UPDATE OCTOBER 2022: This Comfort Grip Leather Suspension Cuff System seems to no longer be in production. This review remains as a reference for those who are interested in this bondage item. While you’re here on Kinky World, why not check out my BDSM advice, femdom advice, BDSM scene outlines, and femdom podcast?
Designed for partial suspension – and for a more comfortable above-the-head bondage session – the Comfort Grip Leather Suspension Cuff System includes almost everything you’ll need for an above-the-head binding. Including a heavy steel bar and Nubuck leather suspension cuffs along with all of the required chains, all that’s left for you to provide is a sturdy attachment point as well as weight-bearing carabiner clips. This set is designed to support up to 200 pounds of weight.
Ready to play and safely transported to you, the Comfort Grip Leather Suspension Cuff system comes in two separate pieces. The pieces themselves are shipped in long, discreet brown box with no mention of where the items are coming from. The black metal bar and chain are wrapped together in bubble wrap while the two cuffs are wrapped together in separate bubble wrap. There is no manufacturer’s packaging, and they do not come with instructions.
The Comfort Grip Leather Suspension Cuff System comes with a couple of pieces that easily come together to form the entire system. The black metal bar comes attached to a length of chain that runs to a single binding point to be able to hang the system. The set also comes with the two suspension cuffs – each cuff includes the cuff itself along with the chain that attaches it to the point and a foam-covered wood bar for wrapping the fingers around. The set does NOT include anything to attach the cuffs to the black metal bar.
It’s worth nothing that this set does NOT come with everything you need in order to play with the set. Take note that it does NOT include anything to attach the suspension cuff’s chain to the black suspension bar. You will need to provide that on your own. I’d recommend weight-bearing carabiners – likely from your local sporting goods’ store. Make SURE they are designed to hold weight. Don’t just go around grabbing crappy keychain-designed carabiners. There’s no reason to mess around with your partner’s safety on this one. (And if safety isn’t enough of a motivator, just imagine how silly you’ll look when your partner is just magically “set free” by an equipment failure)
This set uses a single overhead point to “hang” your suspension cuff system. If you plan on suspending ANY weight from it, make sure your overhead point is extremely sturdy and able to hold someone’s body weight multiple times over. However, if you’re just looking to use the cuffs to hold someone’s hands in place, you can get away with a much lighter-intensity bondage point such as a decently-hung eyebolt in the ceiling for potted plants. Again, though, make sure you don’t place any amount of someone’s weight on an ill-hung bondage point. That’s exactly how you end up taking down part of your ceiling – and possibly injuring your partner in the process.
For those that can’t make any permanent modifications to their living situations, we’ve also found some success with “over the door” systems. Being careful to ensure very little “banging” against the door or wall (to avoid marks on those surfaces), you can use an over-the-door hook or over-the-door workout system to hold this set in the air for use. However, you’ll want to ensure that the top of the Suspension Cuff System is FIRMLY attached to your above-head point, and you’ll likely need to place your victim in a “chair” in order to actually have their hands be above their heads with the system. It can, however, work just fine. If you want more flexibility, make sure to consider a freestanding sex swing/suspension frame. Those would offer the most flexibility possible if you’re unable to make modifications to your living area.
A big consideration for a set like this is the comfort of the cuffs and wrist restraints. A lot of weight is going to be placed in this area, so you want your captive to feel at least somewhat comfortable. These cuffs are lined in a soft faux fur lining that offers a nice cushion against the skin. The “grips” are short pieces of thick wood that are covered in a thick foam. The cuffs themselves feature a regular belt-like buckle – but they do not include a locking buckle.
As for the comfort, they do decently well. We own other cuffs that feel slightly more comfortable than these, but these do feel pretty sturdy and well-made. If you wanted to spend way outside this price point, you likely could find a “better” system with higher-quality cuffs. However, for the price point, the cuffs do feel like they fit in great, an they do their job well – restraining your partner comfortably while offering a comfortable place for them to grip with some of their bodyweight. Depending on how much your captive squirms around while placed in these, the edges of the cuffs have a habit of unaligning and getting somewhat itchy, but a quick adjustment from the dominant fixes that really well.
The Suspension Cuff System has multiple parts that come apart. This offers a whole lot more flexibility. While the cuffs (and the handles to the cuffs) are entirely one unit, the black suspension bar (with its upper chain) are an entirely different unit. This means you can pull off the suspension cuffs at any point and use the black suspension bar for anything else – possibly other cuffs, some rope, or hanging things from. It offers a bit more flexibility than if the entire system was one, large attached piece.
When it comes to suspension purposes, we had the chance to try this out at a local dungeon a couple of weeks back. We did not, however, put someone’s full weight onto it. The legs were suspended while the Comfort Grip Leather Suspension Cuff System was used to hold the upper body’s weight. It definitely did a-okay with holding the person’s body weight. However, it wasn’t the most comfortable for the person (being suspended purely by arms and legs), so addition support was added near the waist. It was good to know that the item can hold partial body weight on its own though. (A 160 pound “suspect” was used.)
For non-suspension purposes, it works pretty comfortably as well. As mentioned before, the cuffs feel pretty comfortable and secure around the wrist. Since you’ll be able to adjust your ceiling bondage point for anyone’s height, the cuffs can also be adjusted to any variable height to be the “right’ head for your partner’s height. However, be aware that holding the arms above the head for long periods of time can still reduce bloodflow and make limbs numb, so be prepared to give your partner a little “let the blood flow come back” break in the middle of your scene if you’re planning something lengthy.
Since this Suspension Cuff System uses a single hooking point at the top of the chain to put up the system, it’s easily removed from the hook after you’re done. This makes it particularly discreet if you don’t happen to have a “sex dungeon” hanging out at your place. Just get a chair, pull the system off of the hook, and you’re good to go. Again, though, please make sure to fasten it securely enough that the Suspension Cuff System isn’t going to fall off of your ceiling point. If it does fall, it’s likely to slam your partner straight in the top of the head – and you’re not going to look really sexy if that happens. The system easily goes up and down, though, for effortless bondage. It’s literally a “less than 10 seconds” solution. Hook the cuffs to the carabiners (you provided) to the suspension bar. The suspension bar’s chain then gets hooked to a ceiling point. Done.
When it comes to cleaning, you don’t have much to do. You’ll likely want to gently wipe down the interior and exterior surface of the cuffs with a slightly damp washcloth. You’ll want to do the same with the hand grips. I’d avoid taking too much soap or liquid near these to avoid harming the material. A slightly damp washcloth should clean up most sweat. As mentioned before, the entire system can be pulled off the ceiling for easy storage; you’ll just need a spot that’s long enough to fit a long, unyielding 36″ metal bar. In a corner of the closet or behind a dresser works just fine.
Overall, the Suspension Cuff System does exactly what it promises to do – it provides a supportive and comfortable way to partially suspend some of your partner’s body weight. I wouldn’t use it to suspend all of your partner’s body weight (if only out of comfort!), but it can be used in a variety of ways without that. Easy to put up and take down, the system offers some flexibility in that the pieces can be taken apart. It’s frustrating that it doesn’t come with all of the required items to use it straight out of the packaging, but it only takes a simple trip to the store to easily have everything you want to start playing right away. The system is easy to use, the cuffs are comfortable, and you’re going to find that this makes for an easy and comfortable way to restrain your partner’s wrists above their head.
