Before ordering a binder it is important to know that the health risks of binding are almost entirely unstudied and unknown. Using a binder is frequently accompanied by undesirable symptoms such as back, chest or shoulder pain, overheating, shortness of breath, itching and bad posture. There are also more serious but rarer effects such as scarring, swelling, rib fractures and respiratory infections.
- Make sure your binder is the right size, binder companies may have different sizing so doublecheck before ordering.
- Avoid binding for more than eight hours in a day
- Never sleep in your binder
- Take rest days where you do not bind as much as you can
- If you start to feel pain, especially chest pain, take off your binder
- If you suspect something is wrong, see a doctor as soon as possible
- Never use “homemade” binders made from elastic bandages, duct tape or plastic wrap
- Only use binders from reputable brands. Ask others if you’re unsure if a brand is reputable or not
- To find more information on how to bind safely head to the Queering Medicine - Chest Binding
You may know which binder you want already but if not below are two that we recommend:
- gc2b - gc2b was the first gender-affirming apparel company that is trans-owned and operated, and they can now ship binders from the UK. They have a huge collection of colours, stock XS to 5XL for most of their collection and have full, half and racerback options. You can look at products here and find their sizing guide here.
- Spectrum Outfitters – a UK based gender-affirming apparel company that make binders out of recycled plastics with a lining inside. Their binders only compress from the back to give the wearer more room to breathe with very strong corset fabric in the front which holds the wearer’s chest flat. You can look at their binders here and their sizing guide here.