*Disclaimer: This article contains links to images pertaining to products that look like male genitalia. This post is not about sex or sex toys but is intended as an informational guide regarding the practice of packing.
What is Packing
It certainly has many definitions, but the one we’re going for here is the act of putting something in your pants to simulate the image of having a penis. It could be as simple as bunched up socks, a low-cost penis-looking product, or a high-end multi-functional alternative penis.
Why Pack
Each guy has his own reason for packing, but the most common reasons include the need to feel as though you’re intact. Bottom dysphoria can be powerful and surgical options are still lacking in many areas (not to mention astronomically expensive) so many of us have only on option – to pack. It gives us the sense that we are complete. Other guys use it purely for functionality such as using an STP Packer.
Packer Vs. STP Device
STP – Stand To Pee – devices range from a simple little silicone funnel that was designed to allow women to pee while standing when they happen to be in places that don’t offer proper bathroom facilities to full on devices designed to look and feel like a penis and function so as to allow for peeing while standing.
What is Pack ~n~ Play/PnP
Along with some packers allowing you to pee while standing up, others offer you the ability to both pack and then utilize it as a sex toy as well. This is especially helpful to the image as there is a sense of being all-in-one. It’s easy to get jolted into a dysphoric state by having to remove a packer and then replace it with another device for sexual encounters. A Pack ~n~ Play allows the wearer to feel more fully connected. These vary in construction, but many have a bendable rod that will allow for packing and then use. It’s always advisable to read a good selection of reviews when purchasing a Pack ~n~ Play, as the materials and quality vary significantly.
Pre-Packing Considerations
It’s important to consider that packing could have the reverse effect and actually serve to create or increase depression or dysphoria. How so? The act of putting a fake penis in your pants every time could be a triggering reminder that there is not a real one there, and some guys may feel an adverse reaction to this process.
Don’t be a size queen. Not being naturally endowed or not having any experience with men may make it difficult for you to gauge a proper size. Prior to purchasing it’s a good idea to watch men standing, walking, and sitting (without being creepy) and notice how in most cases you don’t even notice their bulge. In this case, you will want to pay attention to the various reviews on each product and take recommendations into consideration and understand that packing is for yourself and not typically for the world to oh-and-ah over your bulge. If you are going for a visible bulge be prepared to deal with your pants fitting differently, sitting, and even walking will change because of the odd size.
Let’s talk numbers for a moment. First, it’s important to realize that when you’re looking at sizes for packers you’re looking at a flaccid organ so right off the bat you’re going to want to account for that being a smaller number.
According to the 2015 study that included over 15,000 men regarding the length and circumference of the average penis the statistics may surprise you.
The actual average dimensions were:
• length: 13.12cm (5.16 inches) when erect
• circumference: 11.66cm (4.59 inches) when erect
The results across various studies have shown that the average:
• flaccid length is 7 to 10cm (2.8 to 3.9 inches)
• flaccid circumference is 9 to 10cm (3.5 to 3.9 inches)
• erect length is 12 to 16cm (4.7 to 6.3 inches)
• erect circumference is 12cm (4.7 inches)
(Medical News Today)
Hopefully, that helps put things into some perspective. It’s terrible to make a purchase of something like this only to find out you can barely walk now because it’s too big and most of these items, given their intimate nature, cannot be returned or exchanged. For many of us a purchase of this kind, even on the cheaper end of the scale, could be expensive or at great risk.
Let’s discuss some of the very many options now available with which to pack. Not that long ago we were restricted to finding various items to stuff in our pants, mainly socks. This wasn’t always the best option as it gave the appearance of a tremendous penis, lumpy and odd-shaped, or it would constantly slip and slide. You can see this used in movies like Just One of the Guys or Boys Don’t Cry and while it was common practice a few years ago it was definitely lacking and cumbersome. As these are items you can find anywhere we, won’t be covering them so we will move on to some of the ones that will require a purchase.
There’s a lot of options and many are nearly identical, some of which with very similar names. You can go for low-cost and practical to mid-range and somewhat realistic to high-cost and almost fully functional. They also come in an astounding array of color options, hair can be added or remain smooth, general penis-like shape to full lifelike details including circumcised and uncircumcised options. Once you select the packer you like, there are additional options that you may want to consider such as straps and briefs that are designed for the trans man to aid in keeping your packer in place and positioned optimally.
Harnesses/Holders
Once you get a packer you need to consider what to put it in. Several packers will have a recommended harness or similar device in which to wear with your packer to make sure it stays where it’s supposed to. If you can get a “bundle” deal with a harness and packer that’s often your best bet. Simple harnesses like the packing pouches/sacks are very cheap and can function well enough. They do, however, tend to slip out of place if you’re too active with them. Some are actual men’s briefs which could be one of the best options. They’re underwear for men in a variety of styles built with the intention of holding a packer. Standard men’s briefs could work but aren’t designed with a packer in mind. You can even do some at-home rigging with your packer and which packer you select will often determine what kind of harness or holder you will need. On the safe end, briefs are often the best bet as they will secure the packer to that specific area without fear of it sliding out and down your pants.
MEDICAL & HYGIENE
Packers come in a wide variety of materials. While many companies have responded to so many having latex allergies and have removed it from their products there are still many kinds of materials from which to pick. As such, pay very close attention to those details when shopping for your packer. It’s rare to come across a packer that doesn’t have the materials listed. Additionally, the materials used will dictate how you can keep them clean and what products to use. Certain cleaning products can easily erode and destroy your items so check with each manufacturer for recommended cleaning agents and storing options. Many of these will recommend a powder that you can purchase although they aren’t required, and you can usually find cheaper options elsewhere. Just don’t use baby/talc powder.
Pricing
As with anything else in the world quality and value seem to be at odds with each other, and finding the best mix of the two can be a big challenge. Making the best recommendation for a packer is difficult because each guy wants one for their own personal reasons combined with their personal price ranges. Throw in the fact that some guys are in environments that having packages arrive in the mail could be suspicious or they just don’t have access to certain sites such as some patrons outside the U.S. You will be pleased to know that Amazon, of course, carries a good selection of packers which does make it a lot easier for those around the globe to shop.
Packers, themselves, range from as low as $5 or $6 dollars with many being in the $15-$30 range. The price difference usually means you’re giving up some levels of detail. This usually includes veins, realistic testicles, or just being plain and smooth. Just because you’re opting for a $20 model doesn’t mean you’re going to get much better detail over the $5 option as the MASHO packer is about $20 and is as plain and smooth as they come while the ones by Packer Gear have vein and ridge detail with textured skin features. Sometimes your color options will be limited to two or three generalized colors and, for some folks, that’s simple enough as it’s mainly the desire to feel well-equipped that is the primary goal.
Other packers increase towards the $75 and even up into $300 or more ranges. What makes the high-end models most expensive is that many are custom made when the order is received compared to the mass-production versions for lesser money. They also give you a significant color palette from which to match to your own skin tone and options to add hair that is also selected from a palette of colors to match your natural tones. They are also made to look as realistic as possible and some are even molded from real penises instead of a cut-and-paste mold the cheaper ones use.
Recommendations
Each person will have their own experiences with packing whether it’s for the sole purpose of feeling a penis on your body, using one that is designed to assist you with peeing while standing (STP), one that can be used to pack and play, or even ones that are designed to easily move from packer to STP to play. As such I, once again, strongly recommend taking the time to read the reviews available. Don’t use the reviews strictly on the retailer’s site but use internet searches to look up the model you like, and odds are you’ll find a lot of written and YouTube reviews. Here are some websites to get you started with your packing adventures. You can click on the titles to view them.
GenderMender:
They sell through Etsy a prosthetic packer which lands up a bit on the higher end. They only sell one packer, but each one is custom made. You are provided with a palette of one hundred skin tones to help match yours as closely as possible. What makes this particular packer unique is the ability to have it “glued” to your body so it genuinely feels like you and it are one while most others require a specific harness or briefs in which to hold it in place. This is especially wonderful for those who enjoy going commando. Additionally, while you can use their powder this is one of the few products you don’t need to use powder with. Most importantly, they’re actually made by a real trans man rather than a sex-toy company with little to know understanding of what trans men are looking for. You can find the packer here on ETSY or visit their site directly. Additionally, they offer prosthetic nipples for trans guys who had top surgery.
FtM Essentials:
This website is a great resource for trans guys who are looking for briefs, packers, STPs, binders, harnesses, and more. You can shop through their Packers to get a good idea of their various offerings but make sure you check out their own catalog for lots of great stuff for trans guys. Don’t forget to scroll to the bottom of their page for links to great advice and tips as well.
FTM Packers:
The site name says it all. This site is strictly dedicated to packing and the associated accessories. Whether you’re looking for a cheap one to get started, cut or uncut models, or full-on prosthetics you can check it out here. A wide range of accessories such as briefs and harnesses also sold right here. Do note, however, that they are more of a “referral” page in that when you purchase through their “preferred vendors” they’re getting a commission from it.
ToolShed:
This is a general adult-toy based website but they have a significant amount of packers and other trans-men-related products ranging from books, magazines, and DVDs to sex-related products like the Buck-Off and FtM related adult content to STPs, packers, binders and more.
ReelMagik:
What do you get when a gay-owned and operated movie/tv special effects company decides it wants to help the trans community by developing a packer then an STP then a pack and play? One of the most realistic versions of each of those you could possibly imagine. Whether it’s the fine hairs added, the 100% life-like realistic nature, the movable foreskin features, or any other number of fine details there’s nothing quite like a ReelMagik prosthetic. Although your basic models of plain packers start at a reasonable $30 the more comprehensive pack and play models run the gamut of prices all the way up to a whopping $700. Don’t let that price scare you, though, because regardless of what you’re really in the market far this place is worth a look through.
Peecock Products:
One of the first companies that I heard of that started doing multi-function packers that would pack, STP and could be used for sexual play as well. They also have options for binders, briefs designed for their specific custom-made packers. The one thing that sets the Peecock apart from many of the others is that they seemed to take into account that trans men enjoy pleasure as well. While many strap-on/wearable packers and sex toys can provide some stimulation to the trans guy wearing it things don’t always align well enough for us to fully enjoy the entire experience. The Peecock developed a pleasure rod that allows for stimulation while we’re using the pleasure aspects. There have been many mixed reviews about the STP features, but it’s hard to tell if it’s just guys learning how to pee standing up making errors or if the product itself has design flaws. These can be a little costly so consider various reviews prior to purchase. It seems the Gen2 made good headway in fixing things so perhaps the Gen3 is even better.
TranzWear:
Packers are just the tip of the iceberg here. Harnesses, briefs, tips, do-it-yourself ideas, pumps, and so much more. This is a great site with really reasonable prices. While the site itself is simple in nature it provides the trans guy with a great resource for all your bottom-based needs whether it’s clothing related or toys or packers. Discrete shipping, great prices, sales, and lots of helpful information this is a great resource for trans guys overall.
Remember, packing is based on what you feel you need and shouldn’t be based on what you feel the world needs to see in order to validate your existence. You are real. You are You. Packing can be very fun (although at times it can be trying one’s patience) and exciting. It can easily become part of your everyday routine or something you want to do every once in a while. What you do, how you do it, and when you do it is entirely up to you and there’s no mandate that you have to pack to be validated.
