Review: Underworks Tri-Top Chest Binder: Jasper B

Review by Jasper B.
Product name: Underworks Tri-Top chest binder 983
Size: Medium
Price: $29.99 + shipping and whatnot
Manufacturer’s website: http://ftm.underworks.com/
Chest size at time of use: 34 B cup

Comfort: 5/5

• Doesn’t roll up (for me at least)
• Doesn’t rub under my arms, or feel to tight around my neck area
• Breathes well, great to wear in summer
• Very comfortable, doesn’t contract and restrict when worn in water

Effectiveness: 3/5

• Binds well at first, looses it’s shape but gets it back generally after a hand washing and drying.
• Hard to get on the first few times

Discreetness: 4.5/5

• Even though it’s short and sometimes people can see the line that rises to about my waist, you cannot notice it around my shoulders.

Overall : 4/5

• Recommended, especially for a basic first binder.
• Cheap, if you wanted it just for drag, etc.

Review: Underworks Tri-Top Chest Binder: Anon

Reviewed by Anon

Product name: Tri-top Chest Binder (Underworks)

Manufacturer’s website: http://www.underworks.com/983.html

Chest size at time of use: 12C (Australian measurements) – around 32.5 inches I think.

Comfort: 3/5

• This is my first binder, so I have nothing but cotton sports bras to compare it to, but I’m not finding it very comfortable. When I first put it on it made my back ache and my breathing felt constricted, these both passed within a half-hour or so, and I expect were factors of being unused to wearing something this tight. The top stops at the base of my ribs, so doesn’t compress my stomach at all, which is good. My big problem is that some of my chest tissue has been pushed out of the arm-holes and I can’t seem to adjust myself in any way to stop this happening. This looks like under-arm fat, which isn’t nice, and the arm-holes themselves are digging quite uncomfortably into these rolls of tissue, bringing overall comfort down. I won’t be able to wear this every day, and I don’t think I’ll be able to wear it while doing anything very active, it cuts in too much. According to the measurements on the Underworks website I have the right size for me, so I think it’s just a factor of the design versus my chest.

Effectiveness: 5/5

• I don’t know how it will bear out over time, but brand new this is the flattest I’ve ever been since before puberty. Brilliant.

Discreetness: 4/5

• Under dark and/or loose-fitting shirts you can’t tell I’m wearing anything at all. In v-necks or open-necked button-downs the little bit that shows just looks like I’m wearing a tank or undershirt underneath. Under white/translucent shirts however, it can easily be seen, and it’s obvious that it only covers my chest. I don’t wear tight shirts, so the shape of it showing under tight shirts is not a problem for me.

Overall : 3.5/5

• This was really, really difficult to get on. I got a small, which was the correct size for me according to the sizing on the website, and once on it fits fine, but I had a LOT of difficulty getting it on over my shoulders. It was awkward and kept bunching painfully around my upper arms and getting stuck. I eventually managed to get it on without actually straining my shoulder, but I very nearly gave up. Definitely something to have a helper on hand for if you can, and not good for anyone who is prone to dislocating their shoulders or needs to get dressed quickly.
  It’s great for flattening my chest, but being so hard to get on (and I assume off, I haven’t tried that yet), and the way it cuts around my arms really brings the rating down IMO. I can’t wear this every day, I’ll keep it for the days when my need to be as flat as possible is stronger than my need to be physically comfortable.