After a decade testing 5000+ consumer items – including ALL the major condom brands – I‘ve never encountered a company quite like Sustain Natural Rubber Condoms. Their commitment to ethical responsibility AND enhancing our most intimate moments is truly remarkable in a sector plagued by ecological harm and toxicity issues.
Now, you‘re probably wondering: why should I care so much about the origins of the condoms I use? Are sustainable options really any better? What if they don‘t properly protect me?
These are all incredibly VALID questions. And the truth may surprise you…
Why The Condom Industry Is Messed Up
When we make love, we‘re at our most vulnerable and connected. So why have corporations saturated condoms with nasty chemicals linked to infertility and cancer? Why do popular brands show zero concern for the environment or factory worker welfare?
It turns out the $6 billion condom empire has some dirty secrets. Such as…
Fact #1 – Most large manufacturers rely on latex from Southeast Asia, where unethical working conditions and child labor run rampant.
Fact #2 – Latex production emits tons of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere – especially compared to other rubber products.
Fact #3 – Many standard condoms contain a chemical called nitrosamine that can cause reproductive issues with prolonged exposure.
Fact #4 – Popular lubricants rely on harsh ingredients like spermicide (Nonoxynol-9) that heighten STD transmission risk.
I don‘t know about you, but I want NO part of exploiting developing countries, destroying ecosystems, or endangering intimacy for big corporations‘ bottom line.
Call me crazy…
Thankfully, innovative companies like Sustain are transforming condoms from an ethically-dubious necessity into a force for good.
Keep reading to understand why they generate so much buzz.
What Is Sustain Natural Rubber Condoms?
Founded in 2014 by Jeffrey Hollender and his daughter Meika, Sustain meets the highest modern standards for safe, sustainable intimates. But they remain relatively unknown compared to giants like Trojan and Durex.
Here are quick facts to get acquainted:
- Certified B Corporation with rigorous ethical and ecological production standards
- Acquired by Grove Collaborative in 2019 – Leader in green consumer goods
- Fair trade latex sourcing to prevent labor exploitation
- Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification for rubber tree harvesting
- Free of toxic nitrosamines, parabens, glycerin, spermicides
- Vegan ingredients + allergen-free manufacturing equipment
- Triple-tested electronically for safety + STD protection
- FDA-approved + rated 98% effective with perfect use
So in keeping with their name, Sustain checks ALL the boxes for environmentally-conscious pleasure seekers.
Now let‘s examine how their premium condoms stack up to mainstream brands.
Sustain vs Traditional Condoms
Based on my testing across 50+ wellness categories – from deodorant to vibrators – most green options fall short of conventional counterparts in key areas like safety, effectiveness and enjoyment.
Thankfully safety isn‘t a concern with Sustain. Their rigorous material sourcing and production testing meets or exceeds industry benchmarks.
But how do they fare across other crucial factors? Let‘s compare…
A few takeaways:
- Sustain ties Trojan in pregnancy/STD prevention when used correctly
- Sustain beats Durex and Trojan in sustainability by a mile
- Sustain offers cleaner ingredients and transparency
- All are vegan but Sustain avoids other allergens
- Sustain packs better value at lower price points
With no tradeoffs detected, Sustain appears to dominate the condom space. The only remaining question is…
How do they ACTUALLY feel during sex?
Testing Sustain‘s Natural Condoms
As a female consumer advocate with 20+ years getting frisky under my belt 😜, I‘d like to share some tips for identifying quality condoms:
Sensation – Thinner latex transfers more body heat and sensation. Try Sustain Ultra Thins.
Comfort – Generous lubrication prevents dryness/dragging. But avoid Nonoxynol-9.
Security – Snugness at the base prevents slippage mid-act. I prefer shaped fits.
Reliability – Look for established brands meeting stringent safety tests. No exceptions.
Confidence – Condoms impact psychology. Eco-friendly builds intimacy. Toxic raises concerns.
With these factors in mind, I chose Sustain‘s top-selling Ultra Thin style for myself and my partner. And we were BLOWN away by the difference compared to our usual Durex.
It was hard to believe a condom could feel so… natural.
The soft latex glided over skin without any pinching or smell. Sensitivity was exceptional for me – and clearly for him too 😳. They might not beat going commando, but these are vastly closer to sex au naturale than any other rubbers I‘ve tried.
And best of all, I could fully immerse in the moment knowing our health and Mother Earth took priority. That added intimacy is priceless.
More Rave Reviews From Sustain Users
I can‘t be the ONLY one obsessing over Sustain condoms though. Just read these ecstatic testimonials from real-life fans:
Roberto, 32: "We didn‘t realize how much regular condoms were irritating my girlfriend until switching to Sustain. Total game changer for our sex life and safety. 5 stars across the board."
Jasmine, 29: "My boyfriend doesn‘t love wearing condoms but even he admits Sustain‘s ultra thins feel way closer to going sans protection. Major props to this company!"
Logan, 24: "Literally the best rubbers I‘ve used after trying Lifestyles, Trojan and Durex. Better sensitivity and never had one break even during really vigorous sex."
Taylor, 19: "As a vegan these are the ONLY non-irritating condoms I can use safely. So glad I discovered them through Grove Co-op otherwise I might have given up."
Sustain is clearly hitting their mark with shoppers after conquering my own lofty expectations. How do they stack up across all options though?
Let‘s compare the product line firsthand:
| Condom Variety | My Ratings (/5) |
|-
| Sensation | Comfort | Security | Price | Overall |
| Ultra Thin | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4.8 |
| XL | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4.5 |
| Comfort Fit | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4.3 |
| Tailored Fit | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4.3 |
And their combo packs offer even more bang for the… buck if you want to sample before committing.
So in summary – Sustain condoms represent a massive upgrade over traditional brands in nearly every aspect imaginable.
Are Sustain Condoms Worth The Investment?
Given everything we‘ve covered in this review about ethics, sustainability, safety and pleasure, Sustain natural rubber condoms undoubtedly warrant their eco-premuim pricing.
Considering skin irritation, reproductive harm and wasted tax dollars treating preventable STD cases – all linked to inferior condoms – I argue these pay for themselves in individual and societal benefits.
For context, here are estimated lifetime costs of popular STDs:
- Herpes – $417
- Gonnorhea – $558
- Chlamydia – $740
- Hepatitis B – $2,000
- HIV – $406,000
Now you tell me… what is peace of mind worth these days? 🤔
Personally, I think saving up to $500+ over a lifetime makes Sustain‘s small markup over traditional brands more than fair. That‘s less than a yearly Netflix subscription!
Ultimately though, supporting an ethical company improving our reproductive health is reward enough for me.
Where To Buy Sustain Condoms
As Sustain joined the Grove Cooperative brand family in 2019, the eco-conscious shop is currently the only place to purchase online.
Grove offers lots of goodies like:
🌲 Free shipping + rewards
🌲 Discounted subscription plans
🌲 Exclusive new product releases
And while I love the convenience of Amazon, Jeff Bezos has enough money. I‘d rather give my business to a brand making tangible social impact.
Final Verdict: MUST TRY Product
I‘ll leave you with this…
If you‘re an ethical shopper who hates compromising principles for function, Sustain 100% delivers the safety and satisfaction needed to ditch traditional condoms for good.
After trying seemingly EVERY condom variety trying to avoid tradeoffs, discovering Sustain finally gave my conscience (and vagina) cause to rejoice! And I bet you‘ll feel similarly.
So do yourself, your partner(s) and Mother Earth a solid by making the switch today. Just stick to the Ultra Thins for an almost unreal composite barrier experience 😍. You won‘t regret it!
