Created for male/female couples for the purpose of pegging, or female/female couples interested in PIV sex (where the 'P' is more of a 'D'), there's Pipedream's Beginner's Penetrix Strap-On. This minimal strap-on dildo and harness set is there for those anal amateurs not concerned about using the best on the market, and those on a budget. You know what they say though, 'you pay for what you get.' And it's quite true with this dildo.

As the exterior of the dildo is latex, this kit is friendly when used with either waterbased or silicone lube. Make sure to slap rubber on the dingdong though, as latex is porous and can't be sterilized.

Warning for the Latex Allergic: Latex allergies are serious. If you're unsure about your or your partner's allergic reaction to latex, which can develop over time with exposure, do not use this product. If you or your partner are allergic to latex, do not use this product.

According to the Mayo Clinic's blurb about latex allergies: Latex allergy is a reaction to certain proteins found in natural rubber latex, a product manufactured from a milky fluid that comes from the rubber tree. If you have a latex allergy, your body mistakes latex for a harmful substance. Latex allergies may cause allergic reactions ranging from sneezing or a runny nose to anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition.

Alright, so if there's no problem bringing latex into the bedroom (and you're sure of it) you may proceed.

If you're into BDSM at all, this kit comes with some unique 'X' electrical-tape-design nipple pasties, and a black eye mask for setting a mood of seduction and restricting your lover's visual senses to only the sensation of your new-found dick and his/her imagination.

The kit is waterproof, minus the metal pieces, which can be dried thoroughly immediately after use in a shower, pool, or the deep blue sea. It's also light and compact enough that you can easily throw it in a bag and take it with you on a lover's honeymoon.

Size queens should move on, as this piece is very small and won't fill up vaginas who like the 'full feeling.'

Neither the package nor the Pipedream website are very detailed in explaining how/what the Penetrix kit is made of. We're left to our own research, investigation and speculation.


The Pasties

The pasties appear to be a super-soft version of vinyl, but then again, they're a bit like latex too with their sheen and stretchiness. They have a very soft silky backing and come with sticky strips to apply them. They are the highest quality piece of this kit.


The Mask

The mask is a crinkly material that is stiffer than I'm used to products placed on the face being. I'm going to have to potentially dub it 'nylon.' It's officially the cheapest looking and feeling mask I've ever encountered, including those that I've smuggled off airplanes. The elastic band around the head has plenty of give, however, and is sewed in quite securely. So if the material doesn't bother you, you could keep this thing around for a good many uses, I suppose.


The Harness

The harness straps appear to be rather smooth, shiny Pleather on the outside with a softish nylon internal backing. Metal grommets and D-rings attach the straps to the solid frontpiece and a metal buckle on the right side is used for adjustment and closure. The edges of these straps are pretty rough and not squared off. They could certainly make marks in use, digging into the skin and pinching a bit, if the piece is on tight enough. And as the buckle is set like a belt, with holes spaced a full inch apart, it is possible that to keep this from being too loose, it may end up being a little too tight. Luckily, we homo sapiens are soft beings in our middles and this element shouldn't pose too much of a bother.


The Dildo

The dildo itself is all we're given information on via the package or website. It is labelled as PVC and latex. From the feel of this, the PVC part is the internal material, though it certainly doesn't feel like any squishy, silicone-like PVC I've ever felt. Instead it is a bit crinkly, and appears to almost be a blown-up, half deflated, hollowed out balloon inside the latex shell. Black latex covers the mystery meat and front piece, and a separate beige rubbery/plastic piece is glued on the back.

The dildo feels really odd. It's intensely firm - it takes quite an amount of pressure to indent it. However when it bends, it doesn't feel realistic at all. It doesn't feel like anything I've ever felt before, in all honesty. The only thing I can liken it to is a dildo potentially formed out of a huge Swedish fish-that mostly hard yet pliable feeling. Mmm... Swedish fish.

The surface texture is very smooth, though it does have a bit of drag to it, like a rubber ball would. It does just fine with any kind of lube you desire to use with it. The latex is dull and could be shined up with some Latex Ultra Shine, available by searching that very name in a search engine. You can also buy this Liquid Latex Kit from EF and it comes included. Dull latex tends to attract dust more than usual, and it appears a bit mottled and dusty.

The dildo smells like a big balloon, which is not all that sexy, unless you're into clowns and balloon animals and the like. Your hands will smell like this until washing, if you touch the dong even once. You will likely for this reason want to use a condom with this piece. If not for your girls vagina/man's derriere smelling of rubber, then simply because a material that is off-gassing like that is likely to be an unwanted chemical in your body, and you may develop a myriad of reactions.

The G-string style of the harness prevents vaginal or anal play for the wearer, which is a bit of a buzz-kill.

The front section is one smooth piece and therefore cannot be interchanged for other dildos, as one can do with O-ring compatible harnesses. The product's profile page lists the dildo at 6" insertable but due to the upward tilt of the dong, only slightly over 5" are actually insertable.

The size of the dildo is all right for beginners, however for the masculine, a dildo with less girth, length and a less realistic appearance would be better suited. The dong measures a mere 1/2" at the tip and rather swiftly graduates to a 1.5" base diameter. This amount of stretching might turn a newcomer off to pegging, as the virginal ass tissues need gradual stimulation and lots of lubrication (not to mention patience, persistence, persuasion and relaxation!) to open up to larger objects.

The tapered 'head' on the toy simulates a circumcised penis and will turn off any man who's hesitant about the 'masculinity' of letting himself be penetrated 'back there.' A more artistic, whimsical or abstract toy would better suffice to numb the intimidation factor for the more 'straight' fellow.

The hollow peen is attached to a protective backing via glue and 3 metal grommets, who don't make for very comfortable wear. The hard back of the dildo rams against ones pubic bone without much to absorb the blow. The metal grommets are at first cool to the touch, and later become the ransom-holders of pubic furs.

Overall, however, the piece appears to be fairly sturdy and well made. It will also soften and become more comfortable with wear.

This is the first belt-style harness I've ever encountered. It is designed to fit hips from 31.5" to 41" but you can create up to 45" of room in this piece. Simply poke another hole in the Pleather by hammering a finishing nail through it. Best to lay the belt on a piece of plywood or a 4x4 first to protect any surfaces and your delicate fingers. If you are smaller-hipped, you can adjust the belt down to whatever size you need. Even with hips smaller than 31.5".

I personally wear a size 5 or 7 pant and the smallest available hole on this was just a tad too big. I made another hole and trimmed the excess, no big deal. The G-string piece that goes between the legs, however, was a bit too long, so I hiked it up on my back to bring the dildo to a lower position on the front, also not a big deal.

If you're not a fan of G-string panties and the perma-wedgie they provide, you're not gonna like this! The strap used universally in this piece is a mere 1/2" wide, so imagine 1/2" of material up in your business for the entire play session, bumping and grinding and sliding along with you.

The Harness and Attached Dildo

The sharp upward angle of the dildo as it's permanently set in the front piece leaves a bit to be desired. To comfortably insert it, you must bend the dildo down at a considerable angle. This causes the front piece to move away from the skin and may cause slight discomfort in the increased tightness of the straps on your hips. Luckily, the latex is pretty stretchy so it doesn't hurt in the pubic area for the wearer, nor is it difficult to position for insertion.

With the exposed rough pieces this features (metal belt buckle and rough strap edges) I recommend wearing some tight spandex shorts or boy short panties underneath. Otherwise you may encounter plucked pubes and scratched sides, and give up too soon. There is joy to be had with this piece, but there's more involved than simply slapping on your favorite lube and going at it.


The Mask
The elastic band in this leaves a bit to be desired in length, as it does fit any sized head, but the stretching of the nylon eyepiece causes the material to bow, creating a peephole out the bottom. So you get a direct peepshow in your periphery of the downstairs goings-on, unless you close your little eyes.


The Pasties

The included pasties come with 4 'Medline' brand double-sided adhesive tape sections, which have a rather strong hold. I recommend cutting each strip in quarters and applying one piece to each of the 4 arms of the X, as opposed to layering two extra long pieces. This allows for 2 wears of the pasties before buying new adhesive. It also makes sure you don't have some super sticky tape on your poor nipp-o's.

According to the EF material info page Being very porous, latex does not clean well. You can make a latex toy last longer and keep it cleaner by using a condom over it each use. Cleaning should be done with mild soap and water and never use alcohol or household cleaners.

Swipe any wet spots immediately with a towel, making sure to get the metal pieces thoroughly dry, as they may rust. This can be stored loose in a box, or in a plastic bag, to avoid the dust-collecting powers of the latex piece.

The pasties will need the booby tape removed before storage, as the arms will otherwise stick together, and the adhesive does not appear to be reusable.

The packaging, as you can see from the product profile page, is very indiscreet. There's this busty, pouty-lipped blonde boldly posing with her nips all covered in tape and her play peepee all hangin' out. She's definitely got her 'Oh Face' on. And she's wearing a strap-on. It doesn't get more indiscreet than that.

The box actually came to me already opened. Odd, but not a problem. I did not find instructions inside, simply the harness and freaky friends. The pasties and mask were both wrapped in clear cellophane bags with the sticky label to close them.

The box really does not provide any information on materials (other than the 'PVC/latex dildo' bit), care or cleaning, etc.

You could recycle this cardboard box easily. I wouldn't keep it to store my harness in, as it's not that attractive, but you certainly could.

Okay, so apparently I'm at least a little allergic to latex. Itchy and white bumps all over, oh my! This feels a bit like last summer's poison ivy only less painful. My problem was touching the dong, then touching my face.

Now I'm Ms. Itchy Face. Do not like!

This bit of information, however annoying at the moment, is good to know. This particular allergy worsens with exposure, so I'll be sure to avoid latex from now on. At least it's just little itchy bumps. No hives or breathing issues or anything of the sort.

Sigh.

At least the mask I can use for a gag gift. And the pasties... well, as I like my pleasure spiked with pain, I prefer to use the real thing. Somebody pass the electrical tape.