This disclosure relates to wireless communication techniques for high short packet density scenarios. According to some embodiments, a wireless device may determine whether a wireless medium is experiencing crowded short packet conditions during a first period of time. The wireless device may select an operational mode from at least a first operational mode and a second operational mode based at least in part on whether the wireless medium is experiencing crowded short packet conditions. The wireless device may perform wireless communication on the wireless medium according to the selected operational mode.