Hey everyone, I'm new to this site, I'm an 18 year old pre-t trans guy from Adelaide, Australia. My first ever binder came in the post yesterday and I'm pretty nervous and worried about using it due to my asthma. I believe the sizing is correct as I measured myself and went with the bigger size as I was inbetween two sizes. I finally got the binder on today by stepping into it and it is amazing it binds my chest perfectly but I couldn't really breathe and got worried so I took it off a minute later.
I guess what I want to know is whether all binders feel like this at first and if i'm just overthinking it. If anyone has any tips on how to get used to the binder I'd really appreciate it.
I really want to use this binder because its so amazing and im going on vacation next week so if i dont wear it then ill just stay inside the whole time.
I'm also wondering if you could wear a binder under a rashguard to go swimming?
Thanks to anyone who answers this

If it feels like it's generally crushing your ribs then get a bigger size, but it feeling just a bit too tight is normal. After a few hours you won't notice it. When wearing a binder for the first time it's normal to panic a bit, but it will stretch out with continued use. Also I'd expect a binder will get too water logged to go swimming in depending om what brand you own. I have an underworks tri top which when I wash by hand still feels light when wet and drys quickly unlike my gc2b binder so you could try that. Or the lesbian binder you get on amazon or ebay. It's unsafe to bind with but just an hour swimming should be fine as long as you get a big enough size.

Hi Finn,

Welcome to Susan's. I'm sure someone will be around soon to give you some handy links.

As to your questions, I've personally never felt that I couldn't breathe in a binder. My chest has felt tighter and the amount of air that I was able to take in was restricted, but I was able to breathe without issue. You may need to stretch it out some in order to wear it more comfortably. I would try stepping into it and pulling it up around your hips and wearing it there for a bit. This should put some pressure on the seams and give it a little bit of expansion. When you wash it, let it air dry instead of putting it in the dryer.

You can wear it under a rashguard to go swimming, but you may find that it is uncomfortable to exercise in. If you're swimming for the cardio, I'd advise against it. But if it's just casual, hanging out in the water, etc. you should be fine.

Hope this helps!

Hi Finn, welcome to Susan's. I'm sure some of the guys can chime in on that one. I look forward to seeing you around the forums. Considering the question it might get a better response in our FtM section. I can easily move it there for you. Good luck and Hugs
Mariah

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Quote from: ftmax on July 04, 2015, 08:57:45 AM
Hi Finn,

Welcome to Susan's. I'm sure someone will be around soon to give you some handy links.

As to your questions, I've personally never felt that I couldn't breathe in a binder. My chest has felt tighter and the amount of air that I was able to take in was restricted, but I was able to breathe without issue. You may need to stretch it out some in order to wear it more comfortably. I would try stepping into it and pulling it up around your hips and wearing it there for a bit. This should put some pressure on the seams and give it a little bit of expansion. When you wash it, let it air dry instead of putting it in the dryer.

You can wear it under a rashguard to go swimming, but you may find that it is uncomfortable to exercise in. If you're swimming for the cardio, I'd advise against it. But if it's just casual, hanging out in the water, etc. you should be fine.

Hope this helps!

I'll try this, I think that's what it needs, some stretching And yes just casual swimming! Thanks for the tips

Quote from: Mariah2014 on July 04, 2015, 09:03:51 AM
Hi Finn, welcome to Susan's. I'm sure some of the guys can chime in on that one. I look forward to seeing you around the forums. Considering the question it might get a better response in our FtM section. I can easily move it there for you. Good luck and Hugs
Mariah

Things that you should read

Thank you! And i didnt see that there was an FTM section, that'd be great

All taken care of. I hope that helps.
Mariah

Welcome to the forums, Finn! For swimming, I'd like to recommend the Underworks Swim Top, it binds great and just looks like neoprene. I have been able to swim at the gym and use it for kayaking, and both times have been great, with no restrictions in terms of movement, breathing, etc. I'm not sure how a regular binder would fare with continued water use, especially in a chlorinated pool, as even swimsuits can't stand that forever and they're made with that in mind, usually!

Hey! Sorry for bumping this thread, but it's rare to come across many trans guys stationed in Adelaide online. Anyway, I'm currently medically transitioning and live in Adelaide too, so welcome! If you need to know anything about trans stuff here, feel free to send me a message.

To answer your question, many trans guys swim while wearing a binder. It can be really uncomfortable, but it can work out to hold off dysphoria. It does tend to wear them out quicker though. I think everyone else pretty aptly summed everything else up.