Running bra for big boobs

[Howaboutthisone]

Hi! Looking for a recommendation. I'm just coming to the end of week 5 of couch to 5k and feel like I'm getting there. Making progress though I still find it difficult. One thing which I think might help me out a bit though is a decent running bra. I'm a 36E and in the UK. I've been using my shock absorbers that I bought several years ago which have been doing a job but I'm wondering what is good out there now that I'm looking to invest in a new one (or two) to help me keep this momentum up...and my boobs still!
Thanks!😊

www.next.co.uk/g91422s3/976867#976867

I wear these and think they are great

I wear a 32E which I know isn’t big, but I have just finished c25k, I’ve done it all in those little primark crop tops/bralettes because my shock absorber is too tight and gives me a stitch. I was hoping I might lose some weight and it wouldn’t feel too tight but no luck so following with interest.

I’ve just purchased a bravissimo one online. I am very large up top, 34l and I could not find a sports bra in that size. Someone in running group I’m in touch with after finishing couch to 5k suggested going up a couple of back sizes would help, so I purchased a 38 j sports bra. It fits and they stay in place mostly but I’m also getting a compression top to hold them down which was also suggested. It’s bliss wearing a bra type top without a wire, first time since a teenager.

What I meant to say was I’m wearing the compression top over the top of the sports bra from bravissimo, otherwise I may do myself an injury.
Accidentally pressed post too soon.

@Howaboutthisone

That's ok *@CalmConfident* 🤣 It has made me want to check the sizing though. Which isn't a bad thing! I'll have a look at those recommendations thank you!

If you are looking to check your sizing try using the boob or bust website. I'd been wearing a 32dd for years was told to check on there by a friend and I came out as a 28G. I thought it must be wrong and went to Bravissimo to check and sure enough they told me I was a 28G.

Well @Cluckycluck and @CalmConfident I checked on boob or bust and that puts me at 36 GG 😵 I was measured a little while ago in bravissimo as 36E and have been happily wearing my curvy Kate's in that size. Now I can't decide whether to have a bra splurge in 36GG and hope for the best. Shielding so it's would be delivery and not really up for going to post office for returns but might bite the bullet-really curious now. I've also had a look at the panache sports bra and seen some reviews saying to go down a size in the cup on them-any experience of this please?

I really can't see how I'm wearing a bra 5 cups too small though-there is no overspill/hangover. I'm flummoxed!

The one someone linked from Bravissimo is great.

This might sound daft but I just wear two and it works a treat. A Debenhams one and a two fastener Shock Absorber over that.

Bravissimo sell all the main brands that are good for the larger chest and their own brand is pretty decent and probably made by Freya anyway.

What is the issue? If you have very bouncy boobs then I recommend going for a sports bra with a fully encapsulated upper chest section - it should sit high on the decolletage and look for seams above the nipple line - across the top of the breast to control bounce. Wider shoulder bands are helpful and the ability to link the back straps together is very useful as this increases stability but does not restrict you to a permanent racer back and is easier to get in and out of.

Sports bras of this construction are much firmer than standard bras so there is much less "give" in the chest band. Given that the vast majority of support in the garment comes from the chest band the fit of this needs to be close, but too tight will be uncomfortable - less give means less room for error. I would recommend a sports bra is tried on before purchase - precisely so you can compare the chest bands against one another. The 36 corresponds to the size in inches of your chest just below the crease of the breast, with the tape parallel to the floor and flat against the ribcage.

Bravissimo deliver in reusable boxes and supply return stickers so you can pop your returns into the box and send straight back with minimal contact. Worst part was waiting in queue for PO, but only one person in at a time and I didn't need to get closer than 2m to the cashier, just put the box on the scale and stood back then lifted my proof of posting from the counter before leaving. It does mean paying for multiple sizes at once and with Covid, the returns process is taking about 3 weeks to turnaround.

I always recommend this, have been very impressed and I have a drawer full of shock absorber, Freya, Panache etc. www.amazon.co.uk/SYROKAN-Womens-Coverage-Lightly-Wireless/dp/B078TC93Z1/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?dchild=1&psc=1&keywords=syrokan&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFSUk9JSTFSNlFUR1EmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA1Nzg4OTMyMVdUUjlTRkNGVko4JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAyNTI3ODMxVEQ1NzBRU0tRWUJWJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1592461552&sr=8-2-spons

Thank you for your replies.
@Poshjock thanks for taking the time to post such a detailed reply.
I think I am probably going to need to bite the bullet and order different sizes to try at home. I think I'll order the size that I have been wearing too as it doesn't seem right at all that it's 5 cup sizes too small when my boobs are comfy and well encapsulated and supported in my day to day bras.

The Syroken one linked looks good too! Thanks!

I also wear two and a compression top. After years of spending a fortune and either not being impressed or bra not lasting I now wear a shock absorber first and a normal bra (not wired) on top and compression top from SD.

@Howaboutthisone

Well *@Cluckycluck and @CalmConfident* I checked on boob or bust and that puts me at 36 GG 😵 I was measured a little while ago in bravissimo as 36E and have been happily wearing my curvy Kate's in that size. Now I can't decide whether to have a bra splurge in 36GG and hope for the best. Shielding so it's would be delivery and not really up for going to post office for returns but might bite the bullet-really curious now. I've also had a look at the panache sports bra and seen some reviews saying to go down a size in the cup on them-any experience of this please?

Blimey thats quite the difference. If you don't think you're wearing a significantly wrong size (I knew I was) then stick to the size you think you are.

Boobydoo also have a fantastic range of sports bras for big boobs so it would be worth looking at them too.

Thank you! Think I'll make a final decision today and order some up-probably in the 36E to start with!

What did you decide? Hope you found the perfect one!

Syrokan was my go to until this week.. My latest one is lower cut than usual and puckered when I washed it. I moved to them 4 years ago from Shock Absorber. Some of these suggestions look great.

I had a Syrokan one delivered yesterday but I don't think that's the one for me. Maybe it's the style I ordered but it didn't stop the bounce at all.
I have panache and shock absorbers on the way!

I started running (Of a fashion 😂) recently after doing Literally nothing for 10 years. I Am
Determined to get fit and lose weight. I’m size 20, fat all over and wear 38h. I have researched sports bras for months. After receiving advice on here I opted for an enell size 5. Omg. Feels amazing on. Ok things never completely stop moving but everything g is strapped down and allows any running without any issues. I highly recommend and loving the exercise I’m getting.

A few have mentioned Enell now. Will look at those if the ones I've ordered don't work for me. Thanks!

@Rayna37 I'll give it a go but I'm not most flexible of people. I sometimes need help taking them off!

I'm going to see the feedback from @Howaboutthisone on the Enell but I see that Boobydoo is currently offering two decent sports bras at a discount so I might try those too.

Good luck ladies

I like Panache. I'm a 28G and sweaty Betty bras are not supportive enough for me, the high impact bras are only good for medium impact, but it may be because they don't do my size and I have to buy a sister size, 32E .

I know everyone raves about them, but I really didn't get on with Enell. I tried two different sizes, O and 1. The 0 strapped everything down but chafed horribly over longer distances. The 1 chafed just as badly, and also didn't stop the bounce.

I think the underwired Freya and the Panache are far and away the best two sports bras for bigger cup sizes, with the Shock Absorber Run coming in a distant 3rd.

I can run really long distances in my Freya or the Panache with no bounce and no rubbing - which is a rarity for sports bras, in my experience!

I didn't end up trying the enell. I'm happy with the shock absorber ultimate run and a Pour Moi wired one for the support below and across. I've got a boobuddy on its way for the upward bounce. I'll let you know how I get on with that! Thanks all 😊