Quick answer
Choose a gaff when you want a flat, secure tuck under tight clothing, and choose packing underwear when you want a pouch or pocket to hold a packer or STP device. If you need both a smooth front and a place for a packer, look for a gaff with a built-in pouch or layer a packing pouch under a gaff. Fit matters more than brand: measure your hips and waist, and size up if you are between sizes.
How gaffs and packing underwear differ in structure
A gaff is designed to compress and smooth the groin area. The 3-Pack Gaff Tanga from Hidden Cherries is handmade in Quebec with a regular cut, and the three-pack gives you a rotation for laundry day. It has no internal pouch, so it is not intended to hold a packer or STP device.
Gaff Tanga
Packing underwear is built around a pocket or pouch. The (Soft Packer + STP) 3-PACK Packing pouch from CocoNuts is a bamboo pouch with an internal pocket and a 3.80 cm (1.5 in) O-opening to insert a soft packer or STP. It is not a compression garment, so it will not create the same flat front as a gaff.
Comfort and wear time: what to expect
Gaffs rely on compression, so the fit across the waist and hips determines whether you can wear one all day. A gaff that is too tight can cause chafing or restrict movement; one that is too loose will not stay in place. Start with short wear times and build up.
Packing underwear is usually less compressive because its job is to support a packer, not to flatten. The CocoNuts pouch is 94% bamboo and 6% spandex, which gives it some stretch while keeping the pouch in place. If you need a flat front and a packer at the same time, a pouch alone will not compress, and a gaff alone will not hold a packer.
Discretion under different clothes
Under leggings, swimwear, or tight dresses, a gaff is the more discreet option because it is made to smooth the front. The Hidden Cherries gaff is described as ideal for creating a feminine appearance under any clothing, which is the result of its compression and cut.
Packing underwear adds volume rather than reducing it, so it is better for loose trousers, jeans, or layered outfits where a packer or STP needs to sit naturally. If you wear a packer and want a flat tuck, you will need to combine methods or choose a garment that does both, and the catalog does not list a single product that does both.
Fit and sizing: how to get it right
For a gaff, measure your hips and waist and compare to the size chart. The 3-Pack Gaff Tanga is offered in sizes, so pick the size that matches your hip measurement first; if you are between sizes, size up to avoid pinching. A gaff should feel snug but not painful, and you should be able to breathe and move normally.
For packing underwear, the pouch position matters more than compression. The CocoNuts pouch comes in sizes and uses an O-opening of 3.80 cm (1.5 in) to hold a soft packer or STP. If you use a larger packer, check that the opening and pouch depth suit your device; the catalog does not list a maximum packer size, so measure your packer before ordering.
Layering and care
You can wear a packing pouch under a gaff if you want a flat front and a packer, but expect more bulk and heat. Put the pouch on first, position the packer, then put the gaff over it. Check that the gaff does not press the packer into an uncomfortable position.
Care instructions differ by material. The CocoNuts pouch is 94% bamboo and 6% spandex and should be washed according to the label to keep the pouch shape. The Hidden Cherries gaff is handmade, so follow its care label to protect the compression. TransTape is not underwear and is not part of this comparison, but if you use tape for tucking, keep it separate from these garments to avoid adhesive residue on fabric.
Trade-offs at a glance
- Gaff: flat front vs no pouch: The Hidden Cherries gaff compresses for a smooth silhouette under tight clothing, but it cannot hold a packer or STP because it has no internal pocket. Choose a gaff when flatness and discretion matter most.
- Packing underwear: pouch vs bulk: The CocoNuts bamboo pouch has an internal pocket and a 3.80 cm (1.5 in) O-opening for a soft packer or STP, but it adds volume and does not compress. Choose packing underwear when you need to carry a packer or STP.
- Combining both vs simplicity: Layering a packing pouch under a gaff can give you both a flat front and a packer, but it adds heat and bulk and takes practice to position. Try one method at a time, then layer only if you need both functions.
Product facts
- 3-Pack Gaff Tanga: 3-Pack Gaff Tanga by Hidden Cherries, handmade in Quebec, regular cut, designed for trans and non-binary people for a feminine appearance under any clothing. Gives you three gaffs for rotation and a cut made for tucking, but it has no pouch for a packer.
- (Soft Packer + STP) 3-PACK Packing pouch: (Soft Packer + STP) 3-PACK Packing pouch by CocoNuts, 94% bamboo and 6% spandex, internal pocket, 3.80 cm (1.5 in) O-opening for a soft packer or STP. Holds a packer or STP securely, but it is not a compression garment, so it will not flatten the front like a gaff.
- TRANSTAPE® Rouleau large 5 pouces: TRANSTAPE Rouleau large 5 pouces, 95% cotton and 5% spandex with medical-grade acrylic adhesive, available in 4 skin tones, each roll 5 m (16.5 ft) and lasts about 2 months on average. Useful if you prefer taping for tucking instead of a gaff, but it is a different method and not a substitute for either garment in this comparison.
Which option is right for you?
Best for
- People who want a flat, discreet front under tight clothing, leggings, or swimwear.
- People who do not need to wear a packer or STP during the day.
- People who prefer a handmade, regular-cut gaff with a three-pack rotation.
Not for
- People who need a pouch to hold a soft packer or STP device.
- People who want to avoid any compression around the waist and hips.
- People who need one garment that both flattens and carries a packer; the catalog does not list a single product that does both.
