Best running bra for large sizes

[purplegreen99]

I have been using Shock Absorber Run bras for ages & they are fine, but before I buy another I wondered whether anyone prefers a different bra for large cup sizes (36F)?

I have a couple of these , i'm 34F and they are brill for running

Shock Absorber on top of a regular bra is my go to combo.

I'm a shock absorber fan a tip another larger lady told me is to wear two - game changer.

I cannot understand why people need high impact bras for running. Certainly can't understand the need for two bras!

Surely if your boobs are jiggling that much, then you need to correct your running style? Your upper body should have minimal to zero movement when running - your head and shoulders (and therefore chest) should not be bouncing up and down, they should be still and just moving forwards as your legs carry you.

Bouncing means poor running style, not poor bra choice.

I am am a 36G / 34F. I can run in medium impact tesco crop bras no problem. I tend you buy the £4.99 decathlon bra though - because it's the cheapest I've found, does the job and there's a decathlon 5 mins from my house.

Enell, very expensive though.

FATEdestiny I don't think my running style is the best, but I do try to keep my shoulders still and run economically. I ran around the house in my pjs this morning to test this out :) I think it's actually more about the reverberations from my feet hitting the ground rather than me having a bouncy running style. And I like my boobs strapped into place because of nipple chafing - I know when a bra is losing it's elasticity when my nipples are sore after a run, which doesn't take a lot of movement. Also I'm in my 50s so maybe my boobs are a bit wobblier than yours?

I might try 2 bras though it doesn't sound all that comfortable. I've got some medium impact bras I use for other exercise, so might see if 2 of those would be better than 1 high impact.

I will check out the other suggestions too - thank you. I especially like the look of the Enell one. Looks like it does up in front which would be great as I have to tie myself in knots to fasten the Shock Absorber. I also saw a bra on the Sweaty Betty website that has rave reviews so might see if I can try that on in a shop (it's this one www.sweatybetty.com/all-clothing/underwear/sports-bras/yellow/orange-ultra-run-bra)

www.bravissimo.com/products/inspire-sports-bra-print-au27pr/

I have two of these (one in print and one in colour block), size 30HH, they are very good though I sometimes find that the colour block one's shoulder adjustors don't stay put so the shoulder straps lengthen a bit as I run. Strangely, the other colour doesn't seem to have that problem

Fate is clearly blessed with fairly firm, and I guess pre-menopausal, boobs!

I agree with OP that most people need high impact bras, not least because you have impact (depending on your cadence) 140-180 times a minute. And if you are running for longer distances, a high impact twin-skin bra is pretty much a necessity because of chafing. Joggers nipple is no joke (but the shields which are sold for men can of course be used by anyone)

Panache is good for the larger of nork. I have Shock Absorber these days. One word of caution is that the sizing is weird (I'm up a band size, and down a cup from what I usually wear). The sizing seems to be true across the whole brand, but I recommend getting your first in a shop or from somewhere with a good returns policy.

I like the Shock Absorbers with the zips at the front. Although the fitting isn’t perfect, I have tried absolutely everything over the years and will always go back to these as the best.

Panache underwired. Only one that works for me and nothing moves. (34g)

And the whole boobs shouldn't move with right running style? What? Mine move lots walking ffs in a shit bra.

And normal compression sports bra just squish them against your chest and feel and look horrible like a mono sausage.

The panache gives you shape

Second the panache underwired - am 36H and it's the only one that works for me

And the whole boobs shouldn't move with right running style?

Not no movement. But there should be little movement.

Unless you're doing sprint intervals (where your running style might go to pot with the effort) or long distance, when the time will take its toll - then there should be minimal movement.

totallyliterally - your bodily movement is different when walking and running. It's not just about more speed = more movement. In many ways the opposite to this is true.

Good running style has:

• no up/down head movement
• no up/down shoulder movement
• if someone was watching you run along a hedge, watching from the other side of the hedge, they should just see your head moving in a steady forward motion only, no other movement.
• arms move in time with your legs, in a relaxed way that doesn't tense or drag your shoulders.
• feet and calves should move in a cycling motion - knee up, foot forward, foot down in a rounded movement and push off the ground.
• this stops feet slapping the ground heavily, reverberating through the body. You should be landing lightly (and I was a big, obese woman when I started running - big women can still run lightly on their feet)

These together lead to very little chest movement. There should be no "bouncing" because there should be no up/down movement of your torso. None at all. There is more up/down movement, therefore more bouncing, when walking compared to running.

I maintain - chest movement should be minimal for an averaged paced, average distance run.

AuntieStella - I have breastfed 4 children. My boobs are of the downward facing 34F. I maintain chest movement should be minimal for an averaged paced, average distance run. If you are running less than 10K at a steady pace and your boobs are jiggling everywhere in a mid-impac crop-top bra, I'd strongly suggest focusing on your running style. You'll run better for it, as well as being more comfortable while running.

I tend to agree with Fate - when I set out on a run my boobs bounce about all over the place for the first few minutes or so until I either get into my stride or I remember to adjust my running style, and then they don't really budge. I try to run as Fate describes but that makes me sound more gazelle-like and less like a warthog than I am. I think my boobs settling down is more because they get into the swing of things, a bit like a huge, middle-aged, knackered Newton's Cradle.

Thank you for all of this - loads of bra suggestions to look at - I am sure one of these will work for me.

I also really like FATE's point of view - good advice to look at how I run before trying to solve a problem with new equipment. I try to be aware of what my whole body is doing when running, but it's helpful to have it described like that as I think I could improve my style. I know I run better when I am stronger and fitter from non-running activities (weights and swimming, mainly), and I haven't been doing these for a few months, which makes it harder to maintain good form when I am tiring, so this has made me think that I need to get back to those other activities. I still don't think I could run in anything less than high impact though, but I appreciate what you are saying.