Let’s talk about boobs today, specifically small boobs and sports bras and all that fun stuff. As a long time runner I have very specific preferences on what kind of running gear and sports bras I prefer. I know what I like. And I know what I don’t like (bouncing).
I usually wear two sports bras layered for my day to day training runs and some races. They are cheap and do the job. But layering isn’t ideal, especially when it’s not like I’m trying to strap down double Ds hello. I really shouldn’t have to wear two given what I have going on in that area.
I have the oh so sexy issue of having a pretty wide chest / rib situation and small boobs. I call it big boned or big ribbed? Either way.
The problem this presents is that a larger sized sports bra doesn’t have enough support in the boob area (it’s loose because a large size assumes large boobs). And a smaller sized one crushes my lungs and my soul so I can’t breath, which is kind of important for running and stuff.
A long time ago I got a Champion sports bra and realized it was perfect. It was just the right mix of compression and support to keep me and my girls under control. But it also didn’t kill my chest. Boom! Love it.
I ‘save’ that sports bra for marathon distance races. But even with ‘saving’ it the thing is old and funky and sad. Boo. b
I finally broke down today and decided I should buy a few replacements. I knew they were pricey (full disclosure the first one was sent to me by Champion a few years ago so I didn’t pay for it) but also think it’s an important part of running gear!
Unfortunately I don’t think they make this particular bra anymore!?! I looked on the Hanes/Champion site, all over Amazon and a few other places.
I have a few similar sports bras ‘saved’ in my online shopping cart that might work just as well or better. But, they are not exactly that same criss-cross back / hook close style that I loved. I’m going to order a few and let you know how it works out (because at this point I’m sure you’re really invested in my boob situation).
No, I realize you aren’t really invested but you may be invested in your own boobs and/or someone else’s boobs that you love. And fancy sports bras are super expensive! I didn’t realize because I’ve been getting them on sale at Target and layering them up, but some of the ones I saw today were as much as $76.00. Seriously.
So I figure a little search and try and review might be useful. And I also figure you might be able to offer some advice if you have found the sports bra of your dreams.
So now that I have sufficiently pointed out awkward things about my body feel free to chime in with your sports bra suggestions / complaints / random thoughts / other…
Question: Do you have the world’s best sports bra recommendation? Do you layer two sports bras?
Have you tried any oiselle bras? Some of them have a pretty tight band, but there are several different options to choose from in varying levels of compression, plus they look cute 🙂 I wear the bra-zen bra as my everyday/wear it with everything bra now, and it’s SO comfy!
Moving Comfort Juno. I used to layer until I found it. Best. ever.
I have the same issue as you!! I love the Champion Marathon sports bra
I recently fell in love with Victoria Secrets sports bras. Pricey, but they are cute and comfortable and fit perfectly.
I wear the Target brand (c9) compression sports bras with thin and thick straps. They are great. I also get it in the smallest size so there is no chance of movement! They come with padding but I hate padding so I remove the pads.
I love the adidas supernova bras, but to be fair I am a D cup. Good luck!
There is a store/online catalog called Title 9 and when I get their catalog they always have a separate bra section. I have not ordered from them but they seem to have a large selection.
I used to LOVE the champion show off sports bra and I would get whatever colors were cheapest off of amazon. Then I had a baby and breastfed for 17 1/2 months and my boobs went back to super small (after growing 2+ sizes while breastfeeding) and now only 1 of the champion bras still fits okay. I actually just won a new balance tenderly obsessive bra after a race and LOVE it!!! I wear a small very comfortably. It comes in XS too. I really want to get more but they are $42+ at the local running stores, so hard to bite that bullet.
I quite like Target’s C9 Champion High Support racerback bra. They are only $23 at full price and often go on sale when new colors are coming out. They really keep the girls contained (and I do CrossFit, so I ain’t messing around) and are adjustable. They can be hard to get off when you’re sweaty, but it’s worth it for the support IMO. http://www.target.com/p/c9-champion-women-s-high-support-racerback-sports-bra/-/A-17139646#prodSlot=_1_28
oh I just looked and they don’t make A cup sizes. That is extremely lame. 🙁 sorry
Another note – I always thought I was a 36 A/B cup as well but then I went to Victoria’s Secret and ended up being a 34 C. I also thought I had wide ribs and needed the longer band, but apparently what I needed was wider cups mixed with a shorter band. I think a 34C ends up being about the same size as a 36B only the proportions are better for boob/rib width. Maybe you could try a 34B rather than 36A or something like that? Something to try maybe!
Lululemon definitely takes the cake when it comes to bras for me. They have several different styles and they are clearly labeled in the description what they are for 🙂
The “stuff your bra” bra from lululemon. The best! Notwnonlhbsupee supportive but you can store keys money even a huge iPod in it whole run without them slipping or moving! I love love this bra!
^^Not only super
I am currently 12 weeks pregnant and none of my sports bras fit anymore! No one told me how much my boobs were going to grow in the first trimester – I went from a C/D to a DD and there’s no way my Target bras were fitting – much less two of them. I went to Victoria’s Secret and tried on a bunch. They’re a bit pricey, but it’s seriously the best thing I’ve ever put on my boobs. I could jump around and they didn’t move! Here’s one of the ones I got (it’s basically two bras in one – there’s a bra that claps underneath the top part that zips):
https://www.victoriassecret.com/victorias-secret-sport/sports-bras/knockout-by-victoriarsquos-secret-front-close-sport-bra-victorias-secret-sport?ProductID=284123&CatalogueType=OLS
I’m currently 21 weeks pregnant and so far I’ve moved from a 32D to a 34H (!!!!) I had to stop running because I couldn’t find a bra that fit. I’m about to fork over the money for an Enell bra. Even though they’re ugly, I’m hoping I can run again. But I’m also worried that since I’m only halfway through my pregnancy my boobs will just keep growing! New bras are expensive! I had no idea this would happen.
Crazy, right?! I know my boobs will grow later, but I had to get something good for right now as I think they’re done growing for a little bit. I haven’t heard of the Enell bra before, but it looks supportive! It was definitely sticker shock after only buying Target bras for $16 previously!
I love, love, love the Champion Show-off bra! No uni-boob or headlights, it’s inexpensive, and it gives my solid B cup mommy ta-tas great support.
I layer 2 bras and when i was breastfeeding i had to wear 3. No jokes 🙂
I get mine at Old Navy. They have pads, adjustable straps that you can wear regularly or criss-crossed, and hooks in the back so you can adjust how wide the band is. As a big-chested girl, they’re the best (affordable) bras I’ve found, and I don’t need to double up with them.
I found the perfect sports bras, the compression ones by Champion at Target as well. . . until they stopped making those too! Now everything seems to have cups in it, which I don’t like. I’ll be in the same ordeal soon, as well.
I double bag too. I basically squash so they don’t move. Otherwise I chafe so badly. Happy to see so many recommendations.
I have 2 Lululemon ones I got on sale and a Nike one I have that has a clasp in the back. They are expensive but they last and work amazing well! Definite recommend.
I love Old Navy sports bras. They are affordable and there is no bouncing! A lot of times you can get them on sale half off.
This is such a fantasic running bra:
http://m.adidas.com/us/high-impact-bra/S00799.html
I no longer had to double layer them when I got this one! The straps are adjustable, and it has an adjustable clasp closure in the back as well. Highly recommended!
Moving Comfort is an awesome brand of sports bras! They are all about the science of support to prevent micro-tears that apparently happen anytime there’s even a little bit of bounce. I think they just come in S/M or M/L but they’re awesome. My fave is this one: http://www.brooksrunning.com/en_ca/uplift-crossback-sports-bra/300616.html?dwvar_300616_color=653#start=2
The struggle is very real with sports bras! I have the opposite problem where I’m a a D cup, yet pretty petite. A lot of sports bras either cater to c cups or smaller, or assume because of my cup size I’m full figured all over. I’ve found that Victoria’s Secret and athleta sports bras work best for me and I do NOT double up. I can tell you what sports bra to NOT try: Moving Comfort! The name is an utter lie. I wanted to like this brand so much because the support was perfect and the styles were cute. However, I severely chaffed on my back under the hooks. I tried 6 DIFFERENT bras from that brand, AFTER being fitted professionally and it left me with chaffe scars. It was beyond painful. It may work better for you, but I know it was an utter fail for me. Excellent bra, bad backing! Hope your new bra works for you!
Victoria secret are my favorite. I have a larger chest and the underwire ones work the best for me.
Try sports bras from Kiava! They are a little pricey, but have worked great for me. I have the small boobs, big rib cage problem as well. Old navy has some decent options at times too!
I have the same problem with larger ribs/small boobs! It is infuriating! However I have found that TJ Maxx is my best bet: they have SO MANY RANDOM ONES and although it can be painfully monotonous- I try on a ton and find that I can always walk away with one or two … The best part? They are usually Nike, champion, jockey, or another well-known brand for like half the price.
Oh! I’m in love with the Champion “Marathon” sports bra. Great support for little boobs. No hook closure, but you can find older colors on Amazon for $20 or so!
I’m in the opposite boat – very narrow chest with big-ish boobs. So, for me, I need a small size to fit tight around my chest, but then my boobs tend to spill out the top…
So, I have a few sized sports bras from Victoria’s Secret. And Moving Comfort – the one I have is not sized, but it is seriously supportive. Like getting out of a vice grip after a workout haha!
It’s always interesting to hear about other people’s struggles with fit – I sort of assume its the same for everyone!
I love champion bras. But I only like ones that snap in the back ( nothing pullover for me). I find mine at sports authority and wait til there’s a BOGO half off sale. Good luck. Finding the right sports bra is almost as hard and stressfull as buying a new car lol
I love Victoria’s Secret bras. Not all of the styles work for me, but some of their styles come in actual bra sizes which in general makes for a better fit. They have lightweight sports bras on sale for $25 right now. They have some super cute patterns and a decent level of support. I ran in one yesterday & was fine 🙂
I do not have small boobs, but not super large either and I find that the target sports bras are enough support for me. I like how light they are but still tight enough to stay put.
I’m a Moving Comfort “maia” girl. I’ve tried some champion ones here and there (got one in a pinch at Target on clearance for less than $10!).
The tight band is causing chest pain and shortness of breath has happened to me. That is the worst.
I never wear racer back tanks because my back/shoulders are not my most flattering parts and also because trying to pull a racerback style bra over my head is like torture. 🙂
The best idea is to get FIT for a sports bra at a specialty running store… Your bra should NEVER have a birthday and you definitely do NOT need to double up. A good sports bra should be as important as the correct shoes and socks~
i too am a member of the IBTC, sports bra shopping kills my soul. i have a wide shoulders so trying to stretch the band over my head is torture. i’m on the hunt for one that clasps in the back like a standard bra.
I can totally relate, I have the same problem!! I wish I had purchased backups of my favorite one, which is now well-loved and discontinued. The search for a replacement has led to multiple disappointments. Would love to know if you find the perfect one! xo Kelly http://lazygirlsguidetofitnessandbeauty.blogspot.com/
This one from Road Runner (their brand): http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/RRL1058/womens-rgear-rock-steady-tback-bra/. I’ve tried Moving Comfort, Champion, Under Armour, Lululemon, Nike….and I keep coming back to this one. It’s pretty reasonable price-wise and does the job, from 5Ks-26.2.
I’m still looking for the world’s best running bra! I have a racerback Moving Comfort that runs small = spilling over. Not cute. And I just ran in the Fiona and ended up with the worst chafing of my life!! Absolutely awful with the correct band/cup fit. I’m currently trying a Sweaty Betty bra that might be the best… along with plenty of Body Glide. Sorry for your situation, but kind of glad this isn’t just a DD problem.
As someone with large boobs that do bounce, it’s is horrible. I’m only 5’4, 130pds, but haul around 32-34ddd. 🙁 So, finding any sort of bra that is comfortable/cute/cheap is a pain. I currently have the Moving Comfort Fiona and Juno bras. They are “ok” and somewhat do the job. I would really like to find a comfortable racer back bra. The Juno I can wear doing things like yoga or low impact exercises but once I get jumping around it cuts across my traps and is no longer comfortable even when I adjust the straps. Do you know how many tanks are sold as racer back? A Lot!!! Especially, for running. So, maybe one of your readers can help me out.
Yes, I agree most tanks are racer back. Hopefully someone can chime in!
I have the same problem with my Moving Comfort bras. I LOVE my Panache sports bra. If you’re not in a time crunch, it can usually be found on sale somewhere on the internet but I do usually end up paying about $40. That being said, my first one lasted 3 years before I even thought about replacing it and it’s actually still in rotation (just not for longer runs anymore).
http://www.amazon.com/Panache-Womens-Underwire-Sports-Bra/dp/B005X5FG2O
I’m also a 34DDD and it is very difficult to find bras, I have been wearing Victoria Secrets high impact bras and love them. They can be pricey but well worth the comfort & being able to do the workout you want. I would suggest going into a store and trying on every single sports bra they have, it’s a pain but will make a huge difference!! Hope you find success 🙂
I second Kate’s comment about Panache – I am also a 34DDD (or as we Canadians apparently like to call it, 34F) and have only found 2 that I like, with the Panache being my current fav. The other is a Wacoal underwire, where the wired part is actually on the outside which means no seams anywhere on the front – I recently wore this one for a half marathon and had no issues with being sore. Now, I’m not the fastest runner so I can’t comment on the bounce factor when past the 9km/h range.
Oh my gosh…I am in shock that you buy cheap and layer up!! Agh. My first thing after proper running shoes was a decent sports bra – I do not want to be worrying about that during a run. I’m definitely not large chested, but prefer more secure fit. My hands down fav. is from Lululemon, it’s called Run: Stuff Your Bra (yeah…). It’s just called that because it has a second kind of layer on the front and you can stash gels, etc. Or you can stuff it..your call.. ha.
I broke the bank the first time and paid full price, but now that I know my size I just wait for sale colors. No regrets – this is the best. bra. ever. I have three in rotation and they’ve lasted like a year of regular use at least.
Same problem. Suprisingly, Victoria’s Secret makes a really great one. It’s their lightweight sports bra and on sale for $25. Come up high on chest, lined just enough, adjustable straps and cup/chest sizes!
Thanks. I like ones that come up high on the chest! Gonna check it out.
I have the same issue and LOVE Moving Comfort’s Uprise crossback by Brooks
Why not buy a sports bra that comes in bra sizes? Then you can choose one with a larger band and smaller cups. I personally love moving comfort bras. They come in tons of different support levels and I can often find last season’s colors on sale online.
I found a few of those, but they don’t make many in A cups.