Throb - strap-on dildo by Tantus - review by Carrie Ann

Ahhh, the Throb. Another win from Tantus.

While I normally prefer a dildo to be around 1.5" in diameter and the Throb is a bit smaller at 1.25" the veined texture and bulbous head more than make up for the missing girth.

The Throb is silicone but, unlike most Tantus products, it's a matte silicone rather than glossy. I'm sure I've mentioned it before but matte silicone really does it for me. I love how it drags against skin, how it feels more like actual skin than glossier silicones. I love the friction and that I can control how much I feel that friction by applying more or less lube. (Water based, please. Silicone lube on a silicone toy can product unwanted effects, though you can patch test it on an unobtrusive area and Tantus toys are pretty good about playing with premium silicone lubes. Oil based is also okay, just keep away from mineral oil based ones; stick to coconut and other natural oils.)

The Throb has, as mentioned, a bulbous head that feels exceptionally nice upon penetration, particularly because it has very little ridge to it - so no catching on your pubic bone! It tapers a bit, after the head, to a heavily veined shaft that almost appears to pulse with life. Throb is an apt name for this dildo, for sure.

The silicone is soft, velvety and pleasingly squishy yet still firm. The head is the most firm area, making g-spot massage more effective than if it was super soft. The shaft is a bit softer, more flexible, which is also excellent for g-spot stimulation. Between the curve of the shaft itself and the flexibility, it's quite easy to aim and manipulate to hit the g-spot dead on.

The base of the Throb is round, thin and flared, making it compatible with a harness or simply easy to hold on to if strap on play isn't your thing. It's soft, much softer and more bendable than the rest of the toy so it's exceptionally comfortable in a harness, with no poking or digging in. It flexes with your body really well. It's also totally anal safe.

The veins, while very noticeable, are not a bothersome, over textured addition. Because the silicone is so soft and squishable they can be easily felt but are not too hard, not painful. They're stimulating, make the toy feel very ridged but not overly bumpy. In use, they translate amazingly well and shouldn't bother anyone but the most sensitive to texture user.

Though the Throb is on the short side at 5 inches of insertable length, I found it to be pretty perfect. Longer would almost be a waste and would make the dildo much more floppy. As it is, it feels very much like a nice, erect penis and isn't so long you jab the hell out of your cervix, even if the thrusting is controlled by a partner.

The silicone has no taste or smell, though it does pick up scents and holds on to them for a bit. This is particularly noticeable when used for anal play. I suggest using a mild bleach solution on the Throb if you've used it for anal -- or any time you want to thoroughly sanitize it. You can also boil it or stick it in the dishwasher, top shelf, none of that harsh soap you use for dishes. If you notice lingering scents even after washing your best bet is to leave it out for a few days, let it air out.

If you don't feel the need to sanitize, just wash it in the sink with warm soapy water and rinse well. Be careful to get in all the grooves, nooks and crevices created by the veining, however. They tend to hold on to gunk quite tenaciously!

The Throb, though on the small side compared to most of my toys, is still much loved and used. I've come to the conclusion that I like it best for anal penetration - the thick veins and smaller size make it both stimulating and comfortable and the curve does great things to my g-spot thru my vaginal wall.

Throb doesn't get the attention or hype it deserves. Truly, it's one of the best ten dildos I own.