Toy Review: NYTC’s Archer
WHO IS ARCHER?
I first look at the Archer packer by the NY Toy Collective was it being rocked by the one and only Cameron Damage. Prior to this discovery, I was vaguely aware that transmasc folks "pack," but I'd never considered it for myself. In fact, I learned that packing is not just for transmasc people, and is performed by lots of people, including those identifying as FTM, genderqueer, gender-expansive, and even cisgender, and for lots of reasons!
Seeing someone I look up to working it so well awakened something inside me. I couldn't stop thinking about how it would look to have a bulge in my pants - and, more importantly, how it would feel. After a little bit of hemming and hawing (this was, in fact, one of the first concrete steps I took to further explore my gender identity), I purchased one and eagerly awaited its delivery.
Archer is produced and sold by the New York Toy Collective, a company which bills itself as “[creating] high-quality intimacy toys and products for all forms of gender affirmation.” They sell packers, STP (stand-to-pee) items, pumps, binders, accessories, and sundry. The brand is focused on sex-positivity which, as you may have surmised, is a cause for which I care greatly. Their prices are standard for hand-poured silicone, and a “Whoops” section is available for those who don’t mind cosmetic imperfects in exchange for a discount price.
STATS AND SPECS
The Archer is a hand-poured, soft silicone packer. The toy is not listed as being platinum-cured, so caution should be used when storing it so as to ensure it doesn't come into contact with other silicone toys. Even non-platinum-cured silicone is a wonderful material, though: lightweight, hypoallergenic, and easy to sterilize. The toy comes in two sizes, large and small, and is available in four skin tones and four "whimsical" colors.
NYTC’s Archer, artfully displayed with a jockstrap, workout bands, and tube socks.
LOOK AND FEEL
I purchased a large Archer in the "cashew" color tone. The color is uniform throughout, so it is not hyper-realistic. It definitely looks like silicone against my skin. The head is moderately detailed, the shaft is mildly detailed, and the balls are moderately detailed, with folds and wrinkles and a realistic seam in the center. The head and shaft are more detailed on the underside; I found the area of the frenulum to be quite detailed, as well as the center vein along the bottom. The top of the head and shaft are quite smooth.
Despite lacking detail, the packer profile looks GREAT beneath underwear - and honestly, that's the most important part. The flat back nestles against the pubic mons and creates a pleasing, alluring bulge. I have found that the large Archer hits the sweet spot, performing equally well in jockstraps, women's thongs, and men's briefs.
The Archer is also comfortable, even when jammed into regular underwear. I have worn it out and found it stays in place in regular snug panties. I did find that on warm days the silicone sticks to and pulls on my pubes. This problem can be fixed with a packing pouch, which, just as it sounds, is a fabric pouch used to hold a packer in place. NYTC sells a magnetic-closure packing pouch - and while I wish the magnets were stronger, it does the job of keeping the packer in one place and protecting my skin from longer wear.
FINAL VERDICT
Like me, Archer is versatile, able to assume many roles! The fact that it’s not hyper-realistic is not a big drawback, as it looks incredible under clothing. Archer creates a mouthwatering bulge under most types of undergarments, which is his job description! This packer has become a staple of my wardrobe.