If you are sexually active, it is likely that you will want to keep a condom ‘handy’ at all times. You never know when you are going to use it. However, it is crucial that you do not store the condom in your wallet. Many people do, however, and they do not know that storing it in your wallet is probably one of the worst mistakes that you can make. Let me explain why.
Condoms absolutely hate heat. They also hate friction. If you store your condoms in your wallet, then the condom will be exposed to both of those quite a lot. Each and every time you stand up, sit down, have a little bit of a dance, or even open your wallet, you are exposing that particular condom to heat and friction. Every time this happens, the condom is going to start to wear down a little bit. When the condom starts to wear down, it will become less effective and more prone to breakage.
It is important to note that it is going to be incredibly difficult to spot the damage caused by the condom in your wallet. The latex will have gotten thinner, but unless the condom has been in your pocket for years and years (some people do!), then you will not notice any real damage.
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You will most likely go ahead and use that condom anyway. This will result in the condom not giving you the ultimate level of protection i.e. you will be at risk of STIs and getting somebody pregnant.
So What Can You Do
Don’t get me wrong, it is fine to have a condom in your wallet for ‘one night’ only. You won’t be causing too much damage if you go down that route. However, if you do not actually get to use it that night, then you are going to want to take it out of your wallet. You should only ever keep fresh condoms in your wallet. There is one exception to this rule though.
That is the ‘Unique Pull’ condom. This condom has actually been designed to be stored in the wallet. It has a credit card style packaging that protects it remarkably well. It also does not make it obvious that you are actually carrying around a condom in your wallet (none of those embarrassing condom rings poking through!). It has a couple of extra features too, so I really do suggest you check them out if you are looking for something to ‘carry around’.
For some other suggestions on how to store a condom check out this post.
Peter started condom-sizes.org in 2011 after realizing what a difference using a proper condom size really makes! In 2012 he published an e-book called 'How to Find Your Perfect Condom' which is still available on
It’s interesting how condoms exposed to heat and friction. My youngest brother dropped his wallet, and a condom came out. I’ll warn him to get himself a tin to safely store his preservatives.