Generally speaking, BDSM is a lifestyle full of risk and challenges. It pushes people out of their comfort zones to achieve new levels of pleasure. There are some BDSM activities that are quite tame but still highly rewarding, while others dare you to flirt with danger to experience a climax like no other. The usage of hanging manchettes is one glorious example of the latter.

Hanging manchettes and suspension bondage: what are they?

Manchette is a French-derived word used to refer to the cuff or the ornamental trimming around the lower part of a sleeve. In the context of BDSM, hanging manchettes are cuffs worn on the wrists that keep your arm suspended in the air, and these are accessories specifically used for suspension bondage.

Suspension bondage is a kind of restraint play where one person hangs above the ground. The person who isn't restrained and suspended can then explore and tease the captive's erogenous zones to their heart's content. And if everything goes well, they can even engage in penetrative sex.

The person being suspended is typically the submissive, while the one orchestrating the suspension is the dominant. It's always possible to switch roles if you prefer to spice things up, and these roles can be filled by a person of any gender or sexual orientation.

What are the types and common positions of suspension bondage?

Suspension bondage comes with two primary types: partial and full suspension. Partial suspension is when the person is only restrained and suspended by one part of their body — usually, their foot, hand(s), or back. Meanwhile, full suspension is when the person is fully bound with ropes, cables, and chains — because of this, they have no contact with the ground at all.

Vertical Suspension

This position mainly involves the person being suspended from the ground by their wrists. This is where hanging manchettes come in, though ropes can be used as well. The only problem with using ropes is that they can cause damage to the soft tissues of the wrists or reduce circulation. For this reason, suspending a person using ropes should only be done for a very short period of time.

Another accessory you can use for vertical suspension is a bondage rope harness. With this accessory, ropes are tied around the body — specifically, around the upper arms close to the shoulders, around the upper leg, and through the groin.

Horizontal Suspension

Horizontal suspension is when a person is bound in a horizontal position, usually face down but sometimes face up as well. To achieve this position, one must attach bondage equipment to the wrists and ankles or to other areas of the body — or a mixture of both. The bondage equipment can either be ropes, handcuffs, or ankle cuffs. A spreader bar can also be used to keep the ankles and wrists apart.

An alternative to this position is a suspension blow, which is when the wrists are secured to a spreader bar or to a point between the ankles, forming a hogtie. In this position, the subject is facing down, and their nipples are pointing almost straight down. Usually, nipple clamps and weights are added for more pain and stimulation.

Inverted Suspension

As the name suggests, this position requires the person to be bound and suspended upside down. Ropes or cuffs are used to lift a person into the air by their ankles.

This position is the riskiest of the three, especially since being suspended upside down will cause the blood to rush to the head. But this sense of danger adds to the thrill. The submissive will feel an increased sense of vulnerability, which can be arousing for both parties. That said, it's incredibly difficult to maintain this position, and it's recommended that you do this in a very short period of time.

What is the appeal of suspension bondage?

Suspension bondage is a daring and exciting form of BDSM, but it's also quite intimidating. Because of this, many people wonder the same thing: why are there people who engage in this BDSM play?

The simple answer is that this form of bondage elicits erotic helplessness (for the submissive) and a sense of liberation (for the dominant).

If you're the submissive in the relationship, you'll undoubtedly feel vulnerable and desired. Imagine your limbs and most parts of your body bound — you'll have no choice but to observe your partner as they tease you and do whatever they want to your body. What a thrilling scenario!

On the other hand, if you're the dominant, then the sense of liberation will turn you on. You'll be able to walk around the room, knowing that your submissive is anticipating every move you make. Knowing that you have the control and freedom to do as you wish is incredibly exciting. Aside from that, you'll feel a sense of power and responsibility for your submissive, spurring you to take care of them while they're being suspended.

How do I use hanging manchettes in the bedroom?

In order to properly practice suspension bondage, you would need a suspension frame together with your manchettes. A suspension frame is usually made of metal and designed to hold a person's body weight for extended periods. These frames can be circus-level aerial rigs, tripod-style frames, or an A-frame.

If you can't purchase a suspension rig because it's beyond your budget at this time or you don't have the space for it, an alternative is installing a hardpoint in your home. This method allows you to maximize the height and surrounding space, but the only problem is that you must hire a professional to install the hardpoint because it requires extensive knowledge of structural engineering.

Once you've safely secured your rigging, you can then attach your hanging manchettes for later use. Have fun, and be sure to practice caution!

Top Hanging Manchettes from NOTI

Hanging manchettes are undeniably an exciting addition to anyone's sex life, so understandably, you'll want a pair for yourself. If you don't know where to start your search, fret not. Here are a few products that might pique your interest.

Obei Restrain Hanging Leather Manchettes

The Obei Restrain Hanging Leather Manchettes are made with durable chains and adjustable straps, so you don't have to worry about them breaking when you're using them for suspension play. Additionally, their material is PU leather, making this product perfect for vegans.

Obei Discover Hanging Leather Manchettes

Featuring a simple yet bold design, the Obei Discover Hanging Leather Manchettes are ideal for bondage and sensation play. They're made with vegan leather and durable chains, and the straps are adjustable as well for your convenience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I safely practice suspension bondage?

First, you and your partner should have a long talk, discussing everything about suspension bondage. What are your limits? Do you prefer full or partial suspension? What about positions — which one would you like? Once all these questions are out of the way, the next thing you have to do is establish a safe word. This way, when one of you gets uncomfortable — especially the person being suspended — you can immediately stop.

The one thing to remember when engaging in suspension bondage is that you shouldn't go beyond what you're comfortable with. While it's true that BDSM, in general, pushes you out of your comfort zone, it doesn't mean a drastic change. Small steps are more than okay, so feel free to start on the safe and comfortable side of suspension bondage before trying out the more complicated positions.

How do I choose the perfect hanging manchettes?

High-quality rigging equipment is a must-have for suspension bondage, and that means you need to choose premium hanging manchettes. To do this, you would want to check the materials the manchettes are made of. Leather — both real and vegan — is the popular fabric of choice because it's soft on the skin and durable at the same time. Then, you need to check if the straps are adjustable — if they're not, the manchettes will just be either too tight or too loose for you, which is uncomfortable.

If you really want to make sure that you purchase high-quality manchettes, then one thing you can do is check out legitimate sex shops. This way, you can be sure that the products have been vetted and proven to be of great quality.

Did you know?

Hanging manchettes are actually available in the Philippines — thanks to our sex shop! Here at NOTI.ph, we believe that all women should have the chance to explore their sexuality without guilt or stigma. That's why we aim to offer as many adult accessories as possible, and that includes hanging manchettes.

If you want to check out our stock, you can scroll up and find the famed accessories under the "Hanging Manchettes" catalog on our site.