The rumor is false. The long story is, well, a bit longer.

The FDA was leery of approving the Avanti. This was not because the condom itself has any problems, but because the "Always Use Latex Message" has been very successful in reducing the rates of transmission of all sorts of diseases. The FDA was concerned that approving a non-latex condom would confuse that message, or that people would confuse Avanti condoms (which are non-latex, but do block HIV) with "skin" condoms (made from sheep intestine), which are non-latex, but don't block HIV.

The result is that Durex (the company that makes the Avanti) has been marketing them towards people with latex allergies. This is a fine and noble use for the Avanti, but we enjoy them even though we're not latex- sensitive.

The Avanti has several advantages over the typical latex condom. They're larger, and a bit loose, which increases sensation. The polyurethane that they are made of transmits heat much better than latex, which further enhances the "it doesn't feel like I'm wearing a condom" feeling. They don't taste like anything, which is great for oral sex. And, for anal sex, they do not degrade in the presence of oil-based lubes, as would a latex condom.

For the record, Consumer Reports and the FDA have both reported that the Avanti breaks more readily than a latex condom, and are recommending them exclusively for those with latex allergies. We've also heard anecdotal reports of breakage. I haven't experienced this personally, but the reports have been widespread enough that you might consider having a backup form of birth control.

Given those warnings, if you haven't tried Avantis, give them a go. We love them over here at Blowfish Control.

Field reports on Avantis

"I just wanted to mention that, while I haven't noticed any great difference from latex condoms for vaginal intercourse, I definitely prefer Avantis if I'm going down on a guy. Never personally cared much for the taste of latex, but the polyurethane doesn't bother me."

"I've always found the breakage reports on Avanti rather curious. I have had two cases where a 'regular' condom has broken on me, and I've been using Avantis for over two years now and have not had a single one break yet."

"Our experience with Avantis is that, if you're larger than normal, smaller than normal, or very vigorous, or not lubed enough, then they can break easily."

"Personally, in eight years of latex condom use, I have never had a single latex condom break during intercourse. I have used an Avanti condom exactly once. It broke. One friend of mine had the same experience... I'm inclined to believe the hypothesis that their failure rate is strongly linked to the thickness of the penis in question; there are just so many people who've been using them for years without trouble, and so many who have experiences like mine. My cock is a little thicker than average, and the aforementioned friend is pretty thick as well."

"I love Avantis. I use them for pretty much everything except sex toys these days.

"I've heard complaints that they don't fit as well as latex condoms. What's true is that they're not as stretchy as latex, which means they are less accommodating if you are either smaller than their designed size, or larger. If they fit a little loosely that may increase sensation but it may also make them slip off easier. If they fit a little snugly that may make them break more easily.

"I've not had much trouble with breakage. With one partner though, they broke more often than I'd like. With that partner I would use latex condoms. I think I've only had one break with anyone else.

"They do need to be rolled on a little more carefully than latex. If you're in a hurry, it's all too easy to get a bit of the condom rolled under the part you're trying to unroll and everything stops till you fix it. A minor annoyance.

"Other than that -- they are by far the most sensitive condoms I've ever used. I don't use lube inside Avantis 1) because I don't seem to need the additional sensation and 2) I'd be afraid it would make them slip off more easily due to the fact that they're less stretchy."

Christophe's personal experience is while they break no more or less often than latex condoms, they do have a tendency (with certain partners) to be pulled off, especially when there's lube inside. All condoms are subject to occasional breakage even if you've never had one break before. The chance of breakage of any condom, and Avantis in particular, can be reduced by carefully "bleeding" any trapped air from the condom before penetration. We advise everyone to follow the manufacturer's directions and pay close attention to the condition of all condoms throughout their use during penetration.