New York Toy Collective Review: Finally, a Toy Brand That Gets Bodies Are Different
Most dildo companies design products based on a narrow idea of who's buying and why. Big, bigger, and biggest, with realistic veining. Skin tone options that cover maybe three shades. The assumption baked into 90% of the market is that dildos are for cis women who want something that looks like a penis they'd find attractive. That's fine for a lot of people. It's also not the whole picture.
New York Toy Collective started from a different premise: what if a toy company actually designed for the full range of bodies that exist? Trans men who need a prosthetic that works for packing and sex. Nonbinary folks who want something that fits their anatomy without being gendered in a way that feels wrong. People of all genders who just want a well-made silicone dildo that comes in sizes based on real proportions instead of exaggerated ones.
I spent five weeks with NYTC's core lineup, and the short version is this: the silicone is excellent, the sizing is refreshingly thoughtful, and the pack-and-play functionality works better than I expected. The product range is still limited compared to brands that have been around longer, but what they make, they make with obvious care. Whether you're shopping for a prosthetic, a strap-on dildo, or just a well-designed toy from a company whose values extend past the marketing copy, this is worth your attention.
If you're here specifically for dildos, stick around. If you're curious about how NYTC compares to Vixen Creations or Tantus, I get into that further down.
Who is NYTC?
New York Toy Collective is a queer-owned, NYC-based company that makes silicone dildos and prosthetics. They've been around since the early 2010s, which makes them relatively young in the sex toy world but old enough to have refined their products through multiple iterations. The founding ethos was simple: the market lacked quality prosthetics designed by and for trans and nonbinary people, so they built their own.
That origin matters for understanding what NYTC makes and why. This isn't a mainstream dildo company that added a "gender-affirming" tab to their website in 2022 because it was trending. The entire product line was designed from the ground up for bodies that most manufacturers either ignore or treat as an afterthought. Every design decision, from the sizing range to the pack-and-play functionality to the harness compatibility, comes back to that core mission.
I want to be clear about my perspective here: I'm a cis woman reviewing products that weren't primarily designed for me. I can evaluate the silicone quality, the craftsmanship, the design, and how things perform in a strap-on harness. What I can't speak to with firsthand authority is how well a pack-and-play prosthetic feels for someone wearing it as part of their daily gender expression. I've read extensively, talked to people who use these products that way, and I'll share what I've learned. But the lived experience isn't mine, and I'm not going to pretend it is.
💡 Pack-and-play means the product is designed to function as both a packer (worn in underwear for a natural-looking bulge) and a functional dildo for sex. Most packers are too soft for penetration and most dildos are too rigid for comfortable all-day packing. Dual-purpose designs split the difference.
The company operates on a smaller scale than the big names in the dildo world. No massive factory. No Amazon storefront with twelve thousand SKUs. They produce in limited runs, which means popular models sell out and restocks aren't instant. That's the trade-off for a small, mission-driven brand. You get products designed with intention, but you might have to wait for the one you want.
The Shilo: pack-and-play done right
The Shilo is NYTC's flagship pack-and-play, and it's the product that made me pay attention to this brand in the first place. It's a compact, uncircumcised model designed to be worn comfortably under clothing and firm enough for penetrative sex. Dual-density silicone: a softer outer layer over a firmer internal core, all platinum-cured.
Compact is the operative word. The Shilo isn't trying to impress anyone with length. It's proportioned to look natural when packed, which means it sits in the 4-5 inch range depending on the version. For penetration, that's a modest size, and for packing, it's realistic. A lot of packers fail because they're either too small to function sexually or too large to wear without looking conspicuous in fitted pants. The Shilo threads that needle well.
The dual-density construction is where the quality shows. The outer silicone has a genuine squish to it. You can press a thumb into the shaft and feel it give before hitting the firmer core underneath. It's not at Vixen Creations VixSkin levels of realism (nothing is), but it's in the same conversation. The surface has a matte, skin-like finish that doesn't collect lint the way some ultra-soft silicones do, which matters a lot for something you're wearing against your body all day.
I tested the Shilo in a harness for penetration and it performed well. The firm core provides enough rigidity to thrust without buckling, and the soft exterior means the receiving partner feels something that approximates skin rather than a rigid silicone rod. The base is harness-compatible with standard O-rings. No proprietary attachment systems, no special hardware needed.
Where the Shilo shows its design priorities: the head shape. It's subtle and anatomical rather than exaggerated. A lot of dildos have oversized heads because that sells on a product page. The Shilo's head is proportioned to the shaft, which makes it look realistic when packed and feel comfortable during insertion. It's a design choice that prioritizes function over spectacle, and I respect it even if it means the product photos are less dramatic than the competition's.
“The Shilo doesn't try to be impressive. It tries to be correct. Somehow that's a radical concept in this industry.”
— Sasha, on NYTC's flagship pack-and-play
The Archer prosthetic
The Archer is NYTC's prosthetic model, and it sits in a slightly different category than the Shilo. Where the Shilo is a pack-and-play designed for versatility, the Archer leans more toward the prosthetic side: it's meant to be worn as an extension of the body, with a shape and weight that feel natural when it's in place.
The key difference is the base design. The Archer has a broader, flatter base that sits against the pelvis and distributes weight more evenly than a typical dildo base. For someone wearing this in a harness or packing underwear as part of their daily presentation, that broader contact area means less shifting, less bunching, and a more stable fit throughout the day. It's a small design detail that matters a lot in practice.
The silicone is platinum-cured and body-safe like the Shilo, but the construction is different: the Archer is solid, soft silicone throughout. It is a packer, not a penetrative toy — NYTC is explicit about this, and it matters. The softness that makes it comfortable against the body all day is exactly what makes it unsuited for penetration. If you want one product that does both, that is the Shilo's job, not the Archer's. The softness pays off in daily wear: it compresses naturally and moves with you instead of announcing itself every time you sit down.
The Archer comes in a range of skin tones, which sounds basic but is worth mentioning because a lot of prosthetic products still only come in two or three shades. NYTC offers enough variation that most people can find a reasonable match. Perfect color matching isn't possible with mass-produced silicone (even in small batches), but the range is better than most competitors.
One honest limitation: the Archer is specifically designed, and it's not a general-purpose dildo. If you're a cis person looking for a strap-on dildo without the packing functionality, the Archer's broader base and softer density aren't advantages. You'd be better served by the Mason (below) or by a Vixen Creations model. The Archer is purpose-built, and that purpose is gender-affirming wear with the option for sex. If that's what you need, it's one of the best options available. If it's not, other NYTC models are a better fit.
Mason & the dual-density lineup
The Mason is where NYTC's lineup overlaps most directly with traditional dildo brands. It's a dual-density silicone dildo with a realistic shape, available in multiple sizes, with a harness-compatible base. No pack-and-play design, no prosthetic focus. Just a well-made dildo.
And it is well made. The dual-density silicone has that same firm-core-soft-exterior construction, and the Mason's proportions are based on measurements that someone actually thought about rather than defaulting to "bigger is better." The standard size sits around 5.5 inches insertable with a moderate girth that works for most people. There's no girthy "XL" model designed to look impressive on a shelf. The sizes that exist are designed to be used comfortably.
For harness use, the Mason's base is appropriately sized: wide enough to stay secure in an O-ring, slim enough that it doesn't create an uncomfortable ridge against the wearer's body. I've used it with a standard fabric harness and a leather harness, and the fit was good with both. The firm core transmits thrust effectively without the wobble you get from all-soft silicone dildos.
How does it compare to a Tantus Silk or a Vixen Mustang? The Tantus Silk is single-density silicone at roughly half the price. It's a great dildo, but it doesn't have the dual-density feel. The Vixen Mustang is the closest direct competitor: dual-density, similar sizing philosophy, hand-poured quality. The Mustang has a slight edge on realism (VixSkin's outer layer is still the softest in the business), but it also costs $30-40 more and doesn't come from a brand with NYTC's specific mission. Depending on what matters to you, either could be the right pick.
The Mason is also where NYTC's inclusive sizing philosophy shows up in a product that anyone can appreciate. Instead of starting at "medium" and scaling up to "terrifying," the range starts at an actually compact option and scales to a standard size. Nobody is being asked to buy a dildo they're worried about. The sizing communicates comfort rather than ambition, and that's a refreshing change from the dick-measuring contest that most dildo brands seem to be running.
💡 If you're choosing between the Mason and a Vixen Creations model, the deciding factors are price and priority. Mason is $30-40 cheaper. Vixen's VixSkin outer layer is slightly softer and more realistic. If budget matters, Mason. If touch realism is everything, VixSkin.
Materials & body safety
Everything NYTC makes is platinum-cured silicone. That's the gold standard for body-safe materials: non-porous, hypoallergenic, free of phthalates and latex, and sterilizable by boiling. You can share it between partners after sanitizing, use it indefinitely without material degradation, and clean it with soap and water or a 10% bleach solution for full sterilization.
The dual-density construction uses two layers of silicone with different shore hardness ratings. The core is a firmer silicone that provides structural rigidity. The outer layer is a softer silicone that compresses under pressure and returns to shape. Both layers are platinum-cured and bonded during manufacturing so they don't separate. This is the same basic approach that Vixen Creations uses with VixSkin, though the specific silicone formulations are different.
Surface finish varies by model. The Shilo and Archer have a matte, slightly tacky surface that mimics skin texture. The Mason has a smoother finish. All of them attract less lint than VixSkin's ultra-soft surface, which is a practical advantage for products that might be worn against clothing all day. I've packed the Shilo under jeans for an afternoon and it didn't come out looking like it had been through a lint trap.
Lube compatibility: water-based only, same as all silicone toys. Silicone-based lube can bond with the surface and cause degradation over time. Some people swear they've used silicone lube on silicone toys without issues, and they might be right for single-density products, but with dual-density silicone where the outer layer is softer and more porous at the micro level, I wouldn't risk it. Water-based lube works fine. You'll reapply more often, but you won't damage a $100 toy.
Storage: keep silicone toys separated from other silicone products. The silicone-on-silicone contact issue is real. Over time, two silicone surfaces pressed together can bond or degrade each other's finish. NYTC products come in individual bags. Use them, or wrap each toy in a clean cloth. A shared drawer is fine as long as nothing is touching.
⚠️ Dual-density silicone is more sensitive to improper storage than single-density. The softer outer layer can develop surface tackiness or discoloration if stored pressed against other silicone toys. Keep them in individual cloth or satin bags. It takes ten seconds and saves you from replacing a $100 product.
Inclusive sizing: what it actually means
"Inclusive sizing" gets thrown around a lot in marketing copy without meaning much. What NYTC means by it is specific: their products come in sizes based on the actual anatomical range of penises, including the compact end of that range that most dildo companies pretend doesn't exist.
The average erect penis is around 5.1-5.5 inches, depending on which study you trust. But average is just the middle of a bell curve. A significant portion of people are smaller than that, and for trans men and nonbinary folks who want a prosthetic that matches their desired anatomy, finding anything under 5 inches from a mainstream dildo brand is nearly impossible. NYTC's lineup starts at sizes that other brands don't bother making.
This matters for two reasons beyond gender affirmation. First, smaller dildos are more comfortable for a lot of people, cis or otherwise. Not everyone wants 7 inches. Some people want 4, and being told that 5.5 is the "small" option is irritating. Second, for packing, size directly affects wearability. A compact packer sits naturally under clothing. A larger one shifts, creates visible lines, and requires specific underwear to manage. NYTC's compact options exist because someone at the company actually thought about these use cases instead of defaulting to industry norms.
The sizing extends to girth, too. NYTC's models tend toward moderate circumference rather than the thick proportions a lot of dildo brands favor. Again, this is a design choice rooted in functionality: a girthy dildo looks impressive but makes both packing and comfortable penetration harder for many bodies. NYTC chose proportion over spectacle, and the products are better for it.
None of this means NYTC makes tiny dildos exclusively. Their standard sizes are competitive with mainstream brands. It's the lower end of the range that sets them apart. They didn't cut the small sizes because they sell less; they included them because their customers need them. That difference in motivation shows up in the final product.
Pack-and-play: the practical reality
The idea of pack-and-play is simple: one product that works as a packer for daily wear and as a dildo for sex. The reality is more complicated, because the physical requirements for those two functions are almost opposite. Packing needs softness, compressibility, and a shape that sits flat against the body. Penetration needs firmness, rigidity, and enough structure to thrust without folding over. Dual-density silicone is the compromise that makes both possible, and NYTC's execution is among the best I've seen.
For packing, the Shilo and Archer both sit naturally in the front of briefs or boxer briefs. The softer outer silicone compresses when you sit down and doesn't create the rigid lump that a standard dildo would. Walking, sitting, bending over: the shape adjusts. It's not perfectly invisible under thin fabric (nothing silicone-based is), but under jeans or chinos, you wouldn't know it's there unless you were looking.
Comfort during extended wear depends heavily on your underwear choice. Compression briefs or packing-specific underwear with a front pouch work best. Boxers don't provide enough support and the packer shifts. Regular briefs work if they're snug enough. NYTC doesn't sell underwear, which is a missed opportunity. Brands like RodeoH and Paxsies make packing underwear that pairs well with NYTC products, and honestly someone should just make a bundle deal already.
Transitioning from packing to sex is where the dual-density earns its keep. You don't need to swap products. Pull the packer out of your underwear, put it in a harness (or compatible underwear with an O-ring), and it's ready. The firm core that was unnoticeable during packing becomes the structural backbone for penetration. I tested this transition with Daniel and the process was seamless. No digging through a drawer for a different toy, no mood interruption. That continuity matters more than specs on a page suggest.
The limitation is realistic: pack-and-play products are a compromise. A dedicated packer from a company like Emisil will feel softer and more natural for all-day wear. A dedicated dildo from Vixen Creations will feel more realistic during sex. NYTC's pack-and-play models are roughly 80% as good at each function as a dedicated product. For someone who wants one product that does both, that's an excellent trade-off. For someone who only packs or only uses dildos, a purpose-built option will serve better.
“One product for packing and sex. Sounds obvious. Takes dual-density silicone and actual design thinking to pull off.”
— Sasha, on the pack-and-play concept
NYTC vs. the competition
NYTC vs. Vixen Creations: Vixen is the benchmark for dual-density silicone dildos, and for pure realism in a dildo, they still win. VixSkin's outer layer is softer, squishier, and more skin-like than NYTC's silicone. But Vixen doesn't make pack-and-play products. Their dildos are dildos, nothing more. If you need the dual-purpose functionality, Vixen isn't an option. If you're just buying a dildo for harness play or solo use and realism is the priority, Vixen's Mustang or Maverick will feel better. Vixen is also significantly more expensive: $100-160 per toy versus $60-125 for NYTC.
NYTC vs. Tantus: Tantus makes excellent body-safe silicone toys at lower prices ($30-70 for most models), but everything in their lineup is single-density. You get firm silicone that's durable and safe, but without the dual-density squish. Tantus also doesn't make pack-and-play products or prosthetics. If your budget is tight and you want a good silicone dildo for penetration only, Tantus is hard to beat. The Silk is still one of the best starter dildos at any price. But for dual-density feel or any packing function, NYTC is in a different category.
NYTC vs. Mr Hankey's: Completely different universes. Mr Hankey's specializes in size and fantasy designs. Their silicone quality is good, but the sizing starts where most brands top out and goes to dimensions I wouldn't attempt without serious warmup. If you want variety, custom sizing, and dramatic shapes, Mr Hankey's delivers. But they don't make anything for packing, their smallest options are still larger than NYTC's compact sizes, and the price point is higher ($100-250+). Different products for different needs.
NYTC vs. Emisil and Reelmagik: These are the direct competitors in the prosthetics space. Both make high-end prosthetics that are more realistic than NYTC's products, with paint-matched skin tones, hand-applied details, and price tags to match ($200-600+). If you need a prosthetic with maximum realism for daily wear and are willing to invest, Emisil and Reelmagik are the top tier. NYTC offers a middle ground: better than generic packers, more affordable than premium prosthetics, with the added pack-and-play versatility that the ultra-realistic brands often lack because their products are too soft for penetration.
The competitive position is clear: NYTC sits between budget options and luxury specialists. They're the brand for people who want quality dual-density silicone with inclusive sizing at a price that doesn't require a long think about whether a sex toy is worth that much money. In a market that's either cheap and unsafe or premium and expensive, that middle lane has room.
“NYTC is what happens when the people who need the products are the ones making them.”
— Sasha, on community-led design
Pricing & value
NYTC's pricing runs $60-125 depending on the model and size. The Shilo pack-and-play sits around $85-100. The Archer prosthetic is in the same range. The Mason dildo starts around $65. Accessories and smaller items fill in the lower end.
For dual-density silicone, these prices are fair. Vixen Creations charges $100-160 for comparable (arguably superior) dual-density dildos, and that's without any pack-and-play functionality. A Tantus single-density dildo runs $30-70, so you're paying a premium for the dual-density construction, but the tactile difference between single and dual-density silicone is significant enough to justify the gap if realism matters to you.
Compared to dedicated prosthetics, NYTC is the budget-friendly option by a wide margin. Emisil prosthetics start around $200 and climb past $500 for their most realistic models. Reelmagik is similar. NYTC delivers functional pack-and-play at a fraction of that price. You sacrifice some realism, particularly in visual detail, but the silicone quality and structural functionality are solid.
Where the pricing stings slightly: if you want to try multiple sizes or models, the costs add up. At $85-100 per pack-and-play, buying a Shilo and an Archer to compare them is a $170-200 experiment. NYTC doesn't have a sample or trial program (the hygiene concerns make that impossible for this product category), so you're committing based on measurements and descriptions. Their size guides are detailed, but buying silicone sight-unseen always carries a small risk of "this isn't what I pictured."
Sales are infrequent but happen. Their own site and stocked retailers like SheVibe occasionally run 15-20% promotions. If you're not in a rush, watching for a sale is worth the wait on a product in this price range.
Who should buy from New York Toy Collective?
Verdict
The sex toy industry has spent decades designing for a default customer who is cis, female-bodied, and interested in penetration with objects that look like penises. That covers a huge part of the market, and there's nothing wrong with it. But it's not everyone. NYTC exists because the gap between "what's available" and "what people actually need" was wide enough to build a company in.
The products are good, though not the best dual-density silicone I've ever touched (that's still Vixen Creations), but close enough that the difference only matters to people who've handled both side by side. The pack-and-play functionality works. The sizing is thoughtful in a way that translates to practical comfort rather than just a line in the marketing. And the price sits in a range where you're not gambling your grocery budget on a silicone prosthetic.
What impresses me most is the design philosophy. Every product feels like it was built by people who actually use these products, who understand the daily reality of packing, the awkwardness of transitioning from packing to sex, the frustration of sizing that starts at "medium" and goes to "ambitious." That kind of user understanding doesn't come from market research. It comes from lived experience, and it shows in details that a cis-run company would miss.
If you're a trans man or nonbinary person looking for a pack-and-play prosthetic that doesn't cost $300+ and actually works for sex: NYTC is the brand to start with. If you're anyone looking for a well-made dual-density dildo at a reasonable price: the Mason deserves consideration alongside Tantus and Vixen. And if you're buying for harness play and want something with inclusive sizing options that the big brands ignore: this is it.
The range needs to grow. More sizes, more models, maybe a vibrating option eventually. But what exists right now is well-made, thoughtfully designed, and priced for accessibility. In a market where "inclusive" usually means a rainbow logo during Pride month, NYTC put the work into the actual product. That counts for more than any marketing campaign.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'pack-and-play' mean?▼
Is NYTC only for trans people?▼
NYTC vs Vixen Creations — which has better silicone?▼
What lube should I use with NYTC toys?▼
Do NYTC products work with harnesses?▼
Sasha is the lead reviewer at The Toy Slut, which she co-founded with Daniel. Affiliate commissions never affect scores.
VixSkin dual-density is the closest to real. Firm core, soft outer. Maverick is chef's kiss.
Silk line is body-safe perfection. The Acute is a G-spot sniper. Been making safe toys since 1998.
Best realistic dildos on earth. Hand-poured in California. The silicone quality is unmatched and I will die on this hill.