What are bondage restraints?
Bondage restraints are gear made to hold a consenting partner's body in place during BDSM play: cuffs, straps, arm binders, spreader bars, collars and the tethers and connectors that link them. You'll also see them called BDSM restraints, bondage gear, bondage straps or bondage equipment. Restraint runs on trust and sensation, so consent, a safeword and an easy release come first.
How do bed restraints work?
Bed restraints use the bed as the anchor. An under-bed restraint system runs straps beneath the mattress, with cuffs on the ends, so you need no bedposts or headboard. The Sportsheets Under The Bed Restraint System, Special Edition has six adjustable straps, secured by an anchor connector strap: four end in faux-leather wrist and ankle cuffs with buckle closures, and two have loops for leverage. It fits any mattress, has golden hardware with six double-sided clasps and comes with a soft velvet blindfold.
Types of bondage restraints
Under-bed restraint systems
Setup is easy: slide the Special Edition's straps under your mattress, then arrange them around the head or the sides for the configuration you want. The Ouch City Collection Bondage Kit includes an under-the-mattress restraint too, plus cuffs, a ball gag and a flogger, in a handbag.
Bondage cuffs and wrist restraints
Bondage cuffs wrap the wrists or ankles and link by tether, chain or connector. The Sportsheets Edge Adjustable Handcuffs are padded for extended wear, with a buckle that fits wrists from 5 to 11 inches, a removable metal tether and sturdy rings that connect to other restraints. The Spartacus Organo Silicone PU Wrist Restraints are vegan-friendly. More sex handcuffs.
Arm binders
An arm binder holds the arms behind the back. On the Strict Arm Binder, PU leather straps wrap the biceps (9.5 to 15.75 inches) and forearms (9.5 to 14.25 inches) and close with locking buckles; locks aren't included. Drawing the arms back strains the shoulders: keep sessions short, check in often and loosen it the moment anything tingles or goes numb.
Spreader bars and hogties
A spreader bar holds limbs apart. The 30-inch Padded Spreader Bar comes with wrist and ankle cuffs and doubles as a positioning bolster. For a hogtie, the Velvet Noir Hog Tie & Cuff Set has hook-and-loop cuffs for wrists or ankles up to 12.5 inches and a connector with 8 D-rings. Keep hog ties short: they strain shoulders and breathing.
Collars and leashes
Collars and leashes bring in power play: one partner leads, the other follows. The Spartacus Organo Silicone PU Collar & Leash is a beginner-friendly set: start with a few minutes and check in. The Master Series and Lover's sets include collars too. A collar or leash never bears weight or restricts breathing.
Restraint kits and rope
The Sportsheets Beginner's Bondage Fantasy Kit has four adjustable hook-and-loop cuffs in velboa fabric, plus a blindfold. The Tied & Twisted Bondage Set has 30 feet of silky black rope with metal end caps, a 13-inch finger flogger, nipple suckers and safety shears. More bondage kits.
How to choose bondage restraints
- Where you'll play. For bed bondage, the under-bed system fits any mattress; the Beginner's kit straps to bedposts, chair legs or anything sturdy. Cuffs and a spreader bar go anywhere.
- How fast they come off. Hook-and-loop (Velvet Noir, Beginner's kit) is quickest; buckles (Edge, Master Series, Lover's sets) take longer, and the arm binder's buckles can lock. Keep safety shears near rope.
- Fit. Listed wrist ranges include 4.5 to 10.5 inches (Lover's Restraints), 5 to 11 (Edge) and up to 12.5 (Velvet Noir). The Spartacus cuffs list no size.
- Material and feel. Padded (Edge), Organo Silicone PU (Spartacus), suede-feel microfiber (Master Series), vegan leather (Lover's sets) or velboa (Beginner's kit). Nickel-free metal: Master Series and Lover's sets.
- One piece or a kit. Add pieces one at a time, or start with a matched set: see bondage kits.
- What you're ready for. Start with hook-and-loop; save an arm binder or hogtie for later.
How to use bondage restraints safely
- Talk first: what you both want, and what's off-limits.
- Agree on a safeword, plus a non-verbal signal, like a hand signal or dropping an object, if anyone will be gagged.
- Start simple: wrists in front, one restraint at a time.
- Fasten each cuff snug, with room to slip a finger underneath.
- Keep the release, any keys and safety shears within reach.
- Check circulation often: warm fingers and toes, normal color, no numbness or tingling. Release at once if anything changes.
- Never leave a restrained partner alone, and make time for aftercare.
Cleaning, care and safety
- Wipe vegan leather, PU and Organo Silicone PU with a damp cloth; let it dry before storing.
- Spot-clean suede-feel microfiber; wipe the metal.
- Check stitching, buckles, D-rings and hook-and-loop for wear before each use.
- Store gear dry and out of direct sunlight.
- Neck rule: never tie anything around the neck, or let a collar or leash bear weight or restrict breathing.
- Floggers: start light on the buttocks or thighs, never the spine, kidneys, neck, face or joints.
- Numbness that doesn't fade? Talk to your doctor.
Bondage restraints FAQ
What is bondage gear?
Bondage gear is equipment made for restraint and power play: cuffs, straps, arm binders, spreader bars, collars and leashes, plus extras like blindfolds, gags, rope and floggers. For benches, chairs and a cross with built-in restraint points, see sex furniture.
What bondage gear is good for beginners?
Gear that's adjustable and easy to undo. The Beginner's Bondage Fantasy Kit's hook-and-loop cuffs come off in one pull, and a blindfold is included. Padded cuffs, like the Edge handcuffs, and a collar and leash set are easy starts too.
How do you set up under-the-bed restraints?
Lay the straps under your mattress so the anchor connector strap runs beneath it, then bring them out around the head or the sides. Buckle the cuffs on snug, with a finger's room underneath. The Under The Bed Restraint System fits any mattress. Agree on a safeword before anyone's cuffed.
What is a hogtie?
In bondage, a hogtie (or hog tie) links the wrists and ankles behind the back. The Velvet Noir set does it with cuffs, 45-inch tethers and a connector. It strains the shoulders and breathing, so keep it short and never leave a hogtied partner alone.
How do you hogtie someone safely?
With a hog tie set or cuffs plus a connector, never anything around the neck, and only briefly. Agree on a safeword and a hand signal first. Cuff the wrists and ankles, link them behind the back and keep the position comfortable. Check circulation and breathing often, stay with your partner and release at once at numbness, tingling or cramping.
How tight should bondage restraints be?
Snug enough to hold, with room to slip a finger under each cuff or strap. Tighter restricts circulation; looser lets a cuff slide and chafe. Go by the listed fit: the Lover's Deluxe wrist cuffs fit 5.5 to 7.75 inches. Release at once at numbness, tingling, cold or a color change.
How much do bondage restraints cost?
Today, the single restraints in this guide run from $58.95 (the Velvet Noir hog tie) to $168.95 (the Padded Spreader Bar), and the kits and sets from $30.95 (the Beginner's Bondage Fantasy Kit) to $239.95 (the Ouch City kit). The under-bed system is $128.95.
Where can I buy bondage gear discreetly?
Right here. Every order ships in a plain box with no branding, free on orders of $75 and up. We ship to US addresses only, from several US warehouses, so multi-item orders can arrive in separate packages.
Want our top picks?
See our guides to the 10 best bondage kits and restraints, 5 best ball gags and 14 best nipple clamps and nipple toys. Every order ships discreetly from the US, free over $75.
