What Size Packer Should I Get?
Not sure what size packer to get? You're not alone. It's one of the questions we get most, from first-timers and longtime packers alike. So we built the TGS Bulge Rating System, a simple guide based on what hundreds of people in our community told us they actually wear.
What is a packer?
A packer is a soft prosthetic you wear in the front of your underwear to create a natural-looking bulge. For a lot of people, packing eases dysphoria and helps them feel more like themselves day to day. Packers come in lots of sizes, materials, and skin tones. Some also work as stand-to-pee devices or pack-and-play prosthetics.
Why shaft length doesn't tell you much
Most packers are sold by shaft length. But after polling hundreds of people, we found that ball size is a better clue to how big a packer looks in your pants. A long shaft with small balls can make a smaller bulge than a short shaft with big ones.
Take the Small Mr. Limpy and the Performance Packer. On shaft length alone, the Performance looks bigger. But its balls are some of the smallest we carry, so it gives you a smaller bulge than the Small Mr. Limpy. The Bulge Rating counts both.
The TGS Bulge Rating System
Ratings run from 1 (Small) to 5 (Extra Large). They're averages from our customer surveys, not rules. Packing is personal. If you're 4'11" and feel best with a 4, that's the right size for you.
- 1, Small: often picked by people 5' and under, or who haven't gone through puberty. Also good if you want a subtle, low-profile look. Try the Lil Buddy.
- 2, Conservative: a natural, understated bulge. Often picked by people shorter than 5'4" or very slim folks. Try the Performance Packer.
- 3, Moderate: the size most people we polled prefer, and the most common pick for people between 5'4" and 6'. When in doubt, start here. Try the Mr. Limpy Small or My Buddy 4".
- 4, Large: on the bigger side, often picked by people over 6' or over 200 lbs. Height and weight line up with what people pick, but not always. Try the STP Freely, Lou STP, Mr. Limpy Medium, or Packer Gear Large. The My Buddy 5" sits a little higher, at 4.5.
- 5, Extra Large: a softball-sized bulge. Even on bigger guys, people will notice. Pick it if that's exactly what you want. Try the Mr. Limpy Large.
Each packer's own page shows its bulge rating too.
Packer size comparison chart
This chart lines up every packer we carry from smallest to biggest bulge. It shows volume (how much space the packer takes up), not weight, because bulge is about space.
Soft packer or STP?
Size is one choice. Type is the other.
Soft packers are just for packing. They come in TPR (softer, cheaper, good for beginners) and silicone (more realistic, non-porous, lasts longer). The Mr. Limpy is a classic first packer, and our packer collection has the silicone options.
STPs (stand-to-pee packers) give you a bulge and let you pee standing up. Most of ours are 3-in-1, so they work for play too, and they're made in ultra-soft, platinum-cured, body-safe silicone. See all STPs.
Tips for first-time packers
- Start smaller than you think. Most people overestimate how big they want to go. A 3 looks natural on more bodies than a 4 or 5, and it's easier to position and keep in place.
- Get the right underwear. Without good support, any packer will shift or sag. Cake Bandit packing underwear holds it in place.
- TPR or silicone? TPR packers like the Mr. Limpy are cheap and great for starting out, but they're porous and break down over time. Silicone is non-porous and lasts. If you're ready to spend a bit more, silicone is worth it.
- There's no right size. Pick whatever makes you feel most like yourself.
FAQ
Start at a 3. It's the most popular size and works for the most body types. If you're on the smaller side or slim, try a 2. Most beginners who jump to a 4 or 5 find it looks less natural and is harder to keep in place. You can always size up later.
A 1 or 2 is subtle. It's there, but it's quiet. A 3 is the most natural everyday bulge for most bodies. You'll see it in fitted clothes, but it stays in proportion. A 4 is noticeably bigger and reads well-endowed. A 5 is softball-sized and gets noticed on any body. The comparison chart above shows the full range.
TPR packers are lighter. A Small Mr. Limpy weighs roughly 45–55g. Silicone packers of a similar size are a bit heavier, usually 60–90g for a 4" model. Most people don't notice the difference. How well it's held in place, by your underwear or harness, matters a lot more than weight.
Over 6'? A 4 looks natural, since a bigger packer is in proportion with a bigger body. A 3 works too if you want a subtler everyday look, and some tall guys wear a 2 or 3 day to day and size up for certain plans.
Under 5'4"? A 1 or 2 usually looks most natural, and a 3 can work depending on your build. A very big packer on a small frame can feel like a lot in fitted clothes, so start small and work up.
Keep reading: how to wear a packer, Packing 101, best packers ranked, top packers for beginners, and the STP guide.