Sports bra question

Welcome!!

I wear a wicking sports bra (no cotton) under a tri top for the whole race, and tri shorts on the bottom.  If chafing is an issue, yes, liberally apply Body Glide or some other protectant before the swim, and for under 70.3 distance, I'd think it should work just fine.  70.3 and over, it may be a good idea to take the time to reapply post-swim just in case.  I've done sprints and Olys with Body Glide applied only at the start and been fine (except where I missed putting Body Glide, ha!  I mean, ouch!)

I finally had my first non-wetsuit swim in a race this summer and I also felt the extra fabric from the tritop got in the way.  It was very specifically meant for triathlon racing and while it wasn't skin tight, it was very fitted.  To me (okay, not a very confident swimmer worried about her first non-wetsuit swim) it felt like an anchor. 

I have seem plenty of folks wear just the sports bra and trishorts for the swim.  Just be aware that getting any kind of top on, while wet, will be a challenge

Either way, I have always worn a sports bra under whatever tri outfit I have worn and it's always fine.  Looks a little ugly sometimes, but I haven't ever felt like it was a problem. No, there's no way in heck I'd go without, even if I was small on top!

This.  100%

They aren't talking about loose tops, triathlon tops are very fitted.

http://www.tyr.com/shop/womens-carbon-triathlon-tank.html

It should fit just as tight as a swimsuit. especially if you are not wearing a wetsuit.

I pulled on a top in T1 in my first triathlon.  it was so hard to put on clothes when I was wet.

In response to the chafing when running... examine the condition of your bra.  I've had the same experience lately and realized that as I was loosing weight and my bra's were aging the band underneath was stretched and not fitting properly.  I still do put body glide on under neath the breast to help.  As well I ran 20 the other day in a newer raceback bra and ended up w/ chafing on my collarbones (OUCH!).  Run shorter distances in new bra's to determine feasibility.

I've done a HIM in a well fit bra and not ended up with any chafing.

I started as a DD and cannot say enough about what you'll hear elsewhere, as well.  Moving Comfort Fiona bra w/ a tri top over. 

GOOD LUCK!!!

I highly reccomend CW-X brand bras.  Love them.  I know a lot of people like the enell and the moving comfort line as well.  The enell looks way too much like a straight jacket for me

I wear a sports bra under a tri top.  The shelf bras in the tri tops are a joke if you have any boobs at all.  For swimming non wetsuit legal make sure your tri top is tight fitting.....or invest in a swim skin.

I know the Moving comfort line is highly recommended.  I have tried two of their bras including the Fiona.  I am convinced they have a designer specifically dedicated to chafing my skin.  I was bleeding in multiple places after a half marathon in the Fiona.

Cx isn't as bad, but it still chafes.

I spotted this thread looking for suggestions on good sports bras for tris.  I have to say, I don't know how anyone uses an Enell bra for running.  It's made of the most non-moisture wicking, non-breathable material ever. 

My Under Armour heat gear bra is my go to for running, but there's a bit too much padding for swimming.  It seems like it's hard to get a bra with support and compression but with no padding.  I also have a Moving Comfort, but it seems like all my tops are racer back and this bra is not. 

What model CW-X do you ladies recommend?

I find the worst place on the MC bras is the clasps.  If you make sure that you use atleast the middle eyelets, it is a lot better.  I also body glide everywhere before my long runs.

Chafing could be a sign that the bra isn't the proper size. Forget those charts on the bra packets, they're usually useless. (You wouldn't believe how far out of whack my chart bra size is from what I really need to wear - about 4 cup sizes out.)

Go for a fitting with a certified fitter if you can. Some sports bras do come in cup sizes and have structure without padding. Many so called "sports bras" are just stretchy short tops, you need one made with non-stretchy fabrics.

I usually swim in a sports bra and tri shorts - but the majority of my tri's have also included a wetsuit.   I think I have done one in a pool that didn't allow a wetsuit and just ran into transition from pool and put on a tri shirt/tank over my sports bra.

The biggest thing is buying a synthetic sports bra (no cotton what so ever).   I usually wear 38D and swear by the Fiona and Juno Moving Comfort bras.   They are tricky to put on, but worth it for the bounce factor alone when you run.  

On race mornings (or long runs) I try to coat shoulder straps and underneath 'girls'  and lower strap with Body Glide.  Good luck so far with that, even after the swims.

Good luck!

I've been wearing a Moving Comfort Fiona bra for the last 2 years in sprints/olys with a tight fitting tri top over it, and I've had absolutely no chafing.  The Moving Comfort bras also dry out pretty quickly on the bike, especially in Arizona, and they are great for support!  

I will say that you have to check the Moving Comfort bra fit chart VERY carefully before you buy.  I'm a 36DD in normal bras, but I'm a 40B in the Moving Comfort bras.  Very very different size, yet the 40B fits like, well a glove

I know someone who had it done and was covered by provincial health insurance (Alberta, Canada) as unlike augmentation/implants, it's usually done for health, not cosmetic reasons. I'm not sure how it works with private health insurance, but probably much the same - your doctor and the surgeon would be the ones to convince the insurance company of it's necessity.