Vivid studded - male condom discontinued by Ansell - review by Jul!a

If you're looking for a cheap and practical way to try and add just a touch of spice to your love life, a textured condom really can be the way to go.

The main features of this condom are the studs that are located all up and down the shaft. They aren't very visually prominent; I had to actually look fairly close to see them. When I ran my finger over them, they didn't feel like much, but once in use it provided a lot more sensation than I was expecting. Those women with really sensitive vaginas who can feel the more subtle textured condoms might find these to be a bit overwhelming.

The average condom is 7.5" long, 2.04" wide at the base, and .002" thick. Vivid Studded is shorter at 7" long and narrower at 2" wide at the base and along the shaft. It is on par with thickness however.

Longer and thicker guys should probably avoid wearing Vivid Studded, but use your best judgment. If it feels too tight or starts to leave a mark, take it off and go for something bigger.

Neither my fiancé nor I found any discernible latex smell and I haven't tasted them.

These condoms come lubricated with water-based lube. I found the provided lubrication to be adequate, but if you start to run low on natural lubrication, make sure to add some more. You can use your favorite body safe water based or silicone based lube. Avoid oil based lubes and stay away from body lotions, Vaseline, and the like. The oil base can degrade the latex and cause breakage.

These, like all other condoms, should be stored at room temperature, protect them from prolonged periods of exposure to extreme high or low temperatures, moisture, direct sunlight and fluorescent light. If the condom is sticky, brittle, or looks damaged, don't use it. You should always use a new condom each time you engage in a new sex act, never reuse. You would use these the same way you use any other condom with a reservoir tip, pinch the tip to remove all the air, and then roll down the shaft.

The inside of the box does contain instructions for use, but if you're still unsure how to put a condom on correctly, more detailed written instructions can be found here, or Planned Parenthood offers a video that you can watch.

I was not blessed with an extremely sensitive vagina. This means that for me, most textured condoms might as well have not bothered. This one was different though. I couldn't feel specific studs or anything like that, but I could definitely feel some texture. It was just enough to not be overwhelming. The studs created a really nice drag while he was going in and out, rather than everything just being all slippery and slide-y. Sometimes I'm in the mood for slippery sex, but when I want I want to really feel it, I go for these.

Unfortunately for the men wearing this condom, it isn't going to feel any different for you than a regular old condom. It isn't thinner, it isn't designed to feel thinner, but the look on your partner's face during sex should more than make up for that.

This is still on my top list of condoms for texture. I love that I can easily feel the texture, although they're still nothing special for my husband. If size isn't much of an issue and you like texture, try these!