Comfort

The level of comfort for an adornment is influenced by a number of factors - some are obvious while others are a bit more surprising to hear. In fact, some of the things that I prefer for a comfortable wear are in opposition to days where I prefer my adornment to… um… do a little more than look good.

Shape

In my experience, the absolute most important factor for comfort is the shape of the adornment. It is all but guaranteed that a steel tube with crisp 90 degree edges is going to pinch while wearing. The most common item for comfortable wear is a typical cock ring, so put that on as the general mental model of our discussion here - but don’t only think of rings. Many of the things that make for a comfortably shaped ring apply to other types of adornments.

Interior

It doesn’t matter if it is a cock, shaft, or glans ring - it should have a comfort fit interior profile. This phrase may sound familiar to some - it has been adapted from the jewelry industry when talking about wedding bands. When given a “comfort fit” interior profile, the ring will have a slightly domed shape along the inside from front to back. This serves to reduce pressure points and allow your body to somewhat mold into/around the interior of the ring. It also makes it a bit easier to get the ring on and off when needed. This inner profile is absolutely expected (practically required) on any premium adornment.

Edges

Sharp edges hurt. Not surprising to hear, right? It should be just as obvious when thinking about adornments for your manhood. One of the benefits of a cock ring is the increased blood pressure within the spongy tissue of the penis caused by the tight ring slowing the speed that blood flows out. So, you want your ring to have some tightness to it if erection enhancement is one of your reasons for wearing one. With that in mind, the edges of the ring at the front and back must have a generous radius to reduce the pressure points that naturally form by a constricting device being placed on an something that expands.

On the other end of the spectrum, non-radiused edges also encourage trouble even while flaccid. I don’t need to tell you that your cock and balls flex/give and adjust/adapt while you move. They have to - it’d be hell if they didn’t! But when wearing tighter undergarments or pants that don’t flex much, a new enemy shows up. As you and your manhood move about throughout the day, the lesser amount of space available for your business to get re-situated is limited - and adding a cock ring to that equation encourages pinching on sharp edges. If you are wearing your adornment while out and about (maybe at the office or barber?), you regularly running the risk for parts of your scrotum or perineum to find their way between your ring and clothing. With a sharp edge involved, that is something you’ll definitely feel.

Contour

I have a radiused inner profile and a set of nice, rounded outer edges - I’m set, right? Maybe. You can still do better. The contour - how well the ring fits your body and your personal shapes - will also play a significant role in keeping things comfortable. I was amazed at how much a modest axial bend made a difference in my curved stainless wire ring. This ring is a seriously boring ring. It’s just a wire made in a circle… until you try it on. The contour of the ring very nicely matches my own body shape and makes this ring (which is 1.75" - on the tighter side for me) one of the absolute most comfortable rings I own.

In this case - the shape makes all the difference

Finish

Second to shape, the finish of the adornment itself plays a major role. When discussing finish, I’m specifically thinking about how well the manufacturer produced the product. What defines a good finish? Here are some examples:

• Are the edges consistent across the whole profile of the ring?
• Do the pieces of the cage fit together without a lot of play?
• Are there pieces of material that prevent pinches on parts that hinge?
• Does the surface have a smooth and consistent feel to it?
• Are there pits or casting marks on the body of the plug/sound that will scrape?

All of these things come together to influence the overall comfort of the adornment - and even impact shape, as above. You will generally find that reputable manufacturers that have been in the business a while have figured out how to finish their products well.

Size

There are volumes that can be written about how to size an adornment - and one of these days, I’ll probably blog about it… but it’s easy to capture it:

A ring that is too small can be a very painful experience

It’s vitally important to know your size and dimensions both flaccid and erect to know in advance whether a ring will be comfortable (and safe) before you put it on. This is far more important for metal rings than rubber or silicone, of course.

For a little more info, take a look at the sizing blog entry

Material

It goes without saying that it will not be very comfortable to wear a material that you are allergic to. Pay attention to what the ring is made. Many stainless steel rings, especially from China, contain nickel in the finish which can lead to reactions for those with sensitive skin. Sometimes alternative materials like wood will have a finish that can be bothersome. Indeed, sometimes the material itself (wood as an example) can have a grain or texture that encourages pinching or other discomfort.