Sensitive Condoms in Ireland

What are sensitive condoms?

A sensitive condom reduces the thickness of the latex to the technical minimum so the sensation gets as close as possible to skin-to-skin contact, without losing the protection of a standard-thickness one. The thicknesses given on the product pages here range from 0.05 mm for Mister Size to 0.062 mm for Control Finissimo Senso. Durex does not give the millimetres on its own: it presents the Sensitivo Súper Fino and the Contacto Total as one fifth thinner than its standard latex condoms. Non-latex condoms have their own page, latex-free condoms. If you are after something else, in condoms you will also find natural condoms, delay condoms and flavoured condoms.

Types of sensitive condoms

Almost half of the ones on this page are Durex, with their Sensitivo and Invisible ranges; a little under a third are Control, with the Finissimo, and the rest are Mister Size and Exs, with the Air Thin. All those that state the material are latex, and they differ by thickness, size and what they offer besides being thin.

• Thin and ultra-thin: smooth and plain, to feel more contact, such as Durex Sensitivo, Durex Invisible or Control Finissimo.
• Extra lubricated: they come with more lubricant as standard and glide well from the start.
• XL and snug fit: the Durex Sensitivo XL is larger and the Slim Fit is closer fitting, for anyone who finds standard ones too big or too small.
• Textured or with an effect: this page has no dotted, ribbed or cooling-effect condoms, which are in condoms; the only one with texture is the Touch & Feel in the Control Feel Fun Mix assortment. Those with benzocaine to delay ejaculation, such as the Durex Climax Mutuo, are in delay condoms.
• Latex-free: if you are allergic to latex, you will find them in latex-free condoms.

Extra-thin models and their thickness

The Durex Sensitivo Suave, latex and 0.055 mm, is the best seller in Spain. The Control Finissimo, also latex and very popular, is listed at 0.057 mm on the product page for the box of 12 and at 0.062 mm on the Finissimo Senso's; the other boxes do not give the figure, so check the product page of the one you choose. Mister Size, at 0.05 mm, are also sold by width, from 47 to 69 mm. On size, the Durex Sensitivo XL is 60 mm wide, the Invisible XL 57 mm and the Sensitivo Slim Fit 52.5 mm; the rest are between 52 and 56 mm. Pasante Sensitive, SKYN Elite and Sagami Original 002 are not currently in the shop. For non-latex, what we do have from SKYN (Original, Intense Feel and Extra Lubricado) is in latex-free condoms.

What the studies say

In a crossover trial with 300 heterosexual couples (Potter et al., 2024, Reprod Health), ultra-thin polyurethane condoms had more failures, counting breakages and slippages together, than the latex one they were compared with. Even so, all performed very well, with low failure rates compared with similar studies.

In a randomised trial with 4,884 acts of intercourse using a condom (Siegler et al., 2019, EClinicalMedicine), the condom failed less when lubricant was used, in both vaginal and anal sex.

Safety

With latex condoms, use water-based or silicone-based lubricant, never oils, creams or massage oils. In a laboratory test, sixty seconds of contact with mineral oil reduced the strength of latex condoms by around 90% (Voeller et al., 1989, Contraception). Before opening, check the expiry date and that the wrapper is intact. Use a new one every time you have sex.

How to choose

• Thickness: if the product page gives the millimetres, compare them; the thinner, the more sensation.
• Size: choose between standard, XL or snug fit depending on how regular ones fit you; one in your size stays in place better.
• Material: almost all are latex; if you are allergic, go to latex-free condoms.
• Lubrication: extra lubricated ones are handy if you notice friction; if not, normal lubrication is enough.
• Extras: almost all on this page are smooth and plain, which is what you want if you only want thinness; texture, a cooling effect or benzocaine change the sensation and are on other condoms pages.
• Quantity: a small box to try a model, and a large pack once you know which one suits you.

Frequently asked questions

Do extra-thin condoms break more easily?

Latex ones do not, and all the ones on this page that state the material are latex. They pass the same CE and ISO 4074 certification tests as standard-thickness ones (air burst, longitudinal tensile strength and permeability), and one that is correctly fitted and in your size is just as safe. With ultra-thin polyurethane ones, one trial saw slightly more breakages and slippages than with a latex one, though all had low failure rates.

What is the difference between sensitive, extra-thin and ultra-thin?

None officially. They are trade names for the same thing, a reduced thickness, and each brand uses the one it prefers. What counts is the millimetres stated on the pack: as a guide, 0.06 mm is thin, 0.05 mm very thin and 0.04 mm or less, ultra-thin.

Is the Sagami 002 really 0.02 mm?

Yes. It is made of polyurethane, not latex, and that allows thicknesses that are impossible with latex; during sex you barely notice it. In return, polyurethane is less elastic than latex and you need to get the size right.

Which are the most sensitive condoms?

The thinnest. Among latex ones, Mister Size give 0.05 mm on their product page; the Durex Sensitivo, at 0.055 mm, and the Control Finissimo, at 0.057 to 0.062 mm depending on the box, come very close. Below them are polyurethane ones, such as the Sagami Original 002, at 0.02 mm.

Are there thin condoms with texture?

On this page, almost none: all are smooth except the Control Feel Fun Mix assortment, which has a Touch & Feel with ribs and dots alongside a Finissimo and an XtraLube. Dotted, ribbed or cooling-effect ones that their product page does not describe as thin, such as the Control Sensual Xtra Dots or the Durex Intense Orgasmic, are in condoms. If what you want is to feel contact as directly as possible, choose a thin, smooth one.

Browse by brand

• DUREX
• CONTROL
• MISTER SIZE