Binders

[aleon515]

I machine wash mine (loveboat) in cold water. But I would never tumble dry at any temp. I have one of those zipper wash bags. It is handy as you can see, oh there's the binder and pull it out.


--Jay

[Leo.]

Ok I got my tri-top binder today but I have a new unexpected problem in that I think its too big to be doing much good. I ordered the same equivalent size of my 997. The 997 sizing is classed as XL but the equivalent in this is 2X so I ordered that. Maybe I should have got XL instead. It feels bigger than the 997 though is the same size. No more having to roll up though which is good. Still slightly long so turn it up once but its not a problem. The effects of it also look pretty much the same so its not doing any extra use to me. Would a smaller size be more effective? I would assume the compression effects wont be much use if its a bit too big

Though I could try layering them. Darrin if you see this - you said you wear both the tri-top and 997, do you wear the 997 underneath and the tri-top on the top or the other way around? From the sounds of it Im probably about the same as you and if you say you can get pretty much flat with the same things I have then it must be possible. Just wondering what the best thing to do is. Wouldnt mind trying this in the size down but its yet more money to spend.. Not that I mind if its worth it, just if its not and turns out to make no difference from this currently

[Darrin Scott]

Hello,

My 997 is slightly too big actually. My Tri-top is an XL and my 997 is XXL, but should've gotten an XL in that too. I can get pretty much flat this way. I put the tri-top on first and the 997 on top. Underworks does have a return policy so you can exchange sizes if need be.

[AdamFinally]

Hey guys. I don't have a large chest, so I can't weigh in on that part of the conversation, but I will say that I like my binder a lot more now that I've worn it for a couple of weeks. When I first received mine, which is an Underworks 998, I thought I was going to die in the thing I was so trapped while putting it on. There were limbs akimbo and lots of difficulty breathing. Then, I got it on properly but still felt like it didn't fit right. It was uncomfortable around my ribs, and down the sides at the seams. But, I think it's stretched out some after some use, because now I can wear it to work for a full shift and I have no trouble breathing and very little discomfort at the end of the night. I prefer the experience to that of wearing a bra. I also think that it binds better than it did those first couple days. Part of that might just be that I've gotten better at positioning myself in it, I don't know.

[Magnus]

The 997 (large, true to size recommendation) was a mistake for me. It does the job... however, it is at the cost of severe discomfort and inability to breathe for just enough oxygen to not feel a bit loopy after more than maybe 20 minutes. Though I notice much of the increased reduction comes from the flesh being smashed out to the overlarge armholes rather than the partial double layer on the front, honestly. Straps dig into my traps/shoulders excessively (very painfully, also affecting my neck), felt like my windpipe was even being depressed somehow. And the armholes pinch and dig in A LOT as well. And back pain, back pain, back pain... persisting for quite a time after a very brief wear of it. I don't even think if I were a really skinny/small-built guy that it would work for me either. And I'm really not that fat, I'm a mixture of overweight and above-average muscular right now but I also have a large frame to begin with, built exactly like my dad (normal male broad shoulder type too).

It's just absolutely not worth it (there's maybe 1-2" difference between a large 997 and a small 974 on me, really). I should have went with another 974 straight off, like I'd initially thought. I only wanted to try the 997 because I thought it might get me a little longer use before stretching as they're all wont to do eventually but yeah, no. Nobody can tell I have boobs in the 974 (and I am a D/DD) - even though this one I'm using is four years old now - (small is what works for me and WITHOUT any of the problems of the 997 in large; go figure), they all say they just look like pecs, that they wouldn't know if they didn't know etc. So I can live with that.

If I really need that extra little bit of compression at some point, then I'll take my old 974 and remove the cotton layer off of it and wear it with another one and probably still not have any of those deal-breaker issues of the 997. I think the problem is with the actual cut/shape of it than anything else... it's just not dialed in right. How cisguys can even stand to wear these ones is beyond me.

Anyway. Your mileage may vary, but 997's are a definite no-go for me. Will be returning for a refund and ordering the 974 (want to get two, just less confusing than exchanging and adding another on top etc lol).

Nothing against Underworks, but the 997 needs some serious improvement. I'd wager if they made the double-front into the same kind of sleevless-T cut as the 974, it would work and without a majority of those problems as the A-shirt kind of cut they for some reason made the 997 into.

Just my $0.02


Edit: actually, I think perhaps I'll give a 998 a go. Hear it is a sort of middle-ground option.