What Size Packer Should I Get? A Guide to Choosing the Right Packer Size
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Choosing your first packer can be surprisingly confusing.
You've probably found yourself stuck in the loop of comparing different lengths, shapes, materials and styles - when all you really want to know is:
What size packer should I actually get?
If you're new to packing, it's easy to assume that a bigger packer will create a more realistic or masculine-looking bulge. In reality, bigger isn't always better.
For everyday packing, many people actually prefer something smaller, softer and more subtle.
The right packer size is ultimately the one that makes you feel comfortable and confident. But if you're not sure where to start, there are a few things worth considering.
What Is a Packer?
A packer is something worn inside underwear to create the appearance and/or feeling of having a bulge.
Packers are commonly worn by trans men, transmasculine people and some AFAB non-binary people, although there's no rule about who can or can't pack.
They can range from simple soft packers designed purely for everyday wear to realistic silicone prosthetics and STP devices that can also be used to stand to pee.
Some people pack every day, others only pack occasionally or with certain outfits, and some people don't pack at all.
There's no requirement to pack and there's certainly no "correct" size you need to choose.
What Size Packer Should I Get?
If you're choosing a packer for everyday wear, it can be helpful to start by thinking less about measurements and more about the result you want.
Ask yourself:
- Do I want a subtle everyday bulge?
- Do I want my pack to be more noticeable?
- Am I mainly packing for gender euphoria?
- Do I want something I can comfortably wear all day?
- What kind of trousers do I usually wear?
- Do I want something lightweight?
- How secure will it be inside my underwear?
Your answers can tell you far more than simply looking at the length of a packer.
For many people who are completely new to packing, starting with a relatively subtle everyday packer can make the adjustment easier.
You can always experiment later.
Bigger Doesn't Necessarily Mean More Natural
This is probably one of the most important things to know when choosing a packer.
A bigger packer doesn't automatically create a more realistic-looking bulge.
In fact, an oversized packer can sometimes be more difficult to position and may look more prominent through clothing than you expected.
Remember that you're seeing the packer itself when you're shopping.
Once it's inside underwear and underneath jeans, trousers or joggers, you're seeing the effect it creates through several layers of fabric, which can look very different.
If your goal is a natural-looking everyday pack, you may be happier with something more subtle than you initially imagined.
If this is something you're worried about, read our guide to How to Make Packing Look More Natural.
Think About How You Want Your Bulge to Look
There isn't one universally correct way for a bulge to look, as bodies vary enormously.
What looks natural on one person won't necessarily look exactly the same on somebody else.
Rather than trying to recreate one specific shape or size, think about how you want to feel when you're dressed.
Perhaps you want to look in the mirror and see a subtle shape through your trousers.
Perhaps you prefer a more noticeable pack.
Maybe appearance isn't even the most important part and you simply like the physical feeling of having something there.
All of those are valid reasons to pack.
The important thing is choosing for yourself, rather than feeling like your pack has to meet somebody else's idea of what your body should look like.
Consider What Clothes You Usually Wear
Your wardrobe can make a surprisingly big difference when choosing a packer size.
If you mostly wear skinny or slim-fitting trousers, a larger packer may look considerably more prominent.
If you tend to wear loose jeans, cargos or joggers, the same packer could look completely different.
This is also why you shouldn't judge your pack solely while standing in your underwear.
Once you've chosen a packer, try it with several different outfits.
Check it while:
- Standing
- Sitting
- Walking
- Bending down
- Wearing jeans
- Wearing joggers
- Wearing smarter trousers
You'll quickly start to understand which position and clothing combinations work best for you.
Don't Forget About Packer Weight
Size isn't the only measurement that matters.
Weight can make a big difference to everyday comfort.
A heavier packer can pull against your underwear and may require more support to keep it securely positioned.
If you're planning to pack for long periods, something lightweight may feel considerably easier to wear.
The Casual Reign Soft-Form Packer is designed as a lightweight option for everyday packing. Rather than using a heavy silicone construction, it's soft and lightweight and designed to create an everyday bulge.
Whatever type of packer you choose, consider how you're actually going to use it rather than choosing purely based on appearance.
How Do I Know If My Packer Is Too Big?
There's no official definition of a packer being "too big".
If you like the way yours looks and it feels comfortable, then it isn't too big simply because somebody else would choose something smaller.
However, there are a few signs that a different size or setup might work better for you.
You might want to experiment if:
- You're constantly repositioning your packer
- The bulge is much more noticeable than you intended
- It feels heavy after wearing it for several hours
- Your underwear struggles to hold it securely
- You feel uncomfortable sitting down
- You spend the entire day worrying about how it looks
Sometimes the issue isn't actually size, though.
It could simply be the way the packer is positioned or secured.
We've covered this in How to Stop Your Packer Moving Around: 8 Simple Fixes.
How Should a Packer Sit?
A packer generally needs to sit low enough to create a natural-looking position while remaining comfortable when you move and sit down.
But there isn't one exact position everybody should use.
Your body shape, packer, underwear and clothing all affect where it feels most natural.
One common issue when you're new to packing is positioning the packer too high because you're concentrating on creating a visible bulge.
Try moving it slightly lower and then look at yourself naturally rather than staring directly at the bulge.
Walk around, sit down, then stand up again.
The best position is usually one that still feels comfortable once you've forgotten about the mirror and started moving around normally.
Your Underwear Matters Too
You can choose the perfect packer and still struggle if there's nothing keeping it securely positioned.
Ordinary loose underwear gives a packer plenty of room to move around.
That's where packing underwear can help.
Casual Reign Packing Boxers contain a dedicated internal packing pocket with a button fastening designed to securely hold a packer while still looking and feeling like everyday boxer-style underwear.
This can also make trying different packer sizes easier because you're assessing the packer from a relatively secure position rather than constantly trying to stop it moving.
Is a Smaller Packer Better for Beginners?
Not necessarily, but a smaller or more subtle everyday packer can be a good starting point if you're unsure.
Packing can feel strange when you first start.
You suddenly become extremely aware of an area of your body that you've probably spent a lot of time thinking about already.
A huge bulge isn't necessarily going to make that easier.
Something subtle can allow you to get used to:
- The feeling of wearing a packer
- Positioning it
- Sitting with it
- Walking with it
- Seeing a bulge through your clothes
- Figuring out which underwear works
Once you're comfortable, you'll have a much better idea of whether you actually want something bigger.
If you're just beginning, you might also find Things I Wish I Knew Before Packing useful.
What If My Packer Looks Too Big in Trousers?
First, don't panic.
Try repositioning it before deciding you need a different packer.
A packer positioned too high can appear considerably more prominent through trousers.
Move it slightly lower, secure it properly and look at your whole outfit in the mirror rather than focusing exclusively on your crotch. Also try another pair of trousers.
If it looks fine in jeans but enormous in thin joggers, the packer itself may not actually be the problem.
If you're still unhappy with the appearance after experimenting, then a smaller or softer packer may suit the look you're trying to achieve better.
Can I Wear a Packer All Day?
Many people do, providing their packing setup remains comfortable.
If you're planning to wear your packer from morning until night, comfort and security become especially important.
A packer that looks fantastic for five minutes but becomes uncomfortable after two hours probably isn't the best everyday option for you.
Consider:
- Weight
- Positioning
- Underwear
- Friction
- Temperature
- How much the packer moves
And listen to your body. Packing shouldn't hurt.
For more help, read How to Pack Comfortably All Day Without Constant Adjusting.
Do I Need a Realistic Packer?
No.
Realistic silicone packers are one option, but they're not the only way to pack.
Some people love realism, whereas others care much more about comfort, softness, weight or simply seeing a bulge through their clothes.
A fabric or soft-form packer can be particularly useful if your main priorities are everyday comfort and creating a simple bulge underneath clothing.
Ultimately, your packer doesn't need to look realistic when you're holding it in your hand.
It needs to do whatever you want it to do when you're wearing it.
There's No Perfect Packer Size
If you take one thing away from this guide, make it this: there is no packer size you're supposed to have.
You don't have to create the biggest bulge possible, and you don't have to pack subtly either. You don't even have to pack at all.
The right packer is one that helps you feel comfortable, confident or euphoric in your body.
So experiment - try different positions, wear it with different clothes and give yourself some time to work out what you actually like.
At Casual Reign, our packing products are designed around making everyday packing feel straightforward.
Our Soft-Form Packers provide a lightweight option for creating an everyday bulge, while our Packing Boxers feature an internal pocket designed to securely hold your packer in place.
Because once you've found a packing setup that works for you, ideally you shouldn't have to spend the rest of the day thinking about it.