{"id":2701,"date":"2019-10-23T17:39:06","date_gmt":"2019-10-23T17:39:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bettybutch.com\/?p=2701"},"modified":"2020-10-25T17:45:19","modified_gmt":"2020-10-25T17:45:19","slug":"review-the-ardor-strap-on-harness-by-talisman-leather","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bettybutch.com\/index.php\/2019\/10\/23\/review-the-ardor-strap-on-harness-by-talisman-leather\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: The Ardor Strap-On Harness by Talisman Leather"},"content":{"rendered":"

What makes a harness great<\/em>?<\/p>\n

If you ask five people, you\u2019ll probably get five slightly different answers. If you ask me, a great harness is comfortable to wear, doesn\u2019t need constant readjusting, and was designed to fit for optimal dildo control. (Being aesthetically sexy doesn\u2019t hurt either.)<\/p>\n

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[Description: A black leather harness laying on rumpled white sheets.]<\/figcaption><\/figure>When Talisman Leather<\/a> reached out to me last year, they let me pick which of their three harness designs to review: the thricely-ringed Gallo Harness<\/a>, the triangular-fronted Margeaux<\/a>, and the Ardor<\/a>. I chose the Ardor Harness<\/a> for its wider back strap and large front panel, the latter of which carries the harness\u2019s single o-ring higher on the body than most strap-ons do.<\/p>\n

It was the latter detail that I was especially interested in. My partner and I are both fat, and the higher o-ring placement seemed ideal for contending with thick thighs in close proximity.<\/p>\n

My instincts turned out to be right\u2026 as did my hope that the Ardor Harness would be great<\/em>.<\/p>\n

about the talisman leather ardor harness<\/em><\/h4>\n
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[Description: A white nonbinary person laying back with the harness on over their underwear.]<\/figcaption><\/figure>There are a number of harness styles out there, but the Ardor is the classic two strap (or jock strap.) These are named for the presence of two independent leg straps that go between the thighs. The wearer\u2019s body is mostly uncovered, providing easy access to the genitals for those interested in giving and<\/em> receiving. And because the Ardor places your dildo higher on the body, some people with penises may be able to wear it as well.<\/p>\n

The Ardor Harness<\/a> is made of real, beautiful leather; Talisman offers a number of colors and textures, but I chose the \u201cBlack\u201d orientation featured in the listing. Other options include (but aren\u2019t limited to) purple, walnut, brandy bullhide, smooth oxblood, and saddle. The leather of my harness is incredibly soft with an even softer underside. Its pliancy makes it conform to my body like a well-worn glove.<\/p>\n

The Ardor\u2019s construction is very sturdy and practical, which contributes to its overall no-fuss, androgynous appearance. The harness is held together by silver rivets and buckles, but antique brass hardware is available as an alternative.<\/p>\n

The o-ring is secured to the front panel by four snaps. The snaps require strong-ish fingers to fasten. My harness came with a 2-inch metal ring. It can be used with most dildos with 2 inch diameters and under, as long as their base is bigger than the ring. If the rigidity of a metal o-ring isn\u2019t your style, substitute silicone rings<\/a> are pretty inexpensive.<\/p>\n

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[Description: The Ardor Harness laying unbuckled on the sheets, with a Vixskin Mustang<\/a> strapped in.]<\/figcaption><\/figure>There are four fastenings on the Ardor Harness besides the o-ring: a buckle on both leg straps, and a larger buckle at both ends of the (removable) strap across your back. These buckles are all conveniently located near your hips for easier fastening and adjustment.<\/p>\n

getting the ardor harness on<\/em><\/h4>\n

Usually when putting on a jock strap style harness, you step into the leg straps, pull the whole thing up, and adjust. But the Ardor\u2019s design gives you room for improvisation. The back strap is removable, and the thigh straps \u2013 which fasten in the front \u2013 are only permanently attached at one end. This gives you four fastening points you can undo in your quest to gear up.<\/p>\n

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[Description: A nonbinary person’s hip shown from an angle. The Ardor harness is strapped comfortably around their waist and thigh.]<\/figcaption><\/figure>My preferred way of putting the Ardor Strap-On Harness<\/a> on is to unbuckle everything and hold the front panel in place with the leg straps dangling loose. My partner \u2013 ever the dutiful squire \u2013 can reattach the back strap for me, then help loop the thigh straps around my legs to buckle them at my hips. I\u2019m very vertigo-prone, so this is fantastic for me! And I imagine this design will be of particular interest to harness wearers with limited mobility.<\/p>\n

my experience using the ardor harness<\/em><\/h4>\n

Talisman Leather<\/a> reached out to me in part because they wanted someone with a larger body to evaluate the fit of their harness. My body size fluctuates, but generally my waist is 52-60 inches, and my thighs are 30 inches. I carry a lot of fat in my hips and lower belly. This can complicate the fit and functionality of harnesses designed for less shapely bodies.<\/p>\n

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[Description: A fat, white, nonbinary person taking a selfie in a mirror. They’re wearing the leather harness over underwear.]<\/figcaption><\/figure>To my continued delight, the Ardor Harness fits wonderfully!<\/p>\n

The incredibly soft leather conforms to my curves and lumps, hugging me securely but not restricting my ability to move as needed. Unlike backpack-style nylon straps, the supple leather of the Ardor Harness<\/a> doesn\u2019t chafe or dig into flesh. (And because it\u2019s soft, it doesn\u2019t squeak or groan when I move.) I\u2019ve read that leather harnesses<\/a> can stretch in use, but if the Ardor does this, it\u2019s never enough to warrant notice or major adjustment.<\/p>\n

All of the straps are fastened by center bar buckles, a choice I\u2019m grateful for because they don\u2019t loosen during use like ladder buckles do. (Seriously, ladder buckles suck<\/em> and I see them on so many<\/em> harnesses!) The buckles don\u2019t rest against your skin, either, so you generally don\u2019t have to worry about chafing or indents.<\/p>\n

I like rough sex and tend to change positions frequently, and the Ardor Harness lets me do that painlessly and unencumbered. I didn\u2019t even know that was something a harness could do<\/em>\u2026 at least not for me<\/em>.<\/p>\n

ardor harness fit during use<\/em><\/h4>\n

Depending on my position, the thin leg straps dangle on my thighs even when I\u2019ve tightened them. I\u2019ve found I don\u2019t need them to be form-fitting in order to be functional. Everything stays in place, and they don\u2019t dig or scuff. Most of the harness\u2019s stability comes from the waist\/hip anyway. Even when I\u2019m using big dildos like the Aqua King, the front panel doesn\u2019t shift or contort completely out of place. Probably because the straps are rivet-bound just beneath the o-ring\u2019s fastenings as counterbalance.<\/p>\n

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[Describe: The harness pictured from behind, its straps sprawled on the sheets.]<\/figcaption><\/figure>And as I\u2019m sure my fellow fat folks are curious: the top of the front panel does \u2018gape\u2019 a bit in use because it rests on the very bottom of my stomach. (This will, of course, vary depending on your body shape and where you situate the harness.) But while I initially worried it would make the harness less sturdy or feel unsexy, I honestly don\u2019t notice or care. Wearing the Ardor Harness<\/a> is so comfortable that I genuinely forget I\u2019m wearing it. It just melts away, its presence a sleek second skin that requires no more attention than my own.<\/p>\n

the ardor harness and dildos<\/em><\/h4>\n

With how I wear and adjust it, the Ardor holds dildos at the top of my mons pubis (or pubic mound) just beneath my belly. I have pretty ample thighs; perching my dildo above<\/em> them as opposed to between<\/em> them means they don\u2019t get in my way. I also have better control of the dildo from this angle. It sits on top of my pubic mound rather than dangling from it in a futile bid to create clitoral friction\/pressure. Higher o-rings just work best for my body.<\/p>\n

The Ardor\u2019s front panel isn\u2019t padded, but I haven\u2019t experienced any kind of discomfort or bruising. This might be another advantage to having a plush bod, or this might be because I generally use softer density dildos.<\/p>\n

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[Description: A first person POV of a Vixskin Mustang strapped in the harness, its shaft held by the wearer.]<\/figcaption><\/figure>My single biggest (and, honestly only<\/em>) complaint about the Ardor Harness<\/a> is the placement of the o-ring straps. The 2 inch o-ring can accommodate most of my larger toys, but the straps don\u2019t leave room for their flared bases. Fat dildos with smaller bases (like the They\/Them<\/a>) do alright, but dildos with thicker\u00a0or more rigid\u00a0bases won\u2019t fit. This definitely limits your options.<\/p>\n

Dildos in my collection that fit eerily perfectly include the Avant D2 Purple Rain<\/a> (1.5-inch diameter), the Avant Pride P3 Beauty<\/a> (1.25-inch diameter), the Uberrime Splendid Small<\/a> (1.6-inch), and the Uberrime Night King<\/a> (1.7-inch.) Ones that don\u2019t technically<\/em> fit but can be convinced via brute force include the Uberrime Aqua-King<\/a> (2-inch diameter), Vixskin Mustang<\/a> (1.5 inch), and Neo Elite 6<\/a> (1.4 inch.)<\/p>\n

harness care and cleaning<\/em><\/h4>\n

Because I sometimes undo the o-ring straps with lubey fingers, they\u2019re usually the only part of the harness that needs cleaning. Baby wipes or car leather wipes that aren\u2019t too damp, and are unscented and alcohol-free, are good for post-use tidying when necessary.<\/p>\n

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[Description: A close-up of someone holding a harness strap to show its texturing.]<\/figcaption><\/figure>For more thorough cleaning, you\u2019ll want to use saddle soap. Wipe your harness down, then either apply the saddle soap on a wipe or work it into a light lather with a very small amount of water. It doesn\u2019t need to be \u201crinsed,\u201d but instead thoroughly wiped clean. (You never want to soak a leather harness with water or leave soap residue on it.) Let it dry unfurled somewhere before storing it.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been told by friends that leather harnesses should be stored laying flat, or resting over a cloth-wrapped coat hanger (because metal can sometimes leave smells on leather.) Don\u2019t put it in a plastic storage container, especially in humid climates where moisture can collect; your harness can get mildewy or take on the smell of the plastic.<\/p>\n

I use mine regularly enough that I\u2019m not worried about it getting stiff with disuse on a hanger. If you\u2019re storing it for long periods, make sure to occasionally condition it with a leather conditioner that\u2019s animal fat free. Let it dry before returning it to the closet.<\/p>\n

ordering from talisman leather<\/em><\/h4>\n
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[Description: A close-up of the Ardor’s buckles.]<\/figcaption><\/figure>Talisman Leather<\/a> sells its pieces through Etsy; its harnesses are sorted into a Harnesses & Lingerie category<\/a>, which also features restraints, floggers, and collars. When ordering a harness, you\u2019ll be prompted to select your desired leather color\/texture. Sizing and any other modifications will have to be discussed via Etsy\u2019s notes system.<\/p>\n

When Talisman reached out to me, they needed three measurements for the Ardor<\/a>: around my body just above my hips (in my case 58 inches); diagonally from the center of my mons pubis \/ pubic mound to the outside of my hip (16 inches); and the length around my thigh where it meets the groin (32 inches.) These were specific to the Ardor, which sits higher and has a more prominent from panel than other harnesses from Talisman Leather<\/a>. I took the measurements with a cheap fabric measuring tape from a grocery store sewing\/craft section.<\/p>\n

Because each piece is made by hand, it can take a few weeks to receive your order. However, rush ordering is available, and Talisman\u2019s recent Etsy reviews include several folks who got their rush orders within their desired timeframe.<\/p>\n

final thoughts on the ardor harness\u00a0<\/em><\/h4>\n

I\u2019ve already written a piece about how helpful<\/a> the Ardor Harness has been for my dysphoria, because it\u2019s so dependable, unobtrusive, and sexy.<\/em> So\u00a0I\u2019ll set that line of thought aside for this review.<\/p>\n

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[Description: A far-away mirror selfie wearing the Ardor.]<\/figcaption><\/figure>Who might love this harness as much as I do? People who…<\/p>\n