Strap-on-dildos (wearing)
Wearing a strap-on for penetration or dominance play. Short Explanation: "Receiving" means you wear the strap-on; "Giving" means you use it on your partner.
Interested in exploring Strap-on-dildos (wearing) with your partner?
Start Your ChecklistWearing a strap-on dildo transforms the body, adding an external phallus that can be used for penetration, oral service from a partner, visual presentation, or psychological power dynamics. This practice opens vast possibilities for couples of any gender configuration, enabling penetrative sex independent of anatomy and creating unique experiences unavailable through other means.
For the wearer, a strap-on can be empowering, erotic, playful, or intensely dominant depending on context and mindset. The experience extends beyond simply having a tool for penetration—it involves embodiment, performance, and often profound psychological shifts in how one relates to their partner and their own sense of self.
This comprehensive guide covers everything about wearing strap-ons: harness selection and fitting, dildo considerations, developing technique, managing the physical and psychological experience, and integrating strap-on wear into your intimate life. Whether you're exploring gender, seeking new sexual possibilities, or adding dominance dynamics to your relationship, understanding strap-on wear from the wearer's perspective opens new dimensions of intimacy.
How Wearing Strap-Ons Works
A strap-on system consists of two components: a harness that holds everything in place and a dildo that attaches to it. The wearer puts on the harness (strapping it around hips and often thighs), secures a dildo through the O-ring or attachment point, and adjusts everything for stability and comfort. Once secured, the dildo becomes an extension of the wearer's body—responding to their hip movements and positioned for use.
Techniques and Variations
Basic wearing involves selecting appropriate harness and dildo size, putting on the harness (stepping into it like underwear for jock-styles, or wrapping straps around for other designs), inserting the dildo through the O-ring until the base sits flush against the harness, and adjusting straps for a snug, stable fit. The dildo should feel secure without digging into the wearer's body.
Penetration technique with a strap-on differs from biological anatomy. Without nerve feedback from the dildo, wearers rely on visual cues, partner communication, and base-of-toy pressure to gauge depth and angle. Many wearers find a hand on the dildo base helpful during entry to guide positioning. Once established, hip thrusts transfer through the harness to the toy.
Position variations mirror typical intercourse positions but may require adjustment. Missionary lets the wearer control depth and angle. Partner-on-top lets the receiving partner control pace. Doggy-style can be physically demanding for wearers. Side-by-side positions reduce physical exertion. Experiment to find what works for both partners' bodies.
Beyond penetration, wearing a strap-on enables: receiving oral service, visual display and presentation, clothed or partially clothed power dynamics, extended wear under clothing for ongoing awareness, training scenarios for developing penetration skills, and roleplay possibilities enabled by having external anatomy.
Equipment and Tools
Harness styles include: jock-style (straps around waist and legs, leaves buttocks exposed), underwear-style (full coverage, often more comfortable for extended wear), single-strap (one strap between legs), and corset-style (high-waisted, dramatic appearance). Material options include leather (durable, classic look), nylon webbing (easy cleaning, adjustable), and fabric/cotton (comfortable, washable).
O-ring sizing matters—the ring should match your dildo's base diameter for stability. Many harnesses include interchangeable O-rings. Ensure the harness has sufficient adjustment range for your body and allows enough strap tension for vigorous activity without slipping.
Dildos for strap-on use need flared bases that won't slip through the O-ring. Silicone is ideal: body-safe, sterilizable, and available in every size and shape. Length and girth should suit both partners—the receiving partner's comfort and the wearer's ability to wield it effectively. Curved shapes can target specific areas; straight shapes offer straightforward thrusting.
Wearer stimulation options include: double-ended dildos (one end penetrates the wearer), vibrating bases or inserts that sit against the wearer, textured harness interiors that provide friction, and cock ring-style attachments that put pressure on sensitive areas. These additions give wearers direct physical pleasure alongside the psychological satisfaction.
Safety Considerations
Wearing strap-ons carries responsibilities—without sensation feedback from the toy, the wearer must rely entirely on other cues to ensure their partner's safety and pleasure.
Physical Safety
Communication compensates for missing sensation feedback. The receiving partner must feel comfortable directing the wearer: "slower," "angle up," "that's too deep." Wearers should actively check in, especially during initial penetration and position changes. Establish a system before starting—verbal cues, hand signals, or explicit check-ins at regular intervals.
Lubrication is essential. Unlike biological anatomy, silicone dildos provide no natural lubrication. Use generous amounts of appropriate lubricant—water-based for silicone toys, silicone-based only with non-silicone toys. Reapply as needed. Insufficient lubrication causes friction injury; don't rely on "being wet enough" when a toy is involved.
Start slow with penetration. Even experienced receivers need time to adjust to a new toy, angle, or wearer technique. Rushing causes pain and potential injury. Enter gradually, pause when asked, and let the receiving partner's body adapt before vigorous thrusting.
Harness fit affects wearer comfort during extended sessions. Straps digging into skin cause discomfort and potentially circulation issues. Adjust for snug stability without cutting into flesh. If bruising or chafing develops, reassess harness fit or try different styles.
Emotional Safety
Wearing a strap-on can bring up unexpected emotions for wearers: empowerment, gender euphoria, awkwardness, performance anxiety, or complex feelings about embodiment. Neither positive nor negative responses should be judged—this is new territory that may take multiple experiences to process.
Partner dynamics shift when one partner wears a strap-on. Traditional roles may reverse or blur. Both partners should feel comfortable with the resulting dynamic. If either feels uncomfortable with power shifts, discuss and adjust. The equipment enables new experiences, but shouldn't pressure anyone into unwanted dynamics.
Performance pressure affects some wearers, particularly those new to penetrative roles. Without sensation feedback, "doing it right" can feel uncertain. Reassurance from the receiving partner helps—explicit positive feedback ("that feels good," "yes, like that") provides the information wearers need.
Red Flags
Stop if: the receiving partner reports pain, the harness is causing wearer discomfort, equipment fails (straps loosening, toy shifting), or either partner becomes emotionally overwhelmed. Address the issue before continuing. Equipment problems require complete pause to fix properly—a shifting dildo mid-thrust can cause injury.
Beginner's Guide
Start with equipment selection. For first-time wearers, a simple jock-style harness with adjustable straps offers straightforward setup and adjustment. Choose a moderately-sized dildo—not too large to wield comfortably, not too small to feel substantial. Having interchangeable O-rings allows experimentation with different toy sizes later.
Practice wearing the harness before partnered play. Put it on, adjust it, walk around, practice hip movements. Get comfortable with how it feels and how the dildo moves with your body. This solo practice prevents fumbling during intimate moments and builds confidence.
First sessions should prioritize exploration over performance. Take time with penetration—maybe don't even attempt it the first time. Let your partner explore the toy with hands or mouth. Practice guiding it manually before relying solely on hip thrusts. Lower pressure makes learning enjoyable rather than stressful.
Communication is your feedback system. Ask explicitly: "How's the angle? Deeper or stay here? Is this pace good?" Your partner's words replace the sensations you'd normally feel. Make this ongoing dialogue normal rather than interrupting—weave it into your intimate connection.
After sessions, discuss what worked. Did the harness stay secure? Was the dildo size appropriate? What positions felt natural? What needed adjustment? This information improves future experiences. Strap-on technique develops over multiple sessions; early awkwardness is normal and fades with practice.
Discussing with Your Partner
Introducing strap-on wear affects both partners significantly. Discuss motivations: Why does wearing a strap-on interest you? What do you hope to experience? Understanding the "why" helps your partner engage with your interest and shapes how you approach the practice together.
Address receiving partner concerns. They may have questions about size preference, pace control, position comfort, or concerns about the dynamic shift when their partner takes a penetrative role. These deserve honest discussion—assumptions lead to disappointing experiences.
Negotiate equipment choices together. Size, shape, and features should work for both partners. The wearer needs something they can manage confidently; the receiving partner needs something that fits their body comfortably. This may require compromise or owning multiple options.
Discuss how this fits your broader intimate life. Will strap-on play be occasional or regular? Part of your standard repertoire or reserved for specific occasions? Will it involve particular dynamics or roleplay? Clarity about integration prevents mismatched expectations.
Plan for ongoing communication. Even after strap-on play becomes familiar, check-ins maintain quality. Bodies change, preferences evolve, and what worked last time may not work today. Keep dialogue open rather than assuming established patterns always satisfy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the wearer feel pleasure during strap-on sex?
Absolutely, through several mechanisms: psychological pleasure from the dynamic and their partner's response, physical pleasure from harness pressure against their body, and direct stimulation from double-ended toys, vibrating inserts, or textured harness interiors. Many wearers find the experience intensely satisfying despite not having nerve endings in the dildo itself.
How do I know if I'm doing it right without feeling anything?
Communication replaces sensation. Ask your partner for explicit feedback about angle, depth, pace, and pleasure. Watch their physical responses—breathing, muscle tension, vocalizations. Use your hand at the dildo base to feel how it's meeting their body. Over time, you'll develop intuition for what works, but verbal guidance remains valuable even for experienced wearers.
What size dildo should a beginner wearer start with?
A medium size (around 5-6 inches length, 1.25-1.5 inches diameter) offers enough presence to feel substantial while remaining manageable for new wearers. Too small can feel insubstantial; too large can be unwieldy. Consider your receiving partner's experience and preferences too—a beginner wearer with an experienced receiver may use different sizing than two beginners exploring together.
My harness keeps slipping during vigorous activity. What's wrong?
Common causes include: insufficient strap tension (tighten everything snugly), wrong harness style for your body (try different designs), poor quality construction (upgrade equipment), or user error in setup. Some bodies work better with certain harness styles. Experiment with different options if adjustment doesn't solve slipping.
Is wearing a strap-on only for women/femme partners?
Anyone of any gender can wear a strap-on. Men may wear them for double penetration play, when biological anatomy isn't available or functional, or for size/shape variety. Non-binary and gender-diverse people may find strap-ons affirming or simply enjoyable. The equipment is gender-neutral; who wears it depends entirely on what partners want to explore together.
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