Sustain Review

About Sustain

Sustain keeps your conscience clean when you get down and dirty, thanks to its non-toxic, sustainable condoms. The brand has opened up the conversation about sex and periods, leaving the question of why these intimate items were made with harmful chemicals in the first place hanging in the air like an eagerly flung bra.

Why non-toxic condoms? Well, why organic food? Why clean skincare? Because what you put on, in, and around your body matters.

Condoms are the only birth control method that prevents the spread of STIs. According to an article published in The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, the proper use of latex condoms has been proven to reduce the risk of HIV transmission by 10.000 times.

Unfortunately, condoms come with a substantial environmental impact. According to a recently published study, condom production is twice as for the environment than natural rubber products. That’s why many companies are developing sustainable solutions to reduce the condom’s harmfulness to the planet, and Sustain is one of them. 

In terms of the collective opinion about the importance of eco-friendly changes in the intimate market, the brand’s 108k Instagram following pretty much speaks for itself. But even buzzworthy publications like New York Magazine are shouting out, claiming that Sustain is one of the best eco-friendly condoms in existence.

Though the brand offers more than eco and body-friendly condoms, that will be the focus in my Sustain review. I’ll get into all the intimate details about the brand and its condom varieties, fill you in on customer feedback, cover any promotions that popped up, and more to help you decide if they’re the right choice for your sex life.

Overview of Sustain

If you’re reading this Sustain review, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of Seventh Generation, the eco-friendly home cleaning brand created by Jeffrey Hollender. Though cleaning and sex don’t tend to coincide outside of the coveted maid fantasy, Hollender, in fact, is the same face behind Sustain.

And despite the inevitable cringe that comes with the topic of sex between father and daughter, Jeffrey teamed up with his own daughter Meika to launch this brand. The idea was his, but his offspring brought her fresh business knowledge and a loud voice for change into the equation, bringing an idea he had over 20 years ago to life.

Since Jeffrey had a past of creating sustainable alternatives, he knew a few facts about the rubber industry. From its strong link to child labor to its chemical additives (discounting the immediate benefit of preventing pregnancy and STDs), the way that condoms are made doesn’t exactly help anyone out.

Traditional condoms have a dirty reputation that’s not talked about as much as they should be, hurting its workers, the earth, and those who use them.

Sustain was founded in 2014 but was bought by Grove Collaborative in 2019. The online marketplace for eco-goods houses over 150 sustainable brands that meet its strict ethical, safety, and efficacy standards.

Dedicated to giving back to the earth and its people, Grove is a plastic neutral brand but has promised to become plastic-free by 2025. And with every Sustain sale, 1% goes towards supporting women’s healthcare in the US.

Now that you know a little more about how this brand got started and where it’s headed, my Sustain review will lay down the highlights.

Highlights

• Vegan & Gluten-free
• Made with Fair Trade & FSC-certified latex
• No chemical smell 
• Triple-tested for safety
• Just as effective as regular condoms
• Affordable
• Gives back
• Plastic-neutral
• Offers promotions
• VIP program
• Free shipping for orders over $50

Need to know everything about this brand and like, stat? Don’t stress; it’s all coming up in this Sustain review. In the next section, I’ll take a deep dive into every last variety of condoms it has to offer to help you get to know exactly what your options are.

Sustain Condoms Review

Taking a risk on a new condom brand can seem hard. If it’s natural, does it still work as well as traditional options? Sustain told us that its condoms are all (like every single one) triple-tested electronically for safety and approved by the FDA.

These natural rubber latex condoms are just as safe and effective as previous latex condoms, just without any products of animal origin or nitrosamines. Just ahead, you’ll find details on each of its four condom varieties designed for a range of preferences and fits.

Sustain Ultra Thin Condoms Review

Think of the differences between a silk shirt and a cable-knit sweater. Which one do you think you’d feel more sensation through? Condoms work the same way, and it’s not a jump to say that if men don’t get a pleasurable experience while wearing one, they’re more likely not to.

But pleasure associated with condoms isn’t just about men. It matters for us lady folk too! Real sensations are what we all crave, so something that can give us an intimate experience is often preferred to a thick, synthetic feeling.

The Sustain Ultra Thin Condoms are made with thinner latex, but they still stand up to the brand’s high levels for safety, pregnancy, and STI protection. The brand’s most popular pick, these thin guys come in a pack of 3, 10, or 24 for $6-$25.

Sustain XL Condoms Review

Sure, regular condoms may slide over well-endowed men, but how comfortable can that really be for them?

Think of trying to squeeze into a pair of pants that’s too tight. You may be able to squirm your way in, but there’s no way you’re doing those bad boys up. And if by some miracle you do, the impending button pop isn’t too far off.

Choosing the right size condom is important for a few reasons, not just comfort or the bragging rights that come with plucking the black and gold box off the shelf at your local pharmacy. Getting the right fit is also about protection. For example, have you ever overfilled a water balloon? The more you stuff in there, the greater the risk for breakage.

A literature review by E. Chadbourne concludes that an improper condom fit is related to poor pleasure perception, not to mention inconsistent and incorrect use.

Similarly, a survey at Indiana University explored the association between improper condom fit and use issues. Among 436 male participants, 44.7% reported fitting problems. They were more likely to experience breakage, slippage, and inability to achieve orgasm. 

They were also more likely to present irritation, dryness, and difficulty maintaining an erection. Oof, that’s no fun.

What’s cool about the Sustain XL Condoms is that they’ve got ribbing and dots for added stimulation. So go ahead, pull one of these bad boys on with ease, and dive in. Grab a box of 10 for $14.

Sustain Comfort Fit Condoms Review

Like your favorite pair of sweatpants, the Sustain Comfort Fit Condoms give you a little extra room to spread out. Though they’re fitted at the base for security, they’re wider towards the tip of the condom, which some men find to be more comfortable than having a tight fit all over.

Slide one on and enjoy a little wiggle room no matter what adventure you’re getting up to. Pick up a 10-pack for $14.

Sustain Tailored Fit Condoms Review

Condoms tend to come in two sizes: regular and large. But men aren’t all built the same, which is nothing to be ashamed of—variety is the spice of life!

With that said, men of all sizes need to be protected, and an ill-fitting condom can slip off mid-romp, leaving them and their partners unsafe. Meet the Sustain Tailored Fit Condoms. They’re smaller around the base to prevent slippage and are lubricated inside and out for comfort and pleasure. Grab a pack of 10 for $14.

Who Is Sustain For?

First and foremost, Sustain is for sexually active adults who choose to use condoms as a form of contraceptive or for STI prevention. It’s essential to keep in mind that condoms are 98% effective in preventing pregnancy if used properly. Moreover, they help reduce your risk of STIs.

Sustain natural condoms are made from latex; the brand doesn’t make latex-free versions just yet. According to a systematic review, latex condoms have a lower breakage rate than non-latex ones. 

If you’re allergic to rubber, don’t use Sustain. Though its condoms can reduce irritation, they are still made from latex and can cause a reaction if you have an allergy.

Want to bring sustainability into the bedroom? You’ve found the right brand. Since it uses fair-trade certified latex, you won’t need to think twice about staying protected.

How Are Sustain Condoms Different Than Other Condoms?

I’ll start this section of my Sustain review off by telling you how the brand’s condoms are the same as other condom brands. The company tells us that all condoms are actually considered class II medical devices. That means they need to meet certain conditions before the FDA approves them.

And that’s about where the similarities stop. Unlike regular condoms, Sustain is made with fewer proteins in the latex, helping to cause less irritation. That’s why many who use them report pain-free sex.

They also don’t contain nitrosamine, a chemical that forms when latex heats up or is exposed to moisture. Nitrosamine is categorized as a carcinogen, yet it’s found within regular condoms. Where’s the common sense, people?

According to a literature review in the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, nitrosamines from condoms have been found in both male and female genitals after having protected sex. However, the authors conclude that the amount is very little, and the risk of tumors is pretty low, but we’d rather avoid it all the same.

Sustain cuts the toxic chemicals altogether. And guess what? Odors are minimized. It turns out to make a clean, safe product, all you need is a little clever thinking.

The latex rubber that Sustain is fair trade, free from dyes and fragrances, and is sustainably produced, meaning you don’t have to worry about your sex life hurting the planet.

And since regular condoms are made with a milk protein called casein, they can’t be considered vegan. Sustain is 100% vegan and does not contain any animal-derived ingredients.

Sustain Reviews: What Do Customers Think?

Condoms are a touchy subject. Men don’t exactly like wearing what’s essentially a tight, rubber sleeve, and more often than not, they’re uncomfortable for women too.

We already know why the brand’s condoms are a great idea for the earth and our health, but unfortunately, they just wouldn’t stick in the realm of contraception if they didn’t feel good or work.

So in this section of my Sustain review, I set out to get answers. Ahead, you’ll read real customer experience with the brand’s condoms sourced from all corners of the web for variety and validity. But let’s start with a few ratings a little closer to home, at Grove.co:

• Tailored Fit Condoms: average of 4/5 stars from 13 reviews
• Large Comfort Fit Latex: average of 4.7/5 stars from 19 reviews
• Ultra Thin Latex Condoms: average of 4.6/5 stars from 64 reviews
• Extra Large Latex Condoms: average of 4.6/5 stars from 31 reviews

It looks like the Ultra Thin Latex Condoms are the brand’s most popular option. Not exactly a mystery considering regular condoms block out a lot of the good feels for men. While browsing through comments, we stumbled across one helpful Sustain review that read:

“We both have zero issues or complaints. No off-putting smell. No after-taste. No breakage. Glides right on. No irritation from either of us. When we are finished we take it off and continue with other activities no problem. Highly recommend!”

The truth about any product on the market is that no matter how good it is for our bodies or the planet, they most likely won’t use it again if it doesn’t give users a positive experience. Not only did Sustain create a desirable product, but they designed it to work better than traditional options.

Another valuable comment came from one user who wrote, “These condoms have been our absolute favorites we’ve ever used. My husband says they feel better than any big brand.”

So let’s get this right. Sustain condoms don’t have any of the yucky smells regular condoms do, they feel better than big brand versions, and they don’t cause irritation. Where do we sign up?

The Ultra Thin Condoms are a great pick for any guy who prefers a barely-there feel. They’re not as roomy as the Comfort Fit, but they do provide more natural-like sensations.

For our final stop, we turned to LuckyVitamin.com. The Sustain Ultra Thin Latex Condoms were awarded a 4.6/5-star score from 8 shoppers, and in general, reviews said that they’re “the best,” feel natural and are better than mainstream brands.

Overall, we were thrilled with what we found out about Sustain condoms. No matter the fit, the same quality and safety are there.

Is Sustain Worth It?

Sex that also does the earth a solid? We’re in. That’s not to mention that Sustain condoms also actually feel good, don’t smell weird, and are less likely to irritate.

Whether you’re fed up with mainstream latex condoms that cause pain or simply want to make a more sustainable choice for the planet, we think this brand’s simple, natural, and vegan condoms are a great choice.

Sustain Promotions & Discounts

While browsing the parent brand’s website and writing this Sustain review, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I had a free box of Ultra Thin Latex Condoms in my cart plus a $20 credit. That’s one of the promotions it has running right now while supplies last.

Upon further investigation, we found out that we could get a few extra free gifts if we met a $39 pre-tax total. In addition to gifts, Grove offers a VIP membership for $20/year that gives access to quite a few perks like:

• Unlimited free shipping
• Free gifts
• Exclusive promotions
• Early access to new products

If you’re not a VIP member,  you can still get free shipping for any one-time purchases over $50.

Where to Buy Sustain

Looking to pick up a pack of Sustain eco and body-friendly condoms? You won’t find them for sale on the brand’s website. Instead, you’ll need to head over to Grove.co to shop the collection. 

Once there, you can also browse through its selection and subscribe to its auto-ship program to get your condom stash delivered monthly. Outside of Grove, you’ll find the brand at online retailers like Amazon and DesertCart.

FAQ

Who owns Sustain?

Though Sustain was founded by Meika Hollender and her dad, the brand was picked up by Grove in 2019. You can think of Grove like an Amazon of sorts—just for natural, eco-friendly products.

Is Sustain vegan?

Yes, completely. While doing my research for this Susaint review, found out that typically, condoms are made with casein which comes from milk protein. Our featured brand cuts that out to make them 100% vegan.

What is Sustain’s Shipping Policy?

When you go to buy Sustain condoms, you’ll be taken to Grove.co since the brand doesn’t sell its products directly through its own website. Grove only ships to the contiguous US, meaning every state aside from Alaska, Hawaii, and other US territories.

Shipping is $5 (which includes offsetting carbon emissions generated) or free for orders over $50. If you’re a VIP member, shipping is free for orders over $30.

Another note about VIP member shipments, though, they need to meet a $30 order minimum to ship on schedule. With that said, members who are part of the brand’s auto-ship program can just click ‘Ship Now’ on an item, and it’ll get sent out asap, but you will need to cover the $5 shipping fee.

Once your order gets sent out of the warehouse, you’ll get an email with a tracking number. You’ll search that number on whichever carrier’s website your package is sent with—it varies, but you’ll see it in your email.

What is Sustain’s Return Policy?

Grove has a Happiness Guarantee on all of the products it carries. The brand says that if you should ever not be totally stoked about the quality of the product you bought, you can return it for a full refund. Some things to keep in mind when it comes to making a return:

1. You have 30 days from the date of delivery to do it
2. Items don’t have to be in unopened, unused condition
3. Grove has the right to reject any return request
4. You’ll receive a prepaid shipping label to send your package back

When making a return, be sure to contact Grove customer service, not Sustain. Grove’s details are:

• Phone: 1-844-GROVE-75
• Gove’s website contact form

How to Contact Sustain

If you need any other information that my Sustain review didn’t include, you can get in touch with the brand via:

• Customer email: [email protected]
• Press-related email: [email protected]

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Grove Collaborative Review

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