quick-drying sports bra?

[bounceswoosh]

Hi all -- yet another bra question!

I'm looking for a sports bra that is one piece (no hooks, adjustable straps, etc) and dries quickly! I've never had any bounce pain as long as I'm wearing any sports bra at all, so it probably doesn't need to be ultra-supportive.

The problem: I'm getting cold because my sports bras just don't dry as quickly as the rest of my gear! This is a problem for a lot of things: a long downhill after an arduous climb, riding the lift while skiing, and driving home after a workout when I don't feel like doing the sportsbra-extraction-shimmy in the parking lot!

Currently, all my sportsbras are the same model of Champion Doubledry. I can't seem to find the exact model anymore, so maybe they don't make that exact style. Now, you'd think that Doubledry would imply that it would dry quickly, but no! Not at all.

Can anyone recommend a bra model or fabric that really does dry well? As I said, it doesn't need to be the most supportive bra ever; just a bit more than my regular bras, which are victoria's secret standard underwire. I don't mind the uniboob effect, either.

[skibum]

I can't offer any help, just a great big me too! I also wear the Champion Doubledry. I like it because it's comfortable and it gives me just the right amount of support. But, I have the same problem as you, Monique. The bra does a great job of wicking the sweat away from your body but it just holds onto all that moisture. If you're no longer moving, it becomes cold and clammy very quickly. I've become an expert at the sportsbra-extraction-shimmy because if I don't get the bra off ASAP, I am freezing, even on a warm day.

It's about time for me to buy a couple new sport bras. I'm open to trying some new models if anyone knows of one that stays drier.

[trigurl]

I haven't found one that dries quick! I run and get soaking wet and then freeze b/c my bras are wet (I wear 2). I would love to know of one that is quick dry. I just wish we had a hand dryer in the gym locker room

[Surlygirl]

Check out Title 9 sports. They have some great bras and they even rate them.
www.title9sports.com

[bounceswoosh]

Check out Title 9 sports. They have some great bras and they even rate them.
www.title9sports.com

I'll happily look at online catalogues, but I'm hesitant to go through the order/try/return/order process without at least some suggestion that the material will dry quickly. I'll see if I can find a support (giggle) email address at t9 and shoot them an email with the same question.

Maybe it's just not possible to create the right kinds of support with quick-drying fabric, but I hope that's not true.

[fixedgeargirl]

I have a bra made by Victoria Secret called the "Shock Absorber". It's a single layer of fabric, which makes a lot of difference in the evaporation rate. Because it is a single layer, it's a non-stretch fabric with lots of seams going every which way. The seams are all nicely taped, and I haven't had any issues with them. Now, the fact that it's a non-stretch fabric means they had to put in adjustable straps and back hooks. I know you're looking for something w/o adjustable straps or hooks, but everything I've worn built like that has been made of lycra-containing fabrics which just can't offer support when used in a single layer. Thus they are double layer and prone to getting all clammy, icky...well, you know. The bra of which I speak is a racer back, with the hooks in the back and getting into it can take some thought, but when I'm ready to shuck it, I just undo the hooks and, erm, pop right out, so to speak.

Aside: I'd love to stick cute smilies in here in appropriate places, but this computer won't let me! (Red-faced smiley here) So, please, ladies, insert them in your minds.

[bounceswoosh]

I have a bra made by Victoria Secret called the "Shock Absorber". It's a single layer of fabric, which makes a lot of difference in the evaporation rate. Because it is a single layer, it's a non-stretch fabric with lots of seams going every which way. The seams are all nicely taped, and I haven't had any issues with them.

Hrm, interesting. I wouldn't have expected VS to have the secret to sports bras, but it's certainly worth a look ... I'm just concerned that the hooks and adjusters would chafe after a while.

[bounceswoosh]

Well, I got an answer from Title 9. I hope they (and TE) don't mind me reposting it here:

Thanks for your email. The best wicking material is Coolmax, which draws moisture away from the body and dries relatively fast. I don't know of any material out there that will do this better than Coolmax.

Based on your needs, I would recommend that you try the Melbourne Bra (item 310144 and 310175). The outer AND inner layers of this bra are made of Coolmax, which means double wicking action.

I think I will try one of these before throwing in the towel on sports bras without hooks and sliders.

[fixedgeargirl]

I await your report on the Melbourne! Now that I live in steamy Texas, I'm going to be VERY interested in evaporation rates. Though I just moved from a place where going hypothermic at 12,500 feet was a possiblity, so it was nice to keep dry there, too.

Hrm, interesting. I wouldn't have expected VS to have the secret to sports bras, but it's certainly worth a look ... I'm just concerned that the hooks and adjusters would chafe after a while.

For the record, I haven't had any issues with the metal bits. There's quite a bit of insulation between you and the back hooks, with a nice veloury material directly against the skin. The strap adjustment is actually a hook at the top of the cup which slides into one of the four or so fabric slots on the strap. Again, well padded, with wide straps so they don't dig in.

Another reason I like it is the realistic silhouette (read: no monoboob). The OP wasn't concerned about this, but thought I'd throw it out there for those who are.

[lkrider]

Just a word about supporting the biz that supports this forum...I am not a big shopper, but noticing that a lot of cycling catalogs and stores offer only a page or two or a bitsy corner to women's needs...check out "bras" on the team estrogen shopping site! 20 different styles! I wanted to add that it is a bit of a mission of mine lately to put my money into companies that are small and support quality communities/rather than mega conglomorates....in this spirit....i will tell you all a short story. I recently went to my first local BTA meeting (Bicycle Transportation Alliance-a non profit bicycle advocacy group) and who should I meet, but Susan, one of the owners of TeamEstrogen. She recognized my name because I live in the same town and had recently signed on to the forum. (wow!) The point is--te is a responsible company, supporting the bicycling community, offering gear especially for women & maintaining this fabulous forum for us, so we should support them whenever possible.

[Jones]

hi, I'm new here and to all forums everywhere (unless you count the shops at ceasars) and I have been lurking on this forum for a long time and have learned so much. I too am in search of the perfect sports bra but if I were smaller breasted and was looking for quick drying with no hardware I think I might try a triathlon bra top. It would not offer me enough support but for say a B or small C they might work and they are designed to dry quickly after you swim.
Hope this helps.

Jones

[bounceswoosh]

Just a word about supporting the biz that supports this forum...I am not a big shopper, but noticing that a lot of cycling catalogs and stores offer only a page or two or a bitsy corner to women's needs...check out "bras" on the team estrogen shopping site! 20 different styles!

Yes, sure, but I'm not going to order 20 bras to see which one works. That's why I was looking for opinions. The product description just isn't enough.

If you'll notice in some other bra threads, TE folks have recommended all sorts of bras, even ones that they don't sell. That kind of service and dedication to helping their customers, not just making a sale, is what keeps me coming back to TE. I've spent a not-small amount of money here!

I wanted to add that it is a bit of a mission of mine lately to put my money into companies that are small and support quality communities/rather than mega conglomorates....in this spirit....i will tell you all a short story. I recently went to my first local BTA meeting (Bicycle Transportation Alliance-a non profit bicycle advocacy group) and who should I meet, but Susan, one of the owners of TeamEstrogen. She recognized my name because I live in the same town and had recently signed on to the forum. (wow!) The point is--te is a responsible company, supporting the bicycling community, offering gear especially for women & maintaining this fabulous forum for us, so we should support them whenever possible.

I agree with all of that. That being said, Title 9 isn't exactly a mega conglomorate, either, and they are also a small company dedicated to helping active women be comfortable.

[bounceswoosh]

hi, I'm new here and to all forums everywhere (unless you count the shops at ceasars) and I have been lurking on this forum for a long time and have learned so much. I too am in search of the perfect sports bra but if I were smaller breasted and was looking for quick drying with no hardware I think I might try a triathlon bra top. It would not offer me enough support but for say a B or small C they might work and they are designed to dry quickly after you swim.
Hope this helps.

Jones

Ooh, that's a good idea. I'm probably more on the upper end of C, but I'm fortunate in that I can deal with a fair amount of bounce without pain, so maybe I can check them out. Looks like they're cheaper than traditional sports bras, too!

[CorsairMac]

Welcome to the forum Jones! Nice place to lurk isn't it? If you get a chance there's a thread called "getting to know you" in the open forum, gives you a chance to learn about us, and if you're so inclined, tell us something about you! Love the idea of the Tri bra.....I might have to look into that for riding. I Have Other bras for running!

[bounceswoosh]

As an update:

I've ordered and received both the Melbourne bra (from T9) and this Tri top from TE: http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=8455

I've tried both on, but used neither in a ride situation (stupid bronchitis. stupid work. lazy me ...)

Anyway, here's what I can say just from trying them on and jumping around a bit to test bounce/pain.

Melbourne:

I got the size large. The outer layer is one piece; the inner layer has multiple panels such that there are breast shapes stitched into the layer. The inner layer is mesh. I got the solid color, and I have to admit I'm not thrilled by it; I'm just not a pastel person, I guess. When I pull this bra on, what I notice are several folds in the inner layer that show through the outer layer. I can fix this by tugging on the bra here and there a few times, but it's a bit weird.

Fit: when I hop around, I feel more movement than I do with any of my other bras. The only sportsbra I've ever owned that felt as "move-y" were my old cotton ones that I had for several years and wore every day =P That being said, I felt none of the pain I associate with my breasts dropping suddenly, so it must be slowing the descent enough.

Tri top:

Wow. This thing is small. As in, much less coverage than any of my sportsbras; narrower waistband, more neck showing, etc. More like a bathing suit, which I guess makes sense. I got the 36 because I wear a 36C, and while it's tight, it's not painfully so. It actually seems like it allows less movement than the Melbourne does. There are still two layers to the breast area of the bra, but without the shaping of the Melbourne. I actually suspect that I will end up liking this bra better than the Melbourne, but I'll have to put them both to the test in actual sweaty conditions to know for sure.