When it comes to restraints, there are many, many options out there. From metal handcuffs and shackles to a variety of fabric-based cuffs, the bondage enthusiast is definitely not left short when it comes to selection. When it comes to narrowing them down to a final choice, here's a few things that I kept in mind when searching for a good set of restraints: (1) Appearance - does the cuff look sexy? You want to look good while wearing this/you want your partner to look good, so don't overlook the appearance. If the cuff is made up of multiple pieces, you want them to lay flat and not jut out at weird angles. Color might be a factor. Matching sets might be a factor. (2) Durability - is the material cheap, flimsy, or uncomfortable? Is it going to hold in place no matter how you tie up your subject/are tied up? (3) Fit - Do the restraints fit snugly to your particular body size? Do they adjust when you want them to, and hold firm when you don't?

With all these things in mind, I can give Kinklab's Ankle Kink Cuffs a rave review. The red and black color combination is very attractive, and the shiny metal D-rings and buckle are a nice accent. The metal fixtures are thick and sturdy, and you can tell that they are not cheap. The cuffs themselves are made out of nylon webbing (the same sort of material you'd see on the ends of back-pack straps). If you want something a little more dainty, look into cuffs made out of plush, comfortable materials. That being said, the webbing is not uncomfortable. It's not itchy, rough, or anything else that might come to mind with said material. Held onto the webbing by metal snaps (the only way I can describe them - the snaps are actually not snappable. They are fixed in place by the manufacturer) is an attractive strip of quality red leather. The leather is not sewn down, which allows for the webbing to overlap while you wrap it around your ankles to fit your size. Then, the leather piece fits into the metal belt-style buckle, and can tighten to a number of holes to ensure a good fit for many sizes. While the cuffs aren't one size fits all, they do fit up to 12-inch circumference. If you are super tiny - and I mean super tiny, you could purchase the matching wrist cuffs to double as ankle cuffs and save a whole dollar.

Speaking of matching, that is another great thing about these ankle cuffs. Kinklab makes a variety of other products featuring the same materials (black nylon and red leather). You can find the matching wrist cuffs already mentioned, as well as the Submissive Bondage Kit - which features the wrist cuffs along with a collar, leash, and blindfold. Furthermore, Kinklab makes a red leather hogtie which clasps nicely onto the cuff's D-rings. Let's return to those standards I set up. I'm on the small side (5' 6", 125 lbs), and the cuffs fit me just fine. That's why I say you'd have to be super tiny to have any need for using the wrist cuffs instead of these. The leather end is a little bit long for my size, but it does not stick out too obnoxiously. If you have a problem with the way it lays while on, you could easily trim the excess off. The cuffs fit tightly and they aren't going to go anywhere. I played rough, and they stayed in place. The one thing I didn't try was any sort of suspension, so I cannot vouch for how strongly they would hold up in such a situation.

Over all, these cuffs are quality made. All of the materials are very nice, and each piece which went into putting them together was chosen for its durability and appearance. There is nothing flimsy or second-rate about it. You will have to treat them nicely and clean them with leather-safe products, but they wipe off easily if you get a little messy. The ability to pair them with other matching Kinklab products is very appealing to me, and my only complaint is that there is no set which includes all of these products together in one place. Well, other than your EdenFantasys shopping cart, of course.

A small amount of pressure on the small of my back told me that I was supposed to lay flat on my stomach. I opened my eyes against the blindfold, but no light shone in. A tug on the leash attached to my collar reaffirmed what he wanted - I was to get down. Sliding my arms forward, I let my naked stomach press into the floor, my back arched as I completed the move from all-fours to prostrate. I could hear him moving around me. His hands brushed over my ankles, across the cuffs, as he pulled them closer together. I heard a snap. Suddenly, my arms were jerked behind me, at the same time that I felt the cold metal and leather of what I knew to be the hogtie against my bare ass. My wrists were clamped to it as my ankles already were. There was no way I was getting out of this one.