So I've just recently been refunded money on my gift card and am now able to purchase a new binder from Underworks. I've been researching and it seems like the 997 is a perfect fit for bigger chested trans guys. I wanted to know if anyone here had any problems with it or if it was an awesome binder before I go ahead purchase it.


However, I'm also having cold feet? (Sounds odd) I've have about 50 dollars on this gift card and if I purchase the binder it'll leave me with 11 dollars. I mean, I know it's for me to feel more comfortable and stuff but every time I'm at the checkout page and just immediately close it because I'm just. . .frugal? I'm not sure how to overcome this.

Anyway, if anyone has the 997 binder, let me know how it worked out for you.

The 997 binder was the first one I got, and I've had a pretty good experience with it. The problems with it are mostly the problems with every binder I've ever heard of: it's a pain to get on sometimes, it's uncomfortably hot whenever it's warm, it's uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time, deep breathing can be hard, it wears out eventually, it can't make larger chests completely disappear. I wouldn't exactly say it helps me feel more comfortable, because it's basically an uncomfortable thing to wear. But it is effective enough for me on a daily basis (I have a medium sized chest, probably something like a B cup), and it also helps a lot with my hips. If you think it would be a good fit for you, and it sounds like you've done your research, then I'd recommend it.

I also had cold feet on getting my first binder that lasted at least four or five months, maybe over a year depending on how you count. I had the money, physically speaking, but I wasn't used to spending money on myself and I was still trying to figure out exactly what I wanted in terms of my gender. In terms of thinking through it financially, it sounds from other threads like you still live at home, so I don't know what you spend your money on, but you could try comparing it to other things that you might spend the money on. For example, I remember I thought about it in terms of the compression sports bras that I had been using to bind with--they were about $15 from Target, and that felt like a lot of money for me to spend at the time. But I wore them every single day, and in just two weeks that meant a dollar a day. A binder is twice as much as that, but I knew that if it helped as much as I thought it might, then it would be worth it to me soon. I also thought about it in terms of other ways I spent money (school supplies, deodorant and things, occasional clothes, gifts, hanging out with friends, fixing my bike, etc) until I convinced myself that a binder was at least as worth the money I was going to spend on it.

In terms of being ready in terms of your gender, I think that's a process that everyone moves through at their own pace and in their own way. If you're hesitating because you're not sure what you want, then it's fine to take your time and do some more thinking. Underworks is still going to be selling binders next month or next year if that's what you want then.

Quote from: m->-bleeped-<-ie link=topic=161886.msg1387707#msg1387707 date=1395620889
The 997 binder was the first one I got, and I've had a pretty good experience with it. The problems with it are mostly the problems with every binder I've ever heard of: it's a pain to get on sometimes, it's uncomfortably hot whenever it's warm, it's uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time, deep breathing can be hard, it wears out eventually, it can't make larger chests completely disappear. I wouldn't exactly say it helps me feel more comfortable, because it's basically an uncomfortable thing to wear. But it is effective enough for me on a daily basis (I have a medium sized chest, probably something like a B cup), and it also helps a lot with my hips. If you think it would be a good fit for you, and it sounds like you've done your research, then I'd recommend it.

I also had cold feet on getting my first binder that lasted at least four or five months, maybe over a year depending on how you count. I had the money, physically speaking, but I wasn't used to spending money on myself and I was still trying to figure out exactly what I wanted in terms of my gender. In terms of thinking through it financially, it sounds from other threads like you still live at home, so I don't know what you spend your money on, but you could try comparing it to other things that you might spend the money on. For example, I remember I thought about it in terms of the compression sports bras that I had been using to bind with--they were about $15 from Target, and that felt like a lot of money for me to spend at the time. But I wore them every single day, and in just two weeks that meant a dollar a day. A binder is twice as much as that, but I knew that if it helped as much as I thought it might, then it would be worth it to me soon. I also thought about it in terms of other ways I spent money (school supplies, deodorant and things, occasional clothes, gifts, hanging out with friends, fixing my bike, etc) until I convinced myself that a binder was at least as worth the money I was going to spend on it.

In terms of being ready in terms of your gender, I think that's a process that everyone moves through at their own pace and in their own way. If you're hesitating because you're not sure what you want, then it's fine to take your time and do some more thinking. Underworks is still going to be selling binders next month or next year if that's what you want then.

Interesting. Which binder do you think is most effective?

I believe I will be going through with the purchase after all.

I mean, I think the 997 is about as effective as any that I've tried. I think there's a limit to effectiveness, because after a certain point your chest just doesn't get any flatter, or the binder is just too uncomfortable, or you just can't physically put it on. For me at least the 997 is about as effective as I'm probably going to get.

Good luck with your new binder if you do decide to go through with it!

Quote from: m->-bleeped-<-ie link=topic=161886.msg1387741#msg1387741 date=1395622771
I mean, I think the 997 is about as effective as any that I've tried. I think there's a limit to effectiveness, because after a certain point your chest just doesn't get any flatter, or the binder is just too uncomfortable, or you just can't physically put it on. For me at least the 997 is about as effective as I'm probably going to get.

Good luck with your new binder if you do decide to go through with it!

Do you think the Tri-top is effective as well? I've been reading some reviews and it seems like the 997 is for tall trans guys and the tri-top for shorter guys?

This is getting confusing now.

I'm 5'4"  215lbs and DD. I have a 997 that works pretty ok. It doesn't get me flat, but I do get flat enough to look flat under a loose shirt.
I wear a tight tshirt under the binder, pull the binder on over my head, then reach through the armpit holes to pull my bits up and toward each armpit.

Sometimes the binder rolls up and pinches in my waist. Usually I can keep it pulled down over my hips though, which is nice.

Quote from: MacG on March 23, 2014, 10:15:26 PM
I'm 5'4"  215lbs and DD. I have a 997 that works pretty ok. It doesn't get me flat, but I do get flat enough to look flat under a loose shirt.
I wear a tight tshirt under the binder, pull the binder on over my head, then reach through the armpit holes to pull my bits up and toward each armpit.

Sometimes the binder rolls up and pinches in my waist. Usually I can keep it pulled down over my hips though, which is nice.

I've been reading posts all over the Internet, it seems the the Tri-Top binder works well too. I'm 32 inches (chest wise) so I guess that'll work for me? Also, I'm about 5'2 (unfortunately)

I would go for the 997 first. Personally I've found out that tri-tops are more comfortable for me, but it's all personal preference. With the material that they're made out of there's the option to just cut off the lower part of the 997 to turn it into one of the same length as the tri-top and it won't unravel at all. If you like the length, which plenty of people do, then you can leave it as is, but if it bothers you then you can make it more comfortable by cutting it down.

I'd also recommend the 997; I used it for a year and a half and it did a good enough job to allow me to go about my daily business.

A couple of things you might want to be aware of:

• Make sure that you step into it and pull it up your waist before putting your arms in it, rather than pulling it over your head.
• You're the same height as me, and I found that the 997 was a bit long in the shoulder area, which caused a slight bulge at the top of my chest. I got over this by shortening the 'sleeves' slightly so that it was tighter to the top of my chest.
• I found that it only rolled up if it wasn't pulled down on my hips and I wasn't wearing reasonably tight trousers over it. There was no real issue if I wore it under jeans, and the fact that it also slightly slims the hip area was a major bonus. I'd recommend keeping it full length as this makes it less likely to roll up.
• You can do some light exercise whilst wearing it, but I'd advise against doing anything that speeds up your breathing. It's fine for everyday activity, but I tried jogging in it a couple of times and you notice how it restricts your breathing when you need to breathe harder.
• Make sure you're thoroughly dry before trying to put it on, because it's difficult to put it on if you or it are damp.

It's worth getting a 997 now and seeing how you get on with it, because it's a pretty darn good binder. Ideally, you should consider changing your binder every six months or so (depending on wear & tear) so you can always change it for something else in a few months' time.