“I’d like to preface this by saying l am trans* and I struggle with sensory issues, my review primarily pertains to those things and may not be applicable to other folks. I bought two of the TomBoyX Compression Top (so you may see my review twice), hoping to find a new more comfortable binder or something akin to one.
Here are my main issues with it:
1) The rise on the side under the armpit is too high and causes some chafing and discomfort, the sides almost feel more compressing than the bust and hurt after wearing it a while. I don’t have broad shoulders either, so I’d think it would be worse for someone who does.
2) The material on the inside of the Compression Top is irritating to my skin and my sensory issues. The mesh-like fabric is a very tight mesh weave, and thin, so it might not be irritating to other folks. But in my opinion, the outside colored part of the Top is actually more comfortable than the inside of it. I can only wear this top inside-out which sucks because it defeats the point of the cute color. When I do wear it inside-out it is comfortable enough (bearing in mind the fore mentioned issue).
3) It doesn’t have good compression. The compressive layer which is a sort of mesh-like fabric (see #2) lines the entire garment not just the front bust, which puts a compressive layer on your sides and back that tenses those muscles and makes my back ache after a while like I’ve been hunching over a computer all day (when I haven’t). It doesn’t bind or compress my chest anymore than a typical sports bra and is less comfortable.
The positives I have for it are:
1) The color is almost identical to the online pictures, very bright and fun
2) The coverage is good, it covers my whole chest without having it spill out in places and tuck up under my bust like the TomBoyX Regular Soft Bras does.
3) The seams are great! I’ve yet to have any issues with fraying or breaking as they’re really solid wide double overlock-looking stitch (I think I’m not much of a seamster).
Notes on my body type:
I am 5’6, 125 Ibs, and my chest is usually a medium ( 36” Bust, 29” Under Bust, 19” shoulder width)”
“Fits great except for the straps slip off my shoulders. This is common for me as I’m not broad across the shoulders. Wish they had a racer back version. Looks great, is enough compression for minimal binding given that my chest is fairly small. The fabric is interesting, not much stretch (which is good for compression) but otherwise similar to a swimsuit.”
“I LOVE these binders. I've tried ALOT. I'm fat, broad, grew up doing farmwork and have big tits. Nothing has fit me well before. Does it get me flat enough to pass? No, nothing is capable of that except for surgery. Takes me from a h/g to looking like a small c, which helps my dysphoria a ton.
Best of all? It fits in the shoulders. Every. Single. Other. Binder. I. Have. Tried. Even at the correct size. Has been made for men with teeny tiny narrow shoulders. I can breathe, lift my arms about my head, and move without it cutting into my neck.
Heck, I went running with my dog on the beach with it the other day and there was next to no movement, and I went a good half mile almost keeping up with her before needing to slow down. I wear it for longer than 8 hours because of the demands of job and life and never even have marks on my skin.
Color is nice, the kind of mesh it's made of always takes me some getting used to but it's no worse to me than the swim stuff. Honestly feel like I could safely go swimming in this but I'm not going to try. This also isn't my first one, I got the chai one a few months back and he's still going strong after being washed weekly in a machine and also dried in a dryer.
Pretty much a steal at this price compared to what I've spent on other ones.
Needs to come in more skin tone options.”
“My non-binary kid loves this compression top! My only wish is that it was available in a smaller size. My kid is 10 so needs something smaller than a small.”
“Size based on shirt size I thought it was based on chest size so I ordered a size medium but then it ended up being a little big. Still a great product would buy again just a bit smaller”
“I love this, it's discrete and binds in a really comfortable way. I was looking for something a bit more loose because my anxiety doesn't let me go too tight and this is the perfect balance of binding and space to breathe. I have a smaller chest, and accidentally ordered a size too big but honestly it's still pretty great.
Tip: when you measure yourself for size, don't do it while breathing in lol.”
