How to Choose a Male Condom

Size / Fit

Large, Snug, Shaped, and Normal

For the most pleasure, ensure that you are using the size that best fits. If you find normal condoms too tight, then you should be using Large condoms. If regular is too loose, the Snug should do it. Condoms that are "shaped", enhance pleasure by using a larger head to give you a squishy feeling.

Thickness

Extra Thin, Extra Strength, and Normal

Extra thin condoms enhance the natural feeling while the extra strength products do more to protect. Extra strength condoms are especially good for vigorous sex, non-lubricated sex, and anal sex.

Lubrication

Lubricated, Non-Lubricated, Lubricated with Spermicide

Lubrication helps reduce friction and thus alleviates from all the pressure a condom has to endure. Latex condoms are lubricated with water-based lubricants as oil-based lubricants can deteriorate the latex material. Polyurethane condoms can be lubricated by either. Some premium condoms are lubricated with silicone-based lubricants which do not dry up as easily as regular lubricants. The most common spermicidal lubricant is nonoxynol-9. This type of lubricant provides an extra measure of security against unwanted pregnancies by stopping sperm from fertilizing even if it is not stopped by the condom. Some people are allergic to nonoxynol-9 and should therefore use non-spermicidal lubricated condoms.

Texture

Non-Textured, Textured, Ribbed, and Studded

Regular condoms are not textured. Texturing can enhance pleasure with friction created from various designs of texture. Ribbed condoms are wrapped with rings going from top to bottom within a certain region. The waves created with convex and concave rings give a "rib" feeling and thus the name. Studded condoms are as the name suggests covered with studs or blunt points sticking out of the condoms. An example of textured condoms is the Kimono Sensation which offers "Sensidots" which are not the same as studded because the dots are felt on the inside of the condom as opposed to the outside.

Material

Latex, Polyurethane, and Animal Membranes

Condoms can be made up of various materials. The most common material is latex as it is the most cost effective to offer. For people who are allergic to latex, polyurethane condoms offer the best alternative. Polyurethane is a man-made material and offers advantages such as strength so that it can be made thinner. The trade-off however, is higher costs. Lubricants used also depends on material. Latex condoms should not be used with oil-based lubricants because the rubber material will deteriorate when in contact with such lubricants. Animal membrane condoms can be made of material such as lambskin. It is important to note that animal membrane does NOT protect against disease as the membranes are permeable by viruses. Animal membrane condoms are not popular for this reason as well as the fact that it is by far the most expensive material.