Gender Neutral Swimwear with a packing pouch

Let's start at the beginning. What is packing?

Packing is when you use something–a silicone packer, a pair of socks balled up, etc.—to create a bulge around the groin. Some trans men pack all the time, some never pack, some pack in certain contexts.

Also, a wide variety of packers are available for different uses. Some are just for appearance.

Some are STP devices that allow you to urinate while standing. Some can be used during sexual activity. For the purpose of this article, we are focusing on swim-friendly packers.

When surveying trans men, swimming is the space they think the most about packing. Many trans men who don't pack on a day to day basis do pack while swimming, because of the way wet fabrics clings. (Another frequently cited space that trans guys list are locker rooms or gyms. These are spaces where packing can add another layer of comfort and confidence for some folks).

In this short essay, we are going to cover the main challenges and options for packing while swimming.

Why Pack While Swimming?

First off, let’s start at the top with why gender queer folk like to pack while swimming. It's also important to note that packing is most common amongst trans men, but not limited to trans men. People who identify as transmasc, non binary, or gender queer can and do pack.

As mentioned above, the primary reason that people who don’t normally pack want to pack while swimming is because they feel more exposed in that environment. Particularly for folks who are wanting to minimize attention drawn to them in predominantly cis spaces, packing can impact their sense of safety and comfort.

The other reason to pack is simply because it can be fun and gender affirming. Many folks feel a little shy or embarrassed when they first start packing, but then grow to love it as another way they get to engage with/play with/construct a presentation of gender that feels good to them.

What Are The Challenges To Packing While Swimming?

The biggest challenge with packing while swimming is the relationship between materials. Specifically, the material your packer is made of, the water, and the fabric and construction of your swim trunks.

Historically, most packers have been made out of silicone. Two problems arise with silicone for swimming:

1. Silicone gets damaged by being in contact with chlorine and salt water.
2. Silicone is heavy. That means that it has a lot of drag in the water. You will need a very tight waistband to keep your swim trunks up, especially if they are attached to a pocket. Tight waistbands are often dysphoric for folks in the community.
3. If you do not secure the packer in place, it can actually fall out while swimming.
4. Most packers are quite large. When they are silhouetted by water they can create a larger bulge than folks want.

What Are The Best FTM Packing Options For Swimming?

At Both&, we gathered feedback around the swimming experience for our community for years, and created a swim trunk + packer that addresses all of the major concerns.

The swim trunks are made in a vintage style, super stretchy material, with a forgiving waistband and a drawstring. That means no pinching around the hips, and maximum control around where the trunks sit on your body.

We also sewed a small pouch into the inside netting of the shorts, so that there’s room for you to pack (if you want).

Finally, we worked with a talented trans creator from Etsy named Emmett to develop the ideal, subtle packer. The shaft is only 2 inches in length, and it is sewed to the sack so that the shape holds.

The inside of the packer is made out of small plastic beads that don’t absorb water, and the outside material is a strong, water resistant fabric. The Emmett packer fits perfectly into the Elliot swim trunks, stays put, adds no drag or weight to the shorts, and creates a subtle bulge while swimming.

Here’s a picture of one of our community members using the Emmett packer while wearing the Elliot trunks:

Packing While Swimming: Final Thoughts

Packing is a personal preference, and everyone has a different relationship to it. Think of it as an option–but not a necessity–to continue exploring what feels right for you on your gender journey.

Remember, there is no wrong or right way to express yourself. We get questions all the time, ranging from "if I like to pack does that mean I'm trans?" to "how can I get a packer (ftm) without my parent's noticing?" (Yes, our packers do come in discreet packaging). The important part is for you to do what feels best for you.

As always, if you have any questions, shoot us an email or better yet, join our Discord. There was recently a whole in depth convo around packing there, and you can join a large community of welcoming folks discussing these topics and more.

Get involved with that conversation here.