Super soft c-ring - stretchy cock ring by Tantus - review by Basalt

Introduction:
I chose this ring from Tantus because I wanted something tight but forgiving since I didn't know exactly what size I would need. I was worried it would be too "super soft", like jelly rings. However I was not disappointed; the ring has a great combination of stretch yet tightness.

Material:
The ring is made from Tantus' premium medical-grade platinum-cured silicone. This means that it is phthalate free and is also chemical and heat resistant, so it can be sterilized with a bleach solution or boiled. Only water-based or oil-based lubricants should be used because silicone lubes can bind to the silicone of the ring and make it gummy. The silicone is softer and strechier than the silicone used in dildos, and it also has a velvety texture. Mine, in red, has a slight chemical bitter odor that isn't offensive to me (maybe like faint burnt coffee or chocolate).

Design:
The ring has an outer diameter of about 1-3/4", but because the ring is just under about 1/4" thick, the inner diameter, unstretched, is about 1-3/8". The width of the ring is just under 1/2", and is wide enough to be comfortable to wear without getting in the way of anything else. There is a small seam running around both the inside and outside middle of the circumference of the band, but I couldn't feel it during use. As you can tell from the photos, the edges of the ring are rounded nicely, like a wedding band.

The ring is stretchy but quite firm. It's relatively easy to stretch it the first 1", increasing it to an inner diameter of about 2-1/4", but then it gets stiffer and harder to stretch it more. By the time I stretched it to cover a paper towel tube with my fingers still underneath it on all sides (about 2-3/4" inner diameter), it was quite tight and was cutting off the circulation in my fingers. I'm sure it can be stretched further without damaging the ring, but it will be quite tight. It is small enough to be worn on just the shaft of men with average-to-large girth, and was not too difficult for this beginner to also place around the shaft and scrotum. As with all silicone rings, if not used with much lube and if the male is not shaved, the silicone may tug at some of the pubic hair. I did not find this to be a major problem, and I believe the velvety texture of the ring helps it not be too sticky.

Packaging:
The ring comes in a reuseable clamshell package. The package is about 4-1/2" in diameter and a bit bulky, but the package opens without damage so it is easy to reuse the package for storage. The package is somewhat discreet at first glance, with only the ring visible and the title of "C-Ring", however any further inspection will make the nature of the device clear. Without the packaging, I would guess that many people would not recognize what the ring is used for; it just looks like a thick rubber band with no brand name or any markings, and it could be anything from some sort of bungee cable to a hand exerciser.

Alternatives:
If someone is still unsure of the size ring they need, I would also recommend the Cal Exotics budget-priced set of Silicone Support Rings that comes with three different sizes of rings.

I'm a little larger than average, but this ring was not effective around just my shaft. However, around both the scrotum and shaft, this ring was almost a little too tight on me. More advanced users may disagree if they prefer a tight fit.

This item is great as an inexpensive introduction to cock rings, but I will be looking for something larger and more custom-sized.

I have not used this much since I reviewed it. It's a quality product, but it's just too tight for me. Maybe tight cock-rings aren't for me. If I were going to explore using a cock-ring, I'd find one in a specific size for a more custom fit.