What is a packer?

• Simply put, a packer is intended to create a bulge in your pants. Packers can be made from many different materials, such as medical-grade silicone, 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. 

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. 

What are the different types and their uses/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” (often referred to as 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. 

How do I know what type/size packer is best for me?

• Because they 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 urination and/or penetrative play with a partner? Most packers stay one size, with the only difference coming from a rod inserted into the packer to make it firm. 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. If you want something big to work with during play, you will be wearing a larger packer, even without the rod inserted. If you want to use it for urination and you’re someone with a vulva, try to familiarize yourself with the natural curve and shape of your vulva and the surrounding areas where your thighs come together. Some folks use 2-in-1s after having a metoidioplasty for an extended shaft, making it easier to aim. Everyone is different, and brands use different molds. Certain ones might make the stand-to-pee feature easier for you and your body.

What Materials Do I Choose?

• You’ll also want to watch out for the materials used when purchasing a packer, as not all are created equal. As we stated at the beginning, packers can be made from various materials. Ideally, you’ll want to look for packers made from 100% silicone; it will be the longest-lasting and most body-safe option. Silicone is a bit more expensive to produce. If you’re looking for a hyper-realistic packer with multiple densities and variations between scrotum and shaft texture, one made from silicone can be a bit pricey. 
• The next most common material for a packer is thermoplastic rubber (TPR). TPR is part of the elastomer family of rubbers, and while not containing any phthalates (yay!) it is a porous material. TPR is sometimes manufactured with trace amounts of mineral oil, so it’s recommended that you keep a barrier between your skin and a packer made of TPR for both its porous nature and because long-term wear can cause skin rashes or irritation due to the mineral oil. Using mineral oil means that sometimes these packers can be oily to the touch and sticky after washing, so you may want to powder a TPR packer with cornstarch (not baby or talcum powder- those powders are said to be questionably linked to cancer). Packers made from TPR often have names like Cyberskin or Superskin; if a product has a name similar to those, it’s likely made from TPR. TPR packers are usually softer than silicone packers and cheaper to make, making them more malleable and affordable, but they will not last as long as a silicone toy. 
• You can also find packers made from foam, which is a great option for affordability but is porous. 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 similar to foam and TPE, it’s best to keep a layer of cloth between these packers and your skin and wash them between uses just like all other materials! 

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 (literally). 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:

• 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. 

Visit us in person or online at  sheboptheshop.com for more information.