Hooks on their own aren't the issue, and they're used on bras, sports bras, and even medical grade compression wear.
A garment such as a binder may seem simple, but can have very complicated construction, and the construction does vary greatly on the binders currently available in the market. We spent 3 years developing our designs specifically to ensure safety and comfort. Our compression comes from the compression fabric itself, and we do not include any 'rigid panels' in any of our binders because they restrict movement and breathing.
The hooks on our crop binders are merely a means of putting the binder on more easily. And we've included hooks on both sides to ensure the compression is distributed evenly. The uneven distribution has been one of the problems with hook binders in the past.
When following our size chart (which has been professionally graded), the binder should feel extremely comfortable and you shouldn't experience any discomfort.
But if you're concerned at all, you should opt for our tank binder which has no hooks at all.
And you should always follow our
Tips For Safe Binding.