When it comes to the strapless strap-on design, we can confidently say we have all the info you could possibly need. We made one after all! And there are far more tradeoffs and complexity involved. In short, there are too many contradicting factors involved to make the PERFECT strapless strap-on, and TRUST US, we spent three years trying.
So let's dive into the reasons why with a comprehensive guide to the tradeoffs, decisions, what may or may not work for me, and how we optimized our toy to be the best possible option
The truth is that being able to use a strapless strap-on comfortably is highly dependent on body compatibility, comfort, positioning, and personal preference. Some people absolutely love them. Some people can never get them to stay in place comfortably. Some people can’t use them at all due to sizing or anatomical compatibility issues.
In our opinion, there’s too much pressure around the idea of “true” strapless strap-on use, as if needing a harness means the toy somehow failed. Don’t get us wrong, we love strapless strap-on play. But we believe the value of these toys goes far beyond whether or not they stay in place fully hands-free.
Why People Love Strapless Strap-Ons
When a strapless strap-on does work for your body, it can feel incredibly freeing. There’s something really special about not having to deal with straps and buckles and instead being able to move together more organically, skin-to-skin, feeling physically connected to your partner.
That connective feeling can be rare for sapphics and deeply intimate. Traditional strap-ons can sometimes feel emotionally or physically disconnected from the body since there's no physical sensation involved for the wearer. Partner toys create a totally different experience, one where both people can feel involved in the same moment. That’s the appeal, and when it clicks, it can feel pretty magical.
The Tradeoffs
Accessibility or Stability?
One of the hardest parts of designing a strapless strap-on is balancing comfort and accessibility with stability.
The inserted bulb of a strapless strap-on has a very specific job. It has to stay securely anchored inside the wearer’s body while they’re penetrating their partner. Because of that, the bulb often has to be fairly large and firm. For people with lower vaginal tolerance, pelvic floor sensitivity, or pain conditions, it can become uncomfortable pretty quickly. But if you make the bulb much smaller and softer to accommodate those bodies, the strapless strap-on becomes much less likely to stay in place hands-free. This tends to create an unavoidable trade-off between comfort and stability
What We Chose & Why
At Banana Split, accessibility is one of our biggest priorities.
Rather than forcing every Dollop user toward a larger, more "stable" strapless strap-on design, we wanted to create size options that accommodate different bodies, anatomies, and comfort levels. With customizable sizing, people who prioritize stability can choose a larger size, while people with lower insertion tolerance can choose a smaller option that feels more approachable for their body.
We also created Dollop to run a little smaller than other models to be more beginner-friendly, approachable, and accessible. Even if a smaller shape is inherently less compatible with fully strapless use, our priority is making sure anyone who wants to use a partner toy, physically can, and that they are not gatekept from any body type or preference.
The primary goal for us isn't purely the strapless strap-on experience. The goal is to help more people have access to simultaneous pleasure
Structured or Soft?
Another major challenge in strapless strap-on design is balancing softness with structure.
A softer bulb end is often more comfortable and flexible. It can feel less intrusive, less rigid, and more forgiving to different bodies and levels of insertion tolerance. But without enough internal structure, the strapless strap-on becomes much more likely to slip out because it can’t maintain the angle needed to act as an internal stabilizing hook.
One of the most common ways to solve this issue is by adding an internal memory wire to the strapless strap-on. This lets users bend and position the bulb end to better fit their body and create a more secure, fitted position internally. For some people, this can make a huge difference in stability.
But that solution comes with its own tradeoffs. The stronger and more supportive the wire is, the firmer and more rigid the neck of the bulb becomes. Instead of flexing naturally with the body, it can start to feel like the toy is fighting against your anatomy rather than working with it. For many users, especially those with lower tolerance or sensitivity, that rigidity can quickly become uncomfortable.
Basically, there’s an inherent tradeoff between soft comfort and structured shape retention when it comes to strapless strap-on. A squishier bulb end may feel more comfortable and adaptable, while a more structured toy may stay in place more securely but feel less forgiving across different bodies and positions. Striking that balance can be really challenging.
And that’s before you even add vibration into the equation. Adding a motor inside the bulb naturally increases rigidity and internal firmness. There’s simply more hardware inside the toy taking up space and reinforcing a rigid structure. But for many users, vibration is one of the most important parts of the experience, especially for the wearing partner, who may otherwise get less direct stimulation from penetration alone.
What We Chose & Why
At Banana Split, we tried to strike a balance between structure, comfort, and vibration instead of maximizing just one feature at the expense of everything else.
We wanted the Dollop to feel forgiving and able to move with the body rather than against it, but still be positionable. That’s why we included a flexible internal memory wire, but intentionally avoided making it overly aggressive or rigid. We wanted enough structure to help with positioning and stability, while still allowing the toy to flex naturally and feel softer and more adaptable internally.
Of course, that also comes with a tradeoff. Because our wire is more flexible and forgiving, the toy may be less likely to stay firmly in place for some anatomies compared to a much stiffer design. But for us, prioritizing internal comfort, especially for people with penetration sensitivity or lower tolerance, was more important than creating the most rigidly stable bulb possible.
Our philosophy is that you can always add a harness to a strapless strap-on for extra support and stability, but you can’t magically make an overly rigid toy softer or more comfortable once it’s inside your body. We wanted to walk that line as carefully as possible and create something that balanced support and comfort.
We also chose to include vibration in both the internal and external portions of Dollop. In our user polling, the vast majority of sapphics prioritized vibration and shared stimulation very highly, so we felt strongly about making that part of the experience. Especially for the wearing partner, internal vibration can make a huge difference in helping the experience feel pleasurable and connective.
Adding motors to a strapless strap-on naturally creates a slightly firmer and more structured bulb. But by pairing those motors with a softer silicone exterior and a more gentle internal wire, we aimed to strike a balance to create the best possible middle ground between all those competing needs.
Vibrating or Light-Weight?
It's a fact that high-quality motors are heavy.
Powerful, rumbly vibration requires internal hardware, which adds weight and density. Consequently, the more motors you add to a strapless strap-on, the heavier a toy becomes.
Usually, weight isn't really a concern in sex toys, but when it comes to strapless strap-ons it has a huge impact. The heavier the strapless strap-on the more likely it is to fall out and the more strength you need to apply with your pelvic muscles to keep it in place. That means there’s often a tradeoff between strong vibration and lightweight strapless strap-on functionality.
So, you can definitely make a very lightweight strapless strap-on, but it often means sacrificing vibration strength, reducing the number of motors, or using a lower-quality motor. For some people, it's all about the strapless strap-on experience. For others, the vibration and sensation are absolutely critical to their enjoyment.
What We Chose & Why
At Banana Split, we chose to prioritize vibration and shared stimulation, even though we knew it would makes strapless strap-ons heavier.
One of our biggest goals when designing the Dollop was to create a partner toy experience that still feels pleasurable and connective for people who don’t primarily enjoy penetration on its own. For the vast majority of people with vulvas, penetration alone simply isn’t enough stimulation to make the experience enjoyable or orgasmic. We wanted our toys to offer plenty of clitoral AND internal vibration so both partners could feel actively included in the pleasure experience, not just physically involved in holding the toy in place.
That’s why Split contains three high-quality motors, including vibration for both the internal and external portions of the strapless strap-on, as well as several vibration intensity settings. We wanted the experience of using our toys to match whatever stimulation preference each user might have. Of course, those motors add weight. There’s really no way around that. Powerful, rumbly vibration requires substantial internal hardware, and high-quality motors are inherently heavier than weaker or cheaper alternatives. But for us, that tradeoff was worth it.
Our philosophy has always been that you can add a harness or support the strapless strap-on with your hand for extra stability, but you can’t magically add stronger vibration to a strapless strap-on. We’d rather create a strapless strap-on that delivers deep, connective stimulation and let users add support if they need it, rather than sacrifice the intensity of the experience just to make the toy lighter.
So… Do Strapless Strap-Ons Actually Work?
For some people, yes. For some people, kind of. And for some people, not really—at least not without additional support.
The truth is that strapless strap-ons involve a huge amount of compromise and balancing between competing priorities. Stability, accessibility, vibration, softness, flexibility, weight, and structure. Improving one area often means sacrificing another. There is no single “perfect” strapless strap-on design that works flawlessly for every body, because every body is different.
At Banana Split, we don’t think the value of partner toys begins and ends with fully hands-free use. To us, the real magic of these toys is the connective experience they create and the simultaneous pleasure that many sapphics otherwise struggle to access.
What “Strapless Strap-On” Means To Us
When we design partner toys, our goal isn’t to create the most “strapless” product possible at any cost. Our goal is to make toys that make simultaneous pleasure as accessible as possible to all different bodies and partnerships.
So yes, our toys absolutely make use of the classic strapless strap-on design, and for some people, they can work as a strapless strap-on perfectly. But if they don’t work fully as a strapless strap-on for you, we hope you won’t feel discouraged!
The Split's value doesn’t begin and end with hands-free, strapless strap-on capability. There is so much pleasure, intimacy, connection, and fun to be had with our toys, whether that experience is fully strapless, harness-assisted, or somewhere in between :)
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When most people think about vibrators, they imagine using them in one or two pretty standard ways. But one of the things we love most about the Dollop (and all Banana Split toys) is how versatile it actually is, especially once you start thinking a little outside the box.
Designed with a flexible neck, 2 powerful multi-speed motors, and a strong suction cup base, the Dollop isn’t just a one-purpose toy. Beyond being used with its counterpart, the Banana, Dollop is also an independent girlie and adapts to all kinds of dynamics and play!
If you already own one (or are thinking about it), here are four creative ways to use the Dollop that you might not have considered yet.
1. As a Partner Toy Converter
Did you know that you can use the Dollop to turn almost any suction-based toy into a partner toy?
By simply attaching the suction cup to your Dollop and suctioning the two toys together, you can create a partner toy setup in seconds. It’s a simple way to make toys that were originally designed for solo use much more accessible for partnered play.
Even better, happy customers have reported that the Dollop’s vibration is strong enough to travel through the attached toy, meaning it effectively transforms your normal dildo into a vibrator as well. That means both partners can feel the added stimulation at the same time, making the experience more connected and mutually enjoyable.
2. As a Butt Plug
Though primarily designed with vaginal use in mind, special consideration was put into making sure the Dollop would work perfectly for anal use as well!
The shape was intentionally designed to work for both G-spot and prostate stimulation, and the flexible neck allows you to adjust the angle and positioning, so you can fine-tune it to hit the spots that feel best for your body.
Because it’s not rigid, it can also feel more comfortable than traditional plugs, especially for people who prefer a bit more control over positioning. If you're into anal, we definitely recommend giving the Dollop a try.
3. As a Scissoring Vibrator
If you’re looking to get a little creative (and a little sporty), the Dollop can also be used as part of a scissoring setup.
By connecting two Dollops and inserting one each, you can create a shared vibration experience while in a scissoring position. The flexible design allows the toys to move with your bodies, adding stimulation without restricting movement too much.
This option definitely leans more “advanced,” but for those who enjoy experimenting and finding new ways to connect physically, it can open up a completely different kind of experience!
4. As a Wall Hook
Sometimes you're not feeling spicy. But don't worry, your Dollop won't go to waste!
Thanks to the suction base, the Dollop can double as a surprisingly effective (and very sapphic) wall hook. Stick it to tile, glass, or any smooth surface, and you’ve got yourself a functional little storage solution for things like keys, jewelry, and basically anything lightweight you want within reach.
Add a little whimsy and sapphic spiciness to your home decor with Dollop. After all, she's such a cutie, it'd be a shame to hide her away!
Get Creative with Dollop!
At its core, the Dollop is about flexibility—not just in its physical design, but in how you think about using it.
There’s no single “correct” way to use a toy, and some of the best experiences come from experimenting and figuring out what works for you and your partner. Our toys are designed to encourage exploration. So play around and get creative!
And let's be real, a specific sex toy can't possibly work for EVERYONE'S anatomy (though rest assured we tried our darndest), but if nothing else, Dollop might just end up becoming the cutest wall hook you’ve ever owned :)
Have a fun new way that you've used the Dollop?
Shoot us an email! We love nothing more than hearing about all the creative ways you all are using your Banana Splits!
Check out the Dollop!
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We all know about scissoring--and the countless clickbait-y articles obsessing over it. Is it how lesbians have sex? Is it a myth? If you’re a sapphic person reading this, you probably already know the truth: there’s no one way sapphics have sex. While some of us love scissoring, it’s been given way more spotlight than it deserves.
So, let’s zoom out.
Grinding, in all its forms, is where things really get interesting. Beyond scissoring, there are so many ways to connect, move, and create friction that feel far more intuitive (and, for many, way more pleasurable). From phantom strapping to the much-memed “leg thing,” we’re opening the conversation up to grinding in all of its forms and guide you through our favorite ways to connect.
Scissoring: Fact or Fiction?
So..is scissoring really a thing?
Absolutely. Scissoring is a form of vulva-to-vulva grinding, where two people press and move against each other to create friction. For those who can get into the right position, it can feel incredibly intimate and stimulating. But for many others, it can be tricky to coordinate and sometimes feels like a lot of effort for relatively little payoff. So don't get discouraged if it doesn't work for you! You're most certainly not alone.
If you do want to give it a try, here are a few tips:
1. It’s all about the angles
Finding the right angle is often the most frustrating part of scissoring. You don't just click together like a puzzle piece, contrary to media portrayals. You'll have to do a lot of shifting around and readjusting. It's often a lot more physically draining than you realize, so don't be afraid to incorporate pillows and other props to support your bodies and reduce the strain.
2. Increase pressure
You may be rubbing your vulvas together like crazy and not feel anything at all! That's probably because, in order to actually stimulate each other's clits, you'll have to press your vulvas together firmly. Try holding onto each other's legs for greater leverage or bracing yourself against something to get that pressure just right!
3. Add a toy
An underrated upgrade: sandwiching a vibrator between your bodies (especially one with a longer handle for maximum control) can increase stimulation and make the experience more accessible! The trade-off, of course, is that this may feel less intimate than skin-on-skin contact, so you can always start out without a toy and then add one in at the very end for an added boost!
Tribbing: What's the Difference?
Not quite. Tribbing is actually an umbrella term:
The official definition: "Tribadism or tribbing, commonly known by its scissoring position, is a lesbian sexual practice involving vulva-to-vulva contact or rubbing the vulva against the partner's thigh, stomach, buttocks, arm, or other body parts."
So while scissoring is a type of tribbing, tribbing more broadly refers to any kind of grinding your vulva against your partner’s body. For some people, tribbing is actually their primary way to orgasm. But even if it’s not your go-to, it’s still a super fun, low-effort way to connect and build tension without needing much precision.
Fun sapphic factoid: We bet you didn't know tribbing is one of the oldest sapphic innuendos in history! Derived from the Greek "tribein" (to rub), it referred to sapphic sex even back then. It later evolved into "tribade," used in 16th-century Europe to describe people who engaged in sapphic sex.
Dry Humping: An Even BIGGER Umbrella Term
You’ve probably heard the term, but how is it different from tribbing?
While tribbing is specifically about vulva-based grinding—focused on clitoral stimulation and often carrying sapphic-specific connotations—dry humping is a much broader category. It can involve any kind of grinding against a partner’s body, regardless of genitals, or an object, like a pillow or the arm of a couch.
So yes, they overlap--but they don’t mean the same thing.
Tribbing is a more specific, anatomy-focused, and historically sapphic term. Dry humping, on the other hand, is more general but also culturally loaded in a different way; It’s often associated with straight sex, and commonly framed as a way to simulate penetration without direct genital contact--whether to avoid STI risk, bodily fluids, or even the idea of “losing your virginity.”
Phantom Strapping: What the Heck is That??
Unless you're chronically on the sapphic sex educator side of social media, like us, you probably haven't heard of the term "phantom strapping." It's by no means an official, clinical term, but we think it's a cool concept, so we're going to talk about it anyway!
Phantom strapping is more about mental stimulation than physical. It's when your partner performs the motions of penetrative strap-on sex by grinding on you without any actual penetration or the use of a strap-on, but you feel as though you are being penetrated. So when your partner thrusts against you, you literally feel as though they are inside you.
Not everyone understands phantom strapping--basically, if you know, you know, and if you don't, that's ok, we also have physical strap-ons after all!
The "Leg Thing:" Social Media Obsession
Another term that will sound familiar if you spend a lot of time on TikTok or Instagram. The "leg thing🥵🔥" has been memed to death by sapphics and straight women alike, with many people offering tutorials and advice. Here's what it means:
The "leg thing" refers to when, during a make-out or cuddle session with a partner, they put their knee between your legs, with some pressure and/or gentle movement--essentially giving you a platform to grind on. So it's essentially just a subcategory of tribbing involving one person grinding on the other's thigh. Simple as that, but not to be underestimated!
Why We LOVE Grinding
For cis, straight couples, grinding is often treated as an afterthought—or just a bit of foreplay before penetration. But for sapphics, it’s so much more than that. It’s one of the most intimate ways to connect.
There are surprisingly few ways for sapphics to experience simultaneous pleasure. We’re great at taking turns, but getting off at the same time can be a very connective and special.
That’s part of why, even though something like scissoring can be challenging as hell, a lot of us are willing to put in the effort. There’s something uniquely intimate about pressing your bodies together, moving in sync, and sharing that pleasure at the same time.
So if you haven't given grinding a shot, we highly recommend it!
Want Something With a Little More Punch?
If you’re looking for that same sense of connection but with a little extra intensity, you’re not alone! That’s exactly why we design our toys the way we do: as tools to help make simultaneous pleasure more accessible and intuitive.
Go browse our collection of innovative partner toys designed by sapphics and loved by all :)
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Listen up!
While it may not be sexy, cleaning your toys is absolutely critical. We get it, you're in the heat of the moment, you just got a new toy you're pumped to try out, afriad of killing the vibe with a new partner by taking a break to run to the sink, or just straight up impatient? PAUSE. We get it, we've been there, but that 2-minute delay to wash your toy is worth it. Why?
Dirty toys can collect bacteria or fungi that cause infections like BV, UTIs, or yeast infections.
Toys that come into contact with multiple partners (or move between anal and vaginal use) can transfer bacteria and viruses if not properly sanitized.
Cleaning your toys is a way of showing your partner you respect their body, or if using solo, that you respect your own.
Let's talk about how to clean and maintain your Banana Split toy, and some best practices for sex toy hygiene in general!
1. Use Warm Water and Mild, Fragrance-Free Soap
For silicone toys, like Banana Split's, the goal is to remove bodily fluids, lubricants, or residue without compromising the toy’s material. Fragrance additives and harsh soaps can cause dryness or irritation and may weaken the silicone over time. A mild soap does the job perfectly while protecting both your body and the toy’s finish.
It's good practice to periodically use a cotton swab and some soap to clean around your Banana Split connecting mechanism to prevent general bacterial build-up. However, because the internal connecting mechanism should never come in contact with your genitals, it is not necessary to do so before every use, as long as you are using your toy correctly--connected to its suction cup base or to another toy.
After washing, rinse thoroughly to ensure no soap residue remains. Banana Split toys are waterproof, but you should always make sure your toy is completely dry before charging or you are putting yoruself at risk for electric shock.
2. Avoid Alcohol, Bleach, and Harsh Cleaners
Your Banana Split toy's should never be cleaned with alcohol, bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or antibacterial soaps. These ingredients can strip or dry out silicone, causing it to degrade or become sticky.
That rule applies to almost every high-quality sex toy on the market. Even if a cleaner is marketed as “antibacterial,” if it contains alcohol or harsh solvents, it can damage the toy’s surface and make it more porous, giving bacteria tiny spaces to hide.
If you like using a dedicated toy cleaner, always double-check that it says “safe for silicone” and rinse it off after use. For most people, soap and water are not only safer but actually more effective for everyday cleaning.
3. Skip the Boiling and Extreme Heat
Unlike stainless steel, glass, or non-motorized silicone toys, your Banana Split should never be boiled, microwaved, or placed in the dishwasher. The silicone casing protects sensitive internal components that can be damaged by high heat.
This rule is true for all motorized toys: anything that buzzes, vibrates, or plugs in should stay far away from boiling water and intense heat. Even short exposure can warp the material or fry the circuitry.
There's no need to look for a deeper disinfectant than mild soap and warm water. Trust us.
4. Keep Charging Ports and Connections Dry
This is an important one!! After cleaning your Split (or any motorized toy), make sure every charging port and connector is completely dry before plugging it in. Water and electricity don’t mix, and even a small amount of trapped moisture can interfere with charging, damage the motor, or even cause an electric shock.
Banana Split toys are waterproof! But NEVER when it comes to charging.
Lecture over!
Ok, we trust you! Go have fun, just remember, safety is sexy and toy care is essential!