God okay so Iâm going to say this now; PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not risk your health or anyoneâs in the form of getting a âcheapâ binder of ebay or where ever. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE save your $4-$10 dollars for those cheap ebay ones and put it towards a gc2b binder. Or if you want an Underworks go for that but I highly suggest gc2b. Theyâre about $40 (with shipping) and will last you WAY longer than any cheap ebay one. They are MEANT for lasting you. I wash mine many times week, wear it daily, Wear them daily. I have two. Had them for almost a year now. But I cannot urge you enough to PLEASE save up your pennies for a PROPER SAFE binder. Binders you can breathe in, binders you can move in, binders that donât crush your ribs, binders that are comfortable, binders that are safe.
This isnât a safe binder:
It uses clasps and not compression.
This is a gc2b binder; made by trans people for trans people:
These binders have no clasps but uses spandex to compress you safety.Â
Measure your chest before ordering to make sure you donât get one too small or too large.
Add-on (07/16): YOU CAN BIND NO MATTER WHAT YOUR GENDER ID IS. IF YOU GOT TITTIES, AND WANT TO FLATTEN THEM??? Bind! With proper binders. Below is a copy and paste from a FTM website so thatâs why itâs heavy on the transgender and FTM phrases. But you can be a cis-women, agender, non-binary, transgender! This is literally for everyone who wants to bind!
I wanted to add more information on where you can buy binders and info in general about binders
You can buy binders from these sites
Products designed specifically for FTM binding:
@gc2b-apparelââ (OPs #1 Recommendation)
http://www.t-kingdom.com/
https://peecockproducts.com
https://i.lesloveboat.com/
https://www.mansculpture.com/
http://en.nabeshirt.com/shop/
http://www.esha-taipei.net/en/
Chest binders/medical compression shirts:
http://www.f2mbinders.com/ (AKA underworks)
https://xbody.co.uk/collections/compression-vests
https://www.toolshedtoys.com/gender-expression/binders/
https://morrisdesigns.com/product-category/male-garments/vests/
http://nouvelleinc.com/malevests.aspx
If you canât afford a binder, donât despair! Used binders are often passed on by post-op trans men or those whose binders may no longer fit. There are a few programs available that help distribute donated second-hand binders:
In A Bind â Started in 2012, to date In a Bind has provided safe compression garments to over 1500 youth in need. Trans* masculine and genderqueer youth living anywhere in the USA can apply to receive a free binder. In a Bind depends on donations. Recently had top surgery? Go up or down a size? Find a style that works better for you? Donate those binders youâre no longer using!
Black Trans Advocacy FTM Binder Grant
MORF Binder Exchange â Since February 2011, MORF has been providing free binders to trans* masculine people in the UK and around the world. The free scheme (all you pay is the postage) has so far redistributed hundreds of binders. In 2014 alone, over 280 binders were sent out.
FTME Free Youth Binder Program â Age 24 and under only; USA only.
Replace the Ace â USA only
Big Brothers Used Binder Program â Donation required
Mazzoni Centerâs Binder Recycling Program â Only for youth enrolled in P.A.C.T.S., Philadelphia.
Point 5cc Tshirt Company â Free binder with purchase of t-shirt
Come As You Areâs Binder Bucks Recycling Program â Canada only
Qmunity Binder Exchange â BC, Canada only.
Northern Ireland Binder Scheme â Â Age 25 and under, N. Ireland only
morfbinders.wordpress.com
FreebieBinder Sthlm â Sweden
Trans Clothing Exchanges are another place where you can often find inexpensive binders. You can also try asking around for a hand-me-down binder on one of the mailing lists for trans guys or check out LiveJournalâs FTM Garage Sale and the FtM Sales, Swap, and Support group on Facebook.
How to Choose a Chest Binder
If you still remember your old bra size, you can find out your binder size by using the Bra to Chest Size Converter Tool. If you donât know your old bra size, you can measure yourself the old-fashioned way:
Take a snug measurement of the fullest part of your chest using a tape measure (best if measured while clothed) and write that number down onto a sheet of paper.
Measure underneath your chest where the crease is and write that number down as well.
Add those numbers together and divide the sum by 2. This number will differentiate your size not only from brand to brand but from binder to binder as well.
Selecting a binder brand and style can be difficult: there are so many options that it can be overwhelming! Plus, there arenât very many reviews of binders other than those about Underworksâ and T-Kingdomâs more popular models. After buying your binder, help make the experience easier for guys in the future by contributing your review to one of the review sites listed below.
Essentially, there are two types of binders: short ones and long ones. The short ones end right at your waist. The down side of these is that if you carry some extra weight, short binders tend to roll up and act more like a bra. The long ones can be pulled down past your waist by several inches, however itâs inevitable that it will still roll up. To reduce the chances of this, wear a belt. Choosing between a short and long binder has more to do with your body type, specifically your abdomen, and not your chest size.
Lastly, consider the location of the company youâre buying from. Buying from a company thatâs closer to you can save you a significant amount of money on shipping costs.
How to Put On a Chest Binder
It might seem silly, but youâre probably going to need some help figuring out how to put on your new binder, particularly if you purchased one of the longer styles.
Put your binder inside out and upside down.
Step into your binder and pull the bottom of it up, ideally to your belt line. The binder should still be inside out and upside down.
Use the sleeves as handles to pull the top of the binder (the end closer to your feet) up to your shoulders.
Put your arms through the sleeve holes and adjust your chest to your needs. You may need to pull the bottom of the binder out from underneath itself if you donât want it folded under. For others, leaving it folded under may help stop the binder from rolling up.
For gc2B binders: You will put it on as if it were a tank top. Itâs a bit tough the first couple of times but will get easier with time. Have someone there to help you.
Full binder (whole torso) you put it on by stepping into it.
Half binder (just your chest) you put it on over your head.
Donât be disappointed if you look in the mirror and it looks like you have one big boob in the middle of your chest. You just need to adjust your chest. Reach in from the neck hole and push your chesticles down and out. Youâre basically pushing your nipple toward your armpit to achieve the flattest looking chest possible.
Very important: When binding, you should not by any means feel as though you canât breathe or like youâre going to pass out from a lack of oxygen.
Binders arenât the most comfortable things in the world. To make binding more comfortable, and to reduce the possibility of the binder moving around a bit, some guys wear a light shirt underneath.
Depending on the size of your chest, you may need to layer clothing on top of the binder to get optimal chest flattening. Youâll find that some of the shirts in your closet require you to layer more than shirts in your wardrobe.
You can swim in your binder. Just wear a sleeveless or sleeved T-shirt over it. Donât worry if your binder seems less effective after a swim, this isnât permanent. Simply wash it and it will go back to normal.
Your chest will look bigger than it really is when you look down at it. Check in the mirror for a more accurate side view.
Not all binders breathe well, and the reality is that youâre probably going to get hot. If youâve already started testosterone, youâre definitely going to sweat. The build up of sweat can irritate your skin causing rashes and sores. Wearing a thin cotton shirt that breathes well underneath your binder may help prevent this. If you find this uncomfortable, try applying corn starch to your body before putting on your binder to help keep it from holding in moisture. If youâve already experienced skin irritation of some sort, take care of it the same way you would an open wound. Washing the irritated area with anti-bacterial soap will keep it clean and help it heal faster.
Chest binding, as cumbersome as it may seem, can be very freeing for transgender men. Thereâs a plethora of quality FTM chest binding products available for body types of all shapes and sizes. Regardless of what you use for binding, please remember to put your health first. Now that youâre armed with all the information you need to find the right binder for you, go forth and feel more comfortable in your skin!
Chest Binder Reviews Site: Written reviews of various chest binding products. Binders are rated for effectiveness, comfort, and discreetness.
Binder Reviewsâ YouTube Collab Channel: This is a collab channel dedicated to providing reviews of a wide variety of chest binders on different sizes and shapes of people.
(Note: These sites are no longer updated.)
More FTM Chest Binding Resources
Inside the Landmark, Long Overdue Study on Chest Binding
Top Surgery in Transgender Men: How Far Can You Push the Envelope?
Binding Safely for Your Body: Tips for All Body Types and Sizes
The 6 Best Tips for Binding in the Summer
Hudsonâs Guide to FTM Binding: Includes a complete list of other products you can use for chest binding, such as compression garments and sports bras.
FYI Binding Tips: The Butchelor has some useful tips on how to put on a binder, how to keep it from rolling up, and how to wash a binder.
Do you have any tips about binding? Want to share your experience with a particular binder brand or model? Do you know of other binder manufacturers, particularly those outside of Asia and the US? Please leave your comments below.
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