Freeze! Don’t move! Unless you’re ready to shop for a sexy pair of handcuffs!
You have the right to remain sexy. Anything you say can and will be held against you, in the most playful way possible.
Sex cuffs can be used in a variety of BDSM related play - power play, dominance and submission, roleplay, punishment, and more. If you’re not currently an avid user of any sort of handcuff, ankle cuff or restraint, you may be thinking of those cute fuzzy handcuffs you’ve seen at bachelorette parties. While those are super fun, there's much more to explore in the world of bondage cuffs than faux fur! Aside from being able to sexily bind up your partner's wrist or ankles, most cuffs can be connected to other bdsm toys and bondage gear. We're going to get into all that, but first things first: safety.
Bondage cuffs, like any type of BDSM toy that restricts your movement, need to be used safely to reduce the risk of injury to you or your cuffed up partner. Yes, cuffs can be a blast to play with, but like many things in life, they're not without some risk, however small. In short, play safe!
Plan A Quick Escape From Your Sex Cuffs
In case of an emergency or any unwantd discomfort, you're going to want to take off your/their cuffs quickly. Before you play, take some time to get to know the feel of your cuffs and plan out how you would take them off if necessary. Most bondage wrist cuffs (and ankle cuffs), have a built-in safety feature, usually it’s a little latch or button that you can use to set your captive free in a flash. If you’re using a pair of cuffs that does not feature a quick-off feature, it’s a very good idea to keep an extra key hidden somewhere safe, just in case.
For more fabric based, “do-it-yourself” ties and cuff restraints, experts suggest having safety or paramedic scissors nearby. These scissors from Blush have a safety feature so they won’t accidentally cut into skin, allowing you to safely snip cuff materials, even if they're skin tight.
If you’re using an actual cuff, whether it’s leather or metal or velcro…
Have a Safe Word
Sometimes bondage cuffs can be light and playful, but sometimes they can be a part of more intense roleplay. In any case, make sure you and your partner decide on a safe word to use if either one of you needs to stop. It can be an actual word like “stop”, “pause”, or something else that’ll alert your partner to stop.
A method we like to use is the traffic light method: the dom checks in regularly and the sub can respond with “green” - meaning everything is good - “yellow” - meaning slow down or take a break - or “red” - meaning stop. “Yellow” and “red” can even be used unprompted if something isn’t working out.
Proper Bondage Aftercare
Aftercare is essential for any form of rough or intense sexual activity. Even though it’s enjoyable, BDSM can be very tiring for all parties involved - both emotionally and physically.
Aftercare methods vary from person to person, but here are some suggestions:
-
If your wrists or ankles were cuffed and feel a little sore, apply lotion and ice to the affected areas to reduce swelling and redness (don’t worry beginners, this usually only happens with intermediate to expert level cuffing methods). There’s nothing more embarrassing than having your coworkers ask “What happened to your wrists!?” and having to come up with an excuse on the spot because the truth is far too naughty to admit.
-
Talk! Talk about what you liked, what you didn’t like, and how you both feel. Proper communication is great, and essential for a healthy sex life.
Any other methods may come naturally after the act itself, so make sure you have an aftercare routine to follow to ensure you and your partner are both happy!
Now that we’ve covered safety, let’s dive right into the good stuff: CUFFS!
Beginner Level Cuffs
Soft Cuffs - Rope Bondage
Silky soft sex restraints are perfect for beginners, or any couple that might be craving a lighter bondage play experience. The Fetish Fantasy Ouch! Soft Japanese Rope 10 Meters In Black are perfect for beginners, but they can (and should!) also be happily enjoyed by intermediate and expert level BDSM lovers as well due to their versatility.
Able to use around wrists or ankles, these cuffs are super soft and comfortable. Reviewers say they are “super soft, easy to get on, [and] don’t slip off”. What more could you want? And, they come in a sexy red colour that’ll match any red or black lingerie you may have laying around. Or, why not pick up a lil’ something while you’re looking at cuffs?
Ties - Silky Restraints
For a cute, simple tie, the Bondage Buddy Restraint are perfect. The wide design ensures the fabric doesn’t dig into your wrists, and the soft material makes for easy application and removal. If you’re only a teensy bit curious about bondage cuffs, this is the perfect accessory for you.
Bondage Tape
Bondage tape is strictly self adhesive, so it’ll only stick to itself! To use, you can keep it on the roll as you wrap or cut a piece off to bind your wrists. Once it’s attached to itself, it won’t budge, so this is something to definitely keep safety scissors on hand for.
CalExotics's Scandal Lovers Tape is a whopping 50 feet long, AND it’s reusable! Just stick it back on the roll when you’re done and you can have endless kinky experiences. This bondage tape sex can be used on any part of the body without tugging out body hair or painful removal. Made with soft, glossy PVC material, this tape makes for a tightly bound playtime.
Tip: For easier removal, fold over a corner of the end of the tape so you can find it easily when you need to remove the tape!
Furry Sex Cuffs
When you hear the words “bondage handcuffs”, these babies probably come to mind. Furry handcuffs are a staple of BDSM accessories, and are often the starting point for couples interested in testing out some aspects of BDSM.
A friend of ours regularly uses fluffy handcuffs with her boyfriend. “They’re comfy on my wrists and don’t leave marks, that’s awesome,” she says. “They’re also easy to remove quickly, which is good for beginners.”
The Furry Hand Cuffs were designed to be gentle and user friendly. They include a quick release switch for easy removal and feature soft, comfortable fur to cradle your wrists. They also include a set of keys to unlock them. Handy!
An anonymous reviewer said her boyfriend was apprehensive when it came to cuffing, but he quite enjoyed these. “Comfy, secure, and the easy to reach quick-release button put his mind at ease,” she wrote. “I can get out of them any time I want to ;)”
For more advanced BDSM lovers who would prefer cuffs that aren’t easy to remove, check out some intermediate and expert Level Cuffs below.
Intermediate Level Cuffs
Wrist Cuffs
If wrist cuffs intrigue you, you’re in for a treat: We’re going to show you two of our favourites!
Don’t let the name fool you, the Fetish Fantasy Furry Cuffs In Red don’t hurt! They’re lined with soft, purple plush fur with a sexy leather exterior. The belt and buckle adjustment system makes them harder to remove, which is why these are definitely a more intermediate choice for sex restraints. Swivel clasps can be attached to D-rings on the outer part of the cuffs, which also happens to be compatible with more advanced bondage sex toys.
If you’re just venturing into the wrist cuff world and aren’t sure if the buckle method appeals to you, worry not! There are also velcro adjustable wrist cuffs, which tend to be more popular among those who are starting to venture further into the BDSM world. These Cuffs can be used on wrists or ankles, adding tons of versatility to a seemingly simple cuff.
Rope Bondage
Yes, we already touched on rope with the soft rope cuffs in the beginner section, but this is an intermediate rope. The Bound 25 Foot Rope In Teal is advertised as being great for newbies to tying or being tied up, but I personally recommend hemp rope for more advanced BDSM lovers, the reason for this being that hemp is a rougher material than silk. For those that like a little bit of rubbing with a rope tie, this is a great option. However, if you prefer a softer, more slippery feel, go with silk restraints for sure.
If the word “hogtie” stood out to you there, keep reading for some hogtie bondage cuff toys, which we’ll be touching on later. ;)
Classic Sex Handcuffs
We recommend these Fetish Fantasy Designer Cuffs to more intermediate level players for the same reasoning as above - they are a bit more (playfully) abrasive on the skin. The cold feeling of metal cuffs against skin can also feel pretty damn hot.
These cuffs are perfect for roleplay. They can be used to cuff arms behind your back, above your head, or even to a bedpost. They may look simple, but they sure are versatile!
Expert Level Cuffs
Suspension Cuffs
Suspension cuffs require some sort of rig to allow the actual suspension - or, just a handy dandy door! Door Slam Love Swing only needs a sturdy door to operate. The cuffs go on you or your partner’s wrists, and the other end gets shut over the top of your door. If buying and setting up a whole Christian Grey-esque sex dungeon isn’t in your near future, this is a close enough substitute in the meantime.
Pro Tip: Test the strength of your door BEFORE trying these cuffs out for real - prying a flimsy door off its hinges mid-act isn’t very sexy.
Hogtie
The Deluxe Chain Hogtie can be used on your stomach or on your back in a variety of positions. This is definitely more of an expert level bondage method because you or they won’t really be able to move arms or legs, making for a completely submissive experience.
Pro Tip: STRETCH BEFORE YOU HOGTIE! This type of bondage requires some body contortion. The last thing you want after some mind-blowing hogtied sex is to be not-sosexily immobilized by back pain. Stretching is sexy!!
Okay, now that you’re educated, what are you waiting for? Check out Canada’s best selection of sex handcuffs & ankle cuffs, sexual restraints and other BDSM toys at Pinkcherry.ca today!
