It is possibly the most divisive design aspect of a sports bra. Underwired sports bras vs Wireless sports bras. We women have our preference, and this is one feature on which we are often not willing to compromise.
This love (or hate) can often be traced back to our youth. Mum took us bra shopping and we came home with what she preferred and had always worn. And in a great many cases this was an underwired bra.
Then for many of us when it came time to get a sports bra, we naturally stuck with what we knew, underwired. Not a bad thing as such but is it the best option to wear when working out?
In this article I will take an in depth look at wireless sports bras. Their pros and cons. And whether wireless is something you should consider.
Those of you who follow my blogs will know I am a massive fan of wireless sports bras. I love the support and comfort they give me (I’m a 12D/DD). But this wasn’t always the case.
In fact, before I started Sports Bras Direct, I mainly wore underwired sports bras. And even to this day my wardrobe is filled with underwired everyday bras. I am a 40+ mother of two so I love the lift and shape underwired gives me day to day.
But not in my sports bras. Why you ask? Sports bras work differently. For me, it is less about lift and shape and more about support and comfort. Of course, I want my girls to look good but not at the expense of support and comfort.
Of course, I am not totally dismissing underwired sports bras. There are many wonderful underwired styles on the market (and we stock a heap of them!) But for me personally I much prefer wireless sports bras.
And guess which type I’ll be introducing my daughter too? You guessed it, wireless. I told you I was a massive fan!
As with anything there are always pros and cons. Let’s take a look at them.
I touched on this briefly in my ‘Con’s list above. A good, supportive wireless sports bra is structured. This means that it has cups designed to fit a certain size.
A 12DD for example is designed to fit someone with a size 12 back (ribcage measurement) and DD cups (breast measurement). In theory such a bra will offer the perfect fit and all the support and comfort that goes with that.
Currently, the women’s sportswear world is flooded with what are called ‘crop top’ styles. Think Lorna Jane, Running Bare, etc. These are also known as ‘fashion crops.’
They can look the part but do not offer the support of structured sports bras. A size 12 could be designed to fit a 12A, 12B, 12C & 12D. A big difference and one that is difficult to accommodate successfully.
Consequently, these crop top styles can give wireless sports bras a bad name. They have their place and are perfect for lower impact activities such as walking, cycling or the gym.
If you participate in high impact activities such as running, basketball or AFL. My advice? Stick to structured styles. Your breasts will thank you!
At the end of the day this is all about you and whether you should consider a wireless sports bra. My initial reaction is to say a resounding yes!
Modern, technical designs mean that many of the wireless sports bra styles available on the market today equal or exceed their underwired counterparts in terms of support.
And as we have already discussed they also have many comfort advantages too. No underwire to dig in or rub!
Of course, this comes with some caveats. Everyone is different and we all have differing needs when it comes to sports bras. For those with very large breasts support is key.
Underwired styles can help lift and separate and this extra lift can make all the difference in both comfort and support. That said I would still consider giving wireless a go. You may be pleasantly surprised.
I won’t say to much here except to answer yes to the premise of this article. Yes, you should consider a wireless sports bra.
They offer many advantages and there is a style available to suit everyone (even the larger chested among us!).
Give wireless a go. It may change your sports bra life!
Yours in support.
Amy x
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