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If you’re a trans masc or a gender-nonconforming person, chances are you’ve heard of or even tried packing. For those unfamiliar with the term, packing is when someone adds a prosthetic penis to their crotch to create a bulge to achieve the look and feel of having a penis (FolxHealth). Transgender men aren’t the only people who use packers. Many gender non-conforming people and even some cisgender men pack, and the reasons why can differ from person to person. Some individuals do it purely for aesthetic reasons or gender affirmation, while others may do it for safety reasons. Some trans men don’t pack at all for various reasons, and that’s also okay. It’s their body, their choice.
As someone who identifies as both trans masc and gender non-conforming, I have some experience with packing, though I am no expert. This packing guide is based on my own research and experiences from when I first started packing, and so some things may not work for everyone.
The first thing you must do is choose your packer! There are many different varieties and ways to wear them.
Soft Packers
I’d say that soft packers are the most common type of packer. These packers are used solely to create a realistic bulge look. They often mimic the anatomy of a non-erect penis and are most used for general everyday packing. Soft packers can be made from a variety of materials, with silicone or elastomer being the most common. You can also get cloth packers that are stuffed and typically sold by independent businesses on websites like Ko-Fi or Etsy.
These packers come in various sizes and skin tones, and some companies even let you choose between circumcised and uncircumcised! I know a lot of trans men dream of being big penis-havers, but when picking a packer, it is important to keep your body type and comfortability in mind. I know it can be disappointing to find out you can’t wear the largest size there is, but one day. One day.
There are several ways you can wear a soft packer. You can wear them inside tight underwear, a jockstrap, or alternatively, you can buy a pair of packing boxers, which are essentially regular boxers with a built-in pouch to put your packer in.
If you’re new to using a soft packer, it may take some adjusting and trial and error before you feel entirely comfortable. Check your bulge in the mirror to see how it looks and adjust until you find a position you like. I’d also recommend practising sitting, walking, and standing in your home or a safe environment so your bulge feels comfy. Wearing a packer is kind of like breaking in a new pair of Doc Martens. At first, it may feel uncomfortable, but the more you wear it, the more you will become accustomed to it.
Stand-to-pee (STP)
STP packers are designed so you can both pack and urinate through the packer when standing up (FolxHealth). You can also get simple plastic STPs that aren’t used for packing and just used for peeing while standing up, which can be used by anyone, trans, gender non-conforming or cis, for convenience or when doing activities like camping. Trans and gender non-conforming folks mainly use these packers to achieve gender affirmation, or if they experience bottom dysphoria when using bathrooms. The way these packers work is that they have a funnel built in, redirecting urine through the tip of the packer (FolxHealth). According to Spilling-T.com, a good starting point for wearing an STP is to try to align your urethra with the funnel. You can wear STP packing boxers, harnesses/jock straps, TransTape, or skin-safe silicone adhesives. For a full guide, visit Spilling-T.com and read the article ‘The Art of Peeing: How to Use a STP’.
HOT TIP: STP packers take some practice to use correctly. So, it’s a good idea to practice at home or in a safe environment first before using them in public bathrooms.
3-in-1s
As the name suggests, 3-in-1s are designed for three different uses in one product: day-to-day packing, urinating, and penetrative sex. These are typically worn if you typically pack and plan to have sexual intercourse later. They are worn like a standard soft packer, and a rod can be inserted into the packer through the STP hole to make it an erect packer (Them.us). Alternatively, you can use Pack and Plays, which are like 3-in-1s, except the rod is built in, rather than inserted, and are used solely for intercourse and not designed for day-to-day usage.
DIY packers
If you’re packing on a budget or financially struggling, there are ways to make your own packers without having to empty your wallet. You can create your own packer by using 1 to 3 rolled-up socks. To wear them, wear tight underwear or boxer briefs, and use a safety pin to keep them in place and from moving around. Make sure you are happy and comfortable with the placement and size of your packer before pinning!
Even if you can afford proper packers, DIY ones are perfect for beginners!
HOT TIP: Different-sized socks create different-sized bulges! Experiment with different socks to achieve the desired bulge.
HOW TO CLEAN
Hygiene is important. Treat your packer like any other article of clothing and wash it regularly. I recommend washing after every use. Packers can get smelly if left unwashed for a while, and nobody likes an unwashed penis.
For DIY sock packers, wash those with your regular laundry. For both soft and hard packers, soap and water are efficient; however, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions if they say otherwise. You can sanitise silicone packers by putting them in boiling water – or the dishwasher, but if you live with other people, I wouldn’t recommend doing that.
I’d also recommend storing it on a shelf or in a box, such as a shoe box, to prevent any damage when not in use.
WHERE TO BUY
There are many places to buy packers, and sometimes it’s hard to know which one is the most reliable.
I bought my packer from Club X in the CBD. Club X is an adult sexual lifestyle store, but it also sells gender affirming products. Because this is a sex store, you must be over 18 to enter. Buying a packer in person can be daunting, but in the two times I’ve been inside Club X, the staff have been nothing but supportive and kind, and they even helped me pick out my first packer! If you’re looking for specifics, I got a Mr. Limpy soft packer that was around $30-$40.
I bought my packing boxers online from Illusions Lingerie, a Melbourne-based brand. Illusions Lingerie is primarily a women’s lingerie brand, but they also sell gender-affirming wear, including packing underwear and soft packers. Their packing boxers come in a variety of sizes and colours and come with a firm foam packer. The packing boxers I bought were $50 AUD, and they offer Afterpay. They sell a wide range of soft packers, available in various sizes, colours, and shapes. The cheapest packer provided is a small Mr. Limpy soft packer at $32 AUD, and the most expensive is Banana Prosthetics’ Stand to Pee packer at $200 AUD.
These brands have worked great for me so far, but if you’re looking for more options, fear not!
Spectrum Outfitters
Spectrum Outfitters is a UK-based gender affirmation brand that sells a wide range of products, including binders, foam packers, and 3-in-1 packing boxers. Their foam packers start at $11 AUD, with their 3-in-1 boxers costing $39 AUD. They also offer 3-in-1 boxers with absorbent pads for those who menstruate for $51 AUD.
For the foam packers, there are three size options, and recommendations are provided based on body size and the type of pants to wear with them.
Sock Drawer Heroes
Sock Drawer Heroes is a trans and queer owned store based in the Inner West of Sydney. Like Spectrum Outfitters, they sell a variety of gender affirmation products. They offer a variety of packers, ranging from soft silicone packers to STPs. These packers also come in different sizes, colours and shapes. Their cheapest packers are foam insert packers, priced at $16 AUD, and their most expensive is Banana Prosthetics’ STP Soft Packer, at $159 AUD. They also sell packing cleaner and renewing powder. They sell a range of packing boxers, jock packing straps, briefs, and pouches, ranging in price from $34 to $80.
Sock Drawer Heroes offers a Pay it Forward program, available to those living in Australia and New Zealand. If you are financially struggling, you can apply to be put on a waitlist and eventually you’ll receive store credit to cover the cost of a gender affirming product and postage. Likewise, you can also donate to this program.
TransGuy Supply
TransGuy Supply is a trans-owned gender affirming store focused on supporting trans men, trans masculine, non-binary, gender non-conforming trans folk, butches, and allies.
Like Sock Drawer Heroes and Spectrum Outfitters, they sell an array of packers, with $12 foam inserts being their cheapest, to the Vixen Creation’s Mr. Right soft silicone packer, the most expensive, at $96. They also sell STPs and rod inserts, which cost between $27 and $118. They sell packing boxers, harnesses, jock straps and briefs costing anywhere from $25 to $40.
Written by El Bancroft
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