Non-latex condoms are widely available at major pharmacies, grocery stores, and online retailers. You can walk into most Walgreens, CVS, Target, or Walmart locations and find at least a few non-latex options on the shelf alongside standard condoms. If you want a broader selection of brands, sizes, and materials, online shopping opens up significantly more choices.
Where to Buy In Store
Walgreens carries a large in-store selection of non-latex condoms, including SKYN Original, SKYN Elite, Trojan G.O.A.T., Trojan Thinnest Non-Latex, Durex Bare Real Feel, and Durex Intense nitrile condoms. CVS, Target, and Walmart stock similar product lines, though the exact brands vary by location. Grocery stores with pharmacy sections often carry at least one or two non-latex options, typically SKYN or Trojan.
The condom aisle doesn’t always make it easy to spot non-latex options. Look for “non-latex” printed on the front of the box, usually in a prominent spot. SKYN packaging, for instance, calls out “non-latex” clearly because it’s the brand’s main selling point. If you’re unsure, flip the box over and check the material listed on the back.
Where to Buy Online
Online retailers give you more variety, better bulk pricing, and discreet shipping. Here are the main options:
- Amazon: Carries virtually every non-latex brand and material type, including harder-to-find sizes and multipacks. Useful for comparing prices across brands quickly.
- Brand websites: SKYN’s online store (skynfeel.com) sells its full condom lineup directly, with free shipping on orders over $35 in the contiguous U.S. and discreet, unbranded packaging. Trojan and Durex also sell through their own sites.
- Pharmacy websites: Walgreens.com, CVS.com, and Walmart.com all stock non-latex condoms for delivery or in-store pickup.
- Specialty retailers: Sites like Lucky Bloke and Condom Depot focus specifically on condoms and carry a wider range of sizes, materials, and international brands that you won’t find at a drugstore.
Online ordering is particularly useful if you need a snug or large fit, since physical stores tend to stock only regular sizes in non-latex options.
Non-Latex Materials and What They Feel Like
Not all non-latex condoms are made from the same material, and the differences affect fit, sensation, and what lubricants you can use. There are four main types.
Polyisoprene is the most popular non-latex material. It’s a synthetic rubber that stretches more than latex and doesn’t contain the proteins that trigger latex allergies. SKYN’s entire condom line is polyisoprene. These feel closest to latex in terms of stretch and fit, which makes them a good default if you’re switching away from latex for the first time.
Polyurethane is a thin plastic. Condoms made from it tend to feel thinner and transfer heat better than latex, but they don’t stretch as much. That looser fit means they’re more likely to slip during use. Polyurethane is also the material used in internal (insertable) condoms.
Nitrile is a newer option in the external condom market. Durex Intense condoms use nitrile, which is the same synthetic rubber used in medical exam gloves. It’s thin, stretchy, and safe for people with latex allergies.
Lambskin condoms are made from sheep intestine. They have a natural feel that some people prefer, but they come with a significant limitation: the membrane has tiny pores that are large enough for viruses to pass through. Lambskin condoms prevent pregnancy effectively but do not protect against viral STIs like HIV or herpes. If STI protection matters to you, choose one of the synthetic options instead.
Lubricant Compatibility
One advantage of polyurethane and nitrile condoms is that they’re compatible with oil-based, water-based, and silicone-based lubricants. Oil doesn’t break down plastic or nitrile the way it destroys latex.
Polyisoprene condoms are more like latex in this regard. Stick with water-based or silicone-based lubricants when using polyisoprene. Oil-based products (coconut oil, massage oil, petroleum jelly) can weaken the material and increase the risk of breakage. If you’re not sure what type of lube you have, check the label for ingredients. Anything listing oils or petroleum derivatives should be avoided with polyisoprene.
How Reliable Are Non-Latex Condoms?
Non-latex condoms are FDA-cleared for both pregnancy prevention and STI protection (with the exception of lambskin, which is cleared only for pregnancy). That said, clinical data shows that non-latex condoms break and slip slightly more often than latex ones. In a randomized controlled trial, the total failure rate during use (breakage plus slippage) was about 4% for non-latex condoms compared to 1.3% for latex. The breakage rate specifically was roughly eight times higher for the non-latex condom tested.
Those numbers sound dramatic, but context matters. A 4% per-use failure rate still means the condom works correctly 96% of the time. And polyisoprene condoms, which are stretchier and fit more snugly than the polyurethane condoms used in many of those early studies, generally perform better. Proper sizing and using enough lubricant both reduce the chance of breakage or slippage significantly.
Sizing and Fit
Non-latex condoms come in the same general size categories as latex: snug, regular, and large. The standard SKYN Original, for example, measures about 7.5 inches long and 2.09 inches (53 mm) wide, which fits most people in the regular range. As a general guide, a girth under 4.7 inches calls for a snug fit, 4.7 to 5.1 inches works with regular, and anything above 5.1 inches needs a large.
The selection of sizes is narrower in non-latex than in latex, especially at physical stores. If you need a snug or XL fit, you’ll likely have better luck shopping online. Specialty condom retailers carry non-latex options in widths ranging from about 40 mm up to 60 mm, which covers most needs.
Cost Differences
Non-latex condoms cost more than standard latex. A basic latex condom runs well under a dollar per unit in bulk, while polyisoprene and polyurethane condoms typically cost $1 to $2 each depending on brand and pack size. Lambskin condoms are the most expensive, often $2 to $3 per condom or more. Buying in larger packs (12 or 24 count) online brings the per-unit cost down noticeably compared to grabbing a 3-pack at the drugstore.