Padded sports bras

[ny biker]

Just wondering how people feel about padded sports bras.

Personally, I hate them. If I'm wearing a sports bra (or a tank top with built-in bra), then I'm expecting to get hot and sweaty. And I don't deal well with being too hot; it makes me feel weak and unable to continue exercising. So my primary concern is comfort. I want airy wicking fabrics. Having thick foam inserts in my bra is just ick.

As a 38A I have a hard enough time finding a bra that fits without having my options narrowed more and more by the proliferation of padded sports bras. I don't care about shape and I don't care if the headlights are on. (I can wear a regular padded bra with a t-shirt and a sweater and you'll still see them poking through anyway.) I just want to be comfortable while I'm exercising.

Just wondering if I'm in the minority on this one. The manufacturers seem to think that I am.

[Eden]

I'm with you - I think its stoooopid to pad a sports bra. I get it that I'm an A cup and you know what I'm fine with that. I want something that won't make me hot and offers a little compression for comfort (yes even A cups need some....). I don't need to pretend I'm a B.

(honestly I hate it that as an A its hard to find any bras that aren't comically - in my view at least- padded....)

[zoom-zoom]

Try being an f'ing D and every danged sports bra is some double-layered beast with a thin layer of some sort of thin padding sort of garbage...then all strappy cycling and tri tops have an additional built-in, worthless, shelf-bra...4 layers of fabric over my danged boobs.

[SadieKate]

I'm with zoom-zoom, every word of it. You know, designers, sport bras are made in all kinds of colors so we can coordinate our bras with those cute tank tops. Then, you can ignore the whole shelf bra thing all together (especially since many of the less endowed don't get enough "headlight" protection from them anyway).

And I'm sick of the only really supportive sport bras having hooks right over my spine where my hydration pack sits. Oh yeah, that is soooo comfy on a rigorous mtb ride.

Of course, front zip bras for the endowed have their own problems (like requiring 4 hands to install). I don't have an answer but then I'm not a engineer.

[Susan Otcenas]

And I'm sick of the only really supportive sport bras having hooks right over my spine where my hydration pack sits. Oh yeah, that is soooo comfy on a rigorous mtb ride.

Of course, front zip bras for the endowed have their own problems (like requiring 4 hands to install). I don't have an answer but then I'm not a engineer.

It's a dilemma. I was a 36D/DD for a long time, I know where you're coming from. Here's the problem though. If you make a pull-over only bra with a band that stretches enough to get over the sheer mass of a D or DD chest, then the band becomes too big to really lend enough support to the garment. To compensate for that CW-X has a really nice racerback that has a single flat hook/loop on the band. I've owned and extensively wore the CW-X and it's a great bra. If you click into this and look at the alternate photos, you can see the back: http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodCW_165102.html As a bonus, CW-X just started making this in a 32D, which is a really hard size to find. ( FYI - my written review on that bra is a few years old. I'm wearing a 32C now and have an entirely different problem. 32Cs & especially 32Ds can be hard to find, though there's lots of choice in 34 C & Ds.)

[zoom-zoom]

32Cs & especially 32Ds can be hard to find, though there's lots of choice in 34 C & Ds.)

I hear this. I am a 34D, which isn't horrible to find, but when I lose weight it's only through the band, and not the cup volume...when that happens I end up a 32DD, which is nearly impossible to find. It kind of hurts my incentive to lose my last 20#s.

[Susan Otcenas]

Try being an f'ing D and every danged sports bra is some double-layered beast with a thin layer of some sort of thin padding sort of garbage...then all strappy cycling and tri tops have an additional built-in, worthless, shelf-bra...4 layers of fabric over my danged boobs.

Moving Comfort has a couple of C/D tanks tops that they've done a GREAT job on. They've basically taken the support systems in their bras and turned them into tanks. Take a look at these:

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodMC_300263.html (This comes in an A/B as well)
http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodMC_300131.html

On the first one, we have an inside out photo so that you can see the construction of the bra. It's really nice. I have one of the tanks from the second link above, and I DO NOT move in it. I acquired it when I was between a C & D.

For the B/C gals, CW-X took their Sport Support Bra, extended the length, and created a great support tank.
http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodCW_165007.html


Hope all this info helps!

Susan

[shootingstar]

I'm an A and smaller than NYCwoman because my bone frame is smaller.

I don't mind a very thin liner material on a bra I wear for exercising/cycling simply because I do get off and on my bike to do other stuff where there are other people. And I say this even for long touring rides/trips.

I don't wear tank tops with built in bras or anything like that. Nor do I wear cycling jerseys tight/snug/quite fitted across my body. Tight tops make me feel hotter.

I view the very light extra lining...to minimize abit of the "headlights" and also to give even shape.

[Crankin]

Personally, I love the light padding in sports bras; I haven't been able to find many, though, so I settle for the double layered bras that help with the headlight syndrome. I have some padded non-cycling tanks from Athleta, that I wear for yoga.
I am a 32 A. I do wear tanks with shelf bras, but it makes me self conscious (I like the Terry Eurohalters because they come up high and cover a lot more than most tanks, but are very cool). I wear fiberfill padded bras with regular clothes (i.e., padded, but not bullet bras) so I look somewhat in proportion; I'd like the same option for my sports bras.
Frankly, I would love to just be a B cup, but years ago, I made the decision not to have augmentation years ago. So, wearing a padded bra is just something that makes me feel better about how I look in clothes.

[rubywagon]

Personally, I love the light padding in sports bras; I haven't been able to find many, though, so I settle for the double layered bras that help with the headlight syndrome. I have some padded non-cycling tanks from Athleta, that I wear for yoga.
I am a 32 A. I do wear tanks with shelf bras, but it makes me self conscious (I like the Terry Eurohalters because they come up high and cover a lot more than most tanks, but are very cool). I wear fiberfill padded bras with regular clothes (i.e., padded, but not bullet bras) so I look somewhat in proportion; I'd like the same option for my sports bras.
Frankly, I would love to just be a B cup, but years ago, I made the decision not to have augmentation years ago. So, wearing a padded bra is just something that makes me feel better about how I look in clothes.

+1. I just received the Handful sports bra they sell here on TE that has removable headlight hiders/liners and I couldn't be happier with it. It does its job, but gives me some shape as well. I am seriously going to order more and throw out every bra I own. I had my implants removed 2 years ago and I need all the help I can get. Especially after two kids.

[tangentgirl]

They have padded sports bras? That just seems silly. Maybe I didn't notice it before because I just completely disregarded those ones as I combed through the bra racks?

Lining, sure. Extra holding power, absolutely. Padding sounds like a bacterial nesting ground. (Do bacteria nest?)

[ny biker]

They have padded sports bras? That just seems silly. Maybe I didn't notice it before because I just completely disregarded those ones as I combed through the bra racks?

Lining, sure. Extra holding power, absolutely. Padding sounds like a bacterial nesting ground. (Do bacteria nest?)

Not sure if they nest but they sure do breed.