Review: Underworks Tri-Top Chest Binder: Jasper B
September 2, 2011
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
September 2, 2011
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.
Review by Diahonne
Product name: V-Neck Mid Length Binder
Manufacturer’s website: http://www.peecockproducts.com
Price: $29.00 + shipping and handling
Cup & band size & chest measurements in inches at time of use: 40C or 42 chest
Comfort: 5/5
- Very comfortable, can go the whole day with it and completely forget I was binding. The bottom of the binder doesn’t dig in my sides or armpit. It’s like wearing a high compression bra. It has Velcro fasteners so putting it on is easier the over-the-head binders. I can eat as much as I want and there is no pressure on my stomach.
Effectiveness: 5/5
- I could never be flatter. No lumps, seamless binding effect.
Discreetness: 5/5
- You will never notice. I wear v-necks the majority of the time and you would just believe I was wearing an undershirt.
Overall : 5/5
- Product is incredible and never been happier. Easy to put on, comfortable, Binds incredibly flat with zero lumps, and unnoticeable. And I wear a normal compression shirt not because I want to be flatter its just because I have curves that like to come out over binders when no one asked for it. Which is good advice for the bigger guys. Before and After pics down below
Without Binder
With Binder
ETA: Check out a better before and after here and here, respectively.
Review: Underworks Tri-top Chest Binder: Alix
July 16, 2011
Review by Alix
Product name: Underworks Tritop Chest Binder (Model 983)
Manufacturer’s website:http://www.underworks.com/987.html
Chest measurements in inches at time of use: Bust 37″, chest 44″ (mean 40.5″)
Comfort: 4/5
- 2 for the initial 3 days of wear, but soon much more comfortable as I got used to the feel and it gained a bit more give.
Effectiveness: 4/5
- Gives a fairly good bind, perfect for under loose clothing, but the shape of them is still somewhat visible in tight clothes.
Discreetness: 3.5/5
- Looks like a sports bra, if that’s okay for you; high neck line so visible under shirts with a low neck.
Overall : 4/5
- A good binder for those with larger chest, as folding to get an effective bind is not necessary(or possible-preventing you from going too tight) as it is with a double front.
- Be warned that getting in and out of it is a pain, but once you find a method for it, it’s possible.
- Also, you may have to move things around in there to get the best bind. I do up and out to the sides, but my friend who is also large chested prefers ‘down and out’.
Review by Kim
Product name: Underworks Double Front Compression Shirt
Manufacturer’s website: http://ftm.underworks.com/
Chest Size at time of use: 38DDD (37″ under bust/45.5″ bust)
Comfort: 3.5/5
- It’s not ultra comfortable, but it’s not super uncomfortable for the most part either. Sometimes it hurt a little in the armpit, but it seemed to be dealt with when I adjusted myself some.
Effectiveness: 4/5
- You could still tell I had breasts, but not by more than an inch or inch and a half.
Discreetness: 5/5
- You don’t even notice it under a t-shirt.
Overall: 4/5
- It’s hard to get on, but once you do and mess with the arrangement of your breasts some, it goes a long way to flattening out a chest.
With (left) and without binder- front
With (left) and without binder- side
Review: Double T Air 7 Long Cut: Jordan
May 23, 2011
Review by Jordan
Product name: Double T (Double Company) Air 7 Long Cut (Slip-On/No Velcro)
Manufacturer’s website: en.mydouble.net
Chest size at time of use: 36 B
Comfort: 5/5
Effectiveness: 5/5
Discreetness: 4.5/5
Overall: 5 /5
- This binder is absolutely amazing. I never thought I would ever say those words. I actually enjoy wearing this! Seriously, skip buying a binder because it’s cheaper in the short-run. That’s what I did and I don’t regret trying it, but I know now that priority, for me, is COMFORT with my compression. And to you other guys: Don’t lower your standards on a binder! There is one for you and this is it. The Air 7 is a little pricey. 90 bucks. I felt a little guilty spending the money on this… until I received it. Well done! It came folded in it’s own little Double Company, screen-printed, nice zip-close bag. Seriously, when I ordered this, I thought I was going to have to mail it back because it was going to be some cheap-ass material that’s scratchy. I was so wrong. It fits like a tank top, which I previously used to wear under all my shirts. It’s SO soft, the back is like a mesh, but not like a rough, cheap mesh or a flimsy, basketball shorts mesh. It’s tough, but it’s soft. The material is stretchy, but takes a bit of strength to stretch by hand, similar to the Underworks material, in that way ONLY. When I put a shirt on over this, I absolutely love the way it feels on my skin. Let me repeat that: It feels GREAT with a shirt over it! So cool/icey feeling on the skin. It’s wonderful. Oh, and it doesn’t have any kind of ODOR to the fabric. I recently tried to buy an UnderArmour shirt and really liked the way it felt, but there is virtually no compression in that material. This Air 7 is a similar material, super soft, yet thicker. This does NOT roll up, contort, anything. It’s so refreshing to know that there are people in the world that understand what makes a great binder. Taiwan, apparently, is in on the secret. I absolutely know I will buy another one of these.
- Also, WARNING!
IMPORTANT!
Get your REAL size! Seriously, if you know your Cup/Band size, use that. If not, measure yourself. Do not attempt to get this thinking you will have to buy it smaller because you want to be really flat. It is a binder. A REAL ONE. So, feel completely secure in buying your size. That’s all. - I hope you all felt my excitement in reading this. Also, the only reason I gave this a 4.5/5 in discreetness is because, for me, the fabric could always be thinner, but also I’m just leaving a little room for improvement in case some super miracle fabric comes along. Other than that, this thing is PERFECT. I have nothing negative to say about it.
Review: T-Kingdom M801: Meike
May 23, 2011
Review by Meike
Product name: T-Kingdom M801 binder
Manufacturer’s website: http://www.t-kingdom.com/shopping/english/page801_english.shtml
Chest size at time of use: Small (28-30 inch chest)
Comfort: 5/5
- I’ve never worn a binder before I bought this, and I’m still not entirely used to the way it pressed my chest and causes that compressed feeling around my chest and lungs. I assume this is to be expected, so taking this into account I’ve found this binder to be incredibly comfortable. It still takes me maybe an hour or two to get used to it (I do not bind frequently), but once I do I even forget it’s there! Besides the obvious binded feeling it feels incredibly natural and comfortable to wear.
Effectiveness: 3/5
- The only thing I find lacking in this model is the fact that I seem to “mushroom” up after I’ve worn the binder for a while; it seems like there’s a lot of bulge at the top of my binder from where my chest has situated itself. This could be because it has a zipper in the front, or perhaps because I would be better suited for a medium (I tend to be in between sizes). Other than that it does the best with what it’s given. With the proper clothing I appear very flat-chested.
Discreetness: 4/5
- It’s not strapless, but considering this it works very well when covered first with an undershirt. The only problematic thing is the front zipper. It’s not a huge zipper, it’s very discreet and unless you were looking for it you’d never notice it under the clothes. However, I have noticed it when paying very close attention to it.
Overall: 4/5
- While I’m overall satisfied with my binder, I will probably look into buying either a velcro binder or one without velcro. I feel that the effectiveness of my binding may be increased if given a different type of binder, but I’ll just have to see. But as a first binder, I am definitely not disappointed with it! Their website is also very user-friendly and was very helpful for a first-time binder buyer. I highly recommend T-Kingdom.
Review by Adio
Product name: Underworks 997 Double Front Compression Shirt
Manufacturer’s website: http://ftm.underworks.com/
Chest size at time of use: D
Comfort: 4/5
- It isn’t as comfortable as a bra or undershirt, but I’ve gotten used it.
Effectiveness: 5/5
- I position my chest downward and out slightly. This gets me very flat and has minimal uniboob/bump. The length also helps with my hips and stomach.
Discreetness: 5/5
- I’ve had multiple people touch my chest, back, and sides without knowing I’m wearing a binder. Because it’s so long, it can be tucked into pants like an undershirt. There is no line across the back to make it look like a bra.
Overall : 5/5
- I’ve been binding for over 6 years with this same type of binder. I wouldn’t keep buying them if they didn’t work for me. My chest has gotten smaller over the years (weight loss, breakdown from binding/T), but even when I was heavier, it still worked great. I would recommend this binder to every trans man, no matter what size.
Reviewed by LilDoberman
Product name: High Strength Velcro Short Binder
Manufacturer’s website: http://www.lesloveboat.com/
Chest size at time of use: 34DD
Comfort: 5/5
Effectiveness: 4/5
Discreetness: 5/5
Overall : 4/5
- This is a fantastically comfortable binder and I have no qualms recommending it for anyone that’s a c cup or smaller. For larger guys, it doesn’t have as much coverage as I would like. It’s fine under a sweatshirt, etc but I’m going to try one of their wider coverage binders next and I think it’ll work better; review coming soon. Sizing note: I’m well within the large range but it’s a little big on me. I’m going to order mediums in my next binders; don’t size up. Shipping was really fast, binder is great. I can breathe! 🙂 I’ll order from them again.
Review: T-Kingdom M1500: Dysperdis
October 24, 2010
Reviewed by Dysperdis
Product name: T-Kingdom M1500
Manufacturer’s website: http://www.t-kingdom.com/
Cup size at time of use: 34 C
Comfort: 4.5/5
- It’s made of lycra and cotton, which means it’s soft– it feels a lot like a snug sports bra. There was a little bit of abdominal pressure, especially after eating, though it resulted in minor discomfort at worst.
Effectiveness: 5/5
- There were small lumps left, but they didn’t look out of place. While I’d have loved it if I ended up flatter, there was no more give left to my chest– it’s about as good as I’m going to get without surgery.
Discreetness: 4.5/5
- Remember how I said it’s made of cotton and lycra? The result is that it actually looks like a cotton tank top or undershirt. It’s a little bulky, but even that seems to come from the double-sided design more than anything else– it’s reversible, light blue on one side and white one the other– and will not look out of place even when it is highly visible.
Overall : 4.5/5
- Seriously, I love this thing. All that’s left is to see how durable it is, but I have high hopes.
- This binder is NOT currently available in sizes smaller than Medium.
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