I’m going on a seven day camping trip in a couple of months, and I’m worried about how I’m gonna bind the whole way through. None of the people I’m going with know I’m trans, and I’d rather keep it that way. Still waiting for top surgery…

The trip will consist of a lot of canoeing and hiking. It’s a very isolated location with no bathrooms, trash cans, etc. Typically, my preferred method of binding is using transtape, but it only lasts about four days before it starts to come loose and noticable. On the rest days from the tape, I typically use an underworks full tank binder, but those are terrible to do any intense exercise in because it gets sweaty and hard to breathe. I have one traditional binder which I’ll use when exercising on off days, but wearing that seven days straight seems like it’s not gonna work because of sweat, having to take breaks at night, etc. It’s also hard to hide under athletic wear and doesn’t do the best job of giving me a flat chest. I have no idea yet if I’m gonna be sharing a tent or not.

Do y’all have any ideas/recommendations for a way to bind stealthily, be able to exercise, and in the middle of nowhere with people for seven days? Also any recs for a (reasonably priced) STP packer to take would be helpful.

Also of note, my chest isn’t particularly big. Probably on the smaller side of B if I had to guess.

  • @blackberries33
    link
    English
    44 months ago

    I don’t know this compares to the “traditional binder” you are refering to, or other binders you have tried, but I have found the “Becoming” binder from tomscout to be really great. The material is thin and can handle sweating without causing a problem. I find I don’t need to take too many breaks. The tightness is always a balance between flatness and breathing ability however.

    • cowboycrustation [he/him]OPM
      link
      fedilink
      English
      24 months ago

      Thanks a bunch for the recommendation!

      I meant traditional binder in the sense of the shape, which resembles a sports bra somewhat. Most of the binders I’ve tried have either been cheap on Amazon or from underworks. Does it show much under thinner fabrics (such as athletic shirts)?

      • @blackberries33
        link
        English
        34 months ago

        For me when wearing an thin athletic shirt, it only shows along the trimming over the scapulas. Maybe with a patterned shirt it would be less prominent.