Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hey I was wondering about using a binder while swimming. Are there specific binders made for that or will an ordinary binder do? What have you guys experienced with swimming and binding? I only ask because I have a pool and I want to bind when I'm swimming.

I'm pretty sure regular binders can be worn swimming, although chlorine may fade the black kind over time.  I know Underworks does sell compression swimwear here: http://www.underworks.com/products.html#908-918 (http://www.underworks.com/products.html#908-918) , although I've no idea how well it binds as compared to their extreme compression series binders.

Personally, I plan on just wearing a white tri-top binder with a rash guard over it.

I always just wore my regular binder under a tshirt or rash guard.

I usually wear just a regular tri-top binder from underworks, under another shirt.  I use an old one, since the chlorine seems to cause the binder to wear out a lot faster.

I swim every week and have settled on a really tight sports bra and a couple of under armor type shirts. I started off wearing one of my binders but, like Liam said, the chlorine just tore it up and they are more expensive to replace. The bottom under armor shirt is a small to hold everything in place and then I layer 2 more to flatten it all out....plus it's good for drag and makes you work that much harder  ;D

-J

I don't go swimming often (something I intend to change) but we went on holiday last year which involved extensive access to a pool... I just used my (now retired) T-kingdom velcro binder, as it was the only one I had at the time, underneath a rash guard that I got online. Nobody looked twice, and even if they did nothing was said. Binders don't like chlorine and it totally killed the elastic, so my advice would be to have a spare binder that you use specifically for swimming. I think Underworks do make a swimming binder, but it's horribly expensive and I've not heard many good things about it :X

The chlorine eats the elastic in the binder and destories them.  I use a tight sports bra and an under armor type shirt, does a fair job or me.  Wish they were gone and I had a flat guy chest to show when I go swimming.

Yeah I figured that the chlorine would tear it up. I got a rash guard for swimming but wasn't sure how to layer it. Plus I thought that anything under it would show when wet.

A friend of mine used an alternative method of binding using cling-film (I think you call it saran wrap), which apparently worked quite well and is, of course, totally waterproof.

I bought one of those swimming compression binder things from Underworks :) I got the extra small version. It works reasonably well for me...but I would really only recommend the overall product for a small chested guy (A or small B) It doesnt bind as well as the normal Underworks binders, like the tri top tho. Anyone who is C or D sized would probably get no result out of the swimming binder. Ill show you a picture of it on with a rash guard...  ;D

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi568.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fss125%2FpLutherq%2Fghfghfhgf.jpg%3Ft%3D1295482873&hash=6d5d6029f9550638953cdea7c42c9a5e68b6d0f1)

I have tried using a normal binder while swimming and that works too ;) My binder (that I dedicated to swimming and just being a spare) hasnt deteriorated or anything yet but Ive probably only swum in it 5 times!

Thanks harlee. That's really informative.  :D
I was thinking about getting the swimming compression shirt and I'm a B size I believe. I'm pretty small and don't need a binder most times.

It looks really good too. Have you swam in it yet? I'm just nervous about the cling in the water showing off the fact that I'm wearing a binder.

Ive swum in it a lot of times  :) Ive used it in swimming pools, water parks, in the ocean...and even used it while water tubing  8) The swimming binder is about 3-4 months old in that photo which I just took today!

When I go in swimming pools, and my body is underwater, the rash guard seems to loosen up and hang over you in a way, so its not really noticeable. Its when I first get out of the water, the rash guard seems to cling to the binder...thats the only part I hate  >:( I have to pull on the rash guard a little to get it away from my body again and get it back to that looseness rather than tightness! I reckon that if you hardly need a normal binder usually, then it could possibly work for you too :D

Shai, my main concern is what will show through when everything is wet.

Quote from: mm on January 20, 2011, 12:03:02 PM
Shai, my main concern is what will show through when everything is wet.

Yeah that's my concern too. I feel pretty self conscience so I wear a towel around my neck. most times.

Quote from: harlee on January 19, 2011, 09:25:56 PM
Ive swum in it a lot of times  :) Ive used it in swimming pools, water parks, in the ocean...and even used it while water tubing  8) The swimming binder is about 3-4 months old in that photo which I just took today!

When I go in swimming pools, and my body is underwater, the rash guard seems to loosen up and hang over you in a way, so its not really noticeable. Its when I first get out of the water, the rash guard seems to cling to the binder...thats the only part I hate  >:( I have to pull on the rash guard a little to get it away from my body again and get it back to that looseness rather than tightness! I reckon that if you hardly need a normal binder usually, then it could possibly work for you too :D

I could try it. I'm just worried about everything showing.  :-\

Quote from: Shai on January 18, 2011, 07:09:44 PM
Hey I was wondering about using a binder while swimming. Are there specific binders made for that or will an ordinary binder do? What have you guys experienced with swimming and binding? I only ask because I have a pool and I want to bind when I'm swimming.

I just used my old binder under a rash guard. Works fine for me.

My son & I both wear our binder or a sports bra under an underarmour dark shirt ... we haven't had any problems or shown anything.  We got an underarmour sleeveless shirt.  Infact last weekend when my wife & I were out of town ... she forgot her swim suit and she bought a sports bra and a cheap version of underarmour shirt from Walmart ... it worked for her too

Thanks Rob. I may try some variation of that.

I don't want to wear an actually binder because those are expensive and I would feel like I was ruining it..

ive worn my underworks binder with a T shirt over it while swimming, but warning.. its really hard to breathe and swim like that

I wear an old underworks double front with a t-shirt over, works pretty good. Except I hate when the shirt clings as I get out, but oh well. Can't wait to dive into the ocean in just boardies.  Or Speedos!!