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.

  • Jackie's FridgeEnglish
    9•4 months ago

    Binding aside, you might be able to get some privacy by bringing a single-person backpacker’s tent. They’re small & light, and you can create any number of polite cover stories about it - sometimes you need frequent nighttime bathroom breaks and don’t want to disturb your tentmate with constant zipper noises, or you’re worried you’ll snore, etc. That way if you’re comfortable sharing a tent you can do so, but on nights you need a break, you can set up your own tent for privacy.

    Also, that sounds like a great trip!