Still Moving, Still Searching
Back in March, I wrote an article about the personal frustrations I had with finding a sports bra- one that did the job it was meant to do, especially as my body is changing in response to getting older. Because despite getting older, I’m still running and still planning to keep running, I’m not quite ready for the knacker’s yard yet!
Your responses to the post and the video I made for it was, frankly, overwhelming. So many of you shared your own (mostly bad) experiences with buying sports bras, which of course wasn’t that surprising, but it was great to know it wasn’t just me who was having a bad time out there!
From sizing issues to stopping running altogether because of not being able to find the kit you need, it was crystal clear from all the messages and emails I got that the sports bra market isn’t serving everyone equally, especially us older or larger bodied runners.
I decided to set up a survey to dig a bit deeper and collect all this brilliant feedback, and today I wanted to share some of the responses and the takeaways from it- let’s keep this conversation moving.
Key themes from the survey
There is no “one size” in women’s activewear shopping- regardless of whether you wear large or small-busted, comfort and real support are hard to come by, it seems that finding the right size is still a mystery…
"I've been active for decades, and I still don’t know my size in every brand.”
“I found one a few years ago that is underwired (for me a must) and comes in different colours. It worked for me then and has been purchased whenever there is a sale on. I did try a different one as a replacement but felt like a sausage roll as I tried to get it on and felt disappointed at the support so went back to my old faithful.”
“I thought the M&S one was good with the extra clip, until I saw a video of me running!”
“Size is such a problem, I like Shock Absorber, and I need a 40D but I stop looking, I like to go to a shop to try on, but no-where has my size or it’s out of stock. Why does sport's wear only cater up to a size 14, that’s how it feels when look at what’s available.”
“I’m not fussy as I never wear just a bra like lots of women in social media do. Whatever is cheapest in the make and style that I go for is fine by me. With my size I don’t feel like I can be picky.”
A recurring theme was the challenge of options for larger busts-
“With my larger breast it’s hard to find one that is supportive enough that doesn’t hurt... the straps need to be wide to help the load."
"Band is always too tight and the straps are uncomfortable."
"Cups not fitting, narrow straps, bras that state high impact but still breast movement."
“I have been known to ‘double bag’ when I’ve needed them to be strapped down and one bra just didn’t seem enough.”
“I nearly cried when I found one that didn’t chafe.”
“I stopped running for months because I couldn’t find one that didn’t hurt my shoulders.”
“Brands act like only young women exercise.”
Despite high impact support being most important to almost all, it’s still almost impossible to find- overwhelmingly, you said you were almost always let down by buying a sports bra that didn’t have the high impact support level that it said it did. What works for a 33-year-old doesn’t necessarily work for a 55 year as breasts change throughout a women’s lifespan. The correct cup size and support level was one of the biggest issues.
“I can only wear a sports bra for the duration of the run, get home and change, it leaves me with pains in my shoulders, probably too tight”
“Adjustable straps and back closures matter more with age”.
“We want technical gear and dignity.”
“Stop assuming only younger bodies move.”
“High-impact bras still let everything move.”
“Supportive ones make everything one big mass - no shape.”
“Tight under armpits, painful shoulders, and impossible to remove when sweaty.”
Most of us are wearing an old favourite well past best due to lack of larger sizes (out of stock) or discontinued products.
“Still haven’t found one that fits, supports and feels comfortable.”
“I wear what I can find in my size… usually cut-price bras in unpopular colours. I get dressed for running with a heavy heart.”
Difficulty trying on / returning bras - Online buying is overwhelming and unreliable
“Ribcage sizing stops at 38 in a lot of ranges.”
“Larger cup sizes are always out of stock.”
“Sizing labels like ‘Luxe XX’ mean nothing - it’s confusing and inconsistent.”
“One company suggest washing before first wear … but I couldn’t return it after it had been worn!”
“Returns are complicated, sizing is inconsistent, and trying on at home often ends in disappointment.”
These responses paint a clear picture- older and non-standard size athletes and runners are navigating a sports bra market that isn’t designed with them in mind. This isn’t just about comfort - it’s about accessibility, confidence, and keeping people active.
Some good news, was that Runderwear, Soloman and Glamorise were brands mentioned that were popular and people had had positive experiences with.
I recently received a marketing email from Shock Absorber sharing a running event they had organised- it looked amazing, they offered a virtual fitting for all those who attended and then on the day an in-person check before they road tested their bras. Fantastic! I thought, as I read the email and the feedback from the women who attended, saying things like “Testing the incredible Shock Absorber sports bra makes me feel empowered and confident.”
BUT, then I saw the group photo from that event. Not one person in the picture looked over 40! I mean, come on Shock Absorber, we also want to feel empowered and confident (and have some acknowledgement that we exist, quite frankly).
I’m going to keep this conversation going, so please do let me know your thoughts- you can comment below or by email and if you’d like to complete my short survey to have your say, here it is…
Tell us exactly what you’re looking for in your next sports bra?
Which brands have you tried and loved or tried and tossed?
Would you be interested in a community try on review event?