You’re probably here looking for instructions on how to make a DIY strap-on, but we strongly advise against making your own due to the risks. Instead, we recommend purchasing a high-quality and affordable product like the Lovehoney Beginner’s harness kit, which retails for only $44.99 on Lovehoney. The only reason to make a homemade version is if you live in an area without an online adult retailer or sex toy store. If you’re one of those, you can find some semi-safe ideas below. But you do it at your own risk!
- We don’t recommend making your own strap-on due to the many risks. It’s much safer to purchase a professionally designed and tested harness for a more secure and enjoyable sexual experience.
- But if you live in an area with limited access to adult retailers or sex shops, you can use bondage ropes, underwear garments, or jeans as a substitute. Although these may not be as effective as a real harness, they are the safest options available to replicate the experience. We talk more about them below.
Table Of Contents
Why You Should Trust Us
Rachel Sommer is a highly knowledgeable sexologist who has a long history of building homemade sex toys, including DIY strap-ons. Along with her colleagues Sandra Larson and Shane Davis, she has extensively evaluated a wide range of items to ensure that they are both effective and safe for adventurous individuals. She also included guides by Redditors attn_null and sexpositivecactuar.
To submit a question to Rachel, call her at +1 307-372-3895 or send an email to [email protected]. Be sure to include your full name and your phone number or email address.
What is a DIY Strap On?
A DIY strapon harness is a pegging sex toy that people make at home using everyday materials like rope, bed sheets, or panties to hold a dildo in place. The main motivation to make your sex toys is to save money or to tailor them to their exact sexual needs.
Note: The product above is the Lovehoney Advanced, an example of a professionally made product from a trusted brand. Our testers loved how its adjustable, easy-to-use design enhanced the user experience. The harness felt great on bare skin; you can quickly adjust the right fit. Because of that, we ranked it as the highest-rated strap-on for pegging. (read more about it by clicking the link)
Is Making a DIY Strap On Safe?
No. While it seems so easy, making your own strap-on harness is not safe. However, you can take some safety measures to ensure it has a decent enough safety level (but it will never be as safe as a store-bought product). For example, you should use a sturdy material that can withstand the weight and pressure of the dildo or vibrator. You should also take great care when cutting the materials, and use a fabric marker or chalk to mark the measurements to avoid any inconsistencies.
We also recommend using a heavy-duty sewing machine and thread to ensure that the seams are strong and won’t come apart during use. Make sure to sew the fabric in a way that allows for easy insertion and removal of the dildo or vibrator. If you’re using a strapless strap-on, make sure to add a flared base to the dildo to prevent it from slipping out during use.
Related: 9 Best Strap-On Harnesses, Ranked by a Sex Educator!
Some Semi-safe Ideas
1. Panties
Panties can be a decent strap-on harness but they may not be as secure or comfortable as some of the other options. First, choose a snug pair with a wide crotch to hold the dildo in place. Avoid thongs or G-strings, even if you want to show off them butt cheeks!
Thread the dildo through the leg holes and pull the waistband up to secure it, but please note that this may not work for all dildos.
2. Rope
Ropes/Bondage ropes aren’t just for BDSM fun, you can also use them to create a dildo harness! To get started, make sure to use a durable and comfortable rope (we love the ropes from Twisted Monk). Tie a loop in the center of the rope. Then, wrap the ends of the rope around your waist and tie them together securely. The loop will serve as the base to hold the dildo in place.
Note: If you can’t afford ropes from Twister Monk you can try Bondage Boutique’s Soft Bondage Rope (product above). It’s made from non-abrasive cotton and specially woven to flatten against a restrained person’s skin, plus it only costs $16.99.
You can adjust the length of the rope to fit your body and the size of the dildo that you’re using. Additionally, you can experiment with different types of rope to find the one that works best for you.
3. Bedsheet
Don’t have a rope lying around? I am sure you have bedsheets. They are a simple and affordable way to create a decent strap-on harness for your dildo. All you need to do is fold the sheet in half lengthwise and tie the ends together to create a loop. Then, step into the loop and pull it up around your waist. Tie the ends of the loop together behind your back to secure the makeshift harness in place. Finally, thread the dildo through the loop and adjust the sheet as needed to hold it in place, making sure there are no loose ends that can cause injury. Voila!
4. Boxer shorts/Boxer briefs
This basically works the same just like the panties. Grab a pair of underwear boxers that fit snugly around the waist and ensure they are comfortable and have enough room for the base of the dildo. This method works best for dildos with a flared base.
5. Sewing Strapon
If you have some sewing skills, you can create a DIY dildo harness using natural latex, lycra, cotton, nylon, or spandex. We recommend a two-strap harness with a waist strap as it’s a good option for beginners. The best part? You can find many affordable patterns available online that you can use as a guide! Let’s have a look at how Redditor attn_null put this together:
Materials You Need:
- O-rings
- Soft buffalo leather
- Buckle
- Snaps
Step-by-Step Process:
- Draw out the base using O-rings for scale, sketch it out, fold it for symmetry, and have someone hold it up to ensure it is a decent size. Then, use that as a guide to cut the leather.
- Trace over a thick piece of soft buffalo leather to complete the base. Glue the pieces together and sew them.
- Cut straps with sharp scissors that are 1.5 cm and .75 inches. Attach O-rings to .75-inch straps to create the top of the harness. Attach it around to an O-ring on the back and add a buckle on one side.
- Go from the rear O-ring to the leg straps. Pay close attention to the leg O-ring placement to frame the butt well and make it appear flat and feel uncomfortable when placed poorly.
- Place the thinner 1.5cm straps at the bottom of the base. Bring them around on a live model and find a good spot to attach them in the back. These thigh straps are functionally very important as they get the majority of the “pull”.
- Attach snaps to go around the O-ring and hold the dildo in place. Opt for 4 snaps because it is not known how well they will hold up when being used or how well they will adjust for various O-ring and dildo sizes.
Source: Reddit
6. No-Sew Strap-on
If your sewing skill is no bueno and you want a minimalist version of a strap on harness with the lowest effort needed, we got you covered. This no-sew strap-on I found on Reddit by username sexpositivecactuar is the way to go.
Materials You Need:
- Polypropylene webbing
- Dual-release webbing buckle
- Metal harness ring
- Nylon 3-bar slides
Step-by-Step Process:
- Cut two lengths of polypropylene webbing. One should be long enough to go around your waist, and the other should be long enough to go between your legs and attach to the waistband.
- Attach the dual-release webbing buckle to the waistband webbing.
- Thread the metal harness ring onto the webbing that will go between your legs.
- Attach the webbing that goes between your legs to the waistband webbing using the nylon 3-bar slides. Adjust the length of the leg straps to fit your body.
- Test the harness by pulling on the leg straps and making sure the harness ring stays in place.
- If desired, swap out the harness ring for a different size to accommodate different sizes of toys.
Source: Reddit
7. Jeans
You can use a pair of jeans to create a harness dildo. No joke! First, cut off the legs and crotch of the jeans, leaving only the waistband and back pockets. Then, thread the dildo through the back pockets and pull the waistband up to secure it in place. Just remember that jeans are typically uncomfortable because of the denim material. You must also be aware that extreme movement might cause some sort of irritation or heat to your genital regions.
Not Safe at All Ideas
Some hacks are simply not safe for DIY strap-on harnesses. To help you weed them out, here are some not-safe-at-all ideas to avoid:
Plastic bags
Using a plastic bag as a strap-on harness is a horrible idea for many reasons. First and foremost, plastic bags can be uncomfortable and cause irritation or chafing during use. The material is also not hygienic for sexual activity, as it can easily trap bacteria and other harmful substances, which can cause infections or other health problems. Stay away!
Rubber bands
Rubber bands are not designed for sexual activity let alone as a strap-on harness as they can easily snap or break, causing injury to both partners. Additionally, some people can be allergic to rubber so it’s best to avoid using it altogether and stick to body-safe materials. Aside from causing allergic reactions, rubber bands also don’t work well with hair and might cause some irritation.
How to Use A DIY Strap On Harness?
When using a DIY strap-on harness, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure a safe and pleasurable experience. Here are some key steps to follow:
Harness Types: Before you begin, it’s important to choose the right harness for your needs. There are a variety of harness types available, including jockstrap-style harnesses, corset-style harnesses, and more. Always listen to your own body when making adjustments or decisions on what harness you prefer.
Using O-rings: Most homemade strapon harness uses O-rings to hold the dildo in place. Make sure to choose an O-ring that is the right size for your dildo to ensure a snug fit. If you’re using a DIY harness, you can create your own O-ring by cutting a small hole in the fabric and reinforcing it with a rubber band or other sturdy material.
Attaching The Dildo: Once you have your harness and O-ring in place, it’s time to attach the DIY strap-on dildo. Make sure to use a dildo that is compatible with your harness and O-ring, and that is the right size for you and your partner. Apply a water-based lubricant to the dildo to make insertion easier and more comfortable.
Taking Measurements: To ensure the best fit for your DIY strap on harness, it’s important to take accurate measurements. Measure your waist (anything lower than the belly button works) and hips to determine the right size for your harness, and measure the length and girth of your dildo to ensure a comfortable and secure fit.
Pro tip: Some products are strapless, and if you happen to buy those kinds of sex toys, we have a guide on how to properly use a strapless strapon right here.
Why Is it Better To Buy a Commercial Product?
There are a lot of DIY options on the Internet, but from our experience, it’s far better to buy a real strap-on. Here’s why:
Comfort
If you bought the product from a reputable store, you can be 100% sure it’s comfortable and easy to wear. It will fit securely and won’t slip or slide during use. DIY harnesses, on the other hand, can be uncomfortable and awkward to wear. They may not fit properly, causing discomfort while doing the deed.
The product above is the Lovehoney Beginner’s Kit, our budget and beginners’ pick. The comfort and safety this product offers are bang for your buck considering it only costs $44.99. You can read our Lovehoney Beginner’s Unisex Strap-On review here.
Build Quality
Professionally-made products are built with high-quality materials that are designed to last. DIY options, on the other hand, may not be as durable. They may break or wear out quickly, leading to the need for frequent replacements.
Aside from the materials, authentic products such as the Desire Luxury (product above) offer more than just the usual stuff. The versatile dual-stimulation dildo is well-built for strap-on play with a posable neck, making it easy to adjust the fit and target your partner’s prostate or G-spot.
Safety
A commercial product is generally safer as it offers features such as adjustable tightness and compatibility with different O-ring sizes. It’s also made from body-safe materials and won’t pose a risk of injury. DIY harnesses, on the other hand, can be risky. Common DIY projects may not be made from safe materials, and they may not be designed with safety in mind.
They say desperate times call for desperate measures- but that doesn’t work every time for sex toys especially if your safety is on the line. Risks can increase exponentially depending on what you plan to make. For example, making a homemade sex machine is perhaps the most dangerous stunt you can pull off.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use DIY strap-on harnesses for both vaginal and anal penetration?
Yes, DIY strap-on harnesses can be used for both vaginal and anal penetration, but you must ensure it’s properly secured and the dildo is appropriate for the type of penetration. For anal penetration, use a dildo with a flared base to prevent it from getting lost inside the body, and use plenty of water-based lubrication. If anal play is your thing, you might also be interested in learning how to make a homemade anal dildo. It’s doable but you need to be extra careful, you can read our guide on how to do it right here.
Are there any alternatives to DIY Strap-Ons?
Alternatives to using a DIY strap-on include purchasing a pre-made harness, using a double-ended dildo, or a homemade suction cup dildo. You can also consider making your own Sybian., which you can read more about in our guide on how to make a DIY Sybian.
Rachel
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