Ring Sizing---Once More

I’ve gathered quite a bit of advice from various forums and suppliers about how to correctly size your ring. A common suggestion is inserting the index finger up to its first joint—which roughly matches the width of a Sharpie marker—to determine the appropriate gap for when you are flaccid. I’ve also come across methods based on measuring the shaft diameter at full erection, though I need more details on that approach. Your insights would be welcome.

I prioritize being able to comfortably slip a finger inside. If it’s too tight, circulation suffers during night-time erections; if it's too loose, the ring falls off easily. It probably varies by individual. My testicles are on the smaller side, yet this method works well for me.

Like you, I’ve encountered a wide range of advice. Here is the one that helped me most: A/ To size the base ring correctly, create your own using a pipe clamp wrapped in insulating tape to smooth out sharp edges. Wear it overnight for about two weeks, gradually tightening it until it wakes you up around 5am (give or take). Then loosen it by 1-2mm and test wearing it over several consecutive nights. It should be snug enough to stay put but not so tight that it hurts. B/ For the tube diameter, use an engineer's caliper. Take a few measurements while flaccid and choose a size that is close yet slightly loose when soft. This allows blood flow and provides some recovery time. Note that there’s a school of thought advocating for tighter fits—I don’t fully agree with them, though I might be missing out on something. This approach works well for me. C/ Regarding length, advice varies too. My preference is to size based on your full erect length. If it's too short, the base ring gets pulled up along the shaft, trapping and stretching the scrotum. This can cause oedemas and significant pain. Again, results may vary (YMMV). I prefer a cage that fits tightly enough to block external stimulation without being torture. D/ Lastly, once you have both the tube diameter and base ring diameter, measure or calculate the gap between the bottom of the ring and the lowest point of the tube. This distance should be roughly 20mm. If it’s too large, the device might pull off (potentially giving your balls a painful squeeze as they slip through). If it’s too narrow, swelling and oedemas can occur. Just sharing my experience. If you’ve tried standard devices and find you prefer something smaller or tighter, go with what suits you best. I needed to take the custom route because (ahem) I require a larger size...

@Waitingforkeyholder.. Thank you for your excellent and very helpful reply. While I understand the logic behind sizing for full erection, some people prefer to fit while totally flaccid. This ensures that erections are stopped or at least minimized, even if it’s not always 100% successful. Another measuring technique I use is similar to the hose clamp method but mimics a real base ring more closely: take about six inches of thick-walled 5/16" tubing and join the ends with a short nylon or metal rod. Start with a clear loose fit, then reduce the diameter by about 1mm (by removing ~3 mm of tubing) at a time until you find the right balance of security and comfort. This achieves what expensive sizing rigs do but costs very little while offering infinite adjustability.

That’s a good method for sizing—yes, there really is no need to buy expensive rings. I fully recognize that two very different schools of thought exist regarding tube sizing. In fact, I’d say most advice suggests going "1/2 inch smaller than your erect size." If that works for you, it makes sense. Reflecting on it, the difference might come down to being circumcised versus uncircumcised. Yes, I am uncircumcised, and after spending a lot of money on failed trials with "standard" sized devices, I can confirm 100% that anything too small doesn't work for me. At least, I cannot wear it longer than an hour or two before developing significant puffy oedema, which is far too short for enjoyment! My current device still needs care—especially light lubrication daily—but it manages to go months without swelling or chafing.

@Waitingforkeyholder.. Thanks. Being uncircumcised as well, I find that a bit of compression works for me. Just enough (about 1/4 to 1/2 inch) to keep the member properly aligned when urinating and allowing just slight extrusion of shaft skin through the cage openings. This setup helps prevent pullouts, whether intentional or not, and tends to stop an erection as soon as it begins.