It's hard out there for a soft pack. Firmer cocks get all the glory, but they're only in the game for hours at a time, enjoying the privacy of the indoors and the security of a harness. Soft packers are expected to perform day and night, in public, and stay put under clothing in a fast moving world that's full of peril. Every unexpected jog, they might tumble down a pants leg. Every trip to the bathroom, they might roll on to some sticky tile floor. Even a friendly squeeze, nice as it is, could throw them out of whack.

The Spareparts Pete packing trunks change all that. These trunks were designed with packers in mind. From the outside, they look like any other pair of black trunks with a small white Spareparts logo on the upper left side (it looks nice now, but I expect it will eventually crack and peel off). But from the inside, there is a front pouch made of several layers that work together to make sure that a packer stays securely in place no matter what.


They come folded in a plastic bag with a cardboard insert that outlines the features and care instructions (which are also printed on the inside layer of the pouch). The size chart lists a waist size of 28-30 as S, size 32-34 as M, size 36-38 as L, and size 40-42 as XL (they also make larger sizes that EF doesn't carry). I wear a 30-32 and don't like trunks to be super tight, so I ordered size M and they fit well. The stretchy material makes them form fitting, but not restrictive.

At first, the material was my major concern. It is 88% Nylon/12% Spandex Jersey, the same as the pouch of the Spareparts Joque harness. They're kinda like bike shorts in trunk form. I was very concerned that they wouldn't breathe well and that I'd end up sweaty, but thankfully that wasn't the case. I found them to be exceptionally comfy, even for sleeping. I can't say they breathe like cotton, but there has got to be some breathing going on down there. Even though I'd still like to see them try out a version of these made of cotton or other natural fibers, I now understand why they went in this direction. The nylon/spandex holds its shape well and doesn't loosen up over the course of the day the way cotton trunks do (especially around the leg). This is the reason I haven't found cotton trunks to be good for packing, even if they fit snug. So finally, a pair of trunks I can pack with! It's November now, though, so we'll see how they hold up in the summer.

The front pouch is made of three layers. Starting from the inside, the back layer is made of two overlapping panels of fabric that can be spread apart to put the packer in. The overlapping design keeps them closed most of the time, so that the packer doesn't touch your skin, but they can also be separated to accommodate an STP (Stand-to-pee) packer. The middle layer has a small opening in the center for the shaft of the packer and a horizontal elastic band sewn just below to fit around the base. If you are using a cyberskin packer like Mr. Limpy, the elastic band will leave imprints on the base over time. The front layer gives solid coverage, but has a side opening to accommodate STP packers.


Have no doubt: your packer will be super secure in these trunks. I jumped, jogged, climbed stairs, and basically did everything I could to dislodge it. No dice. Because the trunks themselves are holding the packer, rather than just pressing it against your body, all you'll ever have to do is adjust the trunks (which is hardly ever since the stretchy material hugs your body like a glove) but not the packer itself. I have every confidence that if you wanted to pack with these at the gym or during practice, you could do it without a second thought (though the jockstrap styles are probably better suited for that).

Only gripes: I wish they came in more colors, and if they're going to have a logo, let it be sewn on instead of a plastic sticker.

Care is pretty simple. You can hand wash them with laundry soap if you want them to last as long as absolutely possible, or you can machine wash them with dark colors. Keep them out of the dryer.

Overall I am really pleased with these trunks. If trunks aren't your thing, check out the rest of Sparepart's Pete line; they have briefs in addition to the trunks and jockstaps.

I have tried packing under clothing with strap-on harnesses, packing straps (like the Mr. Right packing strap by Aslan), and plain-old jockstraps under boxers. The Pete trunks blow all of these options out of the water. Harnesses are bulky and uncomfortable under clothes, and the Aslan packing strap is nice but only secured around the waist- it can easily ride up or down your body with vigorous movement (and even though you might think your typical day will rarely involve such movement, you just never know what the day will bring). The jockstrap works really well, but its downfall (and this applies to the harness and the packing strap as well) is that it is still just plain inconvenient to wear additional garments under your underwear. It makes getting dressed/undressed and using the facilities a real hassle. The Pete trunks just make everything so simple and streamlined. The other options will work in a pinch, but I would have a hard time going back after trying these.

I tested them out in a warm climate, and they passed with flying colors! Somehow they are breathing, not as well as cotton but enough to stay comfortable. I am quite pleased, even though the plastic sticker is showing wear and they take longer to dry (laid out flat, not in the dryer) than other trunks. Small price to pay for super secure packing!