New to the world of female chastity belts?

Since we are getting a lot of posts asking the same questions, we thought we would write an article for the people who are new or curious about chastity belts. Please read the following BEFORE posting about which belt to buy, and feel free to ask any questions afterwards. FAQs are listed at the bottom of this article. If you need additional info or there's something we've missed please don't hesitate to ask.

The manufacturers we recommend are as follows... all of these companies offer bespoke, custom-made belts designed to suit your specific dimensions. In alphabetical order...

Carrara Designs (Zoersel, Belgium).

DSYT (China).

Fancy Steel (Adelaide, South Australia).

Kink-Knack (Uster, Switzerland).

MySteel (Cserszegtomaj, Hungary).

NeoSteel (Sindelfingen, Germany).

CABLE BELTS: The ubiquitous cable belt is the easiest, cheapest and most comfortable introduction to female chastity. Cable belts allow more natural pelvic movement than a traditional solid belt, particularly pelvic tilt when transitioning from sitting to standing and vice versa.

There are numerous styles available on eBay and AliExpress from distributors such as Yokonex and Black Emperor. HOWEVER, please be aware that these designs are stolen intellectual property from the original Australian manufacturer, Fancy Steel. If you can afford it, you should support the designers who support the chastity community, not the Chinese fakes. If you are purchasing from overseas (Europe, USA etc) then the AUD exchange rate is generally favourable. We will always recommend Fancy Steel for cable belts... they are easy to contact and provide ongoing backup service, and their belts are adjustable with spare parts and interchangeable options.

The earliest iterations of cable belts had a flat secondary shield that can be a bit pinchy. This design has been revised with a newer, rounder shield, but some of the Chinese copies are still selling the old design.

Dome shields are a good option but they are noticeably more conspicuous under tight clothing... You can wear yoga pants with a flat shield, but not with a dome shield for example. Anecdotally, the plastic see-through domes have the potential to harbour more bacteria than stainless steel, but if you are cleaning regularly this shouldn't be an issue.

SOLID BELTS "Traditional" chastity belt manufacturers are mostly based in Europe, producing modern versions of the original mediaeval-style belt that most people are familiar with. The reputable manufacturers listed at the beginning of this article offer online fitting & measuring guides, but if you're going to the expense of getting a custom belt, nothing beats getting measured in person. The main options are: - Hip style or Waist style... Hip belts sit on the hip bones, waist belts sit a little higher, just below the floating ribs. Most people go for hip belts, but waist belts are (arguably) more comfortable. If you're ordering a hip belt, it's advisable to get one that's shaped and contoured to your own pelvic structure. This is difficult to achieve without an in-person consultation. - Lining... Belt padding is a contentious issue. Uncoated stainless steel is the most hygienic and the most suited to long-term wear. Silicone and neoprene can help make it more comfortable in the short term, but these materials introduce their own issues, particularly related to cleaning, hygiene and skin safety. You get what you pay for here, and the open cell foam or cheap rubber you'll find on imitation belts should be avoided at all costs. - "Rear" options... There are three main options for the section that goes from the shield to the waistband at the back - an anal cut-out, a cable, or chains. Solid belt openings with a bum cut-out have to be measured really precisely, or you're going to be in a world of shit (literally). Some manufacturers offer chains that go from the rear of the shield, over the buttocks and up to the waistband. There are obvious advantages to having an open bum, but sitting on hard surfaces is a problem for some users. Cables are the most comfortable and versatile option.

3D PRINTED BELTS: Manufacturers such as DSYT are now offering 3D printed belts that can be highly customised to your requirements. They offer test printing in plastic to get the correct fit, with a final version in resin or stainless steel. We've yet to hear from experienced users about the suitability of resin products, so we're interested to see where this leads.

With all that out of the way, here are the FAQs:

• How do I resize a cable belt? Follow u/crystalfay's excellent guide here. Thankyou u/crystalfay!

• I'm plus size, can I still use a chastity belt? The premise of a chastity belt is that the circumference of the waist band must be smaller than your hip structure. If you can make that happen it will work. Everyone who wears belts regularly needs time out to allow the body to recover from abrasions and soft tissue bruising, but these issues could potentially be exacerbated if you're carrying excess weight.

• Is it uncomfortable? Yes and no. It's a significant intrusion at first, both physically and mentally. But if it fits well the body adapts with some persistence... It depends on the belt though.

• How do I stop skin irritation from a belt? With a barrier. I recommend a personal lubricant such as Pjur Bodyglide. Alternatively, use clothing such as a singlet, camisole, corset etc.

• Can I escape a chastity belt? No, not if it fits correctly. It is a serious metal bondage restraint that cannot be removed without the key.

• Do I need an emergency key? Yes, absolutely. You need to be able to access it 24/7, because things can and do go wrong.

• What happens if I need to get it off and I don't have the key? Cable belts could potentially be cut off relatively easily with a 4mm-rated cable cutter. Solid belts would require an angle grinder (which is potentially life threatening), and / or an embarrassing trip to emergency, with potential questions from authorities.

• How long can I wear a chastity belt non-stop? Several hours, maybe overnight to begin with. Several days with some practice. It depends on the belt.

• How long can a chastity session last? Several weeks, perhaps indefinitely with appropriate care. Many users here are engaged in long-term chastity.8

• Do I need a keyholder? No. There are websites like Emlalock and apps like Chaster that allow you to self-lock using a timed keysafe / lockbox.

• Can I be locked up remotely? Yes.

• Will it stop me from masturbating? No, it will make you try harder more often.

• Will it prevent me from orgasming? Not necessarily. But it will make it more difficult.

• Will it prevent me having sex? Yes, if it fits well.

• Can I still use a vibrator? Yes but it doesn't do much if you're just vibing the shield. Internal vibrators though...

• How often do I have to clean? Daily.

• How do I deep-clean a chastity belt? Take it off. Soap. Hot water. Towel. Alcohol wipes. A daily shower is essential (at a minimum). Some users carry a squirty water bottle to help flush out the shield after toilet breaks. Drying is critical in this case. Bacteria thrives in a warm, moist environment, so you'll need to wipe off as much excess water as possible. If you have a solid belt, consider using a hair dryer whenever you can, because moist skin will become a big issue.

• Can I urinate in a chastity belt? Yes, relatively easily. But it can get a little messy. It's up to you what you're willing to contend with.

• Can I defecate in a chastity belt? Perhaps, with varying levels of success (depending on the belt). It is a significant obstacle to overcome. A cable can be pulled to the side. If you're in a belt with an anal cut-out... good luck. Make sure it fits well.

• Can I wear a chastity belt on my period? The short answer is no. The long answer is still no. Come on people. Get to grips with reality.

• I want to do Locktober. How do I extend my wear through shark week? You can skip your period with a contraceptive. You should consult your doctor before taking advice from an online forum.

• Can I exercise in a chastity belt? Not really, no. Anything strenuous will leave abrasions and bruising. Riding a bike is definitely out. Swimming is a maybe. Yoga is okay but can exacerbate pressure points.

• Can I wear a belt through an airport? Most international airports use body scanners, not just x-ray machines. So chances are you'll be discovered regardless of what material the belt is made of.

• Is it dangerous? Yes, potentially (very). Hygiene and body safety for one. But playing online presents it's own challenges. There are people out there who definitely do not have your best interests at heart... Just read some of the comments below the posts in this subreddit. If you wouldn't handcuff your hands behind your back and give the key to a complete stranger online, you definitely shouldn't be doing the same with your genitalia.

• My keyholder won't let me out. What should I do? Go to the police.

• My partner doesn't want to wear a chastity belt. What should I do? Accept it and move on. (And maybe put a cage on your dick).

• I want my daughter to wear a chastity belt. How do I approach it? Seek help from a qualified psychologist. You have issues that won't be resolved on an online forum.

• Why the fuck would I wear a chastity belt? It's enjoyable (most of the time). Yes, really! It does crazy things to the psyche and the libido. It's challenging physically, mentally and emotionally. It tests your limits. Pushes your buttons. Allows a deeper connection between you and your partner. There are lots of other reasons but that's for you to explore yourself.

A word about keyholding...

It goes without saying that chastity belts are a serious bondage device, and their use MUST BE ENTIRELY CONSENSUAL AT ALL TIMES. With that in mind, most of what you read online regarding female chastity is fantasy, and long term, continuous wear is not really possible. It is dangerous, unhygienic, uncomfortable, and has potentially life threatening implications. Bacterial flora imbalances and UTIs are common outcomes of inattentive or inappropriate belt hygiene. If you're interested in keyholding, this becomes YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.