Can anyone recommend a brand that doesn't make your back hurt?
I think I got my current set at Target because I bought them before I decided to try binding, and never really wore that kind of bra back then. They kill my upper back and are pretty worn out anyway, so I need new ones.
A good medium- or high-impact sports bra by Danskin has usually worked for me. I got one for I think $10 at walmart that had me looking almost flat in a slightly loose black v-neck without suffocating me (and I measure something like 32 G, so I was impressed); it was the seamless kind where the shaping's achieved by a little ruching, but it's also not overly girlie. I wish I could pull up a picture but I cannot for the life of me find one online, so I really hope that description helps.
EDIT: it also did get worn out fairly quickly, but I was also wearing it every. day.
I have two Nike ones, I've been using them since May of last year so they've lasted me a year and a half. No one's ever noticed my chest, one friend even expressed disbelief that I had breasts (when I came out to her) despite being around me a lot. So I'd definitely recommend them.
I use the Underworks one which I quite like. But I don't normally deal with back pain from binding so I can't say anything about this issue really - sorry