Both the Socs and Greasers could be categorized as "packs" and not gangs because they lack organization, structure, and a defined leader. A pack is a group of individuals with the same interests and goals. A pack of boys lacks a defined leader, and each boy acts independently from the next. Packs typically consist of close friends who enjoys spending time together and are not forced to hang out.

In contrast, gangs typically have a defined leader who gives the group directives and tells its members what to do. Gangs are also more structured and organized, with different members ranking higher or lower than others. Members of a gang often do not have close, authentic relationships with other members, unlike like the boys who form packs.

In chapter 9, Ponyboy looks at Tim Shepard's gang and notices that each boy follows Tim's strict style of leadership. Ponyboy gives insight into the difference between a pack and a gang by saying,

That was the difference between his gang and ours—they had a leader and were organized; we were just buddies who stuck together—each man was his own leader. Maybe that was why we could whip them (Hinton, 118).