Which Condom Holds The Most Air Before Exploding? (Video)
You might be be surprised how much air a condom can hold, or water (try 25 liters). But which holds the most before bursting to pieces? Our friend Theresa at Consumer Reports donned a lab coat and glasses to find out which brand of condoms came out on top in their durability tests.
If you this clip, you should also watch Theresa in this ShamWow test video.
For the full condom review and ratings, check out this article on ConsumerReportsHealth.org (subscription required).
Which condom, or contraceptive method, do you prefer?
How Consumer Reports Tests Condoms [Consumer Reports]
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Comments:
I think the Consumerist writers should help with the jokes.
Oh Consumerist, do your innuendo-inducing comments have no limit?
As for which condom came out on top, the answer is all of them. Since when have bottoms needed condoms?
;-)
Also, don't think we missed the sheer genius of pairing this story with the "$5 Foot Long" calorie counting one.
I did this once with water in my bathtub. I think we put nearly 25 gallons of water into the thing before it broke.
There is a joke about the person who has been 'employed' to 'inflate' the balloons. Change the words in quotes, and you will get there...
I'm interested in the results, because I usually blast air like a gas station air hose after a good session with the girlfriend.
Where I used to teach, we had freshmen college kids test condoms, too, to learn the scientific method. They'd smear some sort of lube (baby oil or KY or something good or bad) on one and nothing on a control and then come up with some test. You'd be *amazed* how much water the things will hold. And at the mess they make when they finally break.
(Cue jokes...)
What would happen if you filled them with helium?
release it outside in a heavily populated public place and laugh
Still not big enough for me.
(Come on, nobody else went there?)
@Kimaroo - Fortified with Kittydus Purrularis: Yeah, the person who designed the lab said it was a great "ice breaker." Um-hmmmm....
I just loved that she had to go buy like 1000 unlubricated condoms. I can just imagine the clerk's face.
Who wants to share their condom preferences?
As a female-type person, it doesn't matter to me, but my husband prefers Trojan Magnum Thins. He says they transmit heat and sensation well but are strong enough he doesn't worry about breakage.
What's the point of that test? I'm not packing a bicycle pump down there.
@jurisenpai: I prefer Lifestyle Skyns, they don't have latex so no allergies! Plus they transmit heat and sensation really well.
@jurisenpai: I second that recommendation, though sometimes they (the thins) can be harder to find if there isn't a CVS around.
@jurisenpai:
Trojan Magnum Thins are the way to go. Before I found them, regular condoms would start cutting off my circulation after a while because they were too tight. Problem is, I'm a guy with "too much stamina" and condoms make it worse. If the GF is willing to go on the pill, my preference is no condoms at all.
@Mischif:
(Come on, nobody else went there?)
I think you'll find the average male consumerist reader to be more mature and beyond such boastfulness. A proper man uses innuendo and juxtaposition to show off his manliness, such as power tools, HEMI engines, and the color of our AMEX card (which is now angrily canceled, this is Consumerist after all).
@dohtem: I could say lady, chick, chica, etc but I hate calling myself a woman - I feel too young for that word still.
Hence: female-type person.
@WraithSama: I don't think that too much stamina is a problem! ;) But as my husband is an avid Consumerist poster, I will refrain from further detail.
I'm on the Pill, but I still like the added protection of a barrier method, especially when you can buy condoms in bulk at a low price.
The first time I touched a condom was in seventh grade, in the Boys Bathroom. A friend had snagged one from his dad. He pulled it out, stretched it, we passed it around. We pondered the girnormous size of it. We blew it up, giggling like schoolboys. We passed around what we knew about "It" and how condoms figured in all of it (did you put it on before you left the house?). Then a wiseacre filled it with water and we giggled some more. Let it out then filled it up again. More giggles.
Then, with around six froshes gathered around it, the Vice-Principal of Boys (the disciplinarian one) marched in, saw us gathered around the sink.
Instant, piercing terror. OMG, he was going to arrest us! For perversity! Jailed for years! For Felony Possession: CONDOM! Or worse, call our parents!
Waves upon waves of shared, intense horror as he strode closer. Closer. Closer.
...Then someone let go of the condom, which spurted its water out as it circled the drain then rocketed down, never to be seen again. Evidence: gone!
Hilarity ensued, fueled by relief and Sticking It To The Man. Then we fled to avoid detention and a paddling.
@WraithSama: Pheh. Pee wee.
I actually need to stitch together several, lengthwise and widthwise, to make it fit.
@dohtem: [secure.condomania.com]
Although I'm not the condom-wearer, I've had excellent service from this company in the past
So... where are the results?
@jurisenpai: In my experience no two guys have the same preferences, however, InSpirals have almost universal rave reviews.
@Chumas: Last I heard polyethylene and lambskin do not protect vs. STDs as well as latex does, but poly is probably better than nothing.
@jurisenpai: Thanks for the tip ladies. We use Magnum but never saw the "Thins". Always looking to have more fun w/o the "it broke" fear factor, lol.
@LetMeGetTheManager:
enlisted to enlarge the balloons?
hired to distend the balloons?
retained to puff up the balloons?
I don't get it...
I don't know what number four in the air test is, but I won't be buying a brand that can't offer that minimal protection.
Keeping them in your jeans will damage the condom entirely
@Trai_Dep: I probably thoroughly embarrassed my children over condoms.Forget probably, I know I did. This was about three years ago, I guess, and I knew their classmates were having sex (number of pregnancies was a big clue) and I wanted them to know what condoms were and how to use them. Yes, I got out a banana and SHOWED my children how to put a condom on (one boy, one girl). Then I proceeded to place a box of condoms in their bathroom. I still do not check if they are using them, but have had them request twice for replacements. They are fairly honest with me and since I had said to give them to friends if they know they need them, I believe them when they tell me they were given away.
For one thing, I was told by the one who HAS had sex, that they had. I also know at least one of the kids they gave condoms to, and I know he isn't so innocent.
Now, when my daughter told me what brand not to buy because of 'such and such'(I don't remember, I think failure rate) I about fell out of my chair. Yes, I gave them condoms, but she isn't supposed to know about all the different brands and their positives and negatives!LOL
Does anyone else find it ironic that the opening sequence to the condom test video featured:
1) A Baby Crib
2) Images of a baby bottle, blocks and a teddy bear
3) Video of mattress durability testing
4) Video of a child safety seat being installed in a car
5) Video of a baby stroller
These images lead me to believe that none of the condoms are effective ay preventing pregnancy.
@mrscoach: Thats like saying i gave them a car, but they arent supposed to know how to refill it, and how to check tire pressure :P
Ladies, don't let this "test" fool you! These cursed things can still be too tight.
:(