This may be one of the most complicated reviews we have undertaken. Let’s face it, sport bras are the scourge of our clothing systems. There is no perfect solution, no matter whether you’re flat or wide chested, overly endowed or in between. It seems we need a quiver of options, depending on the activity, to be even remotely comfortable or supported. 

Right out of the bag, trying on a bra produces a visceral love/hate relationship. We asked our testers to overcome their initial reactions and wear them up rock faces, steep mountain trails, skinning on wet snowy, sweaty adventures and hot yoga sessions. Our testers pushed each bra’s fabric performance and support claims and separated aesthetic bias to give you the best review possible. 

While there are far more bras on the market than what we could test in this first review, the most consistent challenge we faced (mostly climbers, skiers and runners) was the “suffocating rib cage vice grip” of many a sport bra. Decades of fabric innovation, new seamless designs and plenty of market feedback would seem to ensure that there is a dream bra out there for all of us, but once again we found the same old crux: The rib cage band is consistently used for the “support” of our boobs, which puts most of us with broad shoulders and chests in a bind, pardon the pun. 

However, there is hope. As fabrics and seamless technologies evolve, there are more and more bras that are not only supportive, but comfortable, great looking and feeling, and instill confidence for the ‘send’ or just a great outdoor adventure. 

A little note to remember on fabrics: As we go into winter, finding a bra that dries quickly is critical to avoiding hypothermia, at worst, and a frustratingly cold, damp miserable day out at best. Staying psyched, warm and dry on multi-pitch ice climbs or long ski tours demands attention to choosing a sport bra that won’t leave you soggy and suffering. 

Fabric choices are plentiful. While wool is not quick to dry, if it’s not too thick, it will keep you warm even when it’s a little damp, and the comfort of a natural fiber is often worth the trade-off for its slower drying time. Polyester dries faster and absorbs less moisture than nylon. Elastic (or spandex/Lycra) is the bane of the bra’s existence. It’s necessary for stretch and support, but acts like a sponge for your sweat. The less spandex, the faster your bra will dry. Choosing a mostly polyester and spandex bra will likely be a good choice for the sweatiest pursuits but, again, the new wool bras out there are still a favorite for ski tours and ice climbing adventures for their overall warmth and comfort. 

Disclaimer of Liability: Technical rock and ice climbing is inherently dangerous. Neither Broad Beta, LLC., nor any of its employees, shall be held liable for any improper or incorrect use of the information described and/or contained herein, and Broad Beta, LLC. assumes no responsibility for anyone's use of the information.
Any person using our gear in any manner is personally responsible for learning the proper techniques and good judgment. We strongly recommend that every climber seek instruction by a qualified professional.