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1---
2title: Binders
3x-toc-enable: true
4...
5
6 A binder is a piece of fabric or clothing that reduces the appearance of your breasts, for reducing disforia. Wear it under your clothing.
7
8How to use binders
9==================
10
11Some long binders (which cover the upper body) can have the tendency to roll up on themselves. A possible solution is to stuff the binder in your pants or underwear.
12
13Binders should be manually washed and left to dry outside and using cold water to wash them is recommended. This is not essential for using the binder, but it
14can increse its durability.
15
16Binders made from more rigid materials can be more effective at first, but usually last less than ones that are more flexible.
17
18In case the binder material is uncomfortable ou causes skin irritation, you can use a t-shirt under the binder without it becoming less effective.
19
20Binders that adjustable (ex: binders with velcro on the side) can be easier to remove but harder to put on. The best way to put them on is adjusting the binder before you put it on.
21
22In case you can't wear the binder as you would with any other top (over your head, by putting your arms in first and then moving the binder down so you cover your chest and upper body), try
23wearing it from below your body: turn the binder inside out and upside down, and go in the binder with your feet and then pull it up untill it reaches the lower part of your upper body,
24pull the straps up and put your arms in the right places (visual explanation in this video: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tR4qfN5pQvk>)
25
26To test the binder effectiveness, it's ideal to look at yourself in a mirror. If you try to evaluate by looking down on yourself to check out your chest, it will always seem bigger than reality.
27
28While buying a binder in case you find two different sizes, your safest bet is to buy the size above your own. With a smaller size than your own, you run the risk of getting a binder that is too tight,
29uncomfortable or even impossible to wear.
30
31Cis men don't have (or rarely have) a perfectly flat chest.
32
33Things to avoid
34===============
35
36Binders, independentely of the method or fabric used, cause stress in your body because your ribcages are being compressed. For that reason, it's advisable to never use a binder for more than 8 hours staight.
37
38Elastic or compression bands should never be used as binders, as well as tape. These are methods are easily accessible to the general population, but are a horrible idea to use: they restrict breathing, don't allow your thorax to expand, compress the bones in your back (they can even break those bones in the process, in extreme cases), bruises, etc.
39
40Even when using the correct type of fabric, you should never use a size below the recommended size for your own body shape. Using a smaller size can be tempting, but it will end up being uncomfortable and will likely cause damage to your body.
41
42Another bad idea is to use two binders at the same time. The extra compression of the second binder will, again, end up being uncomfortable and cause damage to your body. These same problems apply to bandages and tape.
43
44Long term use of binders (for several years straight) can alter ou damage the breast tissue permanently and can affect future breast removal surgery.
45
46Stores
47======
48
49Underworks
50----------
51
52<http://www.f2mbinders.com/>
53USA
54Prices: 23-30€, or your country's equivalent
55Really popular among trans men for being one of the stores with the best price/quality ratio and for being efficient in providing for all sizes and body shapes. They have good customer support and are trans-friendly. They have all kinds of binders, including binders meant for swimming.
56
57Sometimes they accept codes like "under10" or "aj4uw10" so you can receive a 10% discount.
58Most popular model: Tri-top Chest Binder, Ultimate Chest Binder Tank
59
60GC2B
61----
62
63<http://www.gc2b.co/>
64USA
65Prices: 30-32€, or your country's equivalent
66
67T-Kingdom
68---------
69
70<http://www.t-kingdom.com/>
71Taiwan
72Prices: 23-52€, or your country's equivalent
73Really popular among trans men, mainly those who have tiny breasts. They have adjustible velcro or zipper zippers.
74
75Love Boat
76---------
77
78<http://www.lesloveboat.com/shop/index.php?language=en>
79Taiwan
80Prices: 17-78 euros, or your country's equivalent
81They sell a variety of other products aimed at the trans and LGBT community. They have a big selection of models (adjustible, strapless etc) and a lot of different brand, including swimming binders. They have a "Plus size" section aimed at people with bigger breasts.
82
83Mansculpture
84------------
85
86<http://www.mansculpture.com/>
87USA
88Preços: 30-52€, or your country's equivalent
89
90Danae
91-----
92
93<http://www.danae.info/en/female-male/tops>
94The Netherlands
95Preços: 37-59€ or your country's equivalent
96Includes adjustible models with velcro or zipper zippers and a swimming binder. It has other products that might be of interest to
97both trans men and women.
98
99Esha
100----
101
102<http://www.esha-taipei.net/en/gallery-4.html>
103Taiwan
104Prices: 20-41€, or your country's equivalent
105
106To remove your breasts, see [read this page](surgery.md).
107
108Homemade methods
109================
110
111Sports bra
112----------
113
114This is the most accessible method. It consists in using one or two sports bras at the same time, sometimes using one of these with a smaller size than your own.
115
116Elastic or rubber straps
117------------------------
118
119These can be found in sports clothes shops, farmacies or charity shops.
120
121- Homemade binder #1
122 Check this link: <http://transitioningdownunder.com/post/60059037344/tutorial-chest-binder>
123
124- Homemade binder #2
125 Check this link: <http://fuckyeahbinders.tumblr.com/post/81835018742>
126
127- Homemade binder #3
128 Check this link: <http://ftmbinding.tripod.com/>
129
130- Homemade binder #4
131 Check this link: <http://nonbinary-support.tumblr.com/post/96081616271/cheap-homemade-binder-tutorial>
132
133- Homemade binder #5
134 Check this link: <https://web.archive.org/web/20150426235425/http://musketqueers.tumblr.com:80/post/85553537363/chest-binder-tutorial> (this page had to be recovered using "Wayback Machine", because the blog was moved elsewhere)
135
136Binder exchange programs
137========================
138
139Free/cheap ftm binders @ Facebook
140---------------------------------
141
142<https://www.facebook.com/groups/freeftmbinders/>
143Facebook group for selling, buying and exchanging binders.
144
145FTM Garage Sale
146---------------
147
148<http://ftmgaragesale.livejournal.com/>
149Community for selling, buying and exchanging binders, over at LiveJournal, as well as other devices that might be of use to trans men.
150
151In a Bind
152---------
153
154<https://www.transactiveonline.org/inabind/>
155Only avalaible to residents in the USA. Restricted to people under 21 years old.
156
157Replace The Ace
158---------------
159
160<http://replacetheace.wordpress.com/binders/>
161Only avaible to residents in the USA.
162
163Pay It Forward
164--------------
165
166<http://binderprogram.ftmaustralia.org/>
167Only avalaible to residents in Australia and New Zealand