How to Pick a Sports Bra for Cycling
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The right sports bra can make all the difference to comfort and performance.
As a F cup road cyclist I need a sports bra that gives me medium support however, the times I've gone off road, I'll wear one of my high impact sports bras usually reserved for running.
So my first tip is, think about the level of support you need and of course us ladies with more up top might have to grab something with firmer support.
Check out our range of Medium Impact Sports Bras and High Impact Sports Bras
Next, measure yourself!
Over time our body changes and breast size fluctuate so remember to always get measured every time you're about to invest in a sports bra.
Check out our Sports Bra Fitting Tips
What style of sports bra do you preferred?
Do you prefer no underwire? Padding? Racerback? Back or front closure? Compared to running our arm position is different ie gripping the handlebars, so often lower armholes work better. Ditto with fabric, I love the Enell LITE and the Freya Soft Cup Crop Top sports bras as the fabric is soft and moisture wicking.
Bands and Straps
The band is responsible for 80% to 90% of the support of the bra. It should fit comfortably around your torso, parallel to the floor. The band should be snug but you should be able to slide two fingers between the band and your skin. The band should never ride up toward your shoulders.
Straps are responsible for only 10% to 20% of the bra support, their primary function is to even or level the bra. They should stay in place without digging into your shoulders.
The racer back style of strap is becoming increasingly popular and does allow for a good range of motion. If you’re in the saddle for hours at a time, the pressure of having a clip behind your neck to create the racer back style can cause both shoulder and neck pain. This is fine if you’re out on a short ride, but if you’re tackling a century and are in the saddle for hours, it might be best to opt for the traditional scoop style straps or the Enell Racerback.
Women with larger busts should look for wider bands that help distribute the weight better and provide more comfortable support.
Hope that helps and if you have any questions you can get hold of us on sportsbra@sportsbra.co.nz
Happy cycling :D