Getting The Ultimate Bulge: Packers 101
For many transgender men, non-binary individuals, and masculine-presenting people, gender-affirming packers can play a significant role in alleviating dysphoria and enhancing self-confidence.
What is a packer?
Simply put, packers are prosthetics designed to create the appearance of a bulge in the front of one’s pants, helping individuals feel more aligned with their gender identity. Packers are soft, flexible prosthetics typically made from medical-grade silicone or other body-safe materials such as thermoplastic rubber (TPR), foam, or even cloth. Some packers are made from porous materials or materials with phthalates (endocrine disruptors that can adversely affect hormones). We’ll review how to ensure you’re getting a body-safe packer that fits your needs in a little bit. Packers are worn in the underwear to simulate the look of a natural bulge. While some packers are purely for aesthetic purposes, others may have additional functions, such as being STP (stand-to-pee) devices or even pleasure prosthetics.
Who uses packers?
Anyone can wear a packer! Most often, they’re worn by transgender and non-binary/gender-non-conforming people experiencing gender dysphoria due to their genitals not matching with their identity. Some intersex folks (folks who are born with reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn't fit the boxes of “female” or “male.”), cis-men who want a more pronounced bulge in their pants, or someone doing drag or cosplay may use a packer as well. Packers are most often worn to:
Reduce Gender Dysphoria– For many, seeing and feeling a bulge in their clothing helps ease discomfort related to their body.
Boost Confidence – Wearing a packer can make social interactions, changing in locker rooms, or wearing certain clothing styles more affirming.
Pee Standing Up– STP packers allow for urination while standing, which can be helpful in public restrooms.
Different Types, Different Benefits…
Packers vary in size, color, and functionality. Most brands offer them in a range of skin tones and “fun” non-skin-tone colors.
Simple packers are often shaped to emulate an anatomical penis, including balls, and some are made of sewn cloth or solid pieces of foam designed to show some detail of the head of a penis but not much else. Here at She Bop we carry a few different styles; Archer, Pierre, The Silicone Packing Penis and even one that doubles as a stroking toy for folks with bottom growth, aptly named Jack.
A “2-in-1” or “stand-to-pee” (STP) packer is hollow down the shaft and designed to hug more closely to the vulva to make it easier to create a seal so that the wearer may use it to stand and pee (hence the name). This can be helpful in public restrooms as well as in nature when camping or hiking! You can find our selection of STPs here.
The last type of packer is the “3-in-1” or the “pack-and-play” style, which is typically hollow for stand-to-pee functionality (and lower profile during daily wear) while including a rod to insert for penetrative partner sex.
what type/size packer is best for me?
Packers come in various lengths and girths, and everyone has a unique body and unique wants/needs when it comes to choosing a packer, these are the things people often think about when choosing a packer:
How obvious do I want it to be that I’ve got something going on down there? Am I looking to turn some heads, or do I want it to be something that’s mostly for me to know?
What am I already working with? Some individuals who are on hormones such as testosterone may have bottom growth, and some packers might create discomfort from added pressure depending on genitalia and clothing tightness. This could also be an issue for someone who is intersex or a cis man who is packing.
Am I someone with a slimmer or more full profile? People who are slim or who typically wear tight bottoms like skinny jeans, biker shorts, or leggings will have a packer showing more obviously, even when using one that is on the smaller side.
Do I want to use it for penetrative play with a partner? Most packers stay one size, with a rod inserted into the packer to make it firm for penetration. If you want something you can wear throughout the day and then use for penetration, keep in mind that you’ll never be fully flaccid like someone with a bio-penis. You’ll always be a “shower, not a grower,” so to speak.
Do you want to use it for urination? Some folks use STPs after having a metoidioplasty (female-to-male gender affirming surgery also called “bottom” surgery) for an extended shaft, making it easier to aim. You might need to try various products to find one that makes the stand-to-pee feature fit your body.
What Materials Do I Choose?
Packers are made from various materials, not all of them are body-safe. Luckily, She Bop only carries the highest quality products. So you can rest assured that anything you purchase from us is guaranteed to be safe. But if you choose to look elsewhere, keep this in mind:
The highest quality packers are 100% medical-grade silicone. They are durable and body-safe. Since silicone is a high-quality material, it can be a bit pricey, but it’s worth it! Higher-end hyper-realistic packer have multiple densities and variations between scrotum and shaft texture. While single density packers tend to be more affordable, though less realistic.
The second most common material for a packer is thermoplastic rubber (TPR). TPR is part of the elastomer family of rubbers. It doesn’t contain phthalates (yay!) but it is a porous material. TPR is manufactured with trace amounts of mineral oil, so it’s recommended that you keep a barrier between your skin and a packer. Long-term wear can cause skin rashes or irritation. Additionally, the mineral oil sometimes leaves an oily or sticky texture, even after washing, so you may want to powder a TPR packer with cornstarch. Do not use baby or talcum powder- they have been linked to cancer. TPR often goes by the name Cyberskin or Superskin. TPR packers are usually softer than silicone. TPR packers are cheaper, but they will not last as long as a silicone options.
Some packers are made from foam, which is a great option for affordability. Unfortunately, these are porous. So similar to TPR, it’s recommended that you have a layer of cloth between your skin and a foam packer.
If you’re feeling crafty, you can even knit or crochet yourself a packer or purchase one from someone on sites like Etsy. These are a good option if you’re on a budget, but once again, it’s best to keep a layer of cloth between these packers and your skin and wash them between uses just like underwear!
How do you wear a packer?
The most common way to wear a packer is with specially designed packing underwear or strap harnesses. Packing underwear varies from brand to brand. Most have a little pocket that your packer slides into, like these Pete Trunks from Spareparts and some have a flap to open on the back end (the side touching you) and the front side so you can bring the shaft out for stand-to-pee use.
For low-profile packing under your favorite pair of “regular” underwear, you can use a “sling-shot” harness, which has straps with no frills and typically wraps around your thighs or waist.
You can also use strap-on harness underwear, such as the Tomboi harnesses which come with a sewn-in “o ring” to help keep the packer secure during daily wear. This is especially helpful for penetrative play to add stability.
Another option is using TransTape to secure the packer directly to your body! This more hands-on approach isn’t ideal for on-the-go everyday wear, and you’ll need to trim pubic hair if you have any. However, TransTape has a wonderful tutorial on how to use their tape to pack (and play!) on their website!
How do I use a “stand-to-pee” packer?
When first learning how to use a stand-to-pee, we suggest you practice a few times in the shower to get the hang of things. This is helpful because it allows you to familiarize yourself with how to situate the packer properly so that you don’t overflow out of the back side of the packer, and so you can get a handle on how to control the flow.
The hole at the tip of packers can vary. Some are more narrow and will slow the flow, but often, if you give the head of the packer a light pinch while using it, it will open the tip a little wider. To use a stand-to-pee packer, you’ll want to make sure you’re using either a sling-shot harness or packing underwear with flaps that open in the front and back.
How to care for your packer:
Caring for your packer should only take a few minutes, but it will increase its longevity. The best method to clean your packer depends on the material:
Silicone: Warm antibacterial soap and water are all you need for your silicone packer. You can even boil it for 3 minutes or run it through the dishwasher if you’d like! You can also use a cleaner specifically designed for cleaning silicone “toys” such as Sliquid’s Shine. If you're using a silicone 3-in-1 packer, be sure to avoid using a silicone lubricant during play, as it will degrade your silicone packer.
TPR (Elastomer, Cyberskin, etc.): Like silicone, warm antibacterial soap or “toy” cleaner is ideal for this material. Unlike silicone, however, you don’t want to expose these packers to high temperatures, as they will melt and degrade, so keep them away from boiling water.
Foam/knit: Hand washing with soap and air drying are all it takes to maintain these packers, but even with the best care, they won’t last forever.
Gender-affirming packers can be life-changing for many trans and non-binary individuals, offering both physical comfort and emotional relief. Whether you’re new to packing or looking to upgrade your current setup, there’s a wide range of options to fit your needs.