Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hey guys, sorry for posting so much about gear, but I really need advice. I am strapped for cash (just lost my job) and need to figure out the most economical possible gear that will hopefully last me a little while (durability). I found this Binder, Velcro style on tranzwear. They carry varieties in 6", 9", and 11". I think a 9" would be sufficient.

But here is the question for guys who have tried this kind of binder and also tried one from Underworks or similar, like a chest compression shirt. They are considerably more expensive ($30 as opposed to $16). How much more comfortable are they? I am worried about wearing my binder to the gym, wearing it out walking my dog and running around outside....will it make me sweat ungodly amounts? Or are the Velcro style binders not too bad?

I cant even bind right now because my only option is neoprene waist slimmer (dying of sweat) and ace bandage (cant breath).

How would you compare the Velcro style binder with the Chest Compression tops as far as comfort and coverage?

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.prestoimages.net%2Fstore30%2Frd5317%2F5317_pd1680253_2.jpg&hash=a1d1b027b22d3d5035f9f997598df12928b04931)

Thanks, any advice is appreciated greatly   :-\

I found them VERY uncomfortable and scratchy. They seem like they'd be useful for cosplay, theater, or some kind of use where you aren't wearing it very long.

--Jay

I think they would fall down pretty easy in the gym, personally I'd be worrying about that too much. Check out eBay, if you're smallish up top they've got some decent ones on there (I prefer them to underworks tbh)

I wear strapless velcro binders almost exclusively. Best thing ever far as I'm concerned. Whether home made or from binder site, they work the same and are easily adjustable, never fall down, and aren't so tight I can't breathe. Almost any binder I've tried otherwise has been so tight or too loose to be called a binder.

There was one exception, but I haven't been able to find or replace that one since it fell apart.

I really hope you guys don't mind me asking, but... Jay and Lord Kat, what size are you?
I only ask because I am about a C and I just wonder if your size might make the difference in the fact that one of you loves the Velcro style and the other hates it!? The Neoprene waist slimmer gives me a hideous Uniboob effect and I feared the Velcro binder might do something similar, but perhaps not, since it is designed for the bust? Man I feel lost but thanks for the input  :-\

also a C

Quote from: lxndr on July 02, 2014, 11:08:15 AM
I think they would fall down pretty easy in the gym, personally I'd be worrying about that too much. Check out eBay, if you're smallish up top they've got some decent ones on there (I prefer them to underworks tbh)

Are you referring to the ones that say Tomboy, Lesbian and etc in the listing headline? And they come from China or Japan? That sort of turned me off from them, since it didn't make sense to me why a lesbian in particular would want to bind her chest. Maybe that's the case in some Asian scene I am not familiar with , or maybe the folks with the binders figure Western lesbians are also binding their chests??  Maybe cis female lesbians do bind, I dont know, I just never heard of that.   Puzzled me for hours. But anyyway.

Quote from: LordKAT on July 02, 2014, 11:45:21 AM
I wear strapless velcro binders almost exclusively. Best thing ever far as I'm concerned. Whether home made or from binder site, they work the same and are easily adjustable, never fall down, and aren't so tight I can't breathe. Almost any binder I've tried otherwise has been so tight or too loose to be called a binder.

There was one exception, but I haven't been able to find or replace that one since it fell apart.

Do you use the 9" ones?
And they're not too sweaty for you?

It wasn't uniboob that I disliked, it was how scratchy it was. Even over a t-shirt or a underarmour shirt.

--Jay

Quote from: ElioAyla on July 04, 2014, 12:01:15 PM
Are you referring to the ones that say Tomboy, Lesbian and etc in the listing headline? And they come from China or Japan? That sort of turned me off from them, since it didn't make sense to me why a lesbian in particular would want to bind her chest. Maybe that's the case in some Asian scene I am not familiar with , or maybe the folks with the binders figure Western lesbians are also binding their chests??  Maybe cis female lesbians do bind, I dont know, I just never heard of that.   Puzzled me for hours. But anyyway.

Yeah they're the ones. I think it's an Asian thing, but there are some cis women who bind their chests in the western world as well, not necessarily lesbians either.

They work pretty well on smaller chests, it's just about getting the sizing right.

Binders really are an individual thing.  It really depends on the person what they like and are most comfortable in. 

I personally would especially worry about it coming down at the gym, which would impact my workout.  However, I have only ever worn tank binders. 
I would defer to Lord Kat as he has been wearing them for years.

If you have an old sports bra laying around you could use that at the gym with a large shirt, if you had the same worry.  Then you could still use this binder for everyday wear.

There are butches who bind (and even occasionally have top surgery). In some countries in Asia, trans males are actually referred to by a word which probably translates in English as tomboy. I saw a presentation on this which is beyond the topic here. But it isn't a bad thing re the company itself. If they make good binders I don't care really why they make them. I ordered from Loveboat where the name has Les in the title. I got my stuff addressed in the name I gave, and I was addressed in the name/gender I presented.

--Jay

"Les" translates to "the" in a few languages. I think that is all it means.

As to strapless binders falling down, it will depend on how tight you wear it and the material it is made out of. I have had a few bad ones. Admittedly they were homemade.

well, I finally just sucked it up and got a strapless Velcro binder. I hope its not too itchy or falls off, I'm so anxious...pretty much if it fits and I have a flat chest and can breath though I will be happier than I am now, only wanting to wear XXLarge shirts to try and hide the things.

thanks for the advice guys.  ^-^