Recently, I had the privilege of speaking to one very handsome, bearded rubberist in Switzerland, John aka @silonantumni. He kindly answered a few questions about his fascination with rubber for me to better understand this particularly shiny fetish. Watching his videos, it’s hard not to get aroused by all the squeaking and clicking as his buff body moves around in his carefully crafted rubber suits.

The History of Rubberism:

Before we dive into the interview, a little history lesson. Rubberism is the fetish for rubber or rubberwear. The aesthetic is completely left up to the rubberist though one might find it hard not to envision shiny black latex stretched across a foot or perfectly molded to the curves of the body.

What is rubber anyways? Rubber starts with latex, harvested from the South American tree Havea Brasiliensis. The sap from this plant flows freely as an opaque white liquid, obviously meant to be sexualized. Though it is a South American native plant, seeds were exported to southeastern parts of the world and now Thailand and Indonesia top the charts for rubber distribution.

Rubber has been slicking up the world as far back as 1600 BC. It was used by the Aztec, Mayan, and Olmec to waterproof containers. Fun fact: the Olmec roughly translates to “rubber people”. In 1751 the first academic paper was written on rubber’s use and the rubber eraser was one of the first European applications of the substance. This doesn’t sound very sexy, I know.

It wasn’t until 1823 that Charles Mackintosh created the first waterproof clothing using rubber that an underground fetish started to emerge. Mackintosh Magazine was published and included easily sexualized stories, though subversive, involving young girls in their rubber Mackintosh raincoats on their way to catch the bus. Though these stories weren’t outright sexual, it is easy to imagine men ‘reading’ them for more than the marketing. In 1839 Charles Goodyear discovered that by adding silicon to rubber it creates a much more durable and elastic material. The first condoms were in fact rubber, and to get the correct size a man would have to be measured by their doctor with a mold of their erect penis. I know, this sounds like the plot to every doctor porno. It wasn’t till 1920 that Youngs Rubber Company created the first modern latex condom called the Trojan we know and use today.

In 1957 John Sutcliffe began a company named Atomage, creating weatherproofed clothing containing leather and latex outfits for female pillion riders. Sutcliffe soon found out that patrons were buying his outfits for more than its practical use. In 1972 Atomage Magazine began depicting women wearing Sutcliffe’s creations and the modern rubberism movement bounced into the spotlight.

The punk scene took rubberism to a whole new level, when the band, the Sex Pistols worked with a London store Let it Rock that later renamed itself Sex in 1975, owned by subversive fashion designer Vivienne Westwood and her partner, musician Malcolm McLauren, to produce fashionable leather and latex clothing.

Finally in 1979 the New World Rubber Club was formed; it began the recognition of rubberism as a movement all its own. Today, rubberists have their own pride flag, designed in 1994, and have been adopted into the cannon of sexual lifestyles and fetish communities. Magazines emerged and companies began, all dedicated to rubberism. Companies like Libidex, Black Style Germany, and Invincible Rubber, offer quality rubberism products and gear. 

The Interview with John aka @silonantumni:

Thank you for taking the time to speak to Rest Stop Shop!  While we are here for all men regardless of their sexual orientation, do you identify as gay or straight?

I am straight.

Do you have a preferred gender for those who subscribe to your OnlyFans? Or are you okay with anyone watching you?

I’m okay with anyone watching my content!

What got you into rubberism?

I think it started with tights and pantyhose. I was so attracted to them when I was a teen. I discovered latex on the internet in my teenage years and I was intrigued by the feeling of the material. The second skin part of it especially. So, one day I thought I should give it a try and bought boxer shorts in a sex shop. They were poor quality but I loved the experience, I was hooked.

What is it about rubber that turns you on?

The second skin, the shine, the smell. All this combined gives transformative powers to latex. It enhances bodies in my opinion, you’re sort of “more than human” or different while wearing rubber.

What is your favorite thing to do with rubber?

Caressing it or being touched while wearing it is the best, that feeling is quite unique. Your skin feels more sensitive in a way.

Do you have any preparation practices before you play with rubber?

Lube, lots of lube! I put some on my body/body parts where I’ll put my latex clothes on and on the clothes themselves. It’s way easier to get dressed in rubber and way more comfortable once you are wearing it. Also, I keep towels on hand because you can sweat a lot while in full rubber!

Does your hair ever pose any difficulty using rubber?

I’m a pretty hairy guy, long hair, big beard and hairy body. My head hair doesn’t bother me too much when I’m putting rubber on, I just need to tie it in a bun.  It’s not a big deal with my beard, it’s only problematic with rubber hoods. I can’t wear a full face or total enclosure hood covering all my face. If you have a trimmed beard, it’s okay but mine is too long for that. So, I have an open chin hood that leaves room for my beard. Body hair can be a bit more annoying, that’s where you need to put on plenty of lube if you don’t want your experience with rubber to be a painful waxing session!

What are your favorite pieces to play with?

My LatexD catsuit. It’s made to measure so the second skin feeling is the best! It has crotch zippers, so I don’t need to pull it off if I need to go to the toilet (or for sexy times!).

You mentioned lube, but are there any products one must have when using rubber? Are there any lubricants one should not use when playing with rubber?

Silicone or water-based lubricants are key. It’s best to buy lube purposely made for latex. I personally use Begloss lube, and I think it’s great. You also need talcum for storage. After a good session in latex, you need to wash it with warm water and nonaggressive soap and once it’s dry, put talcum on your clothes and store them hidden from sunlight. Latex is a sensitive material.

Do you prefer to play with rubber solo, or do you like to play with others?

I usually play solo or with my girlfriend.

How do you approach sharing your fetish with a partner?

I’m open about it and I’m convinced there are more people into latex than we think! I won’t straight up talk about that with a person I’ve just met but if I feel like the other person is open after a while, I’ll try to show her my pictures in latex for example, or pictures of an outfit I like and see her reaction.

Where can one learn more about the rubberist community?

I’d say on sites like Fetlife, forums or by looking at latex content on social media. There are so many talented photographers and models who specialize in latex.

Is rubber something that you like to keep secret or share with others in your life?

My close friends and some members of my family are aware of my latex kink so I’m not keeping it secret.

Where do you like to play?

At home mostly. I’ve been to a fetish party once in rubber and I really liked it. It was some years ago and I’d like to do it again, sadly Covid happened. I’ll attend the next fetish party that comes up!

There are some videos on your OnlyFans that are feet focused. Do you also like feet?

I don’t have a particular foot fetish. I can find some feet pretty but that’s it. That said I do like them nicely wrapped in tights or latex tights/socks/toe socks. They suddenly become erotic for me. They look different from just feet. The transformative aspect of latex again.

What is it about body worship that turns you on?

I kind of like the aspect of admiring the body like a piece of art, like Greek statues. Latex is so shiny you admire and worship every part of one’s body.

Do you enjoy worshipping others, or do you like to be worshipped?

I like both!

Where can someone find your content and support you?

You can find me on Twitter, Instagram and Onlyfans — @silonantumni

Thank you!