Running Bra: I went shopping at the weekend in a... - Couch to 5K

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Running Bra

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate
33 Replies

I went shopping at the weekend in a fruitless hunt for a new sports bra as mine has started to rub. Everything in the shops was woefully inadequate failing even a little jiggle test.

As many retailers have stopped stocking sports bras, I will need to shop online so please can someone recommend a substantial, heavy duty bra for a full figure?

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Slowstart
Graduate
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33 Replies
Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate

Ouch! That looks really painful. The Shock Absorber bra is probably the best known and you can buy those from Amazon. I've got one and it's so comfortable I end up wearing it on non run days! Companies like Bravissimo and Figleaves are very good too and cater for larger ladies. Some of their running bras are too pretty to wear underneath your clothes so you'll have lots of fun choosing!

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to Irishprincess

Seams on the under cup are not good news, and yes ouch is correct!!

I've been looking at the customer reviews for the Shock Absorber, and it does seem to suit larger boobs, although quite a few people have said to buy the next size up as they are very tight fitting around the body. Did you find this? I thought it needed to be tight to hold everything in place.

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to Slowstart

Yes they are tight around the rib cage. I ordered my usual size but the first time I put it on I could hardly breathe! I probably should have exchanged it but I was desperate for a new sports bra so I just washed it a few times to stretch it a bit and it's fine now. You definitely have to try them on but ordering online now is so easy. If it doesn't fit then send it back.

As others have said, M&S are good and I always use to get my bras from them but they stopped doing the ones I like so I had to go elsewhere. Enjoy the search!

LauraLouP profile image
LauraLouPGraduate

Mine's a Shock Absorber. I got it from Next. I'm an F cup

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to LauraLouP

I never even considered Next. That's great as at least I can try it on in store.

Another vote for Shock Absorber from me. It's hard to find larger sizes sometimes but I got mine from a DW Sports store, and they seemed to have quite a good selection.

I would definitely shop around and try to try them on, rather than buying online, as it's so important to get the correct size. Go with what feels most comfortable and you can always use the tighter notches if it starts to feel slack / or if you lose an inch or so!

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to

I wanted to shop around, but we don't have a good selection of shops in this area. Tried them on in M&S, JD Sports, Sports Direct and ran out of shops! Didn't think of Next, but will try at the weekend. Shock Absorber do seem to be popular. Thank you

TurboTortoise profile image
TurboTortoiseGraduate

Shock Absorber has my vote too, notwithstanding that fiddly little clip at the back that takes a bit of practice to master. I find you need to go up a back size from your civilian bra, but keep the same cup size.

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to TurboTortoise

Thanks Turbo. I had read some reviews about dodgy clips, but if they're just fiddly I can cope with that. Thanks for addressing the fit issue.

AncientMum profile image
AncientMumGraduate

They do Shock Absorber in Debenhams, so you may find one there. Failing that, do you have a branch of Bravissimo near you? Good luck finding something suitable -the sore bit in the photo looks very ouch-y

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to AncientMum

I tried Debenhams, ours do not stock sports bras which amazed me, but just did store locator for Bravissimo and we do have one not too far away, so will try, thanks.

islandrunner profile image
islandrunnerGraduate

Shock absorber ..

this one

amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00...

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to islandrunner

Thanks for the link. That's really helpful.

Coddfish profile image
CoddfishGraduate

Another vote for Shock Absorbers (and I have tried pretty well everything).

Bravissimo source cup sizes that you sometimes can't get elsewhere. There are two Shock Absorber styles that they sell in larger cup sizes: The Active Multi Sports goes up to a HH cup and the D+ Max Sports up to an H cup. Both styles work well for me but beware the back bands are tighter than many brands, as I think they use the round the ribs plus 4" method to get your band size, rather than just round the ribs. I have a 36H 'D+' and a 38H Active Multi Sports but wear a 34HH in my normal day bras (Panache, also via Bravissimo).

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to Coddfish

Thank you for taking my problem so seriously and giving such an informative answer. Shock Absorber has won the vote

yamiskoi profile image
yamiskoiGraduate

Ouch! Not pleasant at all :(

I really like my 'heavy impact' sports bra from Marks and Spencers, I think it was around £25. They have a range of sizes and I believe they can order in other sizes if they don't have your size in stock.

dagshar profile image
dagsharGraduate in reply to yamiskoi

I have three different types of heavy impact ones from M&S. I love the ones with the zip at the front - so much easier :-)

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to yamiskoi

Hi Yamiskoi, I tried Marks as have bought from them before but nothing held me in place, they've changed styles and are just too low cut now.

You must be graduating soon or did I miss your post?

yamiskoi profile image
yamiskoiGraduate in reply to Slowstart

Oh no, that's a shame, I find their bras really good =[ I would be graduating tomorow evening, if it wasn't for this blasted fluey-coldy thing that's kept me indoors since Sunday! :( I may have to put graduation on hold until next week, which I'm gutted about, but at least it'll get done :)

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to yamiskoi

Sorry to hear you're suffering, wrap up warm and look after yourself. I bet you're frustrated but you'll soon be back on top form.

Noaky12 profile image
Noaky12Graduate

Me too. Another vote for shock absorber. I got mine from Bravissimo.

It was a real eye opener for my big sis who erm how shall I tactfully put it, has no need to be in such a shop......

Def try them on though.

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to Noaky12

Yes I have a sister who doesn't need such a shop, she just doesn't understand how lucky she is. When I was told running would reduce my assets I didn't realise they meant monetary wise paying for bolder holders.

Bravissimo is good for big bolders! Im going to need one too! Oh heck I bet thats going to be C£30! :-/

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to FatGirlSlimForHealth

I was told running was a cheap fitness option, but so far it hasn't been. Like what you did there C£30, clever!

jaynekate profile image
jaynekate

Shock absorber here too. Have bought mine from Amazon and an online store called Less Bounce. I'm a G cup, no bounce with the shock absorber.

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to jaynekate

Just looked at the website, looks good. Will definitely check them out once I have found a size that fits me best.

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate

Ouch :(

My recommendation would be to go and find a Shock Absorber that fits, grit your teeth and pay for it. Then go home and search eBay. I bought two from there at around £14 each. They weren't exactly the colours I might have chosen, but then again, no one knows when they're under four other layers as now!

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to Anniemurph

I agree, colour doesn't matter, eventually they all come in grey anyway!

Shock Absorbers.

CatRuns profile image
CatRunsGraduate

Shock absorbers! I have got two and they have lasted me years, literally over 10 years.

I can't remember how much they were but if I was to divide the price for how many times I have worn them, it would be nothing!

Try them on in the shop for comfort, run and jump for a good try. Good luck, a good sports bra can not be underestimated! :D

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to CatRuns

So glad you admitted how old yours are, I worked out my compression top is at least in its teens. I'm going further afield to find better shops at the weekend as I made my sore worse today.

Returning2Run profile image
Returning2RunGraduate

I've had my panache sports bra for nearly two years and is still going strong. It's slightly padded but I feel like it just makes it sturdier :-)

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate

I'd like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who responded. I am no longer the owner of black eyes or a mono-boob and love my new shock absorber.

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