Astral from Maia

Pros:
- Made from silicone
- Silky smooth surface
- Highly Textured
- Harness compatible
- Suction cup base
- Storage pouch included
Cons:
- Very firm (which could be a pro)
- Too large/textured for some
Overall:

-Use-

Astral from Maia is a silicone dildo with a silky smooth surface and a stimulating shape.  Best used by those who prefer highly textured toys, Astral is designed to please!  With rows of wide ribs and a broad, curved head, the shape is sure to stimulate the areas that matter most, and should work for targeting the G-spot.

Great for solo play, Astral has a suction cup base on the bottom, making it possible to use for hands free stimulation.  Since the cup on the bottom is wider than the shaft, it’s also safe to use for anal play.  I will caution, the material is very firm and extremely textured; this isn’t a beginners toy, especially when it comes to anal insertion.

Enjoy playing with a partner?  Astral is game!  The same base that makes it anal safe, also makes it harness friendly.  Whether you strap on the dildo or plan on manually thrusting it, do use some caution.  The material is extremely rigid and you don’t want to cause your partner any discomfort.

Without any internal parts, this dildo is totally safe to use in the tub or shower, and is where the suction cup works best.  Simply press it against the shower wall and you’re all set for a hands free solo session!

-Material/Texture-

Astral is made from silicone which is a completely body safe material that is non-porous, latex free, and phthalate free.  The surface is called soft-touch which is referring to the silky smooth surface.  Because it so smooth it doesn’t create any drag, and hardly attracts any lint.  Though the material feels soft on the outside, the firmness is anything but soft.  Considering it’s silicone, there’s only the tiniest amount of give when you press on it, and it’s not easily bent.  This is best for those that prefer very rigid toys that don’t feel realistic.

The texture on the toy is much more obvious because of the firm material, and is great for those that prefer highly textured toys.  The tip features a very prominent head while the shaft is covered in wide ribs which almost gives it a swirled appearance.  Every bump is easily felt and can be a very stimulating experience for the right person.

There is an obvious seam that runs over the length of the toy.  It’s only lightly felt with your hands, but isn’t obvious during use, especially because the rest of the toy is so highly textured.  If you’re not used to a lot of texture, I would suggest trying out something else first.  The firmness paired with the bumps could create an uncomfortable experience for a beginner, but will be excellent for texture lovers.

-Design/Size-

Astral has a pretty standard shape for a dildo, without it looking realistic.  The whimsical design features a prominent head, textured shaft, and flared base that features a suction cup.  The shaft has a nice gradual curve that helps the head connect with your G-spot, but the shape of the head makes it easy to get a little hung up on your public bone.

The unrealistic look is great for someone who’s uncomfortable using toys that resemble a penis, and the vibrant color makes it suitable for those that don’t care for skin tones.

The suction cup base holds surprisingly well on the right surfaces and should stay in place during use.  It doesn’t work on regular walls, but suctions well to wooden or metal chairs, the tub/shower, and other clean, smooth surfaces.  I tried sticking it to the wall in my bedroom and it stayed in place for less than 20 seconds, however, no amount of tugging on it made it fall off the shower wall.  Lifting one side of the base will help break the suction when you’re ready to remove it.

The length is pretty average for a toy like this, but the girth makes it unsuitable for beginners, especially considering the firmness and texture.  The full length of the toy is 8″, with 7″ being insertable.  The widest area of the head is 5 3/8″ in circumference, but decreases to 4 3/4″ just below it.  The shaft ranges from 5 1/2″ to 6″ around, with the smooth area at the base being 5 1/8″

-Care-

Astral can be cleaned using antibacterial soap and warm water, or your favorite sex toy cleaner.  If you’re sharing or switching orifices you have a few options as far as sterilizing it.  You can clean it with a 10% bleach solution, boil it, or place it on the top rack of your dishwasher.

Being made from silicone makes it compatible with only water-based lubricant.  Other types could cause the surface to degrade, making the toy unusable.  Make sure you use a fair amount of lube.  Though the surface of the silicone is very smooth, the texture makes it necessary.

Included with your dildo is a storage pouch.  The pouch is silky smooth and is in a complimenting color.  It’s thin and isn’t padded, but does keep your toy clean while it’s being stored.

-Packaging-

Your dildo arrives in a very fun looking package.  It’s not discreet since the product is shown on the outside, but it’s done in a fun and tasteful way.  The box has a front flap that allows you to view the toy through a plastic window.  The flat stays shut using two Velcro closures.  When it first arrives, the box is sealed with a sticker that notes the product should not be accepted if the seal is broken.  Mine was perfectly intact.  Once you cut or remove the seal, you open the box where you’ll find the dildo in a plastic tray.

Included with your toy is a paper showing other products put out by Maia, a small paper that gives directions for use (which is generic and more suited for their battery powered toys), and the drawstring storage pouch.

-Experience-

When I first saw the shape of Astral, I was really curious how it would feel.  I like some texture to my toys and always appreciate a dildo with a suction cup, so I was excited to get the chance to test it out.  I’m someone that enjoys soft silicone, and once the box was opened and Astral was in my hands, I admit, I was a little disappointed.

I tried the suction cup out on various areas and was quite impressed with the way it held up.  The suction remained strong on most surfaces and proved to be a great feature to this toy.

I was a little nervous when it came time to use it because I haven’t had many good experiences with super firm silicone toys.  I took my time and while the texture was very stimulating, the firm head of the toy kept catching on my pubic bone, creating more discomfort than pleasure.  Had the material been soft, I don’t think this would have been an issue.

Though it didn’t fit my tastes, doesn’t mean it won’t work out for you.  If you enjoy firm silicone and a lot of texture, I can see this being a great choice for you.  However, if you’re like me and enjoy silicone that’s more plush, you might want to pass on this one.

Interested in purchasing your own Astral?  Click the banner below to visit TabuToys and see their great selection of adult products.

Astral was provided to me free of charge in exchange for an unbiased review.  This is in compliance with FTC guidelines.