FAQs

1.       Which binder should I get?

 It depends on what you need it for. At the moment, we have 4 types of binders: Pull Over Binder (half), Binder with Zip, Full Chest Binder and the Sports Binder. Each binder offers a different level of chest compression, comfort, ease of movement and look. 

The Pull Over Binder (half) is a classic design for high compression and flatter chest.

The Binder with Zip is designed with a zip in the front and is the easiest to wear and take off. Recommended especially for folks with large chests.

The Full Chest Binder comes with the Double Compression feature for maximum compression and the flattest chest.

Our Sports Binder offers the greatest mobility for any physical activity and is ideal for daily use.

Check out our shop for more details and get the binder that works best for you! 

2.       What is my size?

Safety is paramount and you need a binder that fits you well. Avoid choosing one that is smaller than you need, even if you want your chest to look as flat as possible. If your binder is too small or too tight, it can: 

    – Restrict breathing

    – Irritate your skin

    – Break skin around the edges of the binder

    – Cause overheating

    – Bruise or fracture your ribs 

See step-by-step instructions for how to measure yourself accurately and find out your correct size with our Sizing Guide. 

3.      How do I take my measurements? 

If possible, have someone help take your measurements for you. Use a tape measure or a piece of string and a scale, and measure all the way around your torso in 3 places: your full chest, under chest, and your shoulders. 

More detailed instructions, with photos, can be found on our Measuring page. 

4.      What are your shipping charges? 

Shipping charges will be calculated at the time of checkout, depending on your location in India. We use Shiprocket for delivery across India. 

5.      How long will it take to receive my order?

Your order will be delivered within 1-2 weeks from the date of purchase on our website. 

6.      Do you accept orders placed outside India? 

Sorry, we are unable to process orders from outside India at this point.   

7.      Do you take pre-orders? 

We are unable to take pre-orders at this point. 

8.      What is your returns and exchange policy? 

We want to ensure that everyone gets a product from us that fits well and functions as it should, so we most definitely accept returns in their original condition within 7 days of delivery.

Please see our Returns and Exchange policy for details. 

9.      I don’t want anyone to know I have ordered a chest binder. Will the package be discreet? 

Our customers’ safety and discretion is our top priority. We offer 100% discreet packaging for all our orders. 

10.  What are the payment options I can use while checking out? 

You can make payments via credit card, debit card, net banking or UPI. We use Razorpay as the payment gateway for our website. 

11.  Is chest binding safe? 

There is always some level of risk with wearing any garment that compresses the body. However, chest binding, if done correctly with a properly fitted binder and following our recommendations, is safe for most people. 

The first thing to be mindful of when binding is to do it safely. We do not recommend ever using bandages or duct tape – these are definitely not meant for binding and can cause serious harm to your body. By using these techniques to bind your chest, you could restrict your breathing, cause fluid build-up in your lungs or even break a rib! 

It might feel tempting to also place two binders on at a time. However, this can also cause harm to your body and cause you to overheat, and it is not likely to give a flatter appearance. 

We only ever recommend wearing a binder in your correct size. Do not try and squeeze into a binder that is too small, or place bandages or duct tape on top of or underneath your binder. For more information on how to choose the correct size binder, see step-by-step instructions for how to measure yourself accurately and which size will fit you best. 

All bodies are different, and chest binding is not safe or advisable for everyone. We always suggest checking in with your doctor if you are concerned, to ensure binding is a safe option for you. 

12.  How long can I wear my binder?

 The longer you bind, the greater the risk of injury. It’s recommended that you shouldn’t bind your chest for more than 8-12 hours per day (each of our binders has a specific recommended usage, please see the individual product pages for details). If you are in a scenario where you will need to keep the binder on for longer, such as at work or school, take a break and take off the binder when you go to the bathroom or another private location. 

All bodies are different, so listening to your body is important. If you are feeling pain or discomfort, take your binder off and give your body a break. Chest binding should never be painful. If you are experiencing pain, your binder may be too small, or you may have been wearing it for too long.

If you're on testosterone, you might find you are sweating more than usual, so you may need to take off your binder and give it a good wash more frequently. It might be convenient to have more than one binder so that one can be washed (we recommend hand wash only) while the other is being worn. 

When you take the binder off at the end of the day, breathe deeply several times to ensure you aren’t experiencing any pain and to let your muscles stretch. It’s recommended that you take at least 1 day off a week from chest binding. 

13.  Is it safe to exercise in a binder?

While all our binders are designed for comfort and ease of movement, the high compression binders are generally tighter or more restrictive than the others (see the compression meter on each individual binder page for more!). Generally, for exercise, sports or any physical activity we recommend using our Sports Binder.

Please stop immediately if you begin to experience pain while exercising in your binder.

 14.  Can I go swimming in a Black Eagle binder? 

Not yet! But we are working to bring you a swimming-friendly binder very soon. 

15.  How do I put on and take off my chest binder? 

This is usually a personal preference, and we recommend trying different approaches to find what works best for you. Our Binder with Zip is super easy to wear – you can put it on like a regular shirt! 

For the other pullover binders, sometimes it is easiest to put one arm and shoulder in first and then pull it over your head. Then you can reach your other arm in and roll it down over your body.

You may find you will need to rearrange your chest once you have the binder on to get the best fit and flattening effect. 

It is recommended that you push your chest tissue downwards as you roll the binder down from your neck. 

It's best not to push your chest tissue upwards as this can affect fit, cause discomfort, and potentially cause your skin to stretch. 

To get the binder off, sometimes it is easiest to roll the bottom up a little and then grab it with either one or two hands and pull it over your head. We do not recommend grabbing your binder from the back and pulling it over your head. This can damage the fabric, causing it to stretch and possibly tear over time. 

16.  Can chest binding affect top surgery? 

Chest binding safely by following recommendations and wearing a correctly fitted chest binder should not impact your ability to have top surgery or affect your surgery results. 

Some people find that binding can alter their skin's natural elasticity, which may cause some minor cosmetic changes. 

17.  Can I sleep in my binder? 

We understand that dysphoria doesn't just go away when we go to bed. However, we do not recommend wearing binders overnight or while sleeping.

 It is important that your body is not restricted in any way while you sleep. None of our chest binders are designed for wearing while sleeping. 

18.  What are Black Eagle binders made of? 

See the individual binder descriptions for information on the materials used. 

19.  Do Black Eagle Binders fit large chest sizes? 

They certainly do! Our range is size-inclusive, with 4-6 sizes in all four designs, so that you can get the perfect binder for your authentic self. We especially recommend our Binder with Zip for folks with large chests. 

If you cannot find a binder that fits you, please write to us at nish@blackeaglebinders.com 

20.  How do I care for my binder? 

Caring for your binder can increase its longevity. It's important to remember to hand wash, and air dry your binder regularly. Sweat, oil from your skin, dirt, deodorant, and lotions can all build up and damage the fabric of the binder if it is not washed often. 

Our binders are not machine-washable. Please wash by hand only. We recommend using mild detergent, and always lay your binder flat and in the shade when drying. Do not leave your binder outside in the sun.