Alright then. You don’t want to waste the time to put the condom on and you just can’t seem to find the right size? Then be sure to follow the development of this product:
The spray-on condom is currently in a test phase and scheduled to hit stores in summer 2008. In this post we will show you how it works, where you can get it and what others have to say about it. In case of questions ask away in the comments section, we will get answers right out of the german laboratory.
- Update: If you want to be in the know about the latest in the spray-on condom development you might be interested in reading the newer posts Spray-on Condom not Coming.
What Is the Spray-on Condom
Good ideas are usually explained in a few words. This condom will be sprayed on. In other words, you use a sort of a spray can, which will coat your penis in a rubber condom at the push of a button. Therefore it will fit all kinds of sizes and forms. It would allow you to be ready within a few seconds and the latex skin would be 0.040 mm to 0.015 mm thin. That is pretty thin when you compare it to the average of 0.060 mm in other condoms. [Source] Furthermore, the condom can’t be damaged before use and you’ll definitely put it on the right way.
All of this can result in better and safer sex. The spray-on condom fits perfectly, which means you won’t feel it (too much) and it won’t slip. This sounds like a serious leap forward for some, for sure. Now how far away from market-readiness are we at the moment?
The spray-on team is working on some technical issues, but they hope to be ready by early summer of 2008. One thing that might be crucial to the success of this product is the time it takes for the condom to be ready for use, which is directly connected with the time it takes till the latex is ready (vulcanization process). Testing and research should get this time down to around five to ten seconds (from around 20 seconds at the time).
Anyway, how much will people want to carry the can around? Or will it clearly become a home-based solution? Where and when you will be able to buy it remains to be seen. But if you are buying in online stores, you might be on the safe side.
How Does the Spray-on Condom Work
Unlike in one episode of CSI: New York and the picture above, the condom is not going to be sprayed on manually.
The principle is easily explained when illustrated:
The can is cupped and equipped with nozzles (pink) from top to bottom (30 units). It comes as a one-time purchase and will likely cost about 15 to 25 euros.
To get it working the can needs latex cartridges (green), which will be attached on top. Such a cartridge is naturally replaceable and will produce 10 to 20 rubber condoms each (at a cost of roughly 7 to 10 euros).
When assembled, the can is ready for action. At the push of the button (red) the nozzles will coat the penis in a latex condom in a secret “360 degree procedure”.
The condom should be ready within a few seconds. It will be equally efficient as normal condoms, but it wont slip. From now on it will behave the same as a conventional condom (take it off the same way, use it only once etc.).
Are there different versions as well?
So far it is not possible to spray on ribs and knobs but they’ll come in red, green, yellow and transparent versions as well as various strengths of the latex skin.
What Do others Say about the Spray-on Condom
- Watch the Reuters: Video
- Swiss Television: Watch in german
- Wired Blogs: German Firm Offers Spray-On Aerosol Kondom
- GIZMODO: German Wang Spray is Instant Condom…
- medGadget: Spray On Condom = Instant Lovin’
- Mahalo page: Spray on Condom
Reality on TV, soon in Stores?
The idea of a spray-on condom is not really new. But certain issues like the vulcanization time and the absence of a reservoir tip make it difficult for such products to work. The same can be said for the german team working on this product right now. We will be watching any improvements closely, but after a short chat to the developer (4.12.) one thing is clear: the spray-on condom has to be considered just a product idea at the time.
However this thing turns out, the condoms community will keep you up to date. Feel free to ask questions in the comments section as he is reading as well and we’ll see to answers. [Visit the inventor's website] By commenting you agree on our terms of use.
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You’ve got to be kidding me?This stuff will peel off faster than Lindsay Lohan’s underwear after a few strokes.Furthermore,I bet 99.9% of guys will blow the end out of this like niagra falls.
Posted by: Mike Hunt | January 31, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Thanks for commenting Mike. It’s definitely no joke, but you’re right. We’re all curious to see if it’ll be market-ready anytime soon. I’m not sure about the peeling off though. Testing seems to be working fine apart from those two things: vulcanization and the reservoir problem.
Posted by: Simon | February 6, 2008 at 11:39 am
ok i love the idea of this, but a few questions. first how far are they to perfecting the reservoir? and will there be spermacide in this, and will it be as effective in preventing sexyally trasmitted deseases and pregnancy as traditional condoms?
Posted by: annie | June 29, 2008 at 12:55 am
@annie: There are many answers to your question. First of all the reservoir problem wasn’t/isn’t really an issue. Meaning that the inventor believes that this reservoir isn’t really necessary.
As for the effectiveness in preventing diseases the spray-on condom should be great, because of the tight fit of the sprayed on condom. There were however no plans for including spermicide I believe (for this might be technically impossible).
I’ve got to inform you though, that this thing probably won’t be entering the market. You can read all about it in our recent interview with the inventor.
Posted by: Simon | June 29, 2008 at 9:57 am
There are so many problems with the idea of spray-on-condoms but if you ever had difficulty explaining lipstick on your collar, then you’re really going to struggle explaining a lurid smear of rubber on your underwear.
Posted by: David Bradley | September 15, 2008 at 9:47 am
How do I buy the fuckin things inside or outside the U.S.? spray on condoms?
Posted by: David | November 29, 2008 at 3:03 pm
@David: Thanks for asking, if you follow this link spray-on condom is not coming you’ll see that the spray-on condom will not be comercially available. However Jan Krause launched his new brand My.Size just these days – in Europe.
Posted by: Simon | November 29, 2008 at 6:50 pm
I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY NO ONES WEBSITE SITE HAS A LINK WHERE YOU CAN BUY IT!!!!! WHERE DO YOU BUY IT?
Posted by: lauren | February 4, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Hi Lauren, I understand your frustration with this. And I know neither the media nor blogs have really communicated this the way it should be (except for a few and us who uncovered this fact). The spray-on condom doesn’t exist and will probably not exist for quite some time. I hope this helps.
Posted by: Simon | February 4, 2009 at 7:48 pm
what happenings when you ejaculate? where does the sperm go?
Posted by: Brandon | June 2, 2009 at 1:17 am
Hi, my boyfriend and I were reading this and have come up with many questions. How effective is it in preventing pregnancy? How do you get the condom off? Does it have any major or minor effects on the man’s gentials? Will they come in different colors? Will the woman’s ejuaculate have any effect on the condom? Will this condom be the small or close to or thicker than an “old school” condom. Will there be any variations on these condoms, such as for her, or ribbed, or flavored? How long will a person be able to store the can of condoms? How long does the condom remain on the body?
Posted by: Kelly | December 6, 2009 at 6:45 am
Hi Kelly, it’s great to see people still show an interest in the spray-on condom thing. Unfortunately there’s a really short answer to your many questions: this concept has not reached market readyness despite the patent holder’s wishes and is a suspended project as of now. Any new developments will be announced here first of course.
Posted by: Simon | December 7, 2009 at 6:43 pm