Cock Rings. So Many Cock Rings.
Perfect Fit Brand CEO and Cock Ring Innovator Steve Callow is here to help with a little Cock Ring 101
The following post by Perfect Fit Brand CEO Steve Callow first appeared as an Op-Ed column in the June 2019 issue of adult novelty industry trade XBIZ Premiere. To give you a peek inside the sex toy biz, we thought we’d share an edited version here on the Perfect Fit Brand blog, Erotic Intent.
Most guys, be they cock ring virgins or sling-hopping enthusiasts, find shopping for cock rings, like shopping for almost anything these days, an overwhelming experience due to too much choice. There are hundreds of cock rings in myriad shapes, sizes, materials and textures to choose from. How does one choose? As a designer of cock rings, I’m here to give you a break down and explain the various types of cock rings and hopefully help you find one that’s a perfect fit for you.
Cock rings have come a long ways from the old days of the glorified rubber band and leather snap ring. As a designer, I break cock rings out into several categories, but first let’s go over the two different ways cock rings can be worn: around the base of the shaft above the scrotum or behind the scrotum.
Above: The Cruiser Ring by Perfect Fit Brand
Rings worn around just the shaft or penis, referred to “shaft rings” from this point on in this article, are generally a stretchy and meant to be worn around the penis shaft. There are also fitted shaft rings, purchased in a specific size, and thus, though sized, should also offer enough stretch to remove it should it become too tight once the penis is erect. (More on this below.) In my experience designing and selling cock rings, shaft rings seem to be most popular with men with very large or long penises, but not so much for the majority of guys shopping for cock rings.
Typically, most men wear the cock ring behind the scrotum. This allows for much more flexibility in sizing, security (stays in place), and for the rings to not interfere with sex. To clarify the latter, a shaft ring can be cumbersome because, due to the location of the scrotum–which is not behind the penis, but runs up the shaft under the penis–it can’t be worn at the base of the penis.
Above: The Xact-Fit 3 Ring Kit by Perfect Fit Brand. 3 fitted rings.
Most rings on the market today are sized to be the more traditional style worn behind the penis and scrotum (hereafter referred to as a “cock ring”) and can be broken down into four categories: Fitted rings, stretchy rings, torso fitted rings (one of my inventions), and adjustable restrictive rings. Those are the basic styles, but there are many variations, including combination cock ring/ball stretchers, and cock ring/butt plugs, etc., but for this post, let’s focus on the basic cock ring and the various design factors to consider when shopping for one.
Above: The torso fitting Cock Armour cock ring by Perfect Fit Brand.
I travel around the country training sales staff on how to sell Perfect Fit Brand toys and found that one of the most popular demos and discussions is about fitted cock rings versus stretchy cock rings.
Until recently, fitted rings weren’t available for most men because the sizes they required weren’t available. Now, fitted rings are increasingly popular, particularly with guys who have tried them, and for good reason: A fitted rings is always going to be superior to a stretchy ring.
The principal behind the stretchy ring is simple: create a constant restriction in any state of arousal. I consider all stretchy rings to be “binding,” that is, there is no relief, it’s tight, choking your member, from the minute you put it on. Stretchy rings, however, are very effective in attaining and maintaining an erection. Guys swear by these rings because you don’t need an erection for them to work. As soon as you put one of these little stranglers on, it does its job.
So what’s the problem? Sure, you got a raging hardon, but often at the expense of comfort. Many guys find binding cock rings become somewhat uncomfortable due to friction, the pulling of pubic hair, and inhibited ejaculation. Then again, many guys love 'em.
Key here is the material. There is relationship between material type, quality, durometer (hardness), thickness material, and inner diameter all at play in the performance of a cock ring. A precisely engineered cock ring combines all of these elements to perform its duty with the least discomfort.
That said, recommending one ring over another is difficult, because the truth is, what one guys finds perfect, another may find uncomfortable. Choosing the right cock ring, like sex, all comes down to personal taste. For some, a really tight ring is desirable, others will want something softer, with less restriction.
Above: The Stackit cock rings by Perfect Fit Brand. Made of super soft SilaSkin™.
I recommend cock ring newbies to start with a stretchy ring that is very soft and not very restrictive. Starting off with too firm and too tight a ring is enough to turn a guy off to ever experimenting with rings again.
I, personally, have experienced the effects wearing a ring that is too tight. Trust me, once you go through that you will have a whole new respect for the ring designers who engineered their product to be flexible enough to remove quickly, should it become painful.
Which brings me to a heads up about metal cock rings. Though you can likely guess, metal rings are very risky to use. Once on and the blood is pumping into the shaft and being restricted, the ring can literally choke the penis and require an emergency intervention. An unwelcome visit from the fire department, trip to the emergency room and a giant needle, just to remove a metal cock ring? No thanks!
Now that you’ve all taken a moment to hastily turn your metal cock rings into necklaces, relax in the knowledge that a properly fitted great cock ring is a wonderful thing. Not only will you like your new harder erection, but your partner will almost immediately notice it. Most of the customer reviews for cock rings we get at Perfect Fit Brand echo this observation, “My wife and I have both found they increase our pleasure,” or “I tripled my load last night!”
Summing up, for those shopping for a cock ring, whether stretchy or firm, a properly fitted ring can bring a welcome added element of pleasure to your sex life. A fitted ring will not bind, pull hair, leaves marks, and remain comfortable during and after an orgasm.
Lastly, finding the right cock comes down to trying out a variety of rings to find the one or ones that are right for you.
Above: Xact-Fit cock rings by Perfect Fit Brand.
At Perfect Fit Brand, we’ve found many cock ring customers have had great success and been very happy with our Xact-Fit™ Rings, which come in 14 sizes, sized in 0.1” (2.5mm) increments (other manufacturers make only 3 to 5 sizes in this same range). We made them not too stretchy, so the rings are effective, but far easier to get on and off than a metal ring.
Our fun Play Zone™ Kit contains the nine most used 9 Xact-Fit™ sizes for shaft rings, ball rings, and cock & ball rings, stacked on a bright orange mini traffic cone. Xact-Fit™ rings are also available in 3 Ring Kits (M, L, XL, plus mixes sizes) and 2-Packs of your favorite single size.
Above: The Play Zone™ Kit by Perfect Fit Brand.
To find the right cock ring for you:
1 Start simple. Try a stretchy ring that is very soft and not very restrictive.
2 Try a fitted cock ring. Buy several or a set of 3 that are close to your size. See which fit you best.
3 Experiment with variations. Once you know your size, experiment with variations, such as a torso-fitted cock ring—molded to fit the curve of your perineum, combo cock ring with ball-stretcher, or a torso-fitted cock ring with attached butt plug. Shwing!
4 Avoid metal cock rings. At least until you know your exact size, or risk an embarrassing call to 911.
Above: The Armour Tug Lock Small by Perfect Fit Brand
