How to Go Swimming in Public As a Transgender Guy

Last Updated: May 26, 2022

Going swimming as a transgender guy can feel difficult, since the cisgender men around you might be going topless. You're not alone if you're an FTM trans guy (or non-binary person) and wet clothes clinging to you and swimsuits make you feel dysphoric. You deserve to feel comfortable, so we've put together some helpful tips to help you pick out swimsuits, look like the best version of yourself, and have fun while swimming in public!

Steps

1
Bind safely. You can’t just wear a regular binder when swimming, as some aren’t meant to be exposed to chlorine and saltwater and it’s generally not advised to exercise in a binder.^{[1]
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Research source} Instead, you can buy a swim binder or bind using KT or trans tape (though it may fall off after a period of time). Make sure to buy the right size, as you want to be able to breathe well.
- If you can’t afford tape or a swim binder, you could use a binder that’s a size too big or an old, stretched out one.
- When pulling off the tape, wet it off with baby oil on a cotton ball before pulling off. It helps to soften the sticky adhesive from the tape.
- Wear a sports bra if you don't have a binder or tape.
- Try not to worry too much about binding if you're just laying down at the beach. Most people won't really be paying attention.
2
Wear an oversized T-shirt over your binder. Unless you’re comfortable being topless with only a binder (not tape), you’ll want to wear something loose. It’ll cling a little less and help your breathing since you’ll be wearing a binder as well. Try to avoid fitted shirts.
- Wear a shirt with a design on it to draw attention to the design, not your chest.
3
Wear a top made for exercise if you're uncomfortable wearing a regular T-shirt. Exercise tank tops and vests work well for swimming, though your binder and chest will be more visible. You may want to tuck it into your bottoms so it stays in place.
4
Opt for a full-body swimsuit if other shirts aren't allowed. You can buy a wetsuit or swim vest that covers your body without the need for a top or bottoms. However, you can wear swim trunks over the bodysuit to hide your hips.
5
Wear a life vest to hide your chest even more. Life vests are very big and can hide your chest very well. If you don't want to attract too much attention with a bright orange one, you can buy a navy blue or another dark color online that looks more professional.
6
Wear swim trunks if possible. Though you’ll want to wear other clothes as well, swim trunks are the best way to pass as male (clothing wise) when swimming or going to the beach. If you don’t have them, you could borrow some from a sibling or friend.
- Don’t wear very short trunks. It’ll bring out your hips more, which you don’t want. Go for longer, straighter shorts instead.
7
Pack if you’re wearing a tight swimsuit or speedo. Don’t use rolled-up socks, as they won’t survive underwater. You’ll probably want to go for a hard pack using a silicone packer. Most other soft packers should work fine as well, but they might feel weird or sticky after a while.
- Make sure it doesn’t fall out when you’re swimming. You can avoid this by wearing somewhat tight underwear underneath the swimsuit or trunks. You’ll probably want to go for boxers with a pocket or pouch if you’re wearing swim trunks.
- Some companies make swim trunks designed specifically for packing, like Underworks or TranZwear. You might want to invest in those.
8
Wear a swim cap or hat if you have long hair. If you can't cut your hair or don't want to, you can tuck your hair into a cap or hat.