Toys
Fleshlight
Who it’s for: guys looking for a high quality reusable
masturbator
Price: $79.95
Rating: 3.5/5
The makers of the Fleshlight tout it as the world’s best-selling sex toy for men, so they’re probably doing something right. The Fleshlight comes in a hard plastic case with a removable cyberskin insert. While it’s much more expensive than the Tenga, it’s also more realistic — the cyberskin polymer is soft, retains heat well, and doesn’t feel like cheap plastic. The Fleshlight doesn’t score perfect marks because the insert can start to feel tacky if you don’t coat it in an absorbent powder after use, such as corn starch or talcum. It also doesn’t come cheap.
Tenga masturbator
Who it’s for: guys looking for an inexpensive and discreet disposable masturbator
Price: $17.99
Rating: 2/5
The Tenga masturbator comes sealed, pre-lubricated and ready for action at a moment’s notice. The Tenga is meant to be thrown out after one or two uses, so you don’t get much bang for your buck. The inside has studs and ribs and feels exactly how you’d expect — like putting your junk into a wet soft plastic tube with controllable suction. Don’t expect it to feel like real intercourse.
GPS vibrator
Who it’s for: the budget-conscious guy or girl looking to try G-spot or prostate stimulation
Price: $34.95
Rating: 2/5
It may resemble Death’s finger, but the appropriately named GPS vibrator will help you locate your G-spot (for women) or your prostate (for men). The strong smell of rubber makes it less appealing than the more popular silicone models, and it could have benefited from stronger vibrations, but the price point makes this an appealing starter vibrator.
Icicles hand blown massager
Who it’s for: The artfully inclined guy or girl
Price: $49.95
Rating: 3/5
A little lubrication goes a long way with this beautiful hand-blown glass sex toy. Its gentle curve and satisfying weight make it perfect for both vaginal and anal insertion, but it should be warmed under running water prior to use. Much less natural in feeling than the real deal, this toy is nonetheless a sleek and sexy experience with the absence of tacky rubbers and embarrassing packaging. Cleaning is a cinch, as the glass is non-porous. Totally sexy.
For the more adventurous
Fuzzy cuffs
Who it’s for: couples looking to
try some light BDSM
Price: $17.95
Rating: 3.5/5
The soft velvet-like padding on these handcuffs will keep your wrists safe from unpleasant chafing, though it has a tendency to shift and bunch up. Handcuffs can add a fun new dynamic to your sexy times.
Nipple clamps by Spartacus
Who it’s for: guys and girls looking to experiment with nipple stimulation
Price: $18.95
Rating: 4/5
On first inspection, nipple clamps seem pretty terrifying; as one Varsity staffer remarked, they closely resemble jumper cables. That being said, the “don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it” principle seems to apply here. The clamps are fully adjustable, with the pressure ranging from a gentle pinch to purple nurple. They are well-paired with intercourse and provide a unique sensation for those inclined to sensory overload.
Lubes
Gun Oil
Base: Silicone
Price: $11.95 for 59 mL
Rating: 3.5/5
A silicone base means that Gun Oil lasts much longer than water-based lube, but it’s also hard to wash off, and can stain fabrics.
Liquid Silk
Base: Water
Price: $9.95 for 50 mL
Rating: 4/5
As the namesake implies, Liquid Silk lube is very smooth to the touch. It is best for vaginal intercourse, as it is thinner and does not contain glycerin, which can promote yeast infections.
Maximus
Base: Water
Price: $9.95 for 50 mL
Rating: 4.5/5
The thickest of the lubes here, Maximus is great for anal play, providing ample cushion. But it doesn’t last as long as silicone based lube, and can leave a sticky residue.
Where to buy
Come As You Are
493 Queen Street West
www.comeasyouare.com
Come As You Are advertises itself as Canada’s only co-op sex shop. Owned and managed by friendly and knowledgeable employees, the store has a good selection of premium toys and books.
Priape
501 Church Street
www.priape.com
Located at the corner of Church and Wellesley in the gay village, Priape markets itself to an LGBTQ audience, with an incredibly wide selection of toys and supplies, including Priape’s own make of fetish items.
Stag Shop
239 Yonge Street & 449 Church Street
www.stagshop.com
With a store across from the Eaton Centre and one in the gay village, Stag Shop’s two Toronto locations cater to both heterosexual and LGBTQ shoppers. Expert staff at the store’s Church Street are of particular note, as is the 10 per cent student discount.
Materials & care
Silicone
Pros: soft, easy to clean, inexpensive
Cons: some silicone toys that contain phthalates can be damaged from use with silicone lube, and may be carcinogenic
Cyberskin
Pros: incredibly life-like and soft
Cons: expensive, hard to clean and maintain as a result of its porousness, and can be damaged by silicone lube
Glass/pyrex
Pros: easy to clean, durable, aesthetically pleasing
Cons: hard, fragile, and cold to the touch
