View Full Version : Bra Question
I am wondering what type of bra others hike in. I hiked the GA section in July and wore my favorite sports bra. I took a spare as well. They are fairly thick but of synthetic material (polyester I guess). I usually hike in this bra and like it for the support and it doesn't give me the uni-boob look some sports bras do. The problem was that between sweat and the high humidity they both stayed wet the entire week. I am looking for a supportive bra that doesn't give a uni-boob look and is made out of something that dries pretty quick. My husband says nobody cares what it looks like on the trail but I am self-conscious and also hate to see pictures of myself when I get home. The whole backpack thing is not very attractive when you are fairly buxom and shortwaisted like I am. I look like I am all boob!!!
SonrisaJo
08-23-2010, 15:57
All Boob sounds like a bad trail name (and one that could apply to me, sadly). I bring one sports bra (uniboob) and one silkier kind with underwires (which looks much better). The Cacique brand is what works for me. I love having two along because sometimes one will chafe and just switching bras is all I need. That way I can also have one drying if need be. I really envy the women who can go braless for 6 months . . . it ain't me.
That's funny....maybe I should change my trail name to that...or maybe just A.B. Thanks for the advice. That is a great idea to take two different styles to help avoid chafing. Fortunately I didn't have that problem, but it sure could happen.
Sierra Echo
08-23-2010, 20:43
I'm a 40D so I got big boobies too. If its a day hike, i wear a regular bra. For extended hikes I wear a sports bra OR a bra with no underwire (which are hard to find in my size). I have no urge to get repeatedly poked in the boob with an underwire for several days if my bra decides to poop one out!
Warner's makes a bra that is breathable with no underwire, which is great for hiking. Support and comfort. Very hard to find unless in bra store. This bra was recommended as a lounge around or weekender. I think the model number is 1003.
Sports bras are hot and unless you are running, you don't need that kind of restriction or support in my opinion. I am also full chested.
Captain Blue
08-24-2010, 15:39
There is an article today on ABC News about sports bra science.
Sports Bra Science: Sports Bra Design Lags Behind Other Apparel
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/sports-bra-science-best-design-exist/story?id=11462953
jtbradyl
08-24-2010, 15:55
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/18/phys-ed-the-right-kind-of-sports-bra/
skinewmexico
08-24-2010, 18:51
The wife's pick -
http://www.titlenine.com/category/sports-bras-and-undies.do?nType=1
boarstone
08-24-2010, 19:59
the only concern I have with sport bras over a good everyday bra, is the compacting it causes. Hour after hour, day after day, I'd be concerned over TOO much compression on the breasts and blood restriction. If I wear one, I make sure it's plenty BIG enough so it won't compress, just hold. Try to find a good bra that has good cup coverage, even if you have to go UP a cup size. No V or cleavage design cup. Sturdy straps, loose but supportive, no too tight and a notch to let out if need be so the "around" size may need to go UP a size as well. I shop JC Penny's for mine.
Sierra Echo
08-24-2010, 20:01
I generally go bra shopping at Kohl's but I only wear nike sports bras.
boarstone
08-24-2010, 20:03
On another note: I can't get in/out of mine very well, a contortionist scene comes to mind...so I have tried to find ones w/hooks for the back strap to ease the use of in/out moves...so far not having any luck, so I stick w/the reg. bra style.
mad4scrapping
08-24-2010, 21:17
I had the same dilemma. I have big boobs too and I wanted a bra that hooked in the back for easy off and one that would wick moisture. I've been wearing the Champion N9516, which I found on sale at Target. It's made of nylon and spandex so it dries fast and doesn't look like a sports bra. I just finished a 4 day trek through Maryland with no chafing.
I don't have huge boobs but I do not have small ones. I have a really flimsy bra that I like. It pulls over like a sports bra but is soft and minimal. It protects me from chafing. I don't feel I need a lot of support because the backpack itself kind of holds me in check.
The other thing I do is wear a tanktop with a shelf bra built in.
hontassquirt
09-01-2010, 23:46
i have somewhere between 36DD and 1,948XYZ size bra. smaller frame/ribcage, but the girls are a continent all their own. my biggest problem i have when backpacking for longer periods is as B.B. said - 1) bra stays wet the entire time, and 2) uniboob. the site SKINEWMEXICO suggested is pretty awesome. you're going to pay a bit more for them there, but it's been totally worth it to me, rather than wearing a cheaper/locally bought bra that pushes down so hard into my shoulders that it indents into my skin and looks like i have more muscles than i do. also, a better bra keeps them separate (as much as possible), so the in-between can catch some wind and dry them off. i usually keep the problem with the underneath staying sweaty (adding deoderant to keep them dry bothers me), but with wicking/nylon materials, it dries faster.
warraghiyagey
09-02-2010, 08:18
I love this thread. . . :)
Gray Blazer
09-02-2010, 09:13
I love this thread. . . :)
If you were a gentleman and not just a normal guy, you wouldn't be reading OR posting in this thread. :mad:
stonedflea
09-05-2010, 17:05
what would y'all think about a swim suit top? the material would be quick-drying, and you can get them with different levels of support...
i have no idea... i've never done a long distance hike. do y'all think it would work?
jtbradyl
09-05-2010, 19:38
This from Gray Blazer (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/member.php?u=6217) replying to warraghiyagey: "If you were a gentleman and not just a normal guy, you wouldn't be reading OR posting in this thread." Well I posted in this thread because I saw the title on the home page and saw an article in the NYT that might be helpful. And I AM a gentleman and a normal guy. Don't be so all encompassing with your judgments.
Gray Blazer
09-05-2010, 20:25
This from Gray Blazer (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/member.php?u=6217) replying to warraghiyagey: "If you were a gentleman and not just a normal guy, you wouldn't be reading OR posting in this thread." Well I posted in this thread because I saw the title on the home page and saw an article in the NYT that might be helpful. And I AM a gentleman and a normal guy. Don't be so all encompassing with your judgments.
I was just being a moron.
Sierra Echo
09-05-2010, 21:52
I vote that we let the guys post in this thread. These days men sport boobies in all shapes and sizes! :D
TinaLouise
09-06-2010, 17:34
what would y'all think about a swim suit top? the material would be quick-drying, and you can get them with different levels of support...
i have no idea... i've never done a long distance hike. do y'all think it would work?
and with a swimsuit top you could just wear that!!! Do look around a find one that's comfortable to wear for heavy excersize (aka - hiking!). Some of the ties and such might chafe in unexpected places, like the middle of the back. Could wind up exchanging one problem for a different problem.
I vote that we let the guys post in this thread. These days men sport boobies in all shapes and sizes! :D
This might be *my* first post in the woman's forum.
I read a quote the other day I really liked... it was, "I love my body for what it does, not what it looks like while it's doing it."
As for me, my body is far from perfect (far, far, far). But it serves me very well, complains very little and does pretty much everything the way it's supposed to.
(sorry for the topic drift, I have nothing to say about bras...)
I have two sports bras that I use most often, each with their own purpose. 1 is a very thin bra made by Victoria's Secret. It's all mesh except where it covers the breasts. So the back, sides and between-breast area can breathe all the time. 91% nylon and 9% lycra, dries like a champ. I use it when it's just too hot for anything else.
2 is much thicker and much more supportive made by Land's End. It has two layers: the body and the lining. The body is 88% poly-something (lable is worn there...sorry!) and 12% spandex while the lining is 80% nylon and 20% spandex. I wear it when i ride horses and it the most comfortable thing in the world. Sweat wicks away and I never feel soggy.
Edit...ALready been posted :)
hontassquirt
09-11-2010, 23:52
i think the idea of wearing a bathing suit top would be nice (supposed to dry quickly), but the support, durability, and....support would be horrible i would think. i'm sure if you look hard enough, you can find wicking fabrics that might be comparable, but support the girls better. maybe i missed it, but you didn't mention how big chested you are. assuming, big enough to where you HAVE to wear a bra, you might aggravate back problems if you don't tie them down properly on a long distance hike. if you don't like the bras on that website, i think Chelly's ideas rock, too.
I vote that we let the guys post in this thread.
Hmm. Interesting thread. :-?
Does that include guys that are engineers? :eek:
;)
I liked the swimsuit top idea. Good choice of material and I like looking for solutions where a finished product is already available. Another interesting place to look is traditional solutions. So look back in history to solutions in different cultures, similar climates, and maybe find something you can DIY using some material of choice, traditional or modern. Another route to go might be a sports bra or running bra modified in some way, but I wouldn't think that a sports bra is neccessary for hiking if you are only walking and climbing.
kayak karl
09-12-2010, 09:46
I vote that we let the guys post in this thread. These days men sport boobies in all shapes and sizes! :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfONNfAjyrc