The best ones to use are made of latex rubber. This makes them less likely to tear during handling or use. Never use an oilbased lubricant like vaseline with a condom. Most spermicides also kill viruses. Although they are not available everywhere, condoms that include a spermicide may provide an additional barrier against the AIDS virus.
New condoms are stronger than old ones.
If you keep a condom for too long, the rubber loses its strength. Store them in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Heat quickly damages rubber, so do not store condoms in hot spots such as the glove compartment of a car. Many condom packages will have either a manufacturing date or an expiration date on them. This is helpful since it provides an indication of age.