When Talisman Leather reached out to me last year, they let me choose which of three harness designs to review: the three-loop Gallo Harness, the triangular Margeaux and the Ardor. I chose the Ardor Harness because of its wider straps and wide front panel, the latter of which has a harness individual O-rings on the straps are taller than most strap-on bodies.
This was a detail of particular interest to me. My partner and I are both fat, and the higher O-ring placement seemed ideal for competing with tight thighs.
My instincts were correct …… I was hoping the Ardor Harness would be great.
About Amulet Leather Passion Strap On Harness
[Description: White white guy with harness lying on his back in his underwear].
There are multiple harness styles out there, but the Ardor is the classic two-belt (or jock strap). They are named after the two separate leg straps that run between the thighs. The wearer’s body is mostly uncovered, providing easy access to the genitals for those interested in giving and receiving. And because the Ardor places your dildo above your body, some people with penises can wear it as well.
The Ardour harness is made of real, beautiful leather; Talisman offers a variety of colors and textures, but I chose the „black” direction from the list. Other options include (but are not limited to) purple, walnut, cognac cowhide, smooth oxblood and saddle shape. The leather of the strap is very soft and the bottom side is even softer. Its flexibility makes it fit my body like a well-worn glove.
The Ardor’s construction is very sturdy and functional, which helps make it overall clean and androgynous. The harness is held together by silver rivets and buckles, but antique brass fittings are also available as an option.
The O-ring is secured to the front panel by four snaps. The buckles require firm fingers to hold them in place. My harness comes with a 2-inch metal ring. They can be used for most dildos as long as they are larger than 2 inches in diameter. If the rigidity of metal O-rings is not your style, then alternative silicone rings are inexpensive.
[Description: Ardor Harness harnessed to a bed sheet and tied to a Vixskin Mustang.
In addition to the O-ring, the Ardor Best Strap On Harness features four fasteners: buckles on both leg straps, and (removable) larger buckles on the ends of the straps across your back. These buckles are conveniently located near your hips for easy attachment and adjustment.
Putting on the Passion Vest
Normally, when wearing a jock strap harness, you step into the leg straps, pulling the whole thing up and adjusting it. But Ardor’s design gives you room to improvise. The harness is removable, and the thigh strap (which is fixed to the front) is only permanently fixed at one end. This provides you with four fixation points that you can undo when you are ready to add.
[Description: A non-binary person’s hips are shown from an angle. the Ardor harness straps comfortably around their waist and thighs].
My preferred method of putting on the Ardor Strap-On Harness is to unbuckle all objects and secure the front panel in place while the leg straps dangle. My partner – the dutiful Squire – can retie the straps for me and then help wrap the thigh straps around my legs in order to fasten them around my hips. I get vertigo very easily, so this is fantastic for me! And I think this design will be especially good for harness wearers who have limited mobility.
My experience with the Enthusiasm Harness
Talisman Leather reached out to me in part because they wanted larger people to be able to evaluate the fit of their harnesses. My body size fluctuates, but typically my waist is 52-60 inches and my thighs are 30 inches. I have a lot of fat in my hips and lower abdomen. This can complicate the fit and function of a seat belt designed for a less fit body.
[Description: An obese white non-binary person, photographed in front of a mirror. They wear leather straps over their underwear.]
To my constant delight, the Ardor harness fits perfectly!
The incredibly soft leather conformed to my curves and lumps, hugging me firmly, but not restricting my ability to move as needed. Unlike backpack-style nylon straps, the soft leather of the Ardor Harness doesn’t rub or fall into flesh. (And because it’s soft, it doesn’t squeak or chant when I move.) I’ve read that leather harnesses can stretch in use, but if Ardor does this, it’s never enough to draw attention to or make significant adjustments.
All the straps are secured by a center bar buckle, and I appreciate that choice because they don’t come loose during use like ladder buckles do. (Seriously, ladder buckles suck, I see them on a lot of suspenders!) The buckles also don’t rest on your skin, so you usually don’t have to worry about scrapes or dents.
I like rough sex and tend to change positions a lot, and the Ardor Harness makes it easy for me to do that without hassle. I don’t even know what this harness can do …… at least not for me.
Hot harness adaptation during use
Depending on my position, the thin leg straps hang over my thighs even when tightened. I find I don’t need them to fit functionally just fine. Everything stays in place and they don’t dig or wear out. In any case, most harness stability comes from the lumbar/hip area. Even when I use a large dildo such as the Aqua King, the front panel doesn’t completely shift or twist. Probably because the belt is riveted right under the O-ring fasteners for balance purposes.
[description: seat belt from behind, straps spread out over the sheet].
And I’m sure my fat guy is curious too: the top of the front panel does „flare” a bit because it sits on the bottom of my stomach. (Of course, this depends on the shape of your body and where the harness is placed.) But despite my initial concern that it would make the harness less sturdy or sexy, I honestly didn’t notice or care. Wearing the Ardor harness was so comfortable that I literally forgot to wear it myself. It melted and smoothed out the second skin more than I needed to on my own.
Passionate harness and dildo
Depending on how I wear and adjust it, Ardor places the dildo right below the top of my pubic bone (or pubic mound), just below my abdomen. My thighs are large; perching my dildo above them rather than between them means they don’t get in my way. I also have better control of the dildo from this angle. It sits above my pubic mound, rather than dangling over it and creating clitoral friction/pressure in vain. The higher O-ring fits my body best.
The front panel of the Ardor is not padded, but I did not experience any discomfort or bruising. This may be another advantage of having a plush toy, or it may be because I usually use a less dense dildo.
[Description: A first-person POV of a Vixskin Mustang harnessed in a harness, with the bar held by the wearer.
My biggest (and only) complaint about the Ardor Harness is the placement of the O-ring strap. the 2″ O-ring accommodates most of my larger toys, but the strap leaves no room for flare. Fat dildos with smaller bottoms (like „they/them”) are fine, but dildos with thicker or harder bottoms don’t fit. This will definitely limit your options.
The dildos in my collection that fit perfectly include the Avant D2 Purple Rain (1.5″ diameter), Avant Pride P3 Beauty (1.25″ diameter), Uberrime Splendid Small (1.6″) and Uberrime Night King (1.7 ) inch). Not asking for the King technically fits, but can be convinced by brute force including the Uberrime Aqua View (2 inch diameter), Vixskin Mustang (1.5 inch), and the new Elite 6 (1.4 inch).
Wire Harness Maintenance and Cleaning
Since I sometimes use lubricated fingers to undo the O-ring straps, they are usually the only part of the harness that needs to be cleaned. Baby wipes or car leather wipes that are not too wet and are unscented and alcohol-free are good for tidying up after use when necessary.
[Description: A close-up of someone holding a seat belt to show its texture.
For a more thorough cleaning, you will need to use saddle-type soap. Wipe the harness, then apply the saddle soap to a rag or make a light lather with a little water. No need to „rinse”, but rather wipe thoroughly. (You never want to soak your leather harness in water or leave soap residue on it.) Let it dry in an unfolded area before storing it.
A friend told me that the harness should be stored flat or resting on a cloth hanger (because metal sometimes leaves an odor on leather.) Do not store it in plastic storage containers, especially in climates where moisture can be collected; your harness may be moldy or smell like plastic.
I use mine so often that I don’t have to worry about it becoming stiff due to discarded hangers. For long-term storage, be sure to condition occasionally with a leather conditioner that does not contain animal fats. Let it dry before returning it to the closet.
https://willowhavenoutdoor.com/general-survival/6-adult-toys-for-all-male-and-female-beginners/
http://www.mybiosoftware.com/all-women-toys-325235232332.html
https://airflowreps.com/the-inconspicuous-male-sex-toy-you-need-in-your-arsenal/
