All About Binding

[Wolf Man]

Uhm, about swimming. If you guys looks at the Underworks site, there is a specific binder for swimming.

It's called the Concealer Chest Binding Compression Swim Tank and can be bought separately, along with the shorts, that are sold as a set.

[Between Names]

I know, but I have neither the time nor the money to order one.    Plus if I wore that I might out myself, (yanno, people asking what's up with the funky swimsuit) and I really just need to know how badly my binder will get damaged.

[Wolf Man]

From the little I found about material similar to the Underworks binder (30% spandex 70%nylon) it seems that they are good for a limited amount of uses in water. I have no experience doing this, but it has crossed my mind. I say try it out and see how it goes.

[Adio]

Uhm, about swimming. If you guys looks at the Underworks site, there is a specific binder for swimming.

It's called the Concealer Chest Binding Compression Swim Tank and can be bought separately, along with the shorts, that are sold as a set.

Just curious, have you personally worn one of those?  Because I've heard nothing positive about them.  They say top only binds the abdomen and gets bunched up.  Most guys that I've seen talk about it say it's a waste of money.

[Between Names]

From the little I found about material similar to the Underworks binder (30% spandex 70%nylon) it seems that they are good for a limited amount of uses in water. I have no experience doing this, but it has crossed my mind. I say try it out and see how it goes.

Alright, I think I will.  My old binder is getting kinda grimy and stretched out anyway.

[Wolf Man]

Just curious, have you personally worn one of those?  Because I've heard nothing positive about them.  They say top only binds the abdomen and gets bunched up.  Most guys that I've seen talk about it say it's a waste of money.

Unfortunately, no. Though as you've heard bad, I've heard good. Different binders create different opinions among different people with a wide varity of body types. 

[no_id]

I'm currently debating to get one of two binders. One's with velcro, the other with a zipper.

Apart from the velcro/zipper difference they're quite the same although the zipper one is noted to be more comfortable and looks a bit neater. However, I figure velcro is much easier to adjust while the zipper will probably stretch over time (then again the velcro doesn't last forever either).
So, suggestions anyone?

[Miniar]

I'm currently debating to get one of two binders. One's with velcro, the other with a zipper.

Apart from the velcro/zipper difference they're quite the same although the zipper one is noted to be more comfortable and looks a bit neater. However, I figure velcro is much easier to adjust while the zipper will probably stretch over time (then again the velcro doesn't last forever either).
So, suggestions anyone?

I personally would take the velcro one, mostly for it's adjustability.

That being said, I've wanted to get that exact model, the one with the velcro, for a while. I just don't know whether or not it's worth it cause the size chart don't appear to allow for people over 5'9" in height, and at 6'2" I worry it just won't fit right. It doesn't mention ppl over 85 kilos either...

Meh.. maybe I'll MAKE one.

[IndigeoAliquis]

I would be curious about the width of when the velcro meets itself as opposed to the area at the binder where it is merely zipped up. I wonder. . .
I don't have either, I just have an oooolld tritop that I got like seven years ago...

[Ryuu]

Velcro would be easier to replace when it wore out than a zippper.

[no_id]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Based on it I'm currently leaning towards the velcro one;
definitely appears more reliable when it comes to adjusting. And since the size chart
includes sizes inches apart (e.g. 31-33 inches) there's definitely to wonder about the actual width like you pointed out IndigeoAliquis.

That being said, I've wanted to get that exact model, the one with the velcro, for a while. I just don't know whether or not it's worth it cause the size chart don't appear to allow for people over 5'9" in height, and at 6'2" I worry it just won't fit right. It doesn't mention ppl over 85 kilos either...

As far as I'm aware T-Kingdom does custom sizes, but it costs extra. Check the 'All sizes seems wrong for me, what can I do?' question in the FAQ.

[IndigeoAliquis]

As far as I'm aware T-Kingdom does custom sizes, but it costs extra. Check the 'All sizes seems wrong for me, what can I do?' question in the FAQ here.

Ahh! How long have they been doing this? I haven't surfed anything trans-related in five years or so... Is that new? That's just wonderful.
I regret falling off the grid every day now.

[no_id]

Ahh! How long have they been doing this? I haven't surfed anything trans-related in five years or so... Is that new? That's just wonderful.
I regret falling off the grid every day now.

Heh, they did it when I checked two years ago.
Time to get back on track oi. 

[Miniar]

I might end up doing that.
As much as you guys sometimes envy my height, you've no idea the amount of "fuss" a couple of inches extra in height can generate.
Not to mention the banging your head on low hanging signs problem.

My brother's only another 2 inches taller than me and he's had more stitches done in his head than he can remember. If you ask him how many times he's had stitches in the head he'll zone out and count for a while and go "eight that I can recall off the top of my head" (no pun intended).

Needing to "special order" stuff is just yet another thing.

[Karridoll]

That's nuts!!!!!

[emil]

DIY binder: cover a tight &stretchy bustier or sports bra (or some other shirt you prefer that fits tightly and is somewhat stretchy) with two layers of liquid latex...let dry. you can even add a zipper later. it makes a great binder because the fabric+ latex combination is way tougher than any fabric but still flexible. it's also cheap (liquid latex is about $10 per bottle and you won't need much) and it's not as "rubbery" as it may sound since the latex doesnt actually touch your skin

[Ryuu]

Another DIY option is to take a wide strip of cloth, poke holes in the ends, and put lacing through them to make a "boob corset". It's best if you lace it up the back but that can be somewhat difficult.

[Banf]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Based on it I'm currently leaning towards the velcro one;
definitely appears more reliable when it comes to adjusting. And since the size chart
includes sizes inches apart (e.g. 31-33 inches) there's definitely to wonder about the actual width like you pointed out IndigeoAliquis.

As far as I'm aware T-Kingdom does custom sizes, but it costs extra. Check the 'All sizes seems wrong for me, what can I do?' question in the FAQ.

I had to order larger than my height/size because of bigger moob size than the charts seemed to cater for. The effect is while it fits my chest width well, the binding area ends up a bit too low, so that the shoulder straps provide no support really and I can't position the lumps further up without them poking through the arm holes (because they're a bit too low for me).

I guess taller guys would get the opposite effect from a T Kingdom binder if you didn't custom order (which seems worth it imo!). Not sure if the Underworks ones are designed for a different body shape.

The velcro thickness difference is barely noticable when you've got a layer or two on top, but you do get some bumps and stuff in that area. Though I guess under your arm is a better spot for bumps than the collarbone or wherever the zipper ends.

[NightKoi]

I just wanted to say if you're going the DIY route, absolutely DO NOT bind with medical tape. It does terrible damage to your lungs. My roomate saw me doing it and her minor in college is in athletic training and she flipped on me, telling me horror stories of what compressing with tape can do to you.

SO....I ordered my first binders from Underworks earlier this week. I got the 988 model and I really enjoy it.

My comments:
1) Though it is hard to slip on, it is WORTH the minimal struggle...because it makes anything of breast-resemblance disappear from my chest
2) Got one in black and one in white. Both are pretty much undetectable under a typical shirt.
3.) Looks like a regular tank top/ muscle shirt. I could walk around in it and be mistaken for a pre-pubescent boy (I haven't started T and I'm short....really short -__-)

p.s. I've read some comments about bra wearing and stuff. My two bits on this would be, A) I wouldn't want to wear a bra unless I utterly had no other choice or if I felt the need to be a drag queen for a day (and I don't have those needs, lol)

and B) Because my chest is so small anyway, yes a sports bra would make me rather flat, but every time I jogged, ran, or went up stairs..the chesticles would bounce. So no, bras aren't for me. Binders all the way. 

[zombiesarepeaceful]

I used to have a Tri Top from underworks. It worked well, but cut into my skin alot, make me bleed, and wore out.

(I'm really a 34c/d, but due to binding for years my breast tissue is broken down) I came up with an interesting method to bind. One day, being homeless, and desperate to hide my chest, I threw on two sports bras, and grabbed a belt, and put the belt around my chest as tight as it would go. I'm using one of those belts where there's two metal things that you put it through, not a normal belt, but I'm sure a normal belt would work too. The material is stiffer so it works well, suprisingly. It's the flattest I've seen my chest in ages. I put it around the middle of my breasts, so the top part looks like pecs, and what sticks out underneath isn't noticable if I wear a not too tight shirt. Plus this is winter so I wear underarmor, and a beater underneath my clothes.  I hide the buckle under my arms. I've been hit on by gay men at the gay bar so I guess I"m doing something right!

My ftm drag buddy uses black tape on his chest everyday...idk how he does it >.< When I do use tape, I use duct tape, but over a beater so it's not on my skin. I have asthma, and the belt method allows for very good breathing, IMO.