Small-chested ladies: how much support do you really need?

It's all about personal preference.

I LOVE the Nike Pro line. They have sports bras that actually support my little 34As. They're comfy and they dry quickly, too. I've worn them under tri tops in races.

I am also a member of the aero-boob club
I don't wear anything under tri/run tops with the shelf bra, and just a simple C9 Champion bra from Target under a tech shirt. Never need anything else in distances up to IM and ultra marathon.

this thread would be better with pictures.

This is me, too.  Nothing under tri tops/ tri suits.  Champion bras from Target for everyday training needs.  I'm a 34A.  

Oh my God...

but you were thinking it...

but you said it...

(white_chicks,0.jpg)

Finally a bra thread that I can participate in.  I am an oddity at 38A.  Big around small in front. 

X whatever on all the recomendations for the Target C9 bras.  The large are perfect for me.  Wear them from everything to everyday sitting at my desk to my IM and marathon.

At 34A, I wear a sports bra to hold the HRM strap in place and prevent nipple chaffing.

Also, if I get too hot, I can pull a Brandi Chastain.

34B (small B) gal here. For running, I rather like the support than the bouncing if I use a lighter supporting bra.  For cycling I have a favorite bra that is light support, but better coverage than a regular VS Cotton bra.   Thanks for the suggestions as it'll be nice to have a few others!   For Triathlons, the shelf bra on my tri top is sufficant enough to smush the girls. 

I do have a few Champion sport bras, but it feels "thicker", but it is a wicking material...I may just replace them because it is a little TOO supportive. 

Dodgersmom, I thought exactly the same thing as you! Yes, I thread I know about!  : )

I am also an oddity at 36AA.  Yes, the letters go back up when you are below A.  Who knew bra sizes went below A?  HA!

Anyway, I prefer no movement, so I like a strong compression bra.  Moving Comfort's Phoebe A/B bra is my go-to bra.  It does not have any padding to make me sweat and I'm not swimming in empty cups.  The medium is best for me because I have big lats, but I accidentally bought some smalls that still just fit but they are REALLY hard to get off (DH has to lend a hand).   The C-9 bras (and Moving Comfort's other bras) are comfy, but I don't feel like I'm getting as much support in them.  However, for racing, I usually wear my team kit, though, which just has a shelf bra.  It is not as comfy as the compression bra, but I do not notice any soreness or sagging from wearing it. 

So, that is a long way to say, I don't think it matters.  Wear what is comfortable for you.

AND, I have done some extensive online research for cute regular bras for our "committee" and have found some cute shops online:  www.littlewomen.com and www.lulalu.com and www.lailides.com  It is nice to find bras for smaller ladies that are appropriately proportioned and still look pretty.

Depends how much support you are comfortable with.

I like the Nike Pro line also as someone already mentioned. This is the fastest drying and wicking bra I have come across.

Totally normal. I know a lady who wears those silicone inserts to prevent looking that way, I guess that's what shes' comfortable with. But seriously, we all have nips! I have never thought twice about it.

Ditto - never really gave it a second thought!

32 A/B here.  I used to love the C9 bras from Target but found I was getting a lot of chafing on longer runs even though the support was fine.  Now I only wear the 'handful' bra (sans pads) for long runs and it's great.  Cooler, too.  http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodHF_550.html I haven't raced a tri since discovering it, but I'm sure I'll wear it under my bra-less tri suit when the time comes.

Like many others, I also am a fan of the C9 Target sports bra - LOVE the fact that I can get them for $12 when they are on sale! I have a Zoot tri-top with the built-in shelf and that works for me as well (no need for anything else).

As far as distance running goes, I do not use anything different for a 1.5 mile PT test or a full marathon - it's always the C9 for me!

I have purchased other brands (much more expensive) and find nothing special about them...could be that I'm just so small that I don't need anything special, so the more expensive bras do nothing for me.

I am a 36/38 A and can get away with very little support. None of my sport bras are really very restrictive. they are all pull over the head stretchy deals. Something like this is plenty: http://www.altrec.com/patagonia/womens-active-mesh-bra

I've never thought twice about it either.  I mean, dudes have nips, too

Another member of the IBTC here... It comes down to personal preference. I like a lot of support but find the XS C9s work just fine for me. I wear them for every sport. Try out your Saucony bra on your next quick run and see how it goes.

As far as the high beams, hopefully I'm going so fast the people I'm passing won't notice. I don't really worry about that.

Another member here - 32a. One day when I was swimming a little girl in swim lessons asked her Mom "Mommy, is that a boy or a girl" . Ha, Mom was so embarrassed I felt sorry for her because I really don't care!

Anyway, I have used safety pins to fix some of those little swimsuit liners - the kind that come in your fashion swimsuits or bikinis - in a couple of my suits. I have a couple of tops with white stripes and I'm pretty modest so this is a good compromise for me. As for support - not much needed besides the shelf bra that is already in the tank tops.