The Gear Glossary: Every Term, Explained Straight

Trans gear has its own language — part product vocabulary, part community shorthand born on forums and group chats. This glossary defines all of it, A to Z, straight and without judgment: packers, STPs, pack-and-play, bottom growth, kPa, O-rings, and the words the community actually uses for its own bodies. If a term isn't here, bring it to office hours and we'll add it.

Every community builds its own language, and trans gear has a rich one — part product vocabulary, part community shorthand born on forums and group chats. This glossary explains both, straight and without judgment. If you hear a term at office hours or on Reddit and it's not here, tell us and we'll add it.

A–C

Body-safe silicone — Nonporous, phthalate-free silicone (usually platinum-cured) that can be fully sanitized by boiling or dishwasher. The material standard for anything worn against or inside a body. If a product says "TPE," "TPR," or "silicone blend," it is not the same thing — those materials are porous and can't be fully sterilized.

Bottom growth — The growth of the clitoris that happens on testosterone HRT, typically beginning in the first months on T. Size and timeline vary widely from person to person. Community terms for the result include T-dick. See our full guide: What Is Bottom Growth?

Bulge control — Adjusting how visible a packer is under clothing. Managed with packing underwear, a pouch, or a packing strap that lets you position the packer up (subtle) or down (fuller).

Cylinder (pump) — The clear tube of a vacuum pump that fits over the tissue being pumped. Cylinder diameter and length determine fit; most people size up over time, which is why NYTC pump kits include multiple cylinders.

D–G

DHT cream — A topical androgen some people discuss using to encourage bottom growth. Prescription-only in most countries and not FDA-approved for this use; evidence is largely anecdotal. Talk to your prescriber — this one is genuinely a medical question, not a gear question.

Dual-density silicone — Silicone molded in two layers: a firmer core with a softer exterior, so a toy feels solid but yielding, closer to a body. Used in NYTC's pack-and-play line.

Erection rod / rod insert — A removable firm core that converts a soft packer into a toy firm enough for penetration. NYTC's version works with Sam the STP.

Flared base — A wide base on a dildo that keeps it secured in a harness O-ring (and makes it safe for anal play). All NYTC pack-and-play toys have one.

FTM — "Female to male," an older but still widely used term for trans men and some trans masc people. Many people prefer trans masc or simply man; we use FTM in guides because it's still the word most people search.

Gender-affirming gear — Any product that helps your body match your sense of self: packers, STPs, harnesses, pumps, binders. Not a luxury; for many people it's daily equipment.

Gender dysphoria — Distress caused by the mismatch between your body or how you're perceived and your gender. Gear can relieve specific, concrete pieces of it (a packer for bottom dysphoria, an STP for restroom stress).

Gender euphoria — The opposite and the goal: the rightness you feel when something about your body, presentation, or recognition clicks into place.

Grinding — Stimulation from rubbing or riding against a toy, hand, or partner rather than penetration. A primary way many trans masc people play, especially with bottom growth.

H–O

Harness (strap-on harness) — The gear that holds a dildo at your hips for penetrative sex. Three main types: adjustable neoprene (easiest entry), leather (structured, lasts decades), and underwear-style (most discreet, most like getting dressed). See: How to Choose a Strap-On Harness.

kPa (kilopascal) — The unit of vacuum pressure on a pump gauge. Lower numbers = gentler suction. The community rule that matters: consistency at comfortable pressure, not maxing the gauge.

Lube (water-based vs silicone-based) — Water-based lube is safe with every toy material and is what we recommend with silicone gear; silicone lube lasts longer but can degrade some silicone toys. For pumping, lube creates the seal between cylinder and skin.

Metoidioplasty ("meta") — A gender-affirming bottom surgery that releases the ligaments around bottom growth to create a phallus from existing tissue. Results depend partly on pre-surgery growth, which is why some surgeons discuss pumping beforehand. Educational overview only — surgical decisions belong with you and your surgical team.

Microdosing (testosterone) — Taking T at lower doses for slower or partial changes. Bottom growth still typically occurs, usually on a longer timeline.

O-ring — The removable rubber ring at the front of a harness that holds the dildo. Standard sizes run 1.5–2 inches; the dildo's base must be wider than the ring.

P–S

Pack and play — A toy designed to do both jobs: soft enough to wear as a packer, firm enough (via posable core or dual density) to use for sex. NYTC introduced the category with Shilo.

Packer — A soft prosthetic worn in the underwear to create a bulge. Everyday packers prioritize comfort and realism; some (like Jack) add play functions.

Packing — Wearing a packer. Also the general practice: choosing gear, positioning, laundry logistics, the whole craft. See: FTM Packing Guide.

Packing pouch — A pocket (sewn-in or magnetic like NYTC's) that holds a packer stable in regular underwear.

Packing strap — A thigh- or waist-anchored strap system that holds a packer or STP in place and lets you control bulge position.

Pegging — Common term for a partner wearing a strap-on for anal penetration. The gear is identical to any other strap-on setup.

Phalloplasty — A gender-affirming bottom surgery constructing a phallus with grafted tissue. Different route than metoidioplasty; mentioned here because gear needs change post-op.

Posable core — A bendable internal skeleton that lets a toy hold whatever angle you set. What makes pack-and-play possible.

Pump / pumping — Using a vacuum cylinder and negative pressure to draw blood into tissue. In the trans masc community, used for session effects — engorgement and heightened sensitivity — and kept by many as a consistent long-term practice; also used before metoidioplasty in consultation with surgeons. What compounds over months is your body's story; no method is guaranteed. Consistency and gentle pressure are the technique. See: How to Start Pumping.

Pump gauge — The pressure dial on advanced pumps (like the Pro) that takes the guesswork out of "how much is too much."

Seal — The airtight contact between cylinder rim and skin that makes a pump work. Most "my pump isn't working" problems are seal problems; lube fixes most of them.

STP (stand-to-pee) — A prosthetic with an internal funnel that lets you pee standing. 3-in-1 designs (like Sam) also pack and play. See: What Is an STP?

Stroker — A sleeve-style toy you thrust into. FTM strokers (like Jack) are sized for bottom growth — a category mainstream toy companies simply don't make.

Suction cup (base) — A base that mounts a toy to hard surfaces for hands-free use, or joins two toys back-to-back.

T–Z

T / Testosterone (HRT) — Masculinizing hormone therapy. The changes relevant to this glossary: bottom growth, typically starting in the first year. Everything else belongs with your prescriber.

T-dick — The community's own word for bottom growth — affectionate, blunt, and widely used on Reddit and in group chats. Some people love the term, some don't; use what fits your body.

T4t — "Trans for trans": trans people dating or hooking up with each other. Relevant here because a lot of gear knowledge travels through t4t community channels.

Trans masc — An umbrella term for people assigned female at birth whose gender is masculine-of-center: trans men, nonbinary trans masc people, and others. Our default term.

Tugging (traction) — A community-discussed practice of applying gentle, sustained traction to bottom growth tissue, aiming to encourage length over time — the same principle as medical traction devices used elsewhere. Devices are mostly community-made (you'll see "transtugger" mentioned across Reddit); evidence is anecdotal and technique matters for safety. We're watching this space closely — tell us at office hours what you'd want from us here.

Vacuum / negative pressure — What a pump actually does: lower pressure inside the cylinder draws blood into the tissue. Gentle and repeated beats strong and rare — in every guide we write.

Water-based lube — The default lube for silicone gear and pumping. Easy cleanup, toy-safe, and you can make a workable version at home in a pinch (we have a whole guide on that).

Questions we hear

What's the difference between TPE and silicone? TPE and TPR are porous — they can't be fully sterilized, and they degrade. Platinum-cured silicone is nonporous and can be boiled clean. For anything worn against or inside a body, silicone is the standard.

What is a posable core? A bendable internal skeleton inside a toy that holds whatever angle you set it to — the engineering that makes pack-and-play possible.

What does t4t mean? "Trans for trans" — trans people dating or hooking up with each other. A lot of the gear wisdom in this glossary travels through t4t community channels first.

Keep learning: Gear that affirms · What is a t-dick? · What is bottom growth?

Something missing or wrong? This glossary is a living document — bring it to office hours, Wednesdays 9pm ET. Reviewed by Chelsea Downs, founder.