Susan's Place Transgender Resources

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

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.

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.

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^^

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 (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?

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. 

Quote from: Rob on September 07, 2010, 02:06:28 PM
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 (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!

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 (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.

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

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.

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/ (http://ftm.underworks.com/). 

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

Quote from: emil on September 07, 2010, 02:16:56 PM
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 (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 :)

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.

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.

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.

Quote from: konman on September 08, 2010, 07:41:46 PM
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!

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?

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.

Quote from: RaeLikesTea on September 07, 2010, 08:36:18 PM
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?

Quote from: Maldita on September 09, 2010, 09:52:35 AM
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/ (http://ftm.underworks.com/)) rather than assuming the "standard size difference" people talk about. 

Quote from: Ilan Reshon on September 09, 2010, 05:49:33 PM
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/ (http://ftm.underworks.com/)) rather than assuming the "standard size difference" people talk about.

I see a huge difference in size. T-kingdom had me at a XXXL (a size they didn't make and is just a guess based on their charts) and Underworks I'm in between medium and large.

@STRM - it can't be doubled, because the compression part is only down to the bottom of the ribcage, and it's sewn in to the long cotton part at the sides. It has a double layer of the powernet webbing stuff though, so I think it should be fine alone as long as you're not very large chested or wearing something clingy.

Quote from: Maldita on September 09, 2010, 09:52:35 AM
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?

I love mine - it really just looks like a normal undershirt. Same comfort level as a sports bra (once you get it on.)

so i bought the juya binder someone else started a thread about, and it's my top recommendation regarding comfort AND performance. it feels unbelievably thin, the tactel material is really comfy to wear and gets them FLAT. worth the money, most definitely.
http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=52_56&products_id=128&osCsid=aa11b5c24282d91da233cd1f9f313d18 (http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=52_56&products_id=128&osCsid=aa11b5c24282d91da233cd1f9f313d18)

I found the underworks tri top to be extremely uncomfortable. The armpit holes were way way to small. I think it was designed for a more feminine body type. My body type is more like a man with enlarged breasts literally. They look like backword "L"s.
Does anybody know of a binder that has large armholes say 35 inches in circumference. My arms arn't uber big but my shoulders are like tree trunks. There approx. 20ish inches in circumfrance.

most of the love boat and t-kingdom binders have large armholes. the t-kingdom m1700 specifically has very large armholes, but is otherwise not a good binder imho. the esha extra strength, the juya sports pullover and high performance, the sports bandage velcro sports binder from double all have large armholes but at the same time don't really create "side boobs" ...you would have to email them to find out the exact circumference for your size though, for i wear a size small....and since you're saying you have a man-like upper body i guess you're not a size small ?

@RaeLikesTea:

Hmm, I might buy the 997. I'd have the option to double it, plus the sizing seems better for me. Whatever I buy is probably going to roll up regardless of stomach compression since I have a 28" waist and 40" hips...

Quote from: mcalistershaun on September 11, 2010, 01:56:53 PM
I found the underworks tri top to be extremely uncomfortable. The armpit holes were way way to small. I think it was designed for a more feminine body type. My body type is more like a man with enlarged breasts literally. They look like backword "L"s.

Woah, I had the opposite problem with the Tri-Top, that the arm holes are so big that I get major problems with spilling out the armpits!  Just goes to show that these things can't be "one size fits all". 

Quote from: emil on September 11, 2010, 11:47:35 AM
so i bought the juya binder someone else started a thread about, and it's my top recommendation regarding comfort AND performance. it feels unbelievably thin, the tactel material is really comfy to wear and gets them FLAT. worth the money, most definitely.
http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=52_56&products_id=128&osCsid=aa11b5c24282d91da233cd1f9f313d18 (http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=52_56&products_id=128&osCsid=aa11b5c24282d91da233cd1f9f313d18)

Back when I used an ace brand elastic back brace as a binder (which was obviously extremely uncomfortable) the Velcro closure under my arm rubbed and really bothered me. I've been apprehensive to get anything Velcro since. Does the Juya not rub under the arm?

nope not at all, the velcro is "cushioned" by that very soft-feeling and very thin tactel material so it really doesn't feel like it's velcroed together at all..also the velcro part doesn't start right where your armpits are. i tried to take a picture of me wearing it, but you can't even tell where the velcro is in the picture because i chose the black binder :/  (which is actually not a bad thing, i am wearing it under a black low-cut tank top right now and it doesn't look suspicious at all)


I have a question regarding the Underworks 988 (ultimate chest compression tank or whatever it's called).....could someone tell me how long it is top to bottom? i want to get an XS for my birthday (my last attempt to find a long binder  that can be worn by itsself) but i'm really tall....the t-kingdom 1700 ended around my belly button ....that would really help me a lot!

The sizing can be odd. My measurements, according to the Underworks sizing charts, put me at a M for most of their binders. When I got the M I could just slide it on like a shirt, and it was so loose I still jiggled...think I could have fit a small child in there with me. Having tried progressively smaller sizes, I've discovered that I'm really an XS, and would probably try out an XXS if they had them.

owkay....that helps already, i guessed i must be an xs because i'm always the smallest available size in binders and sometimes even those are too loose.....were they long enough though? i would guess the XS would also be quite short, right? i'm like at least 5'11 and i really don't need another binder that ends 4 inches above my belt line...

and does the XS do a fair enough job for you?

Well, I'm only 5'7, but all the binders are more than long enough for me. When I'm all adjusted in the XS double front, it ends about an inch or so below the bend of my hip joint in the front, so I have to fold it up about an inch to keep it from rolling up when I walk. So it's way below my belt line. I don't see it really being too short for anyone to tuck in, unless you have a really big belly or something, probably not the case if you're getting an XS.

I haven't tried the 988, btw. But the length should be about the same - it's been the same on most every model I've tried - and I think the compression is about the same as the 997 since it's basically a truncated double front with an extra length of non-binding fabric attached. As far as the compression, it seems to do a fine enough job for me, as these things go...I won't actually be happy with how my chest looks until it's surgically fixed, but the XS double front gives me a look that's vaguely tolerable.

hey thanks....that helped me a lot! the bend of my hip joint is actually where i would like it to end, so i guess i should be fine :)


armpit in juya high performance binder, size small:
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm5.static.flickr.com%2F4110%2F4983219824_f1f2a5b502.jpg&hash=0987fdc23e4543d9cd99f1feb93add58210989da)

Hey emil, what size is your chest? I'm really curious about the Juya binder.

somewhere between 30 and 32 and i guess a small b cup.

Thanks Emil.
Regarding the length, I'm only 5'4", so it's definitely long enough on me. Still, you should be good.

i emailed them and they said it's 22 inches long which would be way too short for me (it would end at my belly button), but i'm wondering if that's really the full length of the shirt, including the shoulder straps? or did he mean the length of the seams at the side?
i mean those are made for guys (at least the guy who sells them on ebay sells them as man-girdles), and most guys are taller than me?

You got me interested (since I know my torso is more than 22 inches long), so I measured mine. On the hanger, it's 23 inches from shoulder to hem. But when I measured it on me, it was 28 inches.

Basically, it stretches a lot, vertically as well as horizontally. The vertical stretch is what it needs to maintain its binding capability and move with your body - if you put it on but don't pull it down, it just sort of wrinkles up and puffs out.

emil, the ultimate chest concealer is the 997, and the 988 is actual the one that has the relaxed mid section according to the underworks website. I think you meant the 997, didn't you? other than what the website says, I really don't have any information since I haven't had the money to buy a binder yet, but I am looking at the 988, since the only compression is at the top portion of the binder and I'm afraid I might have a panic attack if it is even slightly hard to breath.

Could anyone who has a 988 tell me, what size you have and how many inches down (or centimeters, since I'm not too bad with conversions) the compression goes?

hey thanks kyril! 28 inches would be enough....does it puff and wrinkle a lot in general though?


@gilligan, i meant the    "New! Extreme Chest Concealer FTM Chest Binder
Extreme! Chest Only Compression! Relaxed Mid-Section!" 

, sorry for the confusion. it has a relaxed mid-section. i believe someone said all Underworks long binders are about the same length

It's not that bad - the more it's stretched, the loss it wrinkles. If you can get it on over damp skin, or if you sweat a little in it, it kind of sticks to you and feels like a second skin.

(The relaxed-midsection one may be different in some important ways - you'd have to try it out to see exactly how it behaves)

I've got a T-Kingdom m1700, which is pretty comfortable but gives me the uniboob of doom, because otherwise I'll spill out the armpit holes, the binding area's not big enough.  Obviously have to wear pretty loose clothes over it because of the velcro and the uniboob. Despite that, it's still a rather good squisher, and pretty comfy.  I tried the m980 and it was nowhere near strong enough because the binding area was only at the front, the back stretched and it didn't bind at all, so I returned it and paid the extra to exchange it for the 1700.  I've also got a m801, the short one with the zipper, which is ridiculously easy to get into, no velcro to snag on the soft part of the binder like the 1700, but the material doesn't seem as heavy duty as the elastic on the 1700, so I think it'll probably have a shorter lifespan.  I've got more room to move things around in it because of the way it's made, so things get squished to the middle of my chest a bit less.  The zipper and how I don't think it'll last as long are why I don't wear it as much as the 1700.  (they're both medium)

I had a horrible time getting into, and out of, the Underworks double-front I have - it's a small.  My hips are too big for me to step into it, my shoulders big enough that getting it on over my head is a major ordeal - I tried it on once to see if it was even possible to get into it or if I needed to send it back and I haven't been in it since.  It didn't seem *that* much better than the m801, not for the effort it took to get into it, but it was a lot cheaper.

Still, binders by their very design have the edge in comfort over bras, at least if they're not too tight - they don't have a strap or an underwire to dig in at one specific place on your ribcage, and because they squash in and not down, they're not pulling down so much on your shoulders and making those straps dig in.  I wore a new sports bra the other day (was trying to find a good squisher-bra locally, for when I wanted a little less uniboob and to imply to my mother that everything I have that smashes them down is indeed a sports bra -  *thought* I found a good one...) and it was killing me after about an hour or two with the shoulder straps digging in, but I couldn't go home and change until the end of the day.  I'm 32C-D to 34B-C-D, depending on brand and style, it's an utter beast to fit in anything other than overly saggy underwires, and my favorite brand only goes as small as a 34, which stretches out real fast.  Small wonder I want to smack those bad boys down instead - I have utterly had it with this bra BS.  I just wish T-Kingdom were cheaper - I think I'm going to check out the Juya or Esha ones.

Quote from: emil on September 07, 2010, 02:16:56 PM
this is my personal comfort chart

Would you mind me asking what bra/boob size you are?