Let’s discuss why you should always bring your own condoms when traveling abroad.
When traveling to a foreign country there are lots of things you can plan on buying when you get to your destination.
This is smart because it helps cut down on luggage weight and leaves more room to pack other things.
But condoms are one of the things you should always bring with you.
This is true for several very important reasons:
1. Foreign Condoms Are Sized Differently
Condoms are generally manufactured to meet the needs of the local population. So depending on where you are traveling to, the local sizes may not fit properly.
For example, if you are traveling from a Western country to an Asian country, you might find that the condoms sold in Asia are smaller than you are accustomed to. Which means you could find the local condoms too tight, or completely unusable.
Obviously this could have a huge (heh) impact on your trip.
And while this is not an issue I have run into while traveling in Europe, I still bring my own to avoid logistical inconveniences.
Just makes sense to arrive prepared.
2. You Might Not Find Your Brand
Even though most western condom brands have exceptional market penetration abroad, this can vary depending on the country, city, or region you are traveling to.
Which means your preferred brand may be available in most of the larger capital cities, but it might not be available in smaller cities.
And while you may not care about using a specific brand, when it comes to protecting my health and avoiding unplanned pregnancies, I will not entrust this job with a brand I am unfamiliar with.
Remember: the only thing protecting you from 18+ years of child support is a very thin piece of latex. Do you really want to take chances with this?
3. Quality and Counterfeit Condoms
Another common issue to be aware of is poor quality and counterfeit condoms sold abroad.
In fact, here have been lots of reports of low-quality condoms sold in foreign countries. This is a huge risk due to the obvious health implications of using a cheaply produced condom that might not keep you safe.
This is especially true in certain Southeast Asia countries like Thailand and The Philippines…you have been warned.
Another risk comes from impaired decision-making due to alcohol or ‘heat of the moment’ situations. You might be tempted to rationalize ‘something is better than nothing’, only to end up with serious regrets later.
Finally, it’s important to remember that many foreign countries have lax standards when it comes to selling counterfeit products, or those that infringe on trusted western brands.
So be careful of assigning the same level of trust to a brand you recognize when traveling abroad.
Final Thoughts
Fortunately there is an easy solution to the issues outlined above: pack in your own trusted brand of condoms.
Condoms are lightweight and don’t take up much space in your luggage, so it’s easy to avoid this common travel pitfall by planning ahead.
We also recommend bringing more than you plan on using. This is a good strategy in case you end up having more sex than expected (always a good thing), or in case you’re traveling with someone who needs to borrow some.
Also, be sure to check out the other sex and travel articles to make sure your next trip abroad is a success!
