Binders and comfort

[insideontheoutside]

I know there's a ton of topics re: binders on here already and here I am starting another one but I wanted to get opinions on just comfort. I hate even wearing a bra because I think it's uncomfortable and constricting so I'm worried about it feeling even worse with a binder. Also, I bought a spandex style sports bar the other day and I could barely get into it (or out of it for that matter) so I'm having trouble imagining how easy it would be to put on/take off an actual binder.

So just trying to get some thoughts on what to get that will do the job but not be horribly uncomfortable.

Thanks

[Robert Scott]

Personally, I hated wearing bras as well.  I thought sports bras made me feel like a uniboob going on. 

However, I love wearing my binder.  I position my breasts down and to the side and I feel like I have pecs instead of boobs.  The first couple weeks of wearing them were a slight uncomfortable -- but better than a bra cause I felt I looked more like I was suppose to look.  After they stretched out they are super comfortable for me to wear.  I wear them ever day!  I also have started wearing more fitting shirts since I don't have a uniboob to hide.

[Shang]

I've got a double-front binder from Underworks (though I got mine from Squirrel who got his from Underworks) and I love it!  It doesn't always like my hips, but I'm starting to slim down so the binder is easier to put on.  The hips are the main thing with trying to put on the binder, but it's totally worth the extra time.  My breasts are pretty big and so I get big pecs or moobs if I'm not careful in how I position my breasts.  I've never had a problem with a uniboob, though.

[Clay]

i totally hate bras myself... but wearing a binder definitely feels different somehow, and doesn't bother me at all.
but yeah, putting it on can be war. especially when i'm in a hurry and didn't towel properly^^

[insideontheoutside]

I honestly don't know how women stand bras. I hate them! And yeah, uniboob on the sport bras is a problem. Luckily I'm not huge ("B").

I was looking at this one http://www.underworks.com/983.html because it didn't seem to go all the way down to the hips. I think that would be annoying. I have just a spandex top/undershirt and it constantly rides up and I'm always having to keep pulling it down. Totally annoying.

Also I'm totally clueless on sizing. The link above is obviously catering to bio-guys and so while looking at the sizing I'm wondering what I should get. If I am a 34b and I got the Medium size would it do the job or what? If I got a small would it be too constricting and hard to get off/on?

[Robert Scott]

I followed the sizing guide and got a Large.  I am a 40D.

My son was a 32 nearly A and got an extra small.

Initally they are very hard to get on and off --- but after a couple weeks and washing they stretch out and conform to your body type.  I would imagine a small would work for you. 

[insideontheoutside]

I followed the sizing guide and got a Large.  I am a 40D.

My son was a 32 nearly A and got an extra small.

Initally they are very hard to get on and off --- but after a couple weeks and washing they stretch out and conform to your body type.  I would imagine a small would work for you.

Thanks!

I've been looking at this one as well: http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=57&products_id=130 ... the velcro sounds great as far as getting it on and off easy!

[emil]

i'm gonna be open and say the only binder i could wear 24/7 with zero discomfort (even compared to just wearing a loose bra, sports bra or nothing) is this one:
http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=52_56&products_id=124&osCsid=d59da0733a4cc15a0cc7000cc774c257 
there are some binders by the double collection which also look like they should be really comfortable but i haven't tried any of them. from those i tried so far, this is my personal comfort chart:
1. juya sports pullover binder (i sleep in it)
2. esha extra strength long binder after cutting it into a short binder (different cut from the short binder, t-back doesn't weigh down my shoulders)
3. esha extra strength short binder (t-back not too comfortable for my shoulders, apart from that really comfortable binder)
4. t-kingdom m1700  (the binding material may be a little coarse, kinda like bandage, but it's overall quite comfortable, you gotta give it that. other than that, it's ridiculously overpriced because the material compares to the next binder i'm listing, and it creates cleavage and side boobs even though my moobs are only like a 32A or small B)
4.  Double Collection Sports Bandage Velcro Short Binder (material not as soft, more like ace bandages in the front; shoulder straps and back really soft and comfy; bottom seam may cut in a little)
5. Danae short binders (comfortable to wear but material not really soft; may constrict your breathing without you noticing...i only noticed a lack of energy at times when wearing it, and when i took it off i realized it was because of the binder; same happened to me with underworks binders)
6. a little girls lycra spaghetti top (spaghetti straps did cut in)
7. underworks binders (material really rough+ coarse, may bruise, cut in, cause chaffing, wouldnt lay flat at the top)

...of course that's just my personal hitlist.

[Robert Scott]

I got mine from underworks...so I went by their sizing guide.  I wear a full length one and my son got a tri-top.  He is thin as a rail and small chested.  I am big and large chested so I like the extra binding around the middle

[emil]

yeah, velcro is nice to put it on and off but especially since you can vary the compression. the jersey mesh one does sound quite comfy too, i was looking into getting it but they didnt have it in small.

[ilanthefirst]

I also can't stand bras!  I have a Tri-Top from Underworks and do find it hard to get into, though it does a great job flattening my chest despite being a big bra size (32D/30DD).  Someone on another forum gave me that binder when it was already a bit worn out, so I modified it to be tighter, and that's definitely part of why it's hard to get in and out of.  However, I'm still more likely to buy a velcro-style binder like the cheap-o Jersey Mesh one from Les Love Boat when my binder fund reaches maturity (soon!).  If you're really keen on getting one from Underworks, they have FTM-specific sizing information here: http://ftm.underworks.com/. 

Edit: I forgot to thank emil for the thorough binder review!

[insideontheoutside]

i'm gonna be open and say the only binder i could wear 24/7 with zero discomfort (even compared to just wearing a loose bra, sports bra or nothing) is this one:
http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=52_56&products_id=124&osCsid=d59da0733a4cc15a0cc7000cc774c257 
there are some binders by the double collection which also look like they should be really comfortable but i haven't tried any of them. from those i tried so far, this is my personal comfort chart:
1. juya sports pullover binder (i sleep in it)
2. esha extra strength long binder after cutting it into a short binder (different cut from the short binder, t-back doesn't weigh down my shoulders)
3. esha extra strength short binder (t-back not too comfortable for my shoulders, apart from that really comfortable binder)
4. t-kingdom m1700  (the binding material may be a little coarse, kinda like bandage, but it's overall quite comfortable, you gotta give it that. other than that, it's ridiculously overpriced because the material compares to the next binder i'm listing, and it creates cleavage and side boobs even though my moobs are only like a 32A or small B)
4.  Double Collection Sports Bandage Velcro Short Binder (material not as soft, more like ace bandages in the front; shoulder straps and back really soft and comfy; bottom seam may cut in a little)
5. Danae short binders (comfortable to wear but material not really soft; may constrict your breathing without you noticing...i only noticed a lack of energy at times when wearing it, and when i took it off i realized it was because of the binder; same happened to me with underworks binders)
6. a little girls lycra spaghetti top (spaghetti straps did cut in)
7. underworks binders (material really rough+ coarse, may bruise, cut in, cause chaffing, wouldnt lay flat at the top)

...of course that's just my personal hitlist.

That's a good run down of the types, thanks! And thanks everyone else for the feedback so far too

[Nygeel]

I own 3 binders. T-kingdom 1700, Underworks tri-top and Underworks 997.

The T-kingdom 1700 is uncomfortable, doesn't have a big enough binding area, doesn't bind well aaaand is cut weird for my body.
The tri-top is very uncomfortable, isn't long enough, too much compression and cuts into my ribs. I do like that the armpit holes are small and the front is cut high.
The 997 is also not comfortable but is the most comfortable out of the three. The armpit holes are too big and it's cut a bit low for me.

I've been trying to find something more comfortable that has a long enough binding area.

[RaeLikesTea]

As far as comfort goes, I really like the 988 from Underworks.
I think it's a fairly new model, but it definitely has my recommendation. It is really strong, and it has a "relaxed mid-section", so it only binds the top half. Because it's chest-only, I wear it throughout the day without much discomfort at all.

[Konnor]

Just a note on the tri-top if you're still looking at that one, my chest is a 34 B and with the measurements on Underworks, I think I was a 32? I have a small tri-top and it works great. I've had it for almost a year now and it still compresses well. I am looking at some of the binders on the lesloveboat site though for when I want a new one.

[insideontheoutside]

Just a note on the tri-top if you're still looking at that one, my chest is a 34 B and with the measurements on Underworks, I think I was a 32? I have a small tri-top and it works great. I've had it for almost a year now and it still compresses well. I am looking at some of the binders on the lesloveboat site though for when I want a new one.

Oh cool thanks!

[PixieBoy]

I wear a T-Kingdom 1700, with a wifebeater underneath it for comfort reasons. I'm thinking about saving up for a Underworks 988, because I like that it won't compress my stomach. When I bought my T-Kingdom binder, my size was Large, and I believe that this means a Medium in Underworks sizing. Is it a good idea to buy one of those?

[emil]

i'm interested in the 988 as well since it seems long enough for me....t-kingdom and love boat have long binders with relaxed mid-section as well but they're too short for me.....plus i saw a guy on youtube wearing just the black 988 and it looked like a regular guys' tanktop.

[STRM]

As far as comfort goes, I really like the 988 from Underworks.

Do you get a little extra compression if you fold the top up, or is it really relaxed in the midsection?

[ilanthefirst]

When I bought my T-Kingdom binder, my size was Large, and I believe that this means a Medium in Underworks sizing. Is it a good idea to buy one of those?

FYI, T-Kingdom and Underworks have rather different sizing systems (T-Kingdom asks only for the maximum measurement, whereas Underworks asks for the average of your largest and smallest measurements), so you should probably re-measure and use their guidelines (which are here: http://ftm.underworks.com/) rather than assuming the "standard size difference" people talk about.