The Tantus Ryder is a smooth silicone butt plug with a secure, comfortable base. It can be used during vaginal penetration, for longterm wear, or as a warmup to anal sex. Anyone who enjoys anal penetration will eventually find a use for it. Quite simply, it's a toybox staple that belongs in almost every collection.

Silicone is non-porous, tasteless, odorless, hypoallergenic and phthalates-free. Since it can be sterilized in a variety of ways, it's considered among the safest of toy materials.

The Tantus Ryder's surface is smooth and shiny, rather than matte, and the material has some give to it when squeezed or flexed. The texture is suitable for all users, and the density makes it an excellent choice for use with a glass or metal dildo.

While the design is not phallic, most people will likely recognize the Ryder as a butt plug, unless they've lead a sheltered enough life to remain completely oblivious to the concept of sex toys. Then perhaps you could pass it off as a a base for displaying a collectible of some kind -- perhaps a doll that doesn't stand well on its own, and happens to be the right size. Or perhaps it would keep jewelry untangled.

The Ryder is a toy with some heft to it, girth wise, and it also sports a fairly blunt tip, so those new to anal penetration might be wise to look elsewhere. At the same time, it's neither textured nor of extreme size, so it's not limited to advanced players, either.

Since the Ryder is of a somewhat oval shape, it's a bit difficult to get an accurate measurement. I usually measure toys with a pasta measuring device, but that clever plan failed me with this one. While I never managed to get the same measurement twice, with each attempt the circumference seemed to fall within an eighth of an inch from the 4 3/4 inches named on the product page, so I'm prepared to believe the manufacturer over my efforts. At the same time, I will warn that the measurement is a bit deceptive, because the toy is wider from side to side than from front to back, so it might feel larger in use. The height, however, is definitely 4 1/4 inches, with less than four inches insertable.

While this size might prove a challenge to beginners, it's not an unmanageable width by any means, and it provides a comfortably full feeling in use.

As for the lack of taper to the tip, this is a negative in that it makes the toy somewhat harder to insert than a pointier plug, but it's a bigger positive in that it removes all possibility of pokey feelings while in use.

The Ryder is ideal for use with glass or metal dildos, helping to guide them upward to the g-spot or a-spot, or simply providing a fuller feeling. It stays securely in place during play, and the soft base is both safe and unobtrusive, even when sitting in a hard chair.

It also provides a surprising amount of stimulation on its own, although insertion is slightly more difficult than with a more tapered plug.

Always use adequate lubrication for anal play. This is important because the anus and rectum are not self-lubricating, and injury could result from attempting penetration without lube. As the Ryder is silicone, it's best to use a water based lube, preferably one with a thicker consistency. Using silicone lube on silicone toys can result in permanently sticky toys, or toys with pits and dents. The simplified explanation for this is that silicone based lubricants contain chemicals which keep the silicone in the lube in a liquid state -- those chemicals should be kept away from silicone toys, as your toy won't be much fun in that same liquid state.

To clean the Ryder, wash it in hot, soapy water, or with toy cleaner. It can be wiped down before use with a toy wipe or baby wipe, to remove any lint, or it can be rinsed under the faucet before use. Always double check to make sure you aren't introducing lint or loose hairs into your body. For sterilization, the Ryder can be run through the dishwasher -- top rack, sans detergent -- or boiled. It can also be wiped down with a ten percent bleach solution, just be sure it is well rinsed before use. Silicone might not mind harsh chemicals, but your body will likely object.

If a silicone toy seems to be retaining any odors, it can be coated with a baking powder paste and left to sit for a few minutes before rinsing. Don't scrub the toy with anything abrasive -- simply paint it on, and rinse it away.

Finally, the Ryder is small enough to store almost anywhere. Keeping it in a lint free separator bag, such as a cosmetics bag or even a ziplock bag, will save time come playtime. Silicone toys can rest against each other without damage, provided all of the toys are indeed pure silicone, but remember to keep the Ryder away from silicone composites, TPR, TPE, PVC, and jelly, as the chemicals in those things will attempt to bond with the silicone, melting the two toys together.

The Ryder comes in typical Tantus packaging -- a clear plastic box with information about the toy printed on it. While it's blissfully free of naked ladies or other eyecatching not-safe-for-work images, it's not particularly discreet either, and the box is neither impressive for gift giving nor terribly useful for future storage. To recycle it discreetly, slice it into strips with a box cutter and slip it inside any plastic container in your recycling bin.