Marketing has made us believe that Magnum condoms are the biggest of the big. So just how much bigger is the Trojan Magnum XL?

I have reviewed a number of Magnum condoms in my day, including the Trojan Gold Pack and the Magnum Thin. You could say that I am a sharp shooter when it comes to the Trojan Magnum line.

And for their part, these condoms were nearly indistinguishable from the regular Trojan Magnums. The thickness was the same (good, but not super sensitive) and there were no extra, special features to worry about (although if only there was a Magnum XL Thin!). I've also never really found the Magnums to be quite as stinky as other Trojan condoms.

The lubricant on these condoms is water-based, just like most other Trojan condoms. It's spermicide-free and glycerin-free, and it doesn't have any ingredients you should be concerned about if you already don't have an issue with water-based lubes. If you do, the Caution Wear Grande is a better option since it comes with a silicone-based lube.

So, overall, there wasn't really a lot to talk about with the Magnum XL, until my partner and I started putting it on.

"It doesn't feel much bigger than a Magnum," he said.

"It is," I said. "See? It says XL. Why would they make the regular Magnum bigger than the XL?"

"But it doesn't feel like it."

Well, once we got it on, we found that the condom was actually fairly comfortable for him-- at the head. According to our size chart (and yes, we measured these ourselves), the XL is actually the slightest bit smaller in terms of width than the regular Magnum. And for my partner, width is where it really counts.

Since the Magnum has a tapered fit, the head's nominal width is actually 2.5" (63.5mm). It tapers down to that length from the shaft, which is a mere 2" (50.8mm) big.

We've mentioned before that girth is far more important than length when considering which will keep you safer and be more comfortable. So wouldn't it make sense that these condoms would be wider, not narrower, even at the shaft?

If you're looking for a roomier alternative to the Magnum, again, this might not be it. This one is longer, which is great for preventing contact STDs. But if the tapered fit of other Magnums has been found to be uncomfortable for you, the tapered fit on this one also might not do it, seeing as it starts off so small. My partner found it too be too restrictive at the base of the shaft, which made the entire experience unenjoyable for him. Need more room to breathe? Check out our '5 Best Condoms for Large Penises.'

Overall Rating: 3 Stars

Final Verdict:

If you're looking for something that's longer than a Magnum, you're in luck. But something bigger altogether? The Magnum XL is a great condom, but the tightness at the base may not be what you're looking for. Try one out and see.