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- Jan 1970
I don’t usually write reviews myself, but I read them often. They play a major role in what I buy. Recently, I came across a brief review of the Cherry Keeper. It was concise, yet it directed me toward this cage, and the price looked excellent. After some consideration, I decided to give it a try. Here is my first impression.
I have been locked for nearly three years now. Over that time, I’ve used quite a few different cages, ranging from inexpensive Chinese knock-offs to custom stainless steel ones. I’ve probably tested around 25 distinct models, so I have a good baseline for comparison.
My purchase was the “The Cherry Keeper Headlock Cage - Standard” with the Medium headlock option. I chose the blue processed versatile plastic material and paired it with The Cherry Keeper Circular Ring (42mm) in the same finish. Including shipping, my total came to just about $70.
Shape and Size The delivered device really impressed me. When ordering, I struggled to find clear photos of the actual product; most images were digital renderings. I was concerned it might feel flimsy or that the gaps between bars were too narrow. Fortunately, those worries proved unfounded. The cage feels very sturdy. The spacing is open enough for easy cleaning but tight enough to limit access. It is also incredibly lightweight—without a doubt, the lightest cage I have ever worn.
Beyond just looking good, the Cherry Keeper’s shape appears most natural under clothing. There are no awkward bulges in my crotch area. To an outside observer, nothing looks unusual. Even when wearing running shorts, it stays completely hidden.
Materials The material choice here is somewhat unique. I went with the blue standard option. The surface isn’t perfectly smooth; it has a rough texture that isn’t sharp. I had planned to use sandpaper to smooth out any hard edges, but I noticed the blue color seems to be applied only to the top layer. As I began sanding, some of the color came off with it. I stopped and decided to try it as-is.
I was pleasantly surprised by how well that worked. The rough texture doesn’t cause discomfort; if anything, it reduces skin adhesion to the cage, resulting in less pinching. Metal cages often have occasional pinch points, but so far, zero issues with the Cherry Keeper. I even went for a 6-mile run this morning without any problems. Cleaning might need to be slightly more thorough due to the texture, but it is worth the trade-off for comfort.
Fit & Comfort The headlock feature works better than expected. My flaccid length varies quite a bit, ranging from just under 2 inches to over 3 inches. Finding a cage that accommodates this range has always been tricky—usually, I end up with either two small or two large cages depending on the day. The Cherry Keeper and its headlock keep me securely contained throughout the entire day. Every time I check, my skin touches the end of the cage.
The lock mechanism is solid; once snapped together, the unit feels like a single piece rather than two parts loosely connected. Because it is so light, it doesn’t shift or rotate much, meaning I rarely need to adjust it.
Value The Cherry Keeper truly shines in terms of value. Although I have only had it for a short time, it is currently the most comfortable cage I own. It easily outperforms my $200 stainless steel cage that I wore 24/7 over the last year. I plan to update this review after about a month of wear, but right now, I am very optimistic.
My only real complaint is the fading color layer. While it is great that so many options are available, I would have preferred the color to penetrate through the material rather than sitting just on the surface.
I definitely recommend this product. I plan to order another version with the large headlock later to see how it compares.