As many surfers, climbers and other athletes can attest, the outdoor lifestyle is frequently at odds with relationships. Nevertheless, some portion of them manage to attract a boyfriend or girlfriend. Some of them even stick around long enough before chasing the next purple blob or road trip to consummate a long-term relationship. And some of them — in spite of their wetsuit neck tans, having a permanent address of “‘88 Dodge van” or incessantly checking weather maps — manage to get married.
Unlikely as that is, getting hitched might be easier than keeping track of a wedding ring through surf sessions or days in the mountains. Hence silicone wedding rings. Yes, there are now a bunch of companies that make wedding rings out of the same material used to manufacture dildos, vibrators, butt plugs, pocket pussies, cock rings and, of course, expensive kitchen utensils.
Silicone is heat resistant, flexible, non-toxic, anti-microbial and a hellluva lot cheaper than silver or gold. Shane Dorian, off all people, sees the utility. He picked up a silicone wedding ring maker, Qalo, as a sponsor after losing 10 wedding bands and nearly his finger, an anecdote he recounts in the video clip below from the company’s website.
“Over a few years I lost maybe ten rings,” said Shane Dorian. “She would buy wedding rings in bulk. No joke.”
Qalo also sponsors climber Cedar Wright, Crossfitter Jason Khalipa and a small roster of other race car drivers and Olympic athletes. Fixate Designs, another company, also sponsors a bunch of action sports athletes. Silicone wedding rings generally run from $10 to $20, with an extra fee for adding a custom “engraving” to the ring.
Plus, our lifestyles tend to keep us in shape, suntanned and full of good stories. So those of us in relationships may need to keep a ring on our finger to fend off the amorous advances that fill our days. Amirite!?
And here’s Wright on his silicone wedding ring:
Shane Dorian nearly lost his finger because his wedding ring got stuck on the reef. As he knows, there is a better way. Photo: Fixate Designs
