quick-drying sports bra?

[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.

[fixedgeargirl]

I eagerly await the true trials. But don't go hard if you have bronchitis. I've done it, seen friends do it and it only winds up prolonging things. Take care! I've been thinking about getting a tri top or two for my first summer here in Texas. Making the switch of mindset from rugged Colorado single track to Central Texas roadie.

Like lkrider, I, too like to support responsible businesses which are contributing members of the community. However, I often cannot afford to do so, especially with non-essential purchases such as sporting goods. In my PP responding to bounceswoosh's OP, I offered an honest review of a product which I liked which happened to have been produced by a *mega-conglomerate*. I got this product, as I do many, second-hand. I did not intend to offend the hosts of this board, or anyone else. If anything, I hope that my opinion of a *competing* product, and my expression of what I look for in this type of product, could inform the choices made by the buyers for TE. Call it "consumer input".

[snapdragen]

fixed, I'm sure you've offended no one....at least not me! TE is a great place to shop, as is Title 9, Vickies secret (one of MY favorites)...oh I could go on, but then I'm a shopping wh***.

[bounceswoosh]

I eagerly await the true trials. But don't go hard if you have bronchitis. I've done it, seen friends do it and it only winds up prolonging things. Take care! I've been thinking about getting a tri top or two for my first summer here in Texas. Making the switch of mindset from rugged Colorado single track to Central Texas roadie.

Thanks! I'll try not to overdo it. But I am going to my martial arts class tonight; I'll try to take it easy, but that never really works.

Like lkrider, I, too like to support responsible businesses which are contributing members of the community. However, I often cannot afford to do so, especially with non-essential purchases such as sporting goods. In my PP responding to bounceswoosh's OP, I offered an honest review of a product which I liked which happened to have been produced by a *mega-conglomerate*. I got this product, as I do many, second-hand. I did not intend to offend the hosts of this board, or anyone else. If anything, I hope that my opinion of a *competing* product, and my expression of what I look for in this type of product, could inform the choices made by the buyers for TE. Call it "consumer input".

I try to support good small businesses, even to my financial disadvantage, but when it comes to bras, I say wear what works, not what is most politically sound. Part of good customer service, imo, is referring you to another brand or store if it can solve a problem that your product can't. I've worn the VS Body-model bra for years, because every time I try a different bra, I'm dissatisfied with the fit and comfort. With VS, when I need new bras, I can order a bunch of Body bras and be done with it, without questioning if they will be uncomfortable or whether they will change shape with a few washes. It's not loyalty, it's convenience. If another brand had turned out to have "the" bra for me, I'd stick with them, too.

[SadieKate]

Like lkrider, I, too like to support responsible businesses which are contributing members of the community. However, I often cannot afford to do so, especially with non-essential purchases such as sporting goods.

I can't help the budget situation but I do want to add a comment about sporting goods being "non-essential." Exercise is an absoutely vital component for our health and well-being. It can play an active role in both recovery and general maintenance. I know that my immune system goes haywire if I don't exercise regularly. My allergies go out of control and I will have constant sinus infections. I deal with stress better and, therefore, keep the MS symptoms reduced when I exercise regularly. I can spend the money on sports bras and bikes or I can spend the money on medicines, sinus surgeries, therapists, doctors, etc. I would also say my marriage is better because I'm better company when I'm healthy. So, do not downgrade the importance of good sports equipment. If you've got the right equipment, you're more likely to be out there riding or running or whatever, and less likely to be overweight, stress or insomonia-ridden, sick, depressed, whatever; it becomes a long line of expensive dominos waiting to tumble. Please realize that this equipment is just part of keeping you healthy and happy. I know this doesn't help the budget situation, but don't feel guilty. Just put the cost of a sports bra in the medical supplies category.

[fixedgeargirl]

Excersize is an essential part of who I am, and an essential part of my health. And it keeps me from becoming an absolute bear (mmmmm...endorphins!). I know both intellectually and experientially how important exercise is to well-being, both psychologically and physiologically. And it can go so, so far in mitigating all sorts of chronic conditions, again for both the psychological and physiological effects. No disputing that, at all, ever from me!!!!! My priorities right now are such that $50 buying organic, whole foods for my family for our collective long-term health is more essential than spending $50 for a sports bra. I can't do both.

Don't get me wrong, I am a self-confessed gear snob. No chepo bras (or anything esle) for me!!! I just find ways to get things without having to pay full retail. I am eternally thankful for the wonderful bikes and equipment I acquired while my husband was a frame builder. I know that having such wonderful equipment (and a world class mechanic, DH) contributed much to my enjoyment of the sport when I was starting out (and getting dropped left and right), and has a lot to do with why I'm still at it, even as life has thrown me curve balls which whittle my recreation/re-creation time down to a mere nubbin of what it was when I started riding.

I'm with ya, SK, on the importance of exercise! And am totally inspired by you!!

[SadieKate]

I'm with ya, SK, on the importance of exercise! And am totally inspired by you!!

Hey, don't look up to me! I can't even imagine what life would be like if i had more children than the superb poodle and the hubby ! I have the luxury of really being able to focus on me when I need to. Title 9 passed at a time in my life when it really made a difference so my ears perk up when I hear/see remarks that make me think someone doesn't understand the crucial value of sports for women. I also know what exercise has done for my health and daily expect the call from my parents and brother who, I swear, have got to be diabetes/heart failure patients in the making. I'm just hardheaded, nothing more. Ask my mom .