Sports Bra Use and Sizing Poll.

"It's very difficult to respond to your poll.  All bra manufacturers size their bras differently.  In one brand, I need something huge and in another brand, I need something small."

Absolutely acknowledged.

I think phrasing the question closer to, "What would be the first size you would try on?" might be better.

That said, I was at a retailer a week ago who had the best sports bra fitting, display, try-on and selling area I've ever seen. The bras were hanging outside the changing rooms, and the changing rooms were large and had good (non-distorting) mirrors. It was easy for customers to grab several bras, try them, and then switch out to other sizes and styles. The staff was well versed at product knowledge and- most importantly- they had sizing guides and measuring tapes handy to get good sizing data as a start point for try-ons. Consequently, they sell a lot of sports bras.

This is a huge profit center for good retailers who do a strong job with the category. Many of the bras are $75 and they take up little space on the sales floor, although you do need the attendent fitting room space, etc.

The store that did such a nice job (and deserves credit for it) was Fleet Feet here in Tucson. Along with shoes, sports bras are on of their best categories.

Mine come in Small, Medium, Large, XL.  Seriously.

It's funny- for tri tops with a so-called "built in sports bra" which most users above a "B" report poor results with, they are all sized "S, M, L, XL".

Many of the users report they still have to wear a more supportive sports bra underneath.

Here is an interesting (set of) stats:

http://www.brasize.com/average.html

I'm gonna go ahead and call that POST OF THE DAY!  LMAO!!!

Back on topic...

Sports bras are the single hardest thing for the more-endowed ladies to find.  You usually end up ordering a dozen different models and sizes and hope at least one fits.

I find that the greatest detriment is that they somehow assume that larger b@@bs = taller and bigger ribcages.  I have a hard time finding bras with a small enough circumference around the ribcage (that are NOT the kind you have to clasp once on...that's impossible!) and ones with short enough shoulder straps.  And those "adjustable velcro shoulder straps"?  Utterly WORTHLESS.  The velcro is never strong enough.  I almost wish bras came in short/regular/long! :D  So, it isn't necessarily the lack of sizes, it's more the lack of designing these for different womens' shapes.

Just want to add as someone who has no boobs the shelf bra is also useless except for a place to pin in some headlight covers. I either do that or also cut out the shelf bra and wear a sports bra.

I don't need to wear a sports bra with a tri top, though I do own some Nike "medium" sized sports bras to go with my technical shirts.  I like buying running tops with built in bra things, though the last tri top I bought doesn't have a bra support.  It is compression sort of , so it doesn't do any unwanted bouncing.  I suspect I'm between A and B. 

I normally don't even look at sports bras with number and letter sizing since I think it has way too much structure for my needs.  My friends who do need these tend to either have C or larger cups or with larger bra sizes (40's plus).  My friend who is a 42B/40C have trouble finding stores that actually stock them and just end up at specialty bra stores that stock sports bras (that sell fru fru bras) and she's forking over around 125-150 dollars a pop for something I can buy for 50 bucks tops in my size at a sports store.  If you're not going to stock them, please at least consider having the ability order some that may cost less. 

lisac957 - 2012-08-09 9:12 PM Aero-boob committee checking in...  
One of (the only?) advantages of being blessed with the ittie bitties. No bra issues, ever.  

Agree, I'm always a little thankful after I read these threads. The last sports bras I bought were danskin 2 for $10.00 at Wal-Mart.

trigal38 - 2012-08-10 6:06 AM

lisac957 - 2012-08-09 9:12 PM Aero-boob committee checking in...  
One of (the only?) advantages of being blessed with the ittie bitties. No bra issues, ever.  

Agree, I'm always a little thankful after I read these threads. The last sports bras I bought were danskin 2 for $10.00 at Wal-Mart.

x3!  I buy my sports bras at Target

i ALWAYS carry my inhaler in my sports bra, hahaha.  i'd rather not be digging through my tool bag while having an asthma attack...

also +whatever in the "sports bras don't come in those sizes" comment.  i'm an ittie bittie myself, but small doesn't fit my broad back, while medium is loose, and therefore useless.  i end up buying smalls and having deep red lines all over myself.

+1

The built in shelf bras are absolutely useless. I might be on the small side but still hurts like  heck if no support!!!

I'm a 36A, and have never had any bra issues. (Other than the fact that Victoria Secret doesn't stock 36 A in any of their cute styles in the store and you have to order on line. :p)

I typically wear a small or medium sport bra, depending. I do have a wider ribcage and broad shoulders, though, so sometimes that can be an issue, but it's minor.

FELTGood - 2012-08-10 7:52 AM This thread is useless without pictures

+1

dan king - 2012-08-10 12:12 PM

FELTGood - 2012-08-10 7:52 AM This thread is useless without pictures

+1

Maybe it's Tom's not-so-subtle way of determining the "physique" of the ladies of BT...

You don't have my size listed. I have a terrible time finding sports bras! Depending on brand/style I either wear a 32E or 34DD.

Most American brands think that if you have big boobs you are also big around. I usually end up buying European brands because the cups have a more realistic placement for someone who is small around with big boobs.

And NO, there is no such thing as a shelf bra with support. If you can wear something like that then it probably means you don't need a lot of support to begin with.