Sports Bras!

[Catrin]

Anyone have a recommendation for an encapsulation bra for a small bust? I've been wearing compression all these years, but now with my ribcage/shoulder injury it isn't the best, plus Champion changed the weave of my favorite bra anyway so it's much less supportive and my b00bs sneak down under the band. I need longer straps - Moving Comfort seems to wind up with the band halfway up my b00bs - but really would prefer NON adjustable straps since the adjusters always chafe. A lot to ask ...

Oakleaf, I don't know how the Moving Comfort Juno does for smaller sizes, but I really like how the straps adjust. They adjust in the FRONT, where the strap meets the cups, it is a simple velcro-like attachment that goes through a loop and then attaches. Hard to describe, and it isn't sensitive to the skin at all. The Juno isn't a real encapsulation design but it isn't the real uniboob look that my other Moving Comfort is. I can provide a picture of what I am trying to describe if you are interested, I've not seen anything like it.

I've been looking at this Freya Active Molded Spacer Racerback bra. It comes in black, fully encapsulated, racerback (a requirement for me), and comes in every size imaginable. I will probably eventually pull the trigger.

[Catrin]

You might want to google Shock Absorber bras. They come in band/cup sizes, including smaller band/larger cups. They have different levels of support, so you can find ones for biking, running, etc. They tend to run a bit tight in the band. I normally wear a 30 band, but need a 32 in these bras. Cup sizes run pretty true. They aren't pretty, but if you are looking for support, they are awesome bras.

SR

Thanks for the suggestion. I've not heard of them before. They do look interesting, and it is quickly becoming apparent that whatever I try isn't going to be cheap...If the Freya doesn't work for me I will give this a shot - though I've not yet pulled the trigger on the Freya since I just got the Juno (even if it is too small).

[Becky]

I had reasonably good results with Shock Absorber, pre-correct sizing. Now, alas, they don't make their awesome run bra in a big enough cup size for me. I have high hopes that this will change! Based on that experience, I'd definitely recommend it if it comes in your size!

FWIW, the Panache sports bra that I wear has convertible racerback straps. The hook is very durable and easy to fasten, and the bra is supportive enough that I only need the racerback for some tops, not for extra support.

[Catrin]

They seem to have only one with the right band/cup mix for me, and it isn't in a racerback strap. I've tried convertible straps in the past and it's just not worked out for me. Have you tried any of the Freya bras? I really like the looks of the one I linked to - full encapsulation, racerback, massive range of sizes AND it is in black. I've sent a question to HerRoom about some of the reviews that indicates the band seems to run a bit small to try and decide what size I might order. A 30 band seems awfully small - but I measured my HRM strap and it is about 26.5 inches (it stretches) so as small as a 30 band sounds...I might go with a 32 band though since I've a 31 band measurement.

[Becky]

Catrin, I wear some of their everyday bras, and they're very well-built. I've never tried the Freya sports bra, in part because they rarely go on sale and they're almost always excluded from coupon codes. Panache bras, OTOH, are usually eligible for codes.

Let us know how you like the Freya racerback!

[Catrin]

Catrin, I wear some of their everyday bras, and they're very well-built. I've never tried the Freya sports bra, in part because they rarely go on sale and they're almost always excluded from coupon codes. Panache bras, OTOH, are usually eligible for codes.

Let us know how you like the Freya racerback!

It sounds like I better take advantage of the sale while I can - thanks! I am tired of my b**bs being tender after an intense workout due to a poorly fitting bra. I will let you know what I think of it - I've never had a sports bra that encapsulates my girls.

[Catrin]

By spillover, you mean your arms are brushing the girls, so they are a bit too low and wide? That means you need a smaller band size, and a larger cup size. The 'girls' should be brought within width of the torso, and from the side should appear to be halfway between the your bent elbow and shoulder. (So high and tight rather than low and wide. ).

Having a smaller band size means the band supports you rather than the cups. The cups should just be for coverage, and the band should be below the girls, not touching them. Also, the band provides something like 80% of the support if worn correctly. (Cannot remember the exact percentage). The way you've described long straps and spillover, it sounds like the straps and cups are bearing the support. Not as comfortable, and not good for your back.

If you can go to a brick and mortor store that provides decent bra fittings, you can have someone help you find a regular bra that fits perfectly, then it will be easier to judge on you own when you order online.

Maybe this video will help? I could watch the entire thing from this computer, but I'll check back later.

Thanks Muirenn, the video was interesting and I learned a couple of things. I've tried bra fittings, but I've never really been comfortable with the outcome. I actually didn't know there were so many different band and cup sizes out there! I had gone to a good department store for the fitting but I suspect that they just tried to get me into a size they sold - and to be fair the new bras did fit better compared with what I was wearing - just not correctly. I went ahead and pulled the trigger on the Freya sports bra I linked to earlier, and we will see. THIS time I will make bloody certain it fits before I take the tags off this time...that was my mistake, not TE's.

[Crankin]

This may be a dumb question, but what do you mean by encapsulation? It sounds terrible. Compression, I know. I don't need it and actually, almost any tight sports bra chafes me. I am good with the Handful.

[Kernyl]

Several years ago I had a good fitting and wound up with a 32D, smaller band, but larger cup size than I had been wearing. It was a good thing, except that I have trouble finding my size now in stores and usually order online.
For sports bras I like the Fiona bra. I have been wearing it for several years. I haven't worn anything else since I found it, before then I was just wearing standard compression bras from companies like Nike and adidas. Not so good.
Although I have never had any trouble with the straps or anything, I am thinking of trying a racerback style. The Juno looks a little too much, too complicated for me though...
Also, I recently lost weight and probably should get refitted before I buy anything new.

[Catrin]

The Freya will be my first true encapsulated sports bra. The Juno seems to really be in between - I don't have the traditional uniboob look - though it seems to lean in that direction but perhaps because the cups are too small? I can make the Juno work, and at least it fits a little better than my old, worn out sports bras that are going to their well-deserved rest.

Here is an image of the Freya I am getting, if you embiggen the image you will see that seperation and a supportive band. I've read this bra can be...challenging to get in and out of but I expect that. I am also thankful I took advantage of the sale price...and that I've been saving. I wish that I didn't need so much support but, I do.

I DON'T get the sports bras with underwires - that sounds like pain to me but I was scared off underwires long ago.

[OakLeaf]

I could barely get into the Handful even BEFORE my injuries. I'd just about have to dislocate my shoulders getting it on, and once it was on I found it super uncomfortable.

I guess, if the support has to come from the band whichever style you get, then going to encapsulation won't help me. I was hoping I'd be able to support the girls without compressing the ribcage.

Juno doesn't go down to a 34-small-B/large-A. I've also found even before my injury that if the cups are too big, the band is SUPER uncomfortable.

Oh well.

[Crankin]

Oak, I wear a bigger size in the Handful than normal. I got a small rather than an extra small at first. I always wear the pads, I like the way it looks and it's not too tight. When I bought the second round, I got the extra small and I wish I didn't. It's not hard to put on, but it chafes a bit. From your description, I would say it is encapsulated as it looks like a regular bra, not the tank top type of sports bra. There's definitely separate cups.
I am just thankful that there is finally a sports bra in small sizes that isn't just a lacy little thing, like the Title 9 bras. I don't need that much support, I just want to look decent and not have the headlights show. Based on what I've seen advertised and read on threads like these, I feel thankful sports bras aren't an issue for me!

[Catrin]

Girls, boobs, breasts, I am sure there are other things we can call them as well.

I note in the photo that the band appears to be flat against her skin in the area between her breasts - I've never seen that myself (but we've established that I've never had the right size for band or cup) Of course, I've spent all of my life under the mistaken idea that the band is just there, that the cups are supposed to support me gals.

Herroom.com has a nice "Know Your Breasts" bra finder that helps you determine what is special about your girls and help direct you to appropriate bras. I found this very helpful. I wound up half stripping and checking out the bathroom mirror to answer a couple of the questions. This bra finder is probably not work friendly... anyway, they ask questions that I've never even thought about.

I do like the Juno, but after examining how it is constructed I don't think it is truly, or at least fully encapsulated. I can easily pull the band 2.5-3 inches away from my body, and the cups give every sign of being too small. My poor gals will breath a sigh of relief when finally settled into something that properly fits for the first time in their lives. The cups are snug enough that I can make the Juno work - I can't return it and I am sure that no one wants to buy a used bra - thankfully I got it for a very good price.

Oakleaf, that sounds painful I hope you can find something that will work for you that won't aggravate your back! I suggest checking out the bra finder I linked to above. It may be able to give you an idea of something that might work. The finder doesn't ask about injuries, it took all of my answers and gave me a list of suggested brands that might be good for THIS, or THAT, or THAT OTHER thing that I noted about my girls - they don't just give you one suggestion but many. They really only gave me one suggestion for a sports bra however, and that was the one I zeroed in on. Their bras aren't inexpensive but is a good place to get ideas for further research. They do have some nice sales right now.

[OakLeaf]

I suggest checking out the bra finder I linked to above.

I did that, thanks! It didn't return any sports bra suggestions, but there are a couple that look possible. A couple of the Shock Absorber bras, for one. It's good to see a high impact bra that comes in an A cup, that makes it less likely that the B cup is an afterthought that's really meant to fit a small C.

I might just order a few to try ... HerRoom's posted return policy is liberal ... anyone have any actual experience returning/exchanging merchandise from them??

[goldfinch]

HerRoom's posted return policy is liberal ... anyone have any actual experience returning/exchanging merchandise from them??

I bought over a $1000 worth of bras from them and returned about $750 worth. Kind of embarrassing, but I wanted to find what would fit. I actually exchanged emails with them and ordered some of what they suggested. They had no problems whatsoever with the returns just as long as the tags were still on the bras. It was inexpensive to ship because I did so many at once.