Binding

What is binding? 

Binding aims to (temporarily) flatten the chest essentially by compressing a person’s breasts against their body. This is most commonly accomplished with a piece of underwear/clothing called a "binder." Most binders resemble a tank top.

‍Here are a few notes about binding:

1. Never exercise in a binder. Do not swim in a binder. Do not lift in a binder. Do not run in a binder. This is dangerous for your health as it puts pressure on your ribcage and then your lungs, not letting them expand. You could actually fracture a rib and then potentially puncture a lung. It’s really not safe. I absolutely advise against working out with a binder on.
2. Do not bind for long periods of time. Most folks recommend binding a maximum of 8 hours at a time.
3. Introduce binding slowly. Bind for 1-2 hours a day for the first week and slowly increase binding intervals as the weeks progress. Do not bind for longer than 8 hours.
4. Binding is a personal decision. Binding is not required to receive gender-affirming healthcare. Binding is 100% for you and your own comfort. You do not need to bind before top surgery. Binding will have no effect on top surgery.

Trans-Owned Binders:

1. gc2b (this is where I purchased the binder I used for most of the time I bound!)
2. The Binder - For Them
3. FLAVNT Bareskin Binder
4. TransTape® f (this is for binding one's chest with tape that is safe to put directly on one's skin; this doesn't work for everyone but many love it - check out the link to learn more!)
5. ‍Trans Chest Binders, FTM and STP Packers, MTF Gaffs, Bras

Accessibility

If you cannot afford a binder, Point of Pride provides free chest binders to trans folks who need them. They ship for free internationally to 90+ countries around the world. Follow the instructions on their website to apply!