I've tried several different types of cock rings over the years: solid metal rings, adjustable leather bands with snaps, and stretchy (and not so stretchy) rings made of rubber and silicone. I've always wanted to give the lasso style a try, and this one had the further appeal of coming equipped with a vibrating bullet.

Unlike solid, stretchable or snap-on cock rings, the lasso style fits over the cock and balls like a bolo tie, and then can be tightened with the silicone slider, which also holsters the included bullet. A cock ring works by forming a tight grip around the root of the penis and testicles, preventing the blood which makes it erect from flowing back into the body. While you can generally achieve a tighter hold with a well-fitted solid ring, or a snug rubber/silicone ring, adjustable rings like this one usually can be put on and taken off with a lot less effort than tight solid rings.

While I tested the Lasso during a masturbation session, you could easily experiment with the toy during partner sex.

The package for this toy touts that it's "pure silicone," and both the flexible black tie, as well as the red housing for the vibrating bullet are made of this material. The material seems fairly firm, which is a good thing, since you'll be pulling on both pieces to tighten or loosen the ring. I was yanking on it pretty roughly at times, and even while twisting the tie, the material seemed pretty sturdy. The strap portion is somewhat stretchable, and the bullet easily slides in and out of its sleeve.

As it's made of silicone, there was really no discernible scent to this toy, which is a nice plus. Some materials give off unpleasant odors, but not so with the Silicone Stud Lasso.

The material is mostly smooth on both pieces, but the side of the bullet sleeve is stippled with soft nubs (hence the "Stud") to provide extra stimulation when the vibrator is operating.

My main concern about trying a cock ring of this type was that the design would leave excess "junk" hanging down behind my balls and cause discomfort, since the bullet and the ties each hang down vertically. Once I had the cock ring fitted properly, I was glad to realize it wasn't as awkward as I had thought it might be.

Putting the Lasso on was actually more difficult than I had anticipated. Due to the tightness of the straps threaded through the opening behind the bullet, it did not slide very easily. I wouldn't recommend removing one end of the strap in an attempt to wrap it around your cock and balls, because re-threading it is quite difficult, especially if you're trying to do it by touch alone. Once I was confident the tie was stretchable enough, I put the Lasso on the same way I would a traditional cock ring, and then pushed the bullet up toward the base of my balls while simultaneously tugging on the ends of the ties, until the strap felt firmly in place.

Once the Silicone Stud Lasso is in place, you can begin to experiment with the vibrating bullet. The bullet is easily activated by pressing a button at the bottom of the housing. There are ten "functions" in total. The first three are steady vibrations, each one a bit more intense than the last. The fourth setting is an erratic pulsing pattern, and the remaining six functions are all varying pulse patterns that remind me of a car alarm going through its sequences.

Having used a few other vibrating cock rings before, I found the stimulation offered by the Lasso to be fairly intense for a toy of this type. While it didn't turn my cock into a quivering love prong, the sensations on my balls were extremely pleasant, and I was even surprised to feel waves of pleasure brushing over my inner thighs. As these are erogenous zones for many men, I am sure other guys would enjoy these sensations.

Honestly, the "pattern" vibrations didn't do that much for me, but I thoroughly enjoyed the three steady vibe settings. The button that changes the setting was easy to activate, even when the toy was running, and turning it off was as simple as holding the button in for about three seconds.

Since this toy is made of silicone, it can (and should) be easily washed with soap and water before and after each use. While not designed for use in the tub/shower/pool/etc., the battery case is outfitted with a rubber seal to help keep moisture out of the vibrator during use, and the bullet pops out of the sleeve so you can easily clean all of the silicone material.

If you've owned silicone toys before, you know the material is likely to attract dust, dirt, hair and other things that are prone to sticking to sex toys. It should be stored in a clean, dry spot, away from other toys made of silicone. The batteries which power the vibrator should be removed from the unit when not in use.

The manufacturer recommends only water-based lubricants while using this toy.

The Silicone Stud Lasso arrives in a plastic clamshell package, designed for retail display. A full color paper insert lists the toy's functions and basic (though not overly detailed) instructions/care, and features a somewhat erotic image of a male/female couple. The package is easily opened, and can be used to store the toy between uses. The paper insert is easily removed, if you wish to do so.

The package has a recessed area to hold the toy, and not only includes the three (watch sized) batteries inside the vibrator, but includes three extra batteries.

Since the package of the Silicone Stud Lasso says it's "Perfect for Lovemaking," I am sure couples could experiment with this cock ring to provide stimulation to the receptive partner as well. As I previously stated, the vibrations were not quite strong enough to make my penis feel like it was receiving the lion's share of the stimulation, yet the design of the strap makes it possible to twist it into an upright position, so the studded bullet is positioned to (possibly) deliver some pleasurable vibrations directly to the clitoral region. While I haven't used it during partner sex, I think the unusual design of this toy might mean there are other vibrating cock rings better suited for partner stimulation. But it certainly could be fun to experiment with this one, so if you're looking for something a little different that could provide stimulation during sex, why not give it a try?

Similarly, the bullet does pop out of the studded sleeve, so if you wished to try the Lasso without the bullet in place, it would make the device seem a little less clunky, but a non-vibratng lasso would be a better choice (and design) if you had little interest in the bullet that comes with this one.

Had the Silicone Stud Lasso not been equipped with the vibrating bullet, I definitely wouldn't have enjoyed it as much as I did. As a cock ring, it was just too troublesome to put on compared to stretchy rings, and the fit was not quite as tight as I like in a cock ring. And while the ties and bullet hanging down behind my balls were not as uncomfortable as I had imagined they would be, it still was a bit more "clutter" than I like.

But the addition of the bullet's pleasurable vibrations to my balls, cock and inner thighs, tipped this toy into the "enjoyable" category. It was great to feel some pleasurable vibrations during masturbation, and not have to hold a wand massager or pocket rocket. I'm not sure if it was a fluke or not, but the climax that resulted while using the Silicone Stud Lasso was more intense than usual, so I'll be eager to see how they measure up during future uses.