We are all, by now, acutely aware of the benefits of condoms—offering protection from STDs and unwanted pregnancy. Despite all the research and wisdom gained regarding sexual health, the last 70 years have seen few advancements in condom technology—until now. Swedish pleasure object specialists LELO have revisited condom design with their brand new HEX condom, an innovative hexagonal design that defies slips and breakage while offering an ultra-thin construction and ultimate protection. Not only that, but HEX also maximizes pleasure. And yes, we tested them ourselves.
According to LELO founder (and inventor of HEX) Filip Sedic, whose background is engineering, their approach was two-fold. “We need a luxury element to sex. People need to feel good about what they’re doing,” he shares with CH. “It’s the best way to remove the stigma around this—and around the condom.” Further, he adds, “We see our role as trying to bring a good solution to impact lives. Condoms are one big aspect of life that it seems like people do not care about enough, perhaps because there is fear. We feel we can contribute a lot to this—to the dialogue, the education and even the usage.” They’re doing so by opening condoms to a design dialogue. “But it’s more than that,” he concludes, “It also has to have much better performance than existing products.”
LELO has addressed all the common concerns and complaints condom users (or, perhaps non-users) have. Many people feel that condoms often slip, break and reduce pleasure. The HEX’s design—developed and tested repeatedly over seven years—includes an internal network of channels and cells that reduces slippage while also helping to contain damage to the condom—meaning they rarely break. As for the all-important pleasure factor, HEX is so cleverly crafted that the design transmits heat from one partner to the other, which increases sensation.
Much of the innovation here is inspired from the molecular structure of graphene—the world’s strongest, thinnest material. HEX condom binds hexagonal panels with latex seams, which also minimizes breakage—rather than tearing entirely, the hexagons contain holes better. This composition allows the condom to mold to its host—also intensifying sensations. It’s far from uncomfortable; in fact, it feels more natural. It also safely stretches for all sizes. Strength is, of course, key for both safety and freedom from anxiety. Sedic says, “There’s a reason why honeycombs are the shape they are, and why snake scales move the way they do. It’s because hexagons are strong, symmetrical, and tessellate perfectly. They’re one of nature’s go-to shapes for anything needing to be at once lightweight, and incredibly strong. That’s why the structure of Graphene—the thinnest, strongest material we know of today is—you guessed it—hexagonal.” Essentially HEX is making it even more fun and pleasurable to play it safe, while taking zero fun out of sex.
Selling some 400,000 condoms in the first four days (perhaps in part to having Charlie Sheen as their spokesperson) LELO’s new HEX condoms are available for pre-order now at up to 40% off, with prices starting at $14 for a 12-pack..
Images courtesy of LELO