STRAP-ON. STRAP-OFF
A Guide To Strap-ons For The Trans Community.
Discover the pleasures to be found in the world of strap-ons…
Strap-on. Strap-off. Bad 90’s film references aside, for those of us born without the correct equipment, this can be a little more complicated than that.
Hello there! when I’m not speaking entirely in pop-culture and movie quotes I’m a
Trans-guy working part-time in Simply Pleasure in dear ol’ Devon. Ah Devon, great for ice creams, the age-old scone argument and seaside chips in the rain. It can be a little more interesting to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community (queue A LOT of nervous laughter at the ‘only gay in the village’ jokes) but the learning curve was worth it! And I hope to be able to share some knowledge with you! I have to stress that the companies I have looked at here, and mentioned in this article, are Adult Toy Companies. Being a Female to Male Transgender person, who is pre-Testosterone, I also own packers, binders, STP's, pack and play sets, etc. But those are for another day…
So… which one should you go for?
Should it look real? Should it do stuff? Which harness do you put it in? Does size really matter?
Fear not fellow trans traveller! We can navigate these murky waters together! Always remember that there is no right or wrong answer to this. Only what is right for you. First things first, for those not 'in the know': A Strap-on usually refers to a dildo that fits into a harness and then worn by your good self or a partner. Strap-less means the dildo usually has another end that fits internally, either vaginally or anally and does not require a harness.
My first strap-on was a very rushed, poorly researched, secret Internet buy. Because a dick's a dick. Right? Wrong, past-me, so wrong. Over the years my tastes have definitely changed and varied, depending on who I was with and where I was on my journey, but that is the beauty of today's vast (and sometimes bewildering) choice. You can almost always find something that will fit to your needs and wants, it may take a little jiggling and a good bit of research, but you'll find it!
Now, a big decision needs to be on the aesthetic level. Harness or not, this dildo is going to be attached to you somehow. How do you want it to look? Some people are a fan of realism, and want it to look like it is part of them, matching skin tones and size etc.
The Doc Johnson Vac-u-locks are some of the more realistic ones I have seen over the years. The modular style harness also makes them easy to change and update depending on what you fancy for the time. The Me You Us and Prowlerbrands feature the Ultracock range, most are without testicles which means they will fit almost all harnesses with an O-ring system. They also have a suction cup on the bottom for hands free play. Being realistic and a decent grade of silicone, does make some of these bad boys heavy! A little practice in the shower or in the bedroom alone to get to grips with how it feels and wielding it (without it falling off or smacking someone in the head) is advised. The initial outlay can be pricey, especially as a lot of the dildos and toys mentioned do not include the harness. But I personally feel the extra cost is worth it. Finding a good harness can make all the difference, being comfortable is an absolute must!
I do recommend doing research on how companies size their harnesses. Doc Johnson is pretty good, and if it says large, it does mean large. The material is also good, and the straps are nice and strong, without being too thin and digging in. Harnesses come in almost as many designs. If you are looking for one with a bit of oomph, and can take a lot of movement, go for something that has decent looking, thicker straps. Companies like No-Parts and Strap-On-Me have well-fitting harnesses that do not rub on the wrong part!
Strap-U have a broad range of designs, my advice is to do your research, some of the slightly cheaper brands will not have the adjustability and may require extra strapping added to make them fit. Underwear style harnesses are so comfortable to wear, but not for the energetic mover! The lack of strapping means the dildo has a lot of free reign and will not be held firmly in place.
On a separate note, boxer or brief style harnesses can be used as packing underwear! Sadly, dysphoria can sometimes play a part in our sex lives, getting around it can require some creative thinking. This is where some of my favourite brands come in.
Do not be afraid to experiment! What do you think looks good? If it is not working with the realism, maybe try something else? Always had a bit of a thing for size? Go for it! Prowler stores do some of the largest dildos I have ever seen (seriously, some are like outdoor chess piece size!). Got some fantasy or D&D leanings? No problem my friend! Creature Cocks are on sale in the nearest Prowler store. Honestly, the tentacle one is all sorts of intriguing. Please do not judge me.
If you just wanted to try a bit of vibration, Pegasus have a good variety of Strap-on and Strap-less toys. A lot of which have remote controls (the harness included in these sets has a tiny holster for the remote!). Remote controls for a vibrating dildo, for me, are a must. If I am strapped into this thing, I do not really want to be trying to find the button and the right setting to get it going. Or worse is turning it off half through (actually happened, was not sexy).
Cheaper vibrating bullets to go in your dildo/dick/third leg/bedroom-Funtime-toy are fine but may not be very strong, so picking something that already has a vibrator built in will always be better. Only drawbacks with the Strap-on is the lack of stimulation (apart from visual) for the wearer. This is where Strap-less come into their own. They take a bit of getting used to! And I have certainly had some over the years that were not the right shape for my body at all. But when you find a good one, Holy Moly are they fun to use!
*Note: Strap-less Strap-ons and double ended dildos are different things. Strap-less are often different colours, and a lot are not 'realistic' looking, however, because of the placement and lack of harness, they can give the feeling of being authentic. Another quick shout out to the company Pegasus, their Strap-less 7-inch dildo is a really attractive shape, and the grade of silicone is top notch. After a few candid chats with friends, they revealed a surprisingly similar opinion: If you are struggling to find something that works for you. Go Strap-less. It felt more real and being able to feel what your partner feels (even if it is the same vibration setting) made a lot of difference. And also, stick to the Cowgirl position when you first try it. I hope this gives food for thought if nothing else!
Good luck travellers!