Week 2 of my new found graddydom, as the rain splattered (hallelujah rain) I was thinking about running kit, as Mr JCR is a cyclist and he has oodles of stuff. What’s the minimum critical equipment you have to have to run?
First off proper fitting trainers – yup got them 2 years ago the last time I ran, so no problem there.
Decent sports socks so your tender feet don’t shred under the new regime. Yup got them too.
Tops and Bottoms – you don’t have to have the fancy stuff to start, but you develop a fondness for terms such as wicking.
And finally for us wimmin – Sports Bras. Now, yes I’ve got a rather motley collection after all these failed attempts at getting fit, but in fairness I don’t think I’ve got the right ones.
In a fake science sort of way I have created my own A2E Cup Sports Bra Challenge Table, where I give a score between 1-5 against five criteria. This is to see which, if any, of my bras pass muster. As befits a Bra Review, the scoring criteria are designated by cup size in ascending order, with a description of each score and its meaning to help you think about your fundamentals.
A Cup for Appearance
A surgical looking compression garment, is hardly likely to encourage you to run, but then we don’t want Ann Summers either
; Score as follows:-
1= Fugly or Utterly Inappropriate
2= Ugly
3= Meh
4= Niice
5= I want to run with this on now and I could wear it out socially, surely
B Cup for Bounce
A sports bra is only any good if it controls the bounce. Bouncing can cause black eyes. Most of us need more support than Kate Moss, otherwise irreversible damage to your Coopers ligaments ensues.
Score as follows:
1= Whoa calm that bouncing down, there’s a rollercoaster of flesh on the move
2= I wouldn’t want to be balancing anything on here, right now
3= Occasional Jiggle
4= Firm, But Fair
5= Solid, solid as a rock baby
C Cup for Cleanability
Is it easy to wash? Does it have to be hand washed in pure mountain dew by the light of the moon?
Score as follows:
1= Dry Clean only or Mountain Dew preferred
2=Needs its own detergent, washing bowl and private space on the washing line
3= Prefers a hand wash, but occasional visits to a machine with ordinary clothing tolerated
4= Washing machine is fine but bagged and with likeminded clothing
5= Just bung me in, I don’t care
D Cup for Dextrousness
Do you need someone to help you in it/out of it? Does it twang like a bungee when you try and roll it up/down when sweaty? Do you look like you are wearing a climber’s harness, with clasps, cleats and carabiners?
Score as follows:
1= Requires a lady’s maid or cabin crew, to get you in and 10 minutes free time
2= Good job in a previous life you were a contortionist
3= Bit of bending required, it counts as pre-run stretching
4= Just like a normal bra, hook from the back or I hook swoosh it to the front
5= Front loading bliss
E Cup for Expense
Running is supposed to be a cheap sport, so if it costs too much that’s not good as it will put me off buying one.
Score as follows:
1=You’ve got to be joking, that’s a handbag, a pair of shoes and a bottle of vino
2= Gulp, would a years’ supply of surgical bandage be cheaper
3= Mmm okay, still leaves some cash for a sweatband
4= Bargain Basement – that’s the pub for lunch then
5= How cheap, better buy 2
So here’s how mine stack up:-
Winner is Berlei Shock Absorber with 18/25
2nd is Sweaty Betty, although there is weird pouchy thing going on, that Im really not sure about
My 2 Adidas and New Look bras are on the ‘to bin’ list as 50% at 15/25 isn’t a good enough score
Oh this post is just priceless. Yesterday on the way home I tried a sports bra and had a moment of changing room panic in which I seriously feared that I might have to buy it, ask to wear it home (like kids with new shoes) and then cut it off with scissors upon returning.
I am not blessed with abundant boobage (think: aspirins on an ironing board) so I can get away without special harnessing and cantilevers. I find they often squash and flatten so much that I look like a five year old. However it's nice to have something comfy that feels secure. One of my normal bras actually pinged open during a conference recently, which was not very Vatican friendly, so I know that bras can betray you.
My own favourite for running is one I found at home while sorting out old stuff and I've cut the label out so I have no idea where it was from, which isn't helpful. I think it was a cheapo thing but it's good.
You see it's an important subject, boobage management. My New Look one is okay, but is rocking the Kim Kardashian look, which looks a bit weird, when you're way the wrong side of 30. And besides which I don't have her bum or her pouting to carry it off! Oh and I always a tee shirt over my bras, which seems optional as far as I can tell with the K Klan.
I'm not overly endowed and since losing weight things have got even easier. Plus I'm not too bothered about the look - I'm tomato / beetroot faced, well over 50, overweight and lumbering, I don't think any self-respecting man is going to be ogling my boobs (maybe it's the non-self-respecting ones I have to worry about?), so I go for the cheap and practical. Lidl do great pull over the head bras which suit me fine - except for the fact I frequently get a rolled-up sausage of stretchy material somewhere between the bottom of my neck and the top of my shoulder blades. Not an easy place to scratch and certainly not an easy place to access for desausaging purposes. So far I've managed (maybe I was a contortionist in a previous life?), but I would hate the thought of a family member walking in on me with my arms twisted up my back, or over the top of my head, one finger just about squeezed under the sausage in an attempt to unroll it. Seems to involve a lot of hopping about aswell.
Love your post - it is now the definitive authority on bras!
Ha, M & S for me. I am certainly not the skinny, minamilist type but as I run so slowly M & S does the trick for me. :). Well done on the 5k runs, and the cool rain must be a great relief.
I spotted sports bras in M&S yesterday and they looked good. Also fitted one on in mountain sports/trekking shop and felt so squeezed in I'd never be able to run or breathe in that!! Managed to escape out of it though.
For me it's a case of a hybrid between two super-cheap over-the-head items (more aspirins on the ironing board) - the pads from the Amazon one shoved into the Primark one, it'll do 😎
I would add an F Cup for Fit to your list, this is what I struggle with most 🤔
Shock absorber for me, nice n comfy, without wires and I don't bounce which is most important and most difficult to achieve. Bit difficult to do the racer back (prob better fastening from front and twisting).
See I think Shock Absorber is probably the best , no wires is an important thing for me too. Last thing you need when running is pieces of metal digging into you.
A - 4 - flattering, doesn't look like underwear, but does "enhance" cleavage a bit much to wear alone in public! B - 4.5 - if you've managed to tighten it up. C - 4 - delicate cycle, it's alright so far. D - 1 !! You need to be Houdini to get out or to adjust when on. E - 3, I got over 50% off, if you don't, it's $$$. And anticipating the addition of an F for fit category, 4 - fits, even my odd size requirement, but severe mono-boob. Total is 16.5/25 or 20.5/30 with the Fit category. Not too bad, 66%!
I've got a couple of others but haven't worn them enough yet.
Haha, a consensus might be tough! But your reviewing system is absolutely genius. I love a bit of quantification and the descriptions you've given are amazing.
I thought most people thought their Shock Absorbers were the best, I suspect I would if they fitted (I tried one on in Bravissimo after my bra-thread-responders gave such high praise to both the bra and the shop). But there are SO many different bras out there!
I saw a Nike one with a zip front (it also had a hook inside in case of zip failure). It looked really easy to get into/out of and fairly robust but I couldn't imagine it coping with the very well endowed, and you'd need to take out a mortgage for it. It also seemed more like the sort of thing one might wear without a tee over the top if you were an exhibitionist (or a Kardashian), which isn't really my thing.
Since there are non-boob owners here, can I ask a question? Do you guys get jogger's nipple, whereas we get away without it because of bras? Not that I even run remotely enough to be a worry...
Hi some of us guys are even bigger than females! im a 42G/44F cup!
Had/Have issues over a pituitary tumour/prolactinoma along with issues over being on T hrt (inc small stroke)which increased growth alot along with having fibro&Raynauds get many issues one being very sore&sensitive there even other week got discharge as had got panful.
So wearing a decent bra is something i need as much/most of mine is firm tissues but got to learn much about this world with fits/brands/styles and what works plus i wouldnt be seen dead as they say in a store bra!
But there is one lower cost sports bra i quite liked from Gemm does actually work.
Trouble with most store/low cost they are made to a price(cheap)for max profit.
But one i recommend esp for guy's that need support is the Glamorise 1166 it's non wired has a deep band 40's 5 hooks so do need to be on it with sizing if in doubt go up a band but it does give a little once worn a few times but not much!
The beauty of it is the 2nd layer over the front that has a hook you have 4 slots over top of cups so can adjust amount of support and on top one brings them in tight so no movement so you feel nice and snug it breathes very well as great fabrics used comes up pretty good on sides/under arms.
You do need to handwash if want best value like all of them! esp if sweaty after a run as the sweat destroys the elastics in fabrics as sweat is very acidiy!
JD Williams/Fashion world sell them mostly some other places do Glamorise on there they are £43 but even better than deals are on there are a few other version even a wired one which ive not tried yet!
But they do last as my first one which is around 5 years old now is still good to wear but im fussy with care as rotate&handwash in soak and hang to dry by the gore.
Anita 5527&9 are very good also last well if looked after non wired.
Elomi EL8041 is another like these they are wired but double layered it does make them stand out more though does have a Jhook also but a very comfortable&supportive bra.
Sculptress do a sports bra which is a follow on from the Panache now so in bigger sizes as Panache end at 40 band.
But everyone has breasts be it male or female it's just some have more than others! and many things can cause growth as becomming an increasing issue for many as BP meds/Prostate/Hair/and so much more can trigger it.
When I was choosing I used this review independent.co.uk/extras/in... - there's a Victoria's Secret front loader on there Hidden ... but I also saw someone say that front loaders aren't great for running?
This is brilliant you should be s columnist with the funny reviews and posts - totally get some of your criteria especially silly B for bounce -- painful if wrong .
Will be in the market soon so helpful reviews from one we trust xxx
😂 brilliant stuff. I currently have an M & S. love the fact it's front fastening and is fastened by a zip. Previous bras have been a struggle to get in and out of. Nothing moves at all but not liking the redistribution of rolls it creates. I'm thinking that's down to me not the bra 😀. Congrats on your 3rd 5 K - 🏃♀️ x
Ohhhhh...I HATE my sports bra...I need some advice on them so I'm keeping my eye on this post...I look like I either a) need surgery or b) have had surgery that's gone horribly wrong 😂😂😂
It's a good job we aren't cyclists, because then we'd be debating the merits of nappy pants and chamois cream. I was truthfully horrified when I learned about those two items.
Ooooooohhhhhhhh that vision in my head not great - 😵😵😵😵 never heard of them but can put two and two together .
My bra ok but a devil to get on and off and flattens and squashed my boobs to an unrecognisable state . I'm a 36 E so those beauties need controlling 😜😜 Found one that looked good but American site but sizing and postage put me off So I will watch with interest
No consensus as yet, but if you pardon the pun one size can't fit all... I reckon larger ladies are back to the bucket and rope scenario - that's my issue...
The old shorts of yeasteryear had chamois leather so used a cream to keep soft new ones use like everything a Synthetic type.
there is a reason for it like you with running shoes pounding the pavement you need something that don't rub/impinge on feet and sweaty feet get funguses etc plus if something is pressing as rough can wear through skin.
Think about on a bike legs are moving all the time sitting on the saddle the pores in the skin need to breath and they skin won't like stitching rubbing against it for long.
One of the Pro/tour de france riders years back got an infection in a pore ended up lancing something out the size of a football!
The insert/chamois or nappy as you call it is only in rear where you sit on saddle
Love this! I have one bought in Florida from a large sports shop, on sale (E4) - it's getting old now (bought when I first tried to run, pre-C25K) - pale grey (love grey!) & I love it still! It is Jockey brand, (A4): tight, but comfortable; (B4); C5-machine washable, tho line dry; D4- three sets of hooks with a flap on velcro to cover them, so could be worn without a t-shirt, though I don't; F5-recently went down a size & still fits (now on tightest hooks, was on loosest ones previously). I also have one bought last year at M&S - front zip fastening - looks nice - haven't tried it since I lost weight - still prefer my Jockey one
Love it! I'm a shock absorber girl myself, in a variety of sizes to allow for the days that my contortion skills are letting me down. I think they are good bounce controllers, but not entirely sure what they look like as I have never seen myself run, and there is only scant photo evidence.
Have to say though that since I started running I have been more aware of other lady runners who perhaps need to "get a grip"! Is that terrible?
No its serious stuff, once the ligament is stretched it's like an elastic band, it can't go back., And then you will require the cabin crew to carry your boobs as you run.
my shock absorber deffo controls bounce and is in a big enough size (something I struggle with) new one that arrived yesterday from amazon (where they are cheaper) is a 36FF
Well done!! And good work on the over shoulder boulder holder review (.) (.) I've only got one shock absorber so far but leaves me weak just trying to get it on!!! 🤣
Haha great post Jan and you've clearly done a lot of research! I never thought about my running bras in this detail but you're right. The perfect one is hard to find.
As I said in my response to icklegui I would highly recommend Panache bras. I have two and they tick all your boxes. They're not cheap but I wait until the sale but I'd still pay full price for them they are so good. And pretty. And great support. And I just chuck them in the washing machine along with my other stuff. The colours do fade a bit but I'm not hand washing anything at my stage in life. And as for all that racer back rubbish. NO! Life is far too short to struggle to get in and out of a bra. I tried one once in a changing room and thought I'd have to call an assistant to get me out of it 😭
And front fastening terrifies me. I've heard of a few instances where, mid-run, the bra pings open and your assets are freed in all their glory. No, not for me.
So ... I got myself to Bravissimo on yours and everyone else's recommendation and tried on the Panache (non-wired in my size, the wired almost in my size) ... They are fab and really very comfortable BUT there was still some bounce for me - I think it's because the straps have to be EVEN SHORTER for me, even with the racer clip done up. This may be surmountable, I'm not sure yet. I was gutted as you'd been so positive and they ticked all my theoretical boxes.
I did also find that there was a bit of mono-boobage with the non-wired, but not as bad as my Adidas. The non-wired has better coverage and thus better support, for me.
On that thread Sweatyfaced suggested the Booband. Which, now I've tried a few bras on, I can see it might help. They often seem to have 20% off, otherwise it's £20 (watch their facebook page). Anyone tried the booband?
It also adds to the faff routine, bra check, undies check, shorts, check, booband check, top check, oh does the booband go over the top or under it check, socks check, trainers check, phone/tracker check, water check, house keys check.... I am exhausted most mornings doing this.
What I need is a CSI crime scene sprayer to spray the outlines of all the things I need to run... each night I can fill the gaps with the right items....
That's a shame. They hold everything together well for me and in fact flatten slightly but I don't care as long as they're comfy and there's no movement 🙂 I guess we're all different and one bra won't feel the same on every person.
OK, so here goes both of mine are shock absorbers:
1 - coral & lime colour, bought online after being correctly measured so cheaper, have had to get my husband to fasten me in on a couple of occasion 😂, total score 20/25, haven't managed to wear without the requisite tshirt or vest over the top!
2 - white, slightly wrong size but does the job, bought years ago at a outlet store, definitely wouldn't wear in public 😬, total score about 17/25, it does the job, when other in the wash!
FWIW my wish list basically covers all the newer Freyas that go to my size, the Shock Absorber 4490 (not the Ultimate Run because of size), and the Panaches if I can make them work (honestly they were so comfy).
Well, it's all subjective too! Also all my stuff is newish, ask me again about bounce when I've had these a year! Yoga helps with the over-the-heads and doing up at the back - practise "cow arms" and other arm/shoulder stretches
Mine is 18/25 but in the wrong areas. I get B from 1 to 5 by having a swimsuit (and as is normal for swimmers, one size too small) over the top. And the space in between is solid enough to hold my phone
I have only one running bra, an M & S front loader 34E. It is pretty good, now that I have lost weight, but in the beginning it was a horrendous operation to get it zipped up, as my boobs were too big ( I hadn't been able to find a bigger cup size). It involved a lot of effort on the part of me and OH, much to my humiliation!
Nowadays, I would score it at 22/25 on your first criteria, but with the fit category as well it would be 25/30 as it pulls on my left shoulder, but the rest is really comfortable and roomy, without bounce.
General question about Shock Absorbers (brand, not the general concept...) : the S4490 (the one with the two hook and eye bits) is rated "4" - max support - but only the "Ultimate Run" (with the bikini clip and hook/eye) is recommended for running, by them. Is it a ploy to get us all to buy the Ultimate Run or do owners of the 4490 find it ok for controlling running bounce?
I can't put a picture on of what I've just fished out of the bottom of my washer 😂😂🏃🏼♀️😂
I've been busy and I cant believe I missed this (as usual) very funny post....
I only have one sports bra and I would definitely recommend it. A shock absorber and I would say:
Looks ok...not sexy but no monoboob and don't think Mr W is frightened by it...maybe too traumatised to say (4)
No bounce whatsoever (5)
Gets washed 3 x weekly (never looked at the instructions but seems ok) means it has to be (5)
Works like a normal bra with easy back fastening so (5)
I think it was expensive but as my mother used to say, its not cost but value for money that's important so as I have only one that works well a (4) I think.
the Shock absorber tends to run small so needs to be tried on
Tomorrow I am going to start rating all of my clothes (and possibly friends) this way Well done Jan, another brilliant post
in reply to
Omg don't scale your friends on this which one could you possibly say was fugly.... I couldn't be held responsible for that😱
in reply to
My friends, in the eye of the beholder...
All beautiful 5
Very supportive 5
Mostly clean 3
Quite flexible (but don't try to get them out when bake off is on) 4
Fabulously expensive - oops 0
and now the rest of my life- this scoring thing is quite addictive
I have precisely 2 sports bras. One Was gifted to me by my daughter and is a cheap thing from H&M but does the job. It earns a 2 for Dextrousness, and only really earns a 4 for Bounce as it is actually a bit small for me.
My other one is a Moving Comfort was *expensive* so gets very carefully washed, even though I'm pretty sure it doesn't really need it, because I need it to last.
Love the post & all the insightful & hilarious comments! I'm afraid as the French put it, that I don't have 'too many people on the balcony' so I can just about get away with cheapos from TK Max but I do feel like Houdini trying to get out of a padlocked straight jacket trying to take the damned thing off!
The Panache sports bra is great. Too marks for A-D with great option to easily convert to a racer back and comes in a wide range of sizes and colours. Bit pricey but Bravissimo often have a £5 off sports bras promotion. I won't wear anything else now. It us under wired but still comfortable. Had to laugh at the changing room story - happened to me too. I think it was a Nike one and I sweated more than on my runs trying to get it off!
Very very very funny - and wise and helpful too! You are a natural successor to Victoria wood (aw..). For the record have two m&s ones that lost ping v soon after washing and another one so upholstered and elaborate I'm a bit scared of it + it has a front zip which is a lot of engineering and makes me a bit rigid and uncuddly. The search goes on.
What a lovely compliment I think Victoria was one of the funnniest ladies ever. I am going to close the voting on this by Tuesday, cogitate and probably come up with the winners list later this week..
Shame there isn't a "love" button on this site (gosh, that sounds saucy 😂), I loved this. You are a fantastic writer.
HOW many running bras have you got? WOW! I have two that I use, both Decathlon, and both so comfy I forget them. They are affordable and survive the washing machine along with all the rest of the load. They could be used by my virtual me (the confident one) to run in my bra, they're nice to look at and keep my (admittedly mini) milk bar nicely tethered. The only disadvantages are 1) sorting out the foam disk in each cup after they come out of the wash (brill for hiding frozen nipple syndrome in winter), and 2) putting the buggers on and taking them off - they are 'over the head' jobbies necessitating a spot of pre-run Houdini impressions, and they roll up under your armpits and over your boobs, giving me an unfortunate sumo-wrestler look that never fails to amuse Calculus.
Sports bras have made a lot of progress since my first white grainy sports bra back in 2001 (used for one month before I was scared off by the middle-aged women in pink lycra making eyes at the young male gym instructor). It looks like a hybrid between a maternity ward flopper-stopper and an engineering feat capable of heliporting twin Shermans. It has its place of honour at the back of the cupboard 'just in case'.
So maybe I am a nutbar but i would never buy a bra which wasn't already a great fit; I spend ages jumping up and down in the changing room checking for bounce as for me it is the ultimate 'no no' and i just can't bring myself to but something fugly anyway!
Freya Active all the way; I have two of the run tops with built in bra and one of their bras. All back fastening with four fasteners, all have run clip (essential for that last bit of strap shortening to really hold firm) and all easy wash with the rest of my washing. They have silver in the lining to remove odour / kill bacteria and specifically say on them to wash sparesly! My kind of bra!!
The booband I mentioned previously is a cheap alternative to buying a sports bra, so offers additional bounce prevention to your regular gear. I haven't tried it but I know people who swear by it....
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- I think it's because the straps have to be EVEN SHORTER for me, even with the racer clip done up. This may be surmountable, I'm not sure yet. I was gutted as you'd been so positive and they ticked all my theoretical boxes.
Best sports bra? Reasonably cheap
Holiday run! Sports bra fail.
Lack of Support (and no, I'm not on about Sports Bra's!)
Thought I didn’t need a sports bra!
Good cheap firm sports bra for big size
