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When you go to a store to buy your first condom, it may feel like you have a dude with a megaphone walking behind you shouting: "This person is about to have sex and they have no idea what they're doing!"
And then there's the anxiety about who might witness you browsing the devil's balloons.
Every other shopper could potentially be your grandma — just waiting to emerge from the frozen foods aisle as you're picking up a box of ribbed and studded hog holsters.
So, how do you buy your first condom without having a nervous breakdown? And how do you know which one is the right condom for you? We've got the advice you need below, 100% grandma-free, guaranteed.
How to Buy Your First Condom
Don't Buy Condoms at the Store
You're much better off buying condoms online. Here's why:
👉 Way more variety: Most stores stock 10-15 types from just a few brands. Online stores stock 100s from dozens of brands.
👉 Better info: Learn the benefits of each condom along with size, safety, and style details.
👉 No pressure: Take your time. Your grandma is nowhere to be found.
👉 Lower prices: Online retailers don't have massive overhead — same condoms for up to 50% less.
👉 Discretion: Condomania ships in discreet packaging and bills discreetly — nothing condom-related shows up on your bank statement.
Buy condoms online at Condomania — 30+ years in business, best selection online, easy size and style filtering. While you're at it, pick up some lube (without lube, condoms can break or slip off!) or a sex toy to add some spice.
How to Find Your Condom Size
Don't just choose a condom with the coolest-looking box. Condoms come in many sizes, and finding the right one is the key to having great (and safe) sex.
First, measure your penis:
- Measure length from the pubic bone to the tip, pressing the ruler in at the base.
- Measure girth by wrapping a piece of string around the thickest part of your shaft, then measuring the string.
Then check our condom size chart to find your size.
Shop condoms by size:
👉 Smaller (snug) condoms
👉 Standard condoms
👉 Large condoms
👉 Extra-large condoms
How to Choose the Best Type of Condom
Start simple. Choose a standard, straight-fit condom in your size. Here are a few classics we recommend for your first buy:
👉 The original: Trojan ENZ
👉 Bargain buy: Crown Skinless Skin
👉 For a snug fit: LifeStyles Snugger Fit
👉 For bigger guys: Trojan Magnum BareSkin
👉 Latex-free: LifeStyles SKYN Original
👉 Vegan: Union Standard
Do You Need Lube?
Yup. Condoms are intended to be used with lube. Using a condom without lube increases your chances of a condom malfunction (tearing or slipping off) and definitely increases your chances of having bad sex.
Condoms come pre-lubricated, but not with enough lube for an entire session. Adding a bit of extra lube makes things a lot more comfortable and pleasurable for both partners.
Start with a water-based lube — the most versatile type, safe for all condoms and all types of sex. We recommend Sliquid H2O:
If you want an extra-slippery lube, go with silicone lube — lasts longer than water-based. Try Gun Oil Silicone:
Do NOT use oil-based lube with latex condoms — oil degrades latex. Want to learn more? Check out our ultimate guide to lube here.
Try a Condom Variety Pack
Finding the perfect fitting condom takes time. Speed run through the process with a condom variety pack — try 3 to 12 different condoms for the price of one box.
👉 Smaller (snug) size variety pack
👉 Standard size variety pack
👉 Large size variety pack
Bonus: How To Put On A Condom
- Step 1: Open the wrapper along the spiky edge (never use scissors or sharp objects).
- Step 2: Place the condom on the head of the erect penis with the tip facing up — like a little hat. Optional: put a bit of lube on the head first.
- Step 3: Unroll the condom over your shaft by pinching the tip and sliding it down to the base. DO NOT unroll before putting it on.
- Step 4: Pinch the reservoir tip to remove any excess air.
- Step 5: Apply lube to your condom-covered penis — and to your partner's if they want.
- Step 6: Go to pleasuretown.
When finished, remove the condom immediately and throw it away. Never reuse a condom.
Get Ready to Lose Your C-Card
Thanks to the wonders of the internet and Condomania, it's ridiculously easy to buy your first condom. Browse hundreds of condoms here — free shipping over $50, discreet billing and packaging, and free condoms with your order.
Want to level up your condom skills? Read our Condoms 101 guide and our condom size chart.