Stephanie Vermillion is a lifestyle journalist with work published in VICE, Fodor's, Roads and Kingdoms, and Mental Floss, among other publications.

Marley Hall is a writer and fact checker who is certified in clinical and translational research. Her work has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery, and she has received numerous awards for publication in education.

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 A constant reminder to “straighten-up”

The ITA-MED TLSO-250W Posture Corrector for Women features high-quality engineering that will keep your core upright, but it delivers subpar back-straightening results for some shoulder-slouchers.

We purchased the ITA-MED TLSO-250 Posture Corrector so our reviewer could put it to the test. Keep reading for our full product review.

Like many of my fellow sitting desk-job workers, I spend the bulk of my workday not just sitting—but slouching—in front of my computer. This slouching continues into the evenings and even my workouts; come to think of it, I tend to slouch just about every hour of the day—and knowing how important it is to have good posture, I know I need to stop.

Enter the ITA-MED TLSO-250 Posture Corrector. Complete with customizable, reinforced straps that are said to support the lower back, upper back, and abdomen, it’s available for women (TSLO-250W), men (TSLO-250M), and children (TSLO-250P). I spent one week testing the style specially engineered for a female’s body. Read on to find out if it curbed my inclination to slouch. 

While this posture corrector is adjustable and could get as tight as I wanted, the build is anything but discreet. It covered my entire waist up to my shoulders (in the back) and was highly noticeable in just about every outfit other than a loose sweatshirt.

The brace has two rods in the back that I was instructed to adjust to my shoulders prior to my first time wearing it. (A word to the wise: Get someone to help you adjust these rods, as trying to accurately customize them—without moving your own shoulders—is nearly impossible). The rods add support to the brace, while the criss-cross design with multiple shoulder and waist straps adds tension to push back the shoulders.

Did the combination actually keep my shoulders straight? Not really. But the strong support around my core did keep me from leaning forward on my desk—something I’m prone to do as a writer—so that was some good, posture-correcting training. Another positive is the internal front/back pockets; while I didn’t end up needing them, you can put hot or cold gel packs in the pockets to help with any pain.

It’s tough to salvage a huge, bulky build, but the corrector’s breathable cotton lining did keep me from overheating while wearing it with a sweatshirt. The straps are also reinforced with shoulder sleeves for comfort. These elements made it far more comfortable than it could’ve been, but I’d trade the breathable material for a smaller, more discreet build. Polyester, nylon, lycra, and the aforementioned metal rods make up the rest of the materials.

The TLSO-250W is available in sizes small through 2XL. I have a smaller build, and I ordered a size small since the suggested measurements were spot-on with my frame. I would not put this brace in the “comfortable” category; it’s bulky, cumbersome, and even agitating after several hours. The criss-cross back design and adjustable straps did help me fit it to my perfect size, but “fit” and “comfort” are two different things. Not 10 minutes went by without remembering I was wearing this contraption.

That said, I did find it was helpful to wear around the house as a gentle reminder to sit up straight. Given its bulkiness, I was constantly reminded that I was wearing it—and therefore needed to stop slouching. However, the device on its own didn’t put my shoulders in the right place, and perking up my shoulders in this way also led to me getting distracted from my work. While definitely not what it was designed for, I did notice the brace’s tightness around my waist kept me in check when deciding whether or not it was time for another snack! 

The ITA MED Posture Corrector for Women ranges from $65 to $90, which I think is a high price to pay for an accessory that delivers lackluster back-straightening results. While it may have kept my core more upright, my shoulders tend to do the most slouching, and this corrector didn’t do the trick.

While it’s a different shape and build, the Evoke Pro Upper Back Brace Posture Corrector delivers similar results to the ITA-MED device. During my tests with both products, I found the smaller Evoke Pro was not only more comfortable but also actually helped me reduce slouching in a more natural, less aggressive style. The Evoke Pro brace runs for under $30, making it more affordable than the ITA-MED brace, too. 

While the ITA-MED TLSO-250 Posture Corrector will keep your core upright, it’s very bulky and not the best for those whose shoulders need anti-slouch training. Given its high price point—and the similar products on the market—shop around to ensure the brace you get supports the areas you need.

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