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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Shoulder straps get agitating after full-day wear

The Marakym Posture Corrector is small enough to fit under most clothing, yet strong enough to straighten slouch-prone shoulders.

We purchased the Marakym Posture Corrector so our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and assess it. Keep reading for our full product review.

Sitting in front of a computer all day may be necessary for some, but it can cause bad habits like slouching that only get worse with time. As a desk-job employee myself, I’m more than familiar with this problem; it’s what led me to the Marakym Posture Corrector. The top-rated product promised to help relieve my back pain and re-train my shoulders to sit upright. But could the clavicle brace actually help me improve my posture? Read on to find out.

I’d read about posture correctors that were glorified back braces, and I knew that’s not what I wanted. Since I work at a desk and spend a good portion of my day in public—be it walking my dog or conducting in-person meetings—I knew I needed something I felt comfortable wearing in front of people. And, for the most part, the small Marakym Posture Corrector did the trick.

The brand recommends wearing this brace over the clothes, but as that wasn’t always practical for my lifestyle, I sometimes layered it underneath (for example, while in public getting coffee) and experienced no issues. Of course, it’s tough to wear any posture corrector during tank top season, but the Marakym Posture Corrector fits easily under blouses and jackets. The adjustable straps and figure-eight design made it easy to put on by myself, and the corrector had enough tension (when fully tightened) to keep my shoulders pulled back for the full length of the wear. 

The Marakym Posture Corrector fits easily under blouses and jackets.

That said, though, it’s far better than some of the larger, full-back options, as it’s easy to disguise in most attire and situations.

The Marakym Posture Corrector comes with a carrying bag, perfect for regular travelers. It also includes 10 strips of kinesiology tape as an add-on to help with any sore muscles. (As a runner, I found the tape most helpful on my calves.)

The Marakym Posture Corrector is made with strong yet breathable neoprene, which I found soft to the touch and comfortable for daily wear. The brace has padded straps that are particularly helpful under the armpits, though I noticed they still tended to get uncomfortable and agitated (see next section).

The Marakym comes in one size that’s adjustable for 28- to 48-inch chest circumferences and is designed for use by both men and women. I have a smaller build, and despite the one-size-fits-all promise, I found it tough to adjust the Marakym to a comfortable and snug fit. (It’s worth mentioning that you should be careful not to overtighten, as the company warns that could cause excessive tension.) When my mom, a size up from me, also tried the brace, she found it fit slightly better, although she did say it wasn’t snug enough in the shoulders. 

It ended up digging into my armpits slightly while pulling my shoulders back.

On my first day of wear, I had a hard time getting used to the fit. This probably means it was working—I did feel my shoulders sliding into a straight-up position more naturally. Marakym recommends wearing the posture corrector for only 15 to 20 minutes a day at first, then increasing by 20 minutes each subsequent day. 

When I’d try to wear it any longer than 30 to 40 minutes, I did notice it started to agitate my muscles. And unlike some of its competitors, the Marakym Posture Corrector ended up digging into my armpits slightly while pulling my shoulders back. 

At around $20, this posture corrector is an inexpensive yet effective way to retrain slouch-prone shoulders.

I stuck with the 30- to 40-minute increments and got used to it within one week. In fact, I almost forgot I had it on while walking my dog around the neighborhood. Note that, according to the manufacturer's website, you shouldn’t wear it during athletic activities, meals, or sleeping, as that could affect your blood circulation.

At around $20, this posture corrector is an inexpensive yet effective way to retrain slouch-prone shoulders. The Marakym is significantly less expensive than, say, a chiropractor, so it’s a wise investment for those hoping to correct poor posture without breaking the bank.

The Marakym Posture Corrector and the Evoke Pro A300 are similar in figure-eight design, fit, and materials. In fact, at first glance, they look virtually identical. But they’re not. After trying each posture corrector for one week straight, I found the Evoke Pro posture corrector came out on top. Here’s why:

While the Marakym Posture Corrector has a similar build that slowly re-trains shoulders to sit upright, I found my shoulders were still able to slouch forward, even after just a few minutes. With the Evoke Pro Upper Back Brace Posture Corrector, though, my shoulders somehow stayed back and erect throughout my time wearing it. I noticed afterward that my shoulders held that upright stance, too.

Where the Marakym Posture Corrector does reign supreme is price. The Marakym Posture Correct runs for around $20 while the Evoke Pro costs about $30, but through my own trial, I can say the Evoke Pro is well worth the $10 extra.

The Marakym Posture Corrector delivers top-notch results at an affordable $20 price point, but it’s worth investing slightly more to go with its particularly impressive competitor.

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