Answer: Yes, Kimono condoms are MicroThin, however they offer the same protection against pregnancy and transmission of STI/STDs as other condoms. Before Kimono Condoms make it into the hands of customers, they must pass a series of strength and reliability tests (link to how kimono condoms are made). Kimono condoms not only meet, but exceed all US and International Standards for strength and reliability. Complete factory testing, independent laboratory analysis, and regular FDA inspections form a comprehensive quality assurance program designed to assure maximum protection and product quality.

Click here to see a funny condom testing video featuring Kimono condoms.

Answer: You can use a condom in a swimming pool or a shower, however there are no studies known to us that show the effectiveness of condoms when used in the shower, hot tub, or swimming pool. There are added risks you should consider.

1) Rolling a condom on correctly while wet may be more difficult.
2) Water will wash off the lubrication on the condom.
3) While no studies have been done on this, some foreign substances or chemicals found in pools may be harmful to a condom.
4) Oil based products such as sunscreens and lotions that may wash off during play time in the water may deteriorate a condom.

Using a condom in the water is better than using no condom at all. Until further research is done, actual effectiveness cannot be guaranteed.

Answer: Many people prefer larger condoms, however if the user only needs more width and not length, the result of using a large condom may be counterintuitive.

If a condom is not rolled out completely, the excess unrolled latex at the base will make the opening narrower and cause a constricting feeling. The less you unroll it, the tighter the opening.

If the condom feels too tight, try this: use a thinner condom and unroll it completely when putting it on (leave even more room at the tip if necessary, but remove excessive air).

The base of a condom is naturally thinner and more elastic than the mid or head section. The more you unroll a condom the wider the opening gets (typical, straight-sided condoms). Combine this with the elasticity of a thinner condom and you may have a solution.

Answer: No, Kimono condoms do not contain any form of spermicide (nonoxynol 9). Kimono was the first brand of condoms to remove nonoxynol 9 in October 2002. Kimono voluntarily destroyed Over 1,000,000 spermicidally lubricated condoms after studies suggested nonoxynol 9 may increase the risk of HIV transmission among people who are at higher risk for the disease. Nonoxynol 9, as used in several OTC vaginal contraceptives remains an important safe, effective, non hormonal birth control option for monogamous couples who are not at risk for HIV/AIDS.

Answer: Thanks for this question!  This is a good opportunity to set the record straight on a common myth about Kimono condoms.  Contrary to popular belief, Japanese condoms sold in North America and Europe, including Kimono, are made to the same size specifications as the leading American and European brands.  On average, a standard size condom is approximately 7.5 inches in length and 2 inches in width.  What can be misleading is the shape of a condom.  The shape is designed to affect how a condom fits, squeezed or baggy, and the comfort is based on what the man desires in his condom. For example, if a man is not used to wearing a form-fit condom like Kimono Thin, which contours around the head of the penis, it may feel like the condom is too small.  In such a case it might be a better option to wear a straight-sided condom like Kimono MicroThin or a “large headed” condom like Kimono MicroThin Large.  As with all condom choices, sometimes it takes a little trial and error to find the right fit for you.

Answer: Generally, latex condoms without spermicide have a shelf-life of 5 years.  However, condoms that contain spermicides like Nonoxynol-9 may only have a 3 year shelf-life.  For all Kimono brand condoms, there is a 5 year expiration date.  So you can subtract “5” from the year and you could determine when the condom was made.

Answer: Mayer Labs does not use any animal products in the manufacturing process of Kimono Condoms. 

We are also often asked if we conduct product testing on animals. Mayer Labs conducts ongoing, comprehensive testing to ensure maximum product reliability for our customers.  We do not use animals in any of these testing procedures: Electronic Pinhole; Air Burst; Water Burst; Tensile Strength; Aging; Water Leakage; and lubricant quantity.

In order to get initial approval from the US FDA, Health Canada, and European Union to market condoms, we were required to demonstrate that the products and their materials/ingredients were safe to use inside the body.  Regulations and recognized protocols & standards by these regulatory agencies did include testing based on animal models. Kimono condoms were FDA approved for marketing based on results of toxicity and biocompatibility tests conducted in the 1960s in Japan.

Answer: Several factors can lead to condom slippage.  One common cause relates to the condom not being the right size.  While many men complain about the “constricting” feeling of wearing a condom, they need to fit snugly in order to prevent slippage.  Often form-fit condoms such as Kimono Thin hug the penis a bit tighter.  Another cause for condom slippage relates to the man losing some or all of his erection.  Condoms are designed to be worn with a full/hard erection – if that’s not the case there is a greater chance that the condom will slip.  If a man loses part of his erection, he should immediately hold the base of the condom and withdraw the penis.  It’s also important to hold the ring of the condom at the base of the penis whenever you are changing positions as this can also lead to slippage. Condoms are available in many different sizes and shapes. Sometimes it takes a little trial and error to find the best fitting one.

Answer: Kimono MicroThin Ultra Thin and Kimono MicroThin Ultra Lubricated with Aqua Lube are .049mm (49 microns) thin.  The only difference between these two condoms is the type of lubrication.  We claim "America's Thinnest Latex Condoms" based on our actual testing of Kimono MicroThin condoms and major competitors’ thinnest condoms.  We do not rely on other company’s claims or what other websites state. 

Answer: Each Condom Manufacturer has a different amount of condom that is rolled to make the ring. The thicker the condom and the longer the amount of roll, the larger the initial ring. As the ring becomes larger, the opening of the condom becomes narrower. There is no exact way to tell you a width for a specific condom ring.

The size of the ring is assuming the condom is unrolled all the way to the bottom. However, for most men, a condom is not unrolled all the way, as the condom would be too long. Therefore, you also need to take into consideration that the unrolled condom ring is now more narrow as the additional condom material is rolled onto the ring. When you purchase a "large" shape/sized condom, many of these are also longer condoms. Therefore, depending on the man, you may have more material rolled onto the ring with a large condom then a stardard size condom. Also, some manufacturers have better manufacturing technology that allow for the condom to be rolled tighter so that the ring will remain larger. A loosely rolled condom may unroll easily but the ring will be smaller.

As you have explained your situation, I must suggest that you continue trying all the larger condoms and the thinner larger condoms. The larger condoms should start as a wider condom at the ring, but will vary as explained above. The thinner, large condoms should have a tighter roll and therefore the ring should be larger, but some studies show that men with larger penis sizes have higher rates of condom breakage.

As for Kimono brand, we have the Kimono MAXX and the Kimono MicroThin Large. You might consider trying these. If they are not satisfactory, you should keep trying products, like Magnum etc.