Chest binding is a way for many trans men to curb dysphoria, and is a fairly common step in FTM transition. “Binding” refers to flattening breast tissue to create a male-appearing chest using a variety of materials and methods. While binding with common household items is an inexpensive route, it can also be unsafe. Chest Binding 101 is your guide to how to bind safely, where to get a chest binder, how to choose a binder that best suits you, and how to put on your binder.

How to Chest Bind Safely

The first step in learning how to bind safely is finding about what’s not safe to do. Don’t use Ace bandages or duct tape—they aren’t meant for binding, don’t move with your body, and can cause physical harm. They can seriously restrict breathing, cause fluid build-up in your lungs and other serious injuries, such as broken ribs. There have been numerous cases of trans men who’ve acquired permanent scars and other injuries from using Ace bandages or duct tape to bind. Don’t do it.

Even with the right binder product it’s still possible to bind unsafely. Despite what you may have been told, don’t buy a binder that’s too small for you. Wearing an ill-fitting binder puts you at risk of the same problems as those who bind with Ace bandages or duct tape. Another piece of bad advice floating around out there is to wear tape and/or another binder on top of your binder. This too can cause restricted breathing and physical injury.

Lastly, give your body a break: don’t bind 24/7. In fact, don’t bind for more than 8-12 hours at a time. Suppressing dysphoria can’t come at the expense of your health. Even high quality binders can cause bruising. Use the times that you’re not binding to wash and air dry your binder, which will help make it last longer.

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Where to Get a Chest Binder

A proper chest binder should minimize pain, discomfort, sweating, and irritation. There are several places online where you can buy chest binders specifically designed for trans men:

Underworks sells binders originally made for cisgender men with gynecomastia, and subsequently became popular with transgender men for their effectiveness and affordability. Underworks is trans-friendly and have excellent customer service as well. Stick to the binders that have “extreme” in the name or description. A binder without this label may not give you the compression you hoped for unless you have a very small chest already. Prices range from $25-45 USD.

B.Y. Evolution is an online store that’s trans guy owned and operated. They sell Underworks binders that are slightly discounted from what you’ll find on the Underworks site, though there’s less selection.

TuBOQ is also trans guy owned and operated and sells Underworks binders for a slightly lower price. Like B.Y. Evolution, TuBOQ has a smaller selection of binders but they also sell a wide range of other transition related products, giving you the opportunity to save money on shipping costs.

Double T Collection is another trans guy owned and operated company dedicated to the FTM community. Based in Taiwan, they have three binders to choose from priced at $72-84 USD. The Love Boat Shop (see below) also sells Double T binders.

Wow-Wow-Wear is a Blogspot site established in 2009 that sells Esha binders from Taiwan. Esha binders are high quality, durable and easily washable and come in three different styles, with prices in the $32-42 USD range. The Love Boat Shop (see below) also sells Esha binders.

T-Kingdom is also based in Taiwan and sells binders designed for trans men and gender benders. They have a wide variety of styles, including vest binders with Velcro. Prices range from $30-65 USD. Note: T-Kingdom doesn’t accept returns.

Love Boat Shop is another online store based in Taiwan. They feature a large selection of binder styles and colors made by Double T Collection, Esha and Juya, with prices ranging from $21-$100 USD.

Danaë is a trans guy owned and operated company from the Netherlands, offering European guys the chance to save on shipping. Prices range from €30-45, and they allow returns after an email notification and within seven days of your receiving your binder.

Design Veronique has been designing high quality compression garments since 1986 and is the choice of several US-based surgeons. However, higher prices in the $100-180 USD range, and a lack of information about if these products are durable enough for long term use call into question their suitability for daily chest binding.

Nabay is a lesser known company located in Japan. They appear to have a good variety of binder styles to choose from, however all products are currently sold out and they didn’t respond to a request for more information. Prices range from $105-112 USD.

Quick Comparison Chart

Depending on where you live, you might also find chest binders in stock at your favorite local sex positive merchant. Another option, if you know someone who’s skilled with a sewing machine, is to have a custom binder made for you, as YouTube’s sillyyetsuccinct did:

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Used Binders

If you can’t afford a binder, don’t 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:

• theCircle
• The T-Male Big Brothers Binder Program

You can also try asking around for an inexpensive hand-me-down binder on one of the mailing lists for trans guys or check out LiveJournal’s FTM Garage Sale.

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 don’t know your old bra size, you can measure yourself the old-fashioned way:

1. 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.
2. Measure underneath your chest where the crease is and write that number down as well.
3. 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 aren’t very many reviews of binders other than those about Underworks’ and T-Kingdom’s 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 it’s 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 you’re buying from. Buying from a company that’s 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 you’re probably going to need some help figuring out how to put on your new binder, particularly if you purchased one of the longer styles.

1. Put your binder inside out and upside down.
2. 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.
3. Use the sleeves as handles to pull the top of the binder (the end closer to your feet) up to your shoulders.
4. 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 don’t want it folded under. For others, leaving it folded under may help stop the binder from rolling up.

Don’t 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. You’re basically pushing your nipple toward your armpit to achieve the flattest looking chest possible.

FTM Chest Binding Tips

Very important: When binding, you should not by any means feel as though you can’t breathe or like you’re going to pass out from a lack of oxygen.

Binders aren’t 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. You’ll 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. Don’t worry if your binder seems less effective after a swim, this isn’t 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 you’re probably going to get hot. If you’ve already started testosterone, you’re 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 you’ve 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.

Conclusion

Chest binding, as cumbersome as it may seem, can be very freeing for transgender men. There’s a plethora of quality FTM 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 you’re armed with all the information you need to find the right binder for you, go forth and feel more comfortable in your skin!

FTM Chest Binder Reviews

The Trans Consumer: Written and video reviews of any products that are related to transition. The site is mostly full of binder reviews, rated on a scale of 1-5.

Chest Binder Reviews Site: Written reviews of various chest binding products. Binders are rated for effectiveness, comfort, and discreetness.

Binder Reviews’ 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.

More FTM Chest Binding Resources

Hudson’s 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.

Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Institute, PA
12651 W. Sunrise Blvd., Suite 102
Sunrise, FL 33323
Phone: (954) P L A S T I C
Web: www.drgarramone.com

Procedures: FTM top surgery

Dr. Garramone is regarded as one of America’s top plastic surgeons and an expert in chest masculinization. His results with the double incision method are excellent. Furthermore, his office staff are trained in all aspects of FTM health care, and can help you find therapists, endocrinologists and other resources.

Please contact Dr. Garramone’s office for information about current costs, payment procedures, surgery requirements, and scheduling.

Top Surgery Show & Tell

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Patient Vlog: SEANnLANI

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Patient Vlog: BAlvord78

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Patient Vlog: AidenDanielLIVE

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Learn more about Dr. Garramone:

• Dr. Garramone’s YouTube Channel
• Dr. Garramone on Twitter
• Photos of Dr. Garramone’s patient results at TransBucket.com
• Dr. Garramone patient experience ratings @ Vitals

Have you had top surgery with Dr. Garramone?
Leave a comment below about your experience and upload a video.

Advanced Center for Plastic Surgery
12205-12207 Tullamore Rd.
Timonium, MD 21093
Phone: 410-308 4700
Fax: 410-308-4704
Web: www.beverlyfischer.com

Procedures: FTM top surgery

Dr. Fischer is one of the better known surgeons doing FTM top surgery in the United States, and it’s public knowledge that this is one of her favorite surgeries to perform.

Dr. Fischer uses one of two approaches for trans male mastectomy:

1. Peri-areolar: Suitable for B-cup and smaller chests;
2. Double incision: Popular, results in excellent contour.

Request information about current costs, payment procedures, surgery requirements, and scheduling.

Top Surgery Show & Tell: Dr. Fischer

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Patient vlog: charlesasher

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Patient vlog: kade512

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Learn more about Dr. Fischer

• Article by Dr. Fischer describing chest surgery procedures, results and challenges.
• Photos of Dr. Fischer’s patient results at TransBucket.com
• Patient blog: Luke
• Older photo gallery at The Transitional Male
• Discussions on LiveJournal tagged Dr. Fischer
• Dr. Fischer patient experience ratings @ HealthGrades
• Dr. Fischer patient experience ratings @ RateMDs

Have you had top surgery with Dr. Fischer?
Leave a comment below about your experience and upload a video.