Icicles No 37 Textured Glass Butt Plug with Finger Loop

As per usual, Lovehoney's parcel arrived on time and in super secure and discreet packaging with nothing but my address slapped on. Wonderfully boring! The box for this plug isn't dull though. Icicles always has gorgeously sleek packaging with tips and tricks written on it for those new to glass, and a viewing window that makes it perfect as a gift.

Now the toy itself, wow. It's got a really pleasing weight and girth to it. The bulb at the end has a nice point allowing for super easy insertion. Those nobs along the shaft are very prominent and promise to bring some strong sensations internally, especially if you twist it around or are brave enough to thrust it in and out.

Unfortunately this toy doesn't have a thin neck, so it will probably get pushed out if you try and wander around with it inserted. The ring at the base is thick and strong, bringing a sense of extra security, as well as the option to maybe tie a tail to the end or attach a small vibe to provide extra stimulation, if not that, it just makes it so much easier to play around with.

This is a toy you may need to work up to with other toys due to its length, girth and nobbly shaft. Being glass though, once it's warmed and lubed, it's nothing but smooth sailing!

I own several butt plugs now, most of which could be described as small, so I decided it was time to branch out into the intermediate/medium options. I saw the Icicles No 37 and knew that it would be the perfect plug to up my game with.

It's glass (which is my favourite material), textured (which I love) and longer than other plugs I have (which I was pleased about) so I was really grateful to be selected to test it out in exchange for my honest review. Thanks, Lovehoney!

It arrived discreetly in the standard, simplistic and classy packaging used in the Icicles range. The front of the box shows off an image of the product and actually pulls open to reveal the plug behind a window of plastic. Inside, I found the No 37 protected within a layer of foam casing. It's somewhat disappointing that Pipedream doesn't include storage bags with this range as glass needs to be secured safely to avoid chips and the boxes are a bit bulky.

The box also gives some care instructions inside, but there are some questionable areas of text. I strongly disagree with the part that suggests using microwaves and freezers to change the temperature. One of the great things about glass is being able to make it warm or cold, but you should do so with safe methods such as the fridge or placing the toy in a bowl of warm/cold water for twenty minutes. Microwaves can create hot spots (ouch)! and freezers could lead to some awkward, painful sticking of your nether regions to the product.

Another bonus of glass is that it can be used with any type of lubricant without worries of material degradation. I personally like to use silicone as it's slicker than most other lubes. It can also be sanitised by being placed in the top rack of the dishwasher for a thorough clean. This is particularly important if more than one person is going to be using the plug. I use soap and water for every day cleans, but will be running through the dishwasher once a month or so for a more in-depth clean. You can use a toothbrush to remove any harbouring fluids from the nodules.

Having read a couple of horror stories about butt plugs with not-so-sturdy finger loops, the first thing I did was give this one a test run. I'm pleased to report that this one feels very secure and safe to use. No amount of pulling, twisting, tugging or manoeuvring affected it. The rest of the plug seems sufficiently made too as there were no imperfections within the glass whatsoever. This can sometimes happen with hand blown massagers, but not this one. It's practically perfect.

After slathering the bulb and neck with lube, I carefully inserted it. It went in quite easily and felt comfortable throughout thanks to the tapered tip. I've taken medium-sized dildos and my partner anally before so the dimensions were fine for me, but I wouldn't recommend this to somebody who has no anal experience. It is still a fairly small plug, but it's bigger than the beginner plugs on the market. If you're an intermediate player then I'd be happy to recommend this one to you size-wise.

One thing that I discovered with this plug is that there's not a lot of difference between the bulb and the neck in terms of circumference. This means that the butt plug is capable of slipping out on occasion. It has happened twice to me thus far and both times were during sex. As a result, I wouldn't recommend this as a plug to wear during vigorous sex unless you have a spare hand to hold onto the base. It's better suited to slower, passionate love-making in our experience.

I really liked it as a solo toy to use during masturbation and this is where it shined for me. Thrusting in or out, regardless of pace, allows me to make the most of the raised nodules. I can really feel the texture when manoeuvring the plug and it's divine. It's not what I'd call extreme, but it's not gentle either. It has the perfect level of intensity for something of this size and it feels great. If you liked the Lovehoney Nubby Dildo, then this plug would be a great choice for you as the texture is similar.

Another great method for solo play was a gentle rotation. I don't know if I'd say that it felt like oral, but it's definitely pleasurable for me. When the plug is worn without movement the texture isn't all that noticeable. It can only be truly felt upon insertion and removal. Playing with the plug allows the texture to become prevalent again and included in the build up to an orgasm. If I combine thrusting or rotating with a clit vibe I can get off quite easily.

Overall, I think this is a good quality, inexpensive plug that's ideal for intermediate anal players. If the bulb had been a little wider, then I think it would have stayed in easier during sex, but it's not a major problem for me as there are workarounds. Holding onto the base, restricting use to slower sex or keeping it back for masturbation sessions are all viable options.

If you like somewhat intense texture, temperature play and medium-sized butt plugs, then I'd recommend giving this one a try.