About Binding

[JJ]

I had noticed looking in the mirror and confirmed in pics that my chest actually looks far more male and natural when not bound as tight. I first really noticed it when I unzipped a binder and then needed to grab something up front so I didn't rezip but just pulled a shirt on. When I looked in the mirror I noticed how much flatter and more male I looked unzipped than I had zipped. I've taken pics both ways so I could really look and that confirmed it. The binder was snug but not super tight. I have a tighter one and tried it with that one too. Same result. Only more noticeable.

Been wondering why ever since really. Binding creates these squishy looking funny lumps that don't look natural on any gender. And no matter how carefully arranged things slip with movement creating a uniboob which really doesn't pass inspection at all. Some binders like the front zippers minimize that but not as completely as I'd like. Tape does real damage and is not an option either.

But the compression shirts do a pretty good job layered. Why?

Finally figured it out I think. Binders are just something we adapted from the past-in the 20s and in some other cultures women wanted a flatter look. Not a masculine look-just less full and rounded so they were not designed to actually completely flatten or create a masculine shape. When you use the two way compression binder material is based on you make the chest itself smaller and therefore actually have more tissue mass for size than before. It's all smashed together too. The compression shirts have 4 way compression to actually compress and support muscle. And there is the difference. You don't have the same mass in a smaller space with the athletic compression shirts. You are just compressing it to a degree. There is an enormous amount of research supporting them because they are worn by pro athletes in every field now and that means big money is involved. The side effect for us is that they serve our purpose too. Binders on the other hand have no research-we don't provide any real financial incentive to drive research of any kind. All someone has to do is get some sort of stretchy material and call it a binder. Zipper binders with hidden zippers work best but few make them either. Why? Zippers are more expensive and again we provide no incentive. There just aren't enough of us and we don't have a strong financial base. Many times-if not most of the time binders were designed to be used by other groups for play or short term presentation and marketed to us as an afterthought for a little extra revenue.

One thing that really makes tight binding also self defeating is the way it restricts movement. Men move freely. And you cannot move like a man with any confidence in a tight binder. You know William Shatner wore one once in awhile on the old Star Trek when he put on a little too much weight for the tight uniform and you can tell by the way it looks and the way he moves. People are still making jokes about it-more than they ever would have the few extra ponds I suspect. Binders just are not good for presentation.

So I think most of the time I'll stick to the athletic compression shirts . At least till someone comes up with a far better binder that actually works right and looks natural.

Johnny

[Guest MrAwesome]

I'm not sure I 100% understand what you're saying. I think a looser binder has the advantage of allowing the fat and what not to be pushed off to the side. A tight binder pulls everything in, so it's all in the front. Which, also pushes things together, hence a uniboob. Personally I can squeeze into a size small spandex shirt and actually walk around in nothing but that and look pretty natural.

[Guest rumo]

I've been really unhappy with my current binding method thanks to the uniboob problem plus the restrictive feeling. I didn't know there were any other viable options, so this is incredibly useful information for me. Are you talking about typical local sports store compression shirts or something more high end?

[JJ]

The only one I have been really happy with is Under Armour which most sports stores carry. It is the brand most athletes favor too though I didn't know that till after I found they worked better myself. I have tried Starter-a cheap version from Wal-Mart that really doesn't do the job, as well as Nike that works better but is less movement friendly and works less effectively I think. The other difference between the cheaper brands and Under Armour is that they don't hold up as long. I have Under Armour that I have worn almost daily for at least a couple of years that are still good. Just never wash or dry in a machine.

I have good luck getting mine on ebay for a lot less than a sporting good store though this time of year there can be some real bargains in the stores as seasons change. Since you live in Georgia you probably want to note if they are heatgear or coldgear. Heatgear is for when it's hot and wicks moisture away from the skin while coldgear has an extra layer and is doublesided to circulate body heatunder your clothing. The allseasongear "flexes with changing weather conditions to deliver core temperature regulation and maximum breathability" according to their website.

I hike in at least one layer of coldgear in winter and it works better than any of the older thermal stuff used to do with no bulk so there is an added benefit..You just want to be wearing it in a Georgia summer

Johnny

[Guest MrAwesome]

I've been using the cheap walmart ones. Then again I've been binding for so it doesn't take much compression to flatten them out.

[Guest Plaid Chameleon]

I've actually been looking for something that works. I don't really have anything noticable in general but body dysmorphic sucks. I use a vest and it works fine but it does get sticky in the heat and it is noticable around the neck without a collar shirt. I considered binders but I don't want to hurt myself. I have a lot of medical issues as it is. Do you know if the under armour stuff is safe? If I went out to a sports store and got some could I ware it for years on end without winding up in the ER with crushed lungs? That would be my only qualm about that kind of thing. I value my appearance but I value my life more.

[JJ]

Professional athletes-football, baseball, cycling etc wear them for training as well as games now and they also used by Olympic athletes from what I read. I do wear mine a little snugger than most athletes but I have worn one for 6 to 12 hours a day at least 6 days a week for over 2 years with no problems. I have asthma and also have had too many bouts of pneumonia to count anymore-some life threatening-and I have not had any issues or problems at all from them. I'm sure it's co-incidental that I have actually had less lung problems than ever before in my life.

The way they work is completely different from a regular binder because they basically support muscle rather than restricting it and coincidentally compress the fatty tissue in the chest for us as well. The freedom of movement allows the muscles to move I really believe they are safe but have not discussed it with a medical person -I do know they are far safer than any binder. I also know I can work out wearing one and still move normally and breathe normally which I could not in a binder. In fact in summer I skin dive and have been able to do that without any decrease in performance wearing athletic compression shirts.

Johnny

[DrumbeatAlex]

Hey Johnny,

I know this is a really old thread but I had a few questions about binding with under armour.
Do you still think the under armour compression gear is the best way to bind (and still haven't run into any problems with it)? Does it stop the uni-boob problem?
Do you recommend "men's" or "women's" cut compression tops?
What layering system would you recommend (one under armour top? two? with or without bra (including during sport)?).

I'm really interested to hear more of your ideas and input on this subject. 
An under armour compression top is definitely a viable option for me atm (though perhaps can't afford multiple) but I would want to know how well it works before investing.  

Thanks!!

[Ravin]

Alex, I would go with compression shirts. No bras. How effective it will be for you will depend on your individual anatomy, but it's worth a try. For several years I layered a compression tank (Barely There brand, found in lingerie section) with a compression T-shirt over it (Starter brand from Walmart, I couldn't afford Underarmour, from men's department).

Regardless of brand, for sure you'll want to look for men's products mostly; the women's stuff tends to be cut to accommodate curves in the chest rather than compress them to a flat look (the Barely There tanks I came across were a rare exception).

[DrumbeatAlex]

Thanks for the response Ravin!

Okay, I'll make sure to get a mens cut one, if I get one. I've found a good looking singlet style compression top from underworks which I quite like the look of.

Do you know if there are any health risks for binding with compression top/s? (I'm assuming its safer than with an actual binder?) 
Thanks again Ravin!!