Future of Sex
tagline
  • Remote Sex
  • Virtual Sex & Entertainment
  • Robots
  • Human Augmentation
  • Sex Tech
  • Dating & Relationships
  • Bizarre Bazaar 18+
  • Future of Sex Community
  • Remote Sex
  • Virtual Sex & Entertainment
  • Robots
  • Human Augmentation
  • Sex Tech
  • Dating & Relationships
  • Bizarre Bazaar 18+
  • Future of Sex Community
  • Machinery of Joy: Is AI Already Making Sexwork Obsolete?

  • Tomorrow’s Programmable Matter Sextoys Will Be Everything We Want—Whenever We Want It

  • Men’s Only Club: Does the Synthetic Companion Industry Really Have a Sexism Problem?

  • Red States, Risqué Secrets: Who’s Really Obsessing Over Sex?

  • No Hentai, Please: Japan Prosecutes AI Porn Prompters

  • Out of Sight, Out of Touch? Sweden Moves to Ban Adult Cam Performers

  • Spin Me Right Round: Cupsland’s Twirl Does Everything A Stroker Should—And More

  • We-Vibe Sextech Report: Talk, Grab a Toy, and Enjoy

Future of Sex is supported by our readers. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Home > Sex Tech > LELO HEX Re-engineers the Condom for Better, Safer Sex

Sex Tech
Home›Sex Tech›LELO HEX Re-engineers the Condom for Better, Safer Sex

LELO HEX Re-engineers the Condom for Better, Safer Sex

By M. Christian
June 22, 2016
3130
2

A new approach to birth control is creating shock waves. 

LELO HEX is a new condom designed to be stronger and more pleasurable to wear during sex.

What with recent developments in teledildonics and haptic technology, virtual reality porn, medical advances, and new surgical techniques, it’s easy to think that researchers are neglecting new approaches to tried-and-true sexual devices.

This is one reason why LELO’s work is turning heads. A sex toy startup billing itself as “the world’s leading designer brand for intimate lifestyle products,” LELO has begun shipping, as part of its incredibly successful Indiegogo campaign, its own improvement of a sexual mainstay: the condom.

Discomfort, slippage, and breakage

The result of seven years of research and development, the HEX is described by LELO as the “World’s First Re-Engineered Condom.”

Boasting an array of unique features, the HEX’s approach in dealing with previous condom issues of discomfort, slippage, and breakage are broken down on its Indiegogo campaign page.

In the area of discomfort, the HEX has been redesigned with enhanced flexibility, molding to the wearer’s own unique anatomy—as opposed to the old frustrations of being too loose or too tight caused by previous condom manufacturing techniques.

For problems with slippage, the HEX’s new hexagonal, web-like structure is not just on the outside of the condom but the inside as well “to provide texture that keeps you on track,” states LELO.

Lastly, for issues of breakage, HEX’s innovation lies in embracing graphene‘s (“the thinnest, strongest material known to science”) natural structure. Thus, where many condom brands have a circular ring structure, LELO’s new design features graphene’s hexagonal structure integrated into the HEX’s “skin.”

View this post on Instagram

@lelo_official is taking #HEX condom global! Get a sneak peak here! #HEXAPPEAL

A post shared by LELOHEX (@lelohex) on Jun 13, 2016 at 5:39pm PDT

Try it for yourself

As said, the HEX Indiegogo campaign has been successful—and then some. At press time, it is currently at 1,434% of it original $12,000 goal: $172,113.

The good news for this success, beyond for the designers and manufacturers of the HEX, is that you now have an opportunity to try out this re-imagined condom.

The beginning package, for $48, includes four 12-unit packs—though there’s also the $14 “The Step Up Part Deux”pledge that will get you a single 12-pack.

Between the two is the Hexecutive Lounge for $39, which gets you not just three 12-packs but also a carbon fiber money clip.

There are other packages available, of course, giving those interested quite a range of price and options.

A new condom as part of a personal mission

Speaking to Engadget, Filip Sedic, LELO’s founder, said the HEX was an answer to the continuing problem of sexually transmitted infections (STIs): “It’s a disgrace, that we in 2016, has STIs at all… It’s a very big contradiction for me that we are living now with digital watches and robots and computers and virtual reality and everything … and STIs. Come on, seriously. These things should not exist.”

Thumbs up on the HEX?

While still a new product, the HEX seems to be generating quite a bit of positive buzz. Reviewers at Mashable and Jezebel, for example, all have enjoyed their experiences with the new condom design.

LELO has also acquired its own spokesman for the product in troublesome actor Charlie Sheen. Its reasoning as stated on its Indiegogo page: “We know Charlie may be a divisive choice for many, but it’s also a bold one, and in the fight against STIs we need to make an impact.”

However, some people are now boycotting the brand due to Sheen’s history of violence against women.

Even if the HEX doesn’t prove as popular as its developers hope (or overcome the anti-Sheen backlash), it remains a welcome sign that there are companies who are willing to experiment in creating products that not just generate income but can, more importantly, improve sexual enjoyment and quality of life with effective birth control.

Image source: LELO HEX

M. Christian

M.Christian (they/them) loves nothing better than exploring the intersections of sex and technology—and speculating on the future of both. A highly regarded erotica writer they have six novels,12 collections, 100+ short stories, and 25 anthologies as an editor to their name. Their non-fiction regularly appears in many sites, but they're most proud of being a regular contributor to Future of Sex.

Of their erotic fiction, Tristan Taormino said that “M.Christian is a literary stylist of the highest caliber: smart, funny, frightening, sexy—there's nothing [they] can't write about… and brilliantly.”

Reflecting their unique ability to sympathetically and convincingly write for a range of genders and sexual orientations, their stories have appeared in multiple editions of Best American Erotica, Best Gay Erotica, Best Lesbian Erotica, The Mammoth Books of Erotica, and others. Their collection of gay erotic fiction, Dirty Words, was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award.

While a majority of their stories have been collected into books like Dirty Words, their fondness for combining sex and science fiction is clearly evident in collections that include Rude Mechanicals, Technorotica, Better Than The Real Thing, Skin Effect Effect, Bachelor Machine, and Hard Drive: The Best Sci-Fi Erotica of M.Christian.

As a novelist, M.Christian’s versatility is on full display with Running Dry, The Very Bloody Marys, Brushes, Painted Doll; and the somewhat controversial queer BDSM/horror/thrillers Finger's Breadth, and Me2.

M.Christian has worked on the industry’s production side as an Associate Publisher for Renaissance E Books and as a Publisher for Digital Parchment Services. The latter dedicated to celebrating the works of science-fiction legends such as William Rotsler, Jerome Bixby, Jody Scott, Arthur Byron Cover, Ernest Hogan, and James Van Hise.

Covering topics like BDSM safety, sexual education, senior sexuality concerns, queer and gender issues, plus reviewing a variety of sex tech products, M.Christian’s non-fiction has appeared on sites like Kinkly, Tickle.Life, Sexpert, Queer Majority, Sex for Every Body, and—of course—their ongoing work for Future of Sex.

If there’s anything M.Christian enjoys more than writing, it’s teaching. A featured presenter, sometimes with their friend Ralph Greco Jr, at national sex and BDSM events, they have lectured on kink play (with an emphasis on safety), polyamory, boosting sexual creativity, and erotica writing--for beginners or those wanting to go pro.

M.Christian is a cohost on two popular sex-education podcasts: Love’s Outer Limits with Dr. Amy Marsh and Licking Non-Vanilla with Ralph Greco, Jr.
Previous Article

How Will Augmented Reality Change Intimacy?

Next Article

How to Build a Robot Sex Worker

Related articles More from author

  • Sex TechVirtual Sex & EntertainmentImmersive Entertainment

    Deepfake Erotica Doesn’t Need New Laws, Which May Restrict Sexual Fantasies and Promote the Prison System

    August 24, 2024
    By Lara Karaian
  • Sustainable Green Sex Toys
    Sex Tech

    Going Green: How Sustainable Sex Toys Are Making a Movement

    May 16, 2023
    By Carolyn DeBarra
  • Sex Tech

    STD Rates Quietly Spiking as Fewer People Are Tested, Warn Health Officials

    June 12, 2020
    By Sponsored Post
  • Sex TechImmersive Entertainment

    How 2023’s End Could Reshape the Future of AI-Driven Sextech

    December 2, 2023
    By A.R. Marsh, Ed.D.
  • Digisexuals
    Sex Tech

    Digisexuals: Will This New Term Combat Prejudice Against People with Tech-based Sexual Identities?

    January 26, 2018
    By M. Christian
  • 2022 XBIZ Exec Awards
    Sex Tech

    Sex Tech News: ACLU Calls Out MasterCard’s New Policy, XBIZ Exec Awards & ‘GirlsDoPorn’ Settlement

    October 18, 2021
    By Jenna Owsianik

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  • A animation of a fair-sklnned brunette appears before a purple X.
    Robots

    RealDoll Upgrades AI App, Considers Expanding Sexbot Factory Due to High Demand

  • FeelConnect smartphone app and Pulse Solo Interactive from Hot Octopuss
    Remote Sex

    Pulse Solo Interactive Review: A Smart Step Forward for Hot Octopuss

  • A pair of pink sensual lips.
    Robots

    Sensual Technology: How Sex Tech Is Becoming All Kinds of Pleasurable

Virtual Lust is a 3D interactive sex game.
3DXChat
Discover the best virtual sex parties and 3D sex worlds.
  • TOP REVIEWS

  • Multiplayer Online Sex Games

    Review of the Best Massively Multiplayer Online Sex Games

    0
  • Harmony ai sex doll from RealDoll

    State of the Sexbot Market: The World’s Best Sex Robot and AI Sex Doll Companies ...

  • Realistic Sex Games

    Review of the Best Sex Games and Most Realistic Sex Simulators [UPDATED]

    0
  • Screenshot of a sexbot from adult entertainment game

    The Best Adult Games on Steam [UPDATED]

  • Screenshot of FeelConnect app future of interactivity intimacy available on Apple and Google Store

    The Best Sex Game Apps for Couples [UPDATED]

Fantasy sex game Dream Sex World lets you explore your wildest desires.
Multiplayer sex world Red Light Center continues to impress with its massive userbase and incredible sex graphics.
A blonde and light-skinned love doll face sppears next to the text Go now realdollxthe future is real.

Like Us on Facebook

Newsletter Subscription

Sign up for our monthly newsletter sharing the very best of the future of sex from our publication and others across the web.

DreamSexWorld offers a stunning XXX 3D world filled with incredibly interactive erotic experiences.

Like Us On Facebook

Facebook Pagelike Widget

RLC_ad_v2

Tweets by @FutureofSex
Future of Sex Report

Follow us

  • Home
  • About
  • ADVERTISE
  • Contribute
  • Story Ideas
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
© 2011 - 2022 Future Exploration Network
This website or its third-party tools use cookies to improve user experience and track affiliate sales. To learn more about why we need to use cookies, please refer to the Privacy Policy.

By clicking the agree button or continuing to browse through the website, you agree to the use of cookies. Accept Privacy Policy
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
SAVE & ACCEPT