A stress-softened thermoplastic elastomeric (TPE) film (100) which has been subjected to tensional deformation comprising at least uniaxial strain, and having improved textural and thermal transmissivity characteristics, as compared to a native, unstretched material. Such stress-softened thermoplastic elastomeric film may be employed in a wide variety of articles, including condoms, finger cots, tubular bandages, and the like. Condoms (120) comprising such stress-softened TPE film are described, including condoms having a main sheath (122) comprising stress-softened and non-stress-softened areas (210, 212) in a pattern or other predetermined arrangement. A variety of methods and apparatus for forming stress-softened tubular articles of thermoplastic elastomeric film is disclosed.