With the whole world in various levels of COVID lockdown and restrictions on the types of exercise we can do, walking has become the go to daily exercise for a great many of us. That’s why many women started doing away with their high impact sports bra and started to look for the perfect sports bra for walking. But what should you consider when getting a walking sports bra?
Choosing the right sports bra for walking is no easy task. There are many things to consider and a lot of check boxes to tick on your way to the perfect walking sports bra. In this article, we discuss the features of a sports bra for walking and what you need to check through before making your purchase.
A sports bra that is made for walking is considered a low to medium impact sports bra. That’s because walking isn’t a high intensity workout, although it can definitely make you work up a sweat. Since they’re a low to medium impact bra, they won’t be super padded or thick because you don’t need a lot of extra support. They can also easily be used for other low impact activities such as pilates, yoga, and stretching.
There really isn’t a specific feature that defines a sports bra for walking. The most important thing to look for when buying a sports bra for walking–or a low to medium impact sports bra, in general–is comfort and coverage. Finding the perfect fit involves a lot of testing and fitting and ensuring that the bra fits your preferences.
Picking a sports bra is like picking out a pair of shoes. Much like how a pair of shoes can give you comfort, the perfect sports bra can offer you good support. So, it’s important to find the right fit for you!
Here’s how you can pick the right sports bra:
Movement is key. Even though you won’t be that active when you walk, it’s important to test out just how stretchy and durable your bra is. When you shop for a bra, it’s essential that you move around and see just how supportive a bra is. It might feel weird walking around or doing stretches and downward dogs, but it can really test out how stretchy your bra is.
Bras will adhere differently to various body types. Whatever your body type is, make sure to adjust the straps so you can find the maximum support and comfort.
Move around, raise your arms, and see how the bra reacts. Check if the straps rise as it might be a sign that the straps are too long. While straps that leave a mark on the skin can mean that it’s too tight.
There are many different kinds of sports bras made from different kinds of materials. You might want to look for moisture wicking bras with breathable and light materials if you’re particularly sweaty. Of course, depending on the impact of the activity, the material you’ll want to change.
Do the two-finger test!
Sports bras fit a little more snugly than a regular bra, so you need to make sure that you can breathe even when it’s fitting a little tighter. The two-finger test can help you gauge just how tight the bra is. While it isn’t the most reliable test, it’s still a very important test so you can have a baseline of how it fits.
This one comes at the top of just about every ‘sports bra’ checklist. And for good reason; in the sports bra game support in number one. Whatever the activity you are doing you want to make sure you have the right level of support.
As a rule, walking is a medium impact activity, but your impact level may vary based on your breast size and level of walking intensity. If you are a smaller cup but are hitting the pavement hard then consider a high impact style. If your walking is a bit more sedate but you have a bit more up top, then the support of a high impact bra may be for you too.
Support simply comes down to the combination of your size and the level of activity you do. If in doubt err on the side of caution and choose a higher impact level.
This is a big one! Whether you are out for a leisurely stroll on the beach or a power walk in the forest you will want to do it in comfort. Nothing kills the enjoyment of your daily walk than chafing, straps digging in or worse still your boobs popping out.
Choose a well-designed style made from soft materials that are moisture wicking and breathable. Got to get the sweat away from your body to prevent rubbing. Make sure it is soft in those notorious rub points, under the arms, around the band and at the clasps.
I am a big fan of wirefree sports bras. They offer the support without the risk of the wire causing a comfort issue. That said it is what works for you and what you are most comfortable wearing.
As I have said many times before; features make the bra! This is very often a matter of personal choice. Do you like underwired sports bras or prefer wirefree sports bras? If you are not sure check out my blog
Do you prefer racerback sports bras or prefer regular back sports bras? What I find useful is to write down a list of my preferred features and then go from there. An excellent read is my comprehensive ’11 Things you must know before buying a sports bra’ guide. It is a general list but can easily be applied to Walking Sports Bras.
I know this sounds strange. What’s colour got to do with it? A lot is you plan on walking in just your sports bra. I learned this the hard way! The first time I plucked up the courage to wear my new beige sports bra out walking I realised that from a distance I looked like I was walking topless. Smiles turned to disappointment as I got closer
We all know bras can be expensive so we want to make sure we get something that will last. Not only for our bank balance but also for our comfort and support. A worn sports bra can rub and lose its support.
Now this is a tough one as who knows how long it will last. A with most things you get what you pay for. More expensive bras like Anita Active and Shock Absorber will generally outlast their lower priced counterparts. I have both in my drawer and still wear them after 2 ½ years!
Another good idea is to have 2-3 sports bras on rotation. Especially if you are walking daily. This will allow you to rotate through them without over wearing a single bra and prematurely causing it to wear.
To help prolong the life of your walking sports bra, caring for it in the correct way is a must. Reading the label and following the washing directions will help.
Also check out ‘sports bra care’ for my comprehensive care guide. Every extra wear you can eke out of your sports bra will save you dollars. But just remember the unwritten sports bra rule; a sports bra should never have a birthday!
So, there you have it, everything you need to know to find your perfect walking sports bra. If you have any questions or would like any further sizing, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
An easy option: check out my range or walking sports bras and go from there. I am sure I have got something that is perfect for you.
Happy walking.
Amy x
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