Boxersoverbriefs and I (his lady-friend and experimental partner) have been meaning to test out a traditional strap harness for quite a while. We’ve played around with the Share by Fun Factory and found it very enjoyable but slightly unwieldy, especially for someone generally inexperienced with thrusting. We figured that using a traditional harness in conjunction with the strapless Share would increase the stability and provide a more satisfying beginner’s experience.

And so we were introduced to Rachel’s Pleasures. Rachel’s “Extreme Harness Kit” encouraged us to “harness the pleasure” with a nylon rig which can be converted from crotch to leg harness in a few simple snaps. The packaging on this product is sleazy at best; a silicone infused bimbo with impractical heels beckons from the front of a box which would not look out of place in a one of those back-alley, less-than-reputable sex shops in the shady part of town. Perhaps I’ve been spoiled by the sleek and discreet designs of companies like Tantus and Fun Factory, but I’ve come to expect more from my packaging.

The harness itself is constructed of cheap nylon – the kind of material from which backpack straps are made. I was initially concerned that this would cause chaffing, but after trying it on and moving about, I discovered that it was in fact reasonably comfortable. Even after some rigorous use, I had only slight red marks on my hips that vanished in a matter of minutes. The O-ring is 2 inches in diameter and so can accommodate only larger dildos without the threat of slippage. The snaps that hold the O-ring in place were a cause of some initial concern; I was testing the security of an average dildo (i.e. waggling it about in a rather silly manner) and one of the snaps came undone. During regular thrusting, however, this proved not to be an issue – everything remained perfectly secure. I also opted to remove the leather pad which sits behind the O-ring, making the harness more snug and comfortable.

On to the action. As I mentioned before, we were interested in this harness for use with the Share, and found that the two were in fact compatible. The positioning of the Share caused the O-ring the sit lower than it would with a traditional dildo, but with a few strap adjustments, everything was secure and comfortable. I was pleased to find that the harness allowed me much better thrusting control than I had with the Share alone, and I soon had my partner moaning. The straps stayed in place, the buckles remained buckled, and the experience was quite delightful. Clean-up was easy fairly easy – a disinfectant wipe for the O-ring and some soapy scrubbing of the nylon snaps and everything was ship-shape.

Next, we decided to test out the versatility of the harness. My partner tried it on first in its traditional configuration. He found it slightly awkward, but not entirely uncomfortable – the O-ring sat just above the base of his penis and the inner straps could be maneuvered to either side of the testicles. This offers the exciting possibility of double-penetration; something that we intend to try with this harness.

I then followed the simplistic (though initially confusing) instructions for conversion to a thigh harness. Extra straps are included in the package for this purpose, and the reconfiguration takes only a minute or two. Again, I found that removing the leather pad increased the stability and comfort of the harness. It remains to be seen, however, if it remains secure in action.

Overall, Rachel’s harness offers a surprising number of options for so inexpensive a product. It may not be the most elegant harness out there, but it certainly gets the job done.