The CalExotics Packer Gear Silicone Packer is under $26. I feel like I should start with that, because that is the most affordable I have ever seen a silicone soft packer, and it’s what made me so excited about this packer’s existence in the first place. The closest I can think of is the Mr. Right Packing Dildo, which as $49.99 is almost twice as expensive. I needed to get my hands on one of the Packer Gear Silicone Packers for review as soon as possible the moment I saw them, and thanks to SheVibe I was able to!
The Packer Gear Silicone Packer comes in two sizes (4” and 5”) and four skin tone colour options. The colour options are, unfortunately, named after foods, but I’m impressed by the variation in tones. The darkest colour- coffee– is actually dark rather than being a mid-brown, like some other low cost gender expression items seem to limit their dark options to (CalExotics was an offender with this previously with their STP Packer). I received the larger size in the colour vanilla, which is the lightest skin tone. The 4” options are $24.99, while the 5” options are $25.99.
CalExotics’ Packer Gear line does contain some other cheap packers, but I want to clarify that I’m specifically reviewing the packers they produce that are made of silicone, rather than the TPR packers from the same line. While the two series of products use the same design (which has some… interesting choices. More on this later), the fact that this packer is silicone is something I’m specifically excited about.
Non-silicone packers are usually made from elastomers, materials which are porous. While it’s less problematic used in packers than in toys that are used for penetration, elastomers still aren’t a great material. Elastomer packers tend to tear more easily, and so have a shorter lifespan. They require powdering to prevent stickyness. They may melt in high temperatures. Their porosity means they harbour fungi and bacteria, which can cause yeast infections if worn directly against the vulva. And, because of the softeners used in some elastomer production, wearing them against the skin may trigger a breakout of rashes, pimples, or whiteheads. (Mr. Limpy packers are notorious for this last point, because of the mineral oil used to soften the material).
Silicone is a superior material for packers because it’s non porous and can be sanitised. It’s only price reasons that have made me suggest in the past that baby transmascs should try an elastomer packer rather than a silicone one to start with, to see if they like it. And now silicone packers are available from $25? I don’t think price is enough of a reason for me to suggest that any more.
Is $25 more expensive than some elastomer packers? Yes. The TPE packers from the Packer Gear line are $11.99, the Mr. Limpy packer is available from $11.65, and Doc Johnson’s packers are available from $15.99. But there are also elastomer packers that are more expensive than the silicone Packer Gear packer- the large Sailor Soft packer is $28, for example. And where the Packer Gear silicone packer is more expensive than elastomer alternatives, its long lifespan will more than make up for the price difference.
I packed the Packer Gear Silicone Packer for a couple of weeks, where it took the place of my New York Toy Collective Archer. I tried it out free packing, with SpareParts Pete packing underwear, and with a Origami Customs Packing Harness, which was my favourite way to pack it.
In practice, I didn’t really notice any difference between the Packer Gear Silicone Packer and my Archer. I felt just as gender euphoric packing the Packer Gear packer as I did the New York Toy Collective one. The bulge is definitely more prominent with the Packer Gear packer, and the length of the shaft on the 5” version means it ends up curling around between the legs. It’s a little unnatural a way to place a penis, but it didn’t feel odd or out of place in use, so that’s something.
There are some things I don’t love about the Packer Gear Silicone Packer. The silicone, while soft and squishy, is more firm than my go-to packer, the New York Toy Collective Archer. It would pass a grab test, but would also make you seem like you have a semi. Some of the edges on the back of the packer are pretty roughly cut. The shaft on the 5” packer seems a little too long for the balls- on looking at dimensions I think the difference between the 4” and 5” models is genuinely just the length of the shaft, with the exact same shape for the balls on both sizes. It can make the Packer Gear Silicone Packer a little awkward to pack- I’ve had to slide the shaft between my legs and towards my butt, and combined with the firmness of the silicone it can make the shaft a bit pokey. If you’re free packing or wearing the Packer Gear Silicone Packer with packing underwear that keeps the shaft free (like the SpareParts Peter Commando harness), it’s definitely one to only wear with briefs or boxer briefs, to avoid your leg getting jabbed.
I also think the design behind the balls is interesting, to say the least. After washing, the Packer Gear silicone packer is a little sticky, and I’ve had to power it to avoid it being a lint magnet. I don’t really know what the thinking behind this design decision was, and the weird bumpy texture on the balls just seems odd.
But whenever I get too critical, I remind myself that I never expected the Packer Gear Silicone Packer to be competing with the New York Toy Collective Archer. I expected its primary competitor to be elastomer packers, like the Sailor Packer, or Mr. Limpy, or TPE Packer Gear Packers. And it is so, so much better than them. It blows them completely out the water. Hell, there are things I like more about the Packer Gear Silicone Packer than my Archer. I love the vein details on the shaft, the definition of the foreskin, and the details on the glans, all things the Archer lacks. And while the firmness of the silicone doesn’t pass the grab test quite so convincingly, how often do I actually get my crotch grabbed by somebody who doesn’t know I’m trans and pre-bottom surgery? Like, realistically? It’s fine that it’s firmer than a cis dude’s dick. The only person who grabs my dick other than me is my boyfriend, and he knows I’m trans, is trans too, and is probably happy it feels like a semi, given the contexts dick grabbing happens in.
I don’t think I’ve reviewed any product on this blog than has made me want to intersperse my post with ‘BUY THIS. DO IT.’ more than the Packer Gear Silicone Packer. Gender expression items are often not cheap, an expense which stings even more given trans people experience income inequality compared to our cisgender counterparts, and I’m so excited to see silicone packer options at such a low price. While it did get a little pokey, I think the leg poking is because I chose the 5” size rather than the 4” one, so go for the 4” and you should be golden. And hell, I found the €340 Emisil Gen 2 STP pokey at times. Poking isn’t the worst offense a packer can commit.
If you’re looking for a first packer, get the Packer Gear Silicone Packer. If you’re looking to replace an elastomer packer, get the Packer Gear Silicone Packer. It’s an excellent packer at a great price, and while there’s some things I didn’t love, it’s still a good packer. Plus, everything is forgivable for being literally less than half the price of the next cheapest silicone packer on the market.
If you’d like to buy the Packer Gear Silicone Packer (get the 4″ version imo), you can buy one from SheVibe for $24.99-25.99
This toy was sent to me by SheVibe, in return for a fair and impartial review. Affiliate links were used in this post.
