“Be prepared” may be the Boy Scout’s famous motto, but when it comes to sex, it can come in handy. If it’s possible sex might be on the menu in the near future, being ready for most situations can be just an arm’s reach away. How? With a perfectly pre-stocked, convenient, portable intimacy ‘go-bag’ at the ready.

What is an intimacy go-bag? An intimacy/sex go-bag is a handy-dandy transportable collection of safer sex and pleasure essentials that are needed for sex “on the go.” Perhaps you’re spending the night at your partner’s house for the first time and want to make certain you’ll have all you need for a night of safer sex, or maybe you’re traveling and want to be prepared for any potential sexy times that might present itself. Regardless, it’s always a good idea to come well-equipped.

The number one essential of a good mobile go-bag (or sex kit) contains safer sex barriers like condoms and dams* to help prevent potentially contracting an STI or getting pregnant. I like to suggest carrying a condom of each size to be safe; average, medium, large and extra-large (no spermicide please, that can be very irritating to delicate skin), but if there’s only room for one, I’d stick with average to medium. An additional barrier to carry is a dam, a square piece of (usually) latex, used to stretch over a vulva or anus during oral sex, in order to guard against STI’s. If you’re having trouble finding one or you’re caught in the moment without one, just take a condom and cut it length-wise and you have yourself a dam.

The second most important item to bring is a personal lubricant. Lube helps everything glide without too much friction so sex is more comfortable for everyone and in many cases more pleasurable. Lube can also help prevent micro-tears in the vagina which can often be a result of too much friction. There are lots of kinds of lube that (come in small sizes) to choose from like: water-based, silicone**, hybrid lube (water-based lube with a small percentage of silicone), and oil/oil-based***. At the very least, those three items, condoms, dams, and lube are vital to any sex kit.

Additional, items to include are nitrile or polyisoprene gloves (some people are allergic to latex) should anal or prostate play be a possibility, and an individual personal wipe to clean up before, during, or after you’re done playing. I think pleasure is a priority, so make sure you have room for some pleasure enhancing accessories, I like to add a mint for fresh breath (or for a cool twist to oral), a mini clitoral vibe, and/or a flexible cock ring depending on what kind of genitals might be playing together and a hair-tie if you have long hair and want to keep it out of the way during oral.

Other items you might consider adding, depending on the kind of play you enjoy are: flavored, warming, or cooling lube, condoms with texture (or glow-in-the-dark!), thin rope or ribbon for consensual restraint, butt plug, lube shooter, clitoral stimulating cream, massage oil, strap-on, harness, blindfold, batteries or a charger (whatever the clitoral vibe uses, nipple clamps, an extra pair of underwear, and proof of negative STI tests (if you have one). Another thing I suggest is to make sure everything in your go-bag is hypo-allergenic.

While you’re at it, you might as well compile a second kit to keep in your nightstand or anywhere else you usually have sex (except your car, as condoms, dams, lube, and heat don’t do well together). It can’t hurt to be covered (no pun intended) in all settings and you’ll never be stuck in a situation where one of you has to run to a convenience store to pick up some condoms. As long as you have your sex kit current and stocked, you’ll always “be prepared!”

* Make sure you check your kit for expired condoms and lube before you take it on the road.
** Silicone lube is not safe for use with silicone toys
*** Oil-based lube is NOT safe to use with condoms