Starting up a binder comparison chart

[Lee]

Hey guys,
It's kind of annoying to sort through the forums for the info on different binders, so I'd like to get a comparison chart going.  Unfortunately, my experience is rather limited.  If you would, I would appreciate it if you'd post your size, the different models you've tried (please be specific as possible), what you liked/didn't like about them, and any other info you'd like to add.  I have finals this coming week, but I'll start compiling everything this coming weekend.
Thanks 

[Farm Boy]

Cool!  I'll definitely be checking it out!  I'd like to contribute, but both of my binders were used when I got them, so they've been stretched out beyond their original states.

[Jeh]

Good luck on finals, man. I just finished mine.

I can review the Model 790 Breast Binder by T-Kingdom. Size Large.

Fits me well and is really comfortable for beginning/casual binding. I like the velcro side because it's easy to get out of the binder - I have a fear of getting stuck inside a binder. It doesn't get me completely flat, but it does a decent job. It works better if you do the velcro side up and then pull the binder over your head rather than putting it on and then doing up the side like they suggest on their website.

Am hoping for another T-Kingdom model for Christmas so I can tell you how I find that one, then.

[Nikolai_S]

I have the Underworks Tri-Top Binder (style 983), small. I'm probably a 34 B bra if that helps.

Gets me very flat, although at the bottom of my breasts there's a bump where they end that can be felt, though not seen except through really tight clothing. Comfortable, I've spent up to 12 hours in it with minimum aching or breathing difficulty. I don't even notice it most of the time. So overall, I'm really happy with it. On the downside, I cannot put it on over my head without it nearly strangling me, the fabric's too stiff. I have to step into it, and since it has to go over wide hips daily it's stretching out a bit. Also, it's a little longer than it needs to be and rolls up over my belly, causing stiff folds that can show through thin shirts. Same problem around the neckline, if the shoulder straps aren't far enough apart in bunches in the middle and that fold is evident through a t-shirt.

[xAndrewx]

Same as Nikolai I have the tri-top (983) in a medium, I'm around a D I think, only ever wore sports bras years ago sorry.

It gets me reasonably flat. I've had it for over a year so it's stretched out. When I first got it, it got me perfectly flat. No breathing issues or pain after 12 hours either. Durable because I've worn it everyday 12 hours a day for over a year and have washed and dried it. It is just now giving out. I also have the neckline issue and the rolling issue.

[Martin]

I pretty much ditto everything Nikolai and Michael Alexander said, I think I'm maybe a C? I come out as a size 34 on the Underworks sizing scale, and I have a small Tri-top, which is technically a size too small by their guide, but I definitely wouldn't want it any bigger. I've had it about 5 months and worn it pretty much every day, only ever hand washed it and never put it in a dryer. I'd say it doesn't bind me quite as well as it did when I first got it, but it's certainly still functional. It was a little uncomfortable when I first started wearing it: the straps sometimes dug into my shoulders, or under my armpits, but it never gave me chest pain or trouble breathing. The cutting in isn't a problem anymore and I can now wear it for a good 12 hours with no problems. I also have the neckline and rolling issue.

This is a good idea, I also have trouble sorting through all the forum threads. Thanks for doing it!

[Farm Boy]

Ok, I'm going to go ahead and post here anyway...

My chest is 32-34" across, I honestly don't remember, and I only ever wore sports bras so I can't give a letter.  I have a binder similar to the 997 Double Front from Underworks, and I was told that it fell between sizes small and medium from Underworks.  It doesn't get me as flat as I'd like, but it's too big so that's to be expected.  It doesn't bunch up in the front, but it's long and so it starts working its way up and bunching around my abdomen, which can show through a T-shirt.

I have a used tri-top from Underworks, size small, but it's been stretched out.  Same thing about how flat it gets me.  It's more comfortable than the full length one, but it has the same problems others have mentioned.  Have any of you found a way to keep it from bunching up in the front?  I keep pulling the shoulder straps apart but it doesn't really help.  Did you guys have this problem with yours even when it was new and the right size?

[Lee]

Thanks for the info guys.  I use the tritop as well, and it does the same thing on the top.  I tend to wear a lot of layers, so it doesn't show too much.  I considered ironing it or gluing/stitching the layers together at the top, but I'm not sure if it'll do any good.  If anyone has a solution, please let me know.

[Elijah3291]

I dont know the name of the one I have now but its the kind that is a tank top with chest and no stomach compression an it has 2 layers.  I have a lesloveboat binder coming in the mail.

I used the tri top from underworks, but I hated it.. sure it got me super flat, but it really hurt, and I am a stickler for comfort, just wearing my binder makes me mad

[Konnor]

My first binder was a size small tri-top. I'm about a 34-36 B in bra sizing. It gets me flat enough to pass, decently flat with only one shirt over it. I usually wear my binder, then a white t-shirt, then whatever shirt I'm wearing and it usually gets rid of the top hem of the binder showing. It dug in at my armpits for a while, but over time got better. It didn't roll up on me unless I ate a big meal, then it was kind of uncomfortable. I had it for about a year and it finally tore down a seam.  I liked it better than my double front though in terms of comfort, because I didn't have to worry about tucking it in and it didn't roll nearly as bad. I put this binder on by stepping into it with the straps on top and just pulling it up.

My binder now is a size small double front. It was slightly used so it was a little stretched out when I got it, but not much. I'd say it gets me as flat as my tri-top did. I get the same arm pit problem with this one, and it hasn't gone away yet. I really hate the bulges it makes when my fat sticks out my arm pits! Sometimes the front hem sticks out more than my tri top did, but I've found that if I re-adjust and pull the binder up higher, it's fixed. I put this one on by stepping into it with the bottom hem facing up and the binder inside out, then when the bottom hem is even with my hips, I pull the straps up. This one is a little more uncomfortable for me than the tri-top because I have giant hips. I wear compression shorts and tuck my binder into them, but it never stays put very long. It likes to roll up pretty often. I like the hip compression it gives me, I just wish I could find a way to get it to stay down. Any ideas?

[Elijah3291]

oh i forgotto mention that every double compression tank I have had, I have had an excess of fabric bunching in the back, and I had to cuta small triangle out of the back and then sew that together

probably just because my shoulers or back wasnt big enough

[meh]

I have the Underworks Tri-Top Binder (style 983), small. I'm probably a 34 B bra if that helps.

Gets me very flat, although at the bottom of my breasts there's a bump where they end that can be felt, though not seen except through really tight clothing. Comfortable, I've spent up to 12 hours in it with minimum aching or breathing difficulty. I don't even notice it most of the time. So overall, I'm really happy with it. On the downside, I cannot put it on over my head without it nearly strangling me, the fabric's too stiff. I have to step into it, and since it has to go over wide hips daily it's stretching out a bit. Also, it's a little longer than it needs to be and rolls up over my belly, causing stiff folds that can show through thin shirts. Same problem around the neckline, if the shoulder straps aren't far enough apart in bunches in the middle and that fold is evident through a t-shirt.

I have those same issues. I cut about 3 inches off the bottom so it doesn't stick out anymore and cut an upside down triangle shape at the neck area and sewed that up so it doesn't bunch up. It's pretty much perfect now.

[Rossiter]

For the record: my chest is about 30" at the widest point, and I'm nowhere near being even an A cup. I only bind when I'm wearing thin/stretchy shirts.

I had a double front compression shirt (997?) from Underworks a few years ago; I think it was an XS. I didn't like it because it tended to bunch up at the bottom, and it was pretty difficult to get on and off. I don't think it was that great at binding for me either, but I can't find any photos for comparison.

I just bought the high performance velcro binder from Love Boat, the short version and size small.  It works much better for me since it's both tighter/shorter and adjustable. It does dig in a bit around the armpits, but not painfully and you can only tell if all I'm wearing is the binder. 

side photo wearing the binder:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y92/phrosie/myself/DSCN3281.jpg

[mm]

You are sure flat chested in that picture.  No hint of chesticles at all.

[Martin]

Yeah August, I'm jealous...

[Xyrenth]

A comparison document drawing together reviews and stuff from all over the place would be AMAZING. I spent a few hours yesterday looking at the posts here and on http://chestbinders.wordpress.com and started work on a spreadsheet comparing facts, but it gave me an awful headache. I'd love to see something that actually manages to put all the information out there into something easy to digest.

Also, one thing I would be really helpful (for those who are posting reviews) would be to give actual measurements of around the ribcage and over the widest part of the chest - given how many bras are mis-sized, not to mention sizing variations between underwear manufacturers, I think concrete measurements would be much more useful to those of us trying to work out what size binders to buy.

[LilDoberman]

Good point xynrenth.

Ok, here's my $.02.

Measurements:  Widest is about 39, under is 34 so that's a 34DD.

Underworks 997:  I had a medium and it was a little too big.  I don't know if I could have gotten on a small though.  It was pretty darn uncomfortable to boot. 

LesLoveboat High strength http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=78_80&products_id=98&osCsid=eb29568a9f60316177473b02a86ab361 :
Size Large.  Love it.  Wear it all the time.  Cons:  Not wide enough coverage for bigger chests.  The large is almost too large.  If you're any smaller than me, get a medium.  It's more comfortable than my sports bras and the velcro is a god-send.  Seriously, you can get it on and off easily *and* adjust it -- what's not to love?
I'm going to order one of their wider coverages next.  If anyone's my size and needs something from size chart A, I'd consider a medium.  I'll probably get a large from chart B though, since they run smaller.

Hope that helps someone.

[rexgsd]

i have 2 tritops binders. i dont know my 'chest size' but im not very big really. i have both in size small i believe. they are both awesome, and i have no problems. the only little thing is the middle part at the top sticking out a  bit aka 'barrel chest' but you cant notice that unless your wearing a real tight shirt. also it doesnt make me get 100% totally flat, but again, this is only noticed if i wore a real tight shirt.

hope thats all the info you need. i can put my weight/height if that would help too.

[Brent123]

I was wondering if anybody had an experience with this one:
http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=77_73&products_id=189
It's the 3rd Gen. Velcro Short Binder (I don't really care what the color is).

[wheat thins are delicious]

I have those same issues. I cut about 3 inches off the bottom so it doesn't stick out anymore and cut an upside down triangle shape at the neck area and sewed that up so it doesn't bunch up. It's pretty much perfect now.

Was that hard to do?  I haven't thought about it but now that you mention it I want to try that with my double front cause it's stretched out bad in the front neck part.