where my first set of wrist restraints were concerned, for which my review can be read here… not a bad set of wrist restraints, and they do visually match these ankle restraints very well with the exception of the lack of fleece, but they weren't quite what I was looking for in the long run, and they also weren't as comfortable as I was hoping. I'll be getting the Jaguar cuffs which I've heard a lot of good things about, and I'm also considering getting the Fleece lined wrist restraints, which seem to be the true match to these ankle restraints… just because I absolutely ADORE these!

They are, quite simply, worth every penny. If there is a better set of ankle restraints out there, I'd love for someone to point them out, because frankly I don't think you can get any better than these exquisite, high-end examples from Spartacus.

First thing I noticed was the leather. Unlike the problems I had had with the first wrist restraints I'd gotten, these were soft, supple and smelled wonderful. No paint-like chemical scent at all, and I also had no issues with dye transfer. Very easy to buckle, and the fleece lining is high quality and soft.

I had no issues with sweating underneath these like a lot of people say happen with fleece lined restraints. I personally think that might have something to do with the quality of the fleece used, and these seem to be top of the line. They never felt too hot or scratchy.

I make a very fidgety sub, apparently. I like to struggle and to fight, and since I'm athletic, restraints not only have to be very sturdy in order to hold me down, but they also have to be comfortable or I'll wind up hurting myself, which is not allowed. These ankle restraints were made for me. They are sturdy and would hold up very well under even the most rigorous BDSM encounter, but they are also incredibly comfortable and soft against the skin, even if they are pulled as tight as possible around your ankle to limit your motion. The edges of the leather won't cut into you if the cuffs are positioned in the correct way, and I didn't encounter any issues with them sliding around or chafing. Even pulled tight, I had no issues with my circulation getting cut off, either.

They are easy to put on. The structure of the hardware couldn't be better as everything is rounded, seamless, and designed to make tightening or loosening the cuffs easy to do, even if it's one handed or a lot of tension has been put on the cuffs. Some people may not like the fact that the o ring attached to the triangle shaped d-ring makes a lot of noise when you are moving around, but I actually find it a turn-on so I consider it a plus.

But admittedly, these will not be the restraints that you can wear underneath your clothing, go out in public, and not draw attention to yourself and that you have something on that may be a bit on the unusual side. There is nothing discreet about them, either in appearance, function or sound.

When it comes to cleaning, if you ever feel the need to do so, then a good quality saddle soap and leather conditioner is all you should need. These could also be used for wrist restraints if your wrists are large enough, which means they might be ideal for a man, but for me, I will continue to use them for what they were intended to be… ankle restraints. They are made with two layers of leather stitched together, with a thick, plush fleece lining the inside of the cuff. They also have the added benefit of being locking restraints, which means that the buckle has a loop on the end of the tongue, so that after you've fastened the restraints, you could then thread a small padlock through the holes, and then the only way they could be removed is if the person who restrained you “wishes” to remove them.

Just make sure that He/She doesn't lose the key during playtime… It would so not be cool to have to destroy these cuffs by cutting them off of you just because of a misplaced key!

I promise you, you'll cry.

I used these cuffs in several different ways. I tried clipping them together with an extra fastener we had, I used them with a simple pair of tethers, and then I tried them with my new favorite, the Under the bed restraint system, and I couldn't be happier with them. They are extraordinary quality and I have no desire to purchase any other type of ankle restraints for the foreseeable future. If you are looking for the best your money can buy and/or plan on spending a lot of time in your cuffs, then look no further… These restraints will be everything you are wishing for.

And isn't it nice to occasionally have a wish that comes true?