headlights and other weighty matters

I'm no spring chicken.  Now-a-days certain body parts are little more floppy and saggy than they have been in the past.   It's kinda a bummer, but what can you do??  It's part of getting older - kinda like  getting gray hair.  I'm 50 years old and I have never dyed my hair.  I'm not crazy about my gray.  AND I  am currently having a big inner debate about continuing to go gray  - do or dye??   ...but I digress.

Headlight direction

Back to certain body parts.   Mtn biking is considered an "medium impact" sport and I have purchased sports bras that are meant for medium impact sports.   A couple of years ago I was riding with a group of women a few years younger than me(mid-to late 40s),  I noticed one lady's "headlights" were pointing downward.  Whoa!  Let me tell you - that made her look about 10 years older than she was.   Since I didn't know her that well - I never mentioned that she might want to adjust the headlights to point in the right direction.   I wish I had, because if mine are pointing straight down or slightly askew - i would want to know.   Now as a matter of course - every time I get ready to ride or after I stop(same with running) - I verify that my headlights are pointing in the right direction.  Important stuff!

In search of...

Race pictures are never flattering and when I saw the picture below - I realized that my collection of medium impact sports bras are not cutting it in the running arena.  As you can see in this picture - my right headlight is generally pointing in the right direction (thank goodness) but my boob is flopped over so far to the right there is so much 'overhang' on my bib that obviously my bra is NOT giving me enough support.

yep - need a better running bra

So I've been on the search for the perfect sports running bra.   My size 32 C.  My measurements put me between a B and C and the recommendation for sports bras is to round up.

High impact requirements

Here are my requirements in order of importance:

1.  It has to easy to take on and off.   I dislike pull over bras.  This is mainly because of my hair. (which is why I'll never be a trialthete - don't want to ruin/damage my hair with all that chlorine)   When I am all wet and sweaty and attempt to take my bra off - my hair has a good chance to get tangled up if it's a pull over style.   So I like bras that have a back clasp closure, front zip or a pull over with the band having an back clasp.  I absolutely despise pull over bras without a band release.

2. Good support - I don't want a repeat of what's going on the picture above.

3. Comfortable.  I don't mind a little snugness - but i want to be able to breathe.  I don't want feel like my breath is constricted.  I don't want the shoulder straps digging into my shoulders either.

4.  Looks good.  I don't want my back fat to be accentuated.  Yeah - I know - I should just eat right and get rid of that back fat...I'm working on it!  I would like some side support too as now-a-days I get saggage on the sides. (very unattractive)  AND I don't want the loose skin around my arm pit area to bugle over the bra either.  For women my age, one of the first things to go as far as skin elasticity is the skin around the upper arms and collar bone area. (which is why i'm religious about slathering glycolic lotion in those areas immediately after i shower)    I would prefer not to have the uni-boob look either, but I can live with that if I have to...

Road testing commences..

For the last couple of months I have been trying out different bras - ordering from REI, RoadRunner Sports and Sierra Trading post.  

I have tried the following bras:

• Moving Comfort Cali Bra
• New Balance Profile Crop
• Moving Comfort Phoebe Sports Bra
• Moving Comfort Fiona Bra
• Moving Comfort Helena I Sports Bra
• Moving Comfort Grace Sports Bra
• Under Amour Moxie Bra

The winner is...

Finishing the Slacker Half in my new favorite bra

Bras listed below (1-4) are the ones I kept - from most favorite to least favorite.

1. Moving Comfort Grace Sports Bra.   It's *almost* perfect.  It's a front zip and easy to take on and off.   Great support - even great side support.  Comfortable.   The only downside is the zippered front looks a little bulky with some of my thinner running shirts...but I can live with that.  But so far it's my most favorite.
2. Moving Comfort Fiona Bra
   Great fit, no saggy sides, very good support.   I had several runs in this bra and it was so comfortable I forgot I had it on.  So far this it 2nd my favorite
3. Moving Comfort Cali Bra.  This is my 3rd favorite.  I'm surprised I liked it because it's has underwires.   I thought that would be uncomfortable - but that hasn't been the case.  I LOVE the support - it makes my boobs look nice and perky.   It's comfortable to run in and easy on/off. But the bummer with this one is the seams in on the cups.  The seams are visible through my running shirts and I'm not crazy about that...
4. Moving Comfort Helena Bra.   The material is kinda weird - it's some kind of smooth techy material.  I've read reviews where people complained about the feel of the material - but it's fine for me.  Great support, nice and smooth upfront (no seams or zippers to show through your shirt).   The big downside the loop where the shoulder straps goes through has sharp edges and can be a bit scratchy at times. 

Bras listed below (1-3 ) are the ones I returned.  They were all FAILs for the reasons stated.   

1.  New Balance Profile Crop.  This one was interesting.  Front zip - which I like - but again bulky and too much upfront coverage.  Seems to have decent support tho I feel I have more 'side saggage' than I would prefer.   The back is interesting and you can the option to snug up the back a little more.  The straps are adjustable.   I did have some odd 'back fat bulges'.   Verdict - too much side saggage and 'back fat bulges' to keep.   This was a no-go.
2. Moving Comfort Phoebe Sports Bra. It's definitely snug.  It's a pull over style with a back clasp opening on the bottom band.  It's marginal in regards to my requirement for easy on/off.  It was a tad bit hard to take off  - but the support was very good.  No saggy sides.   A bit of the uni-boob look tho.  I tried a Small C and I ended up coming to the conclusion it was too tight.  This was also a no-go.
3. Under Amour Moxie.  I loved the way this bra looked on the hanger.  Nice back clasp and I like the criss-crossed straps.   The fit was weird and it gave me massive cleavage.  Maybe if I was young and single, I'd go for this bra.  But at this point in life I want support and comfort.  A definite no-go.

Summary 

Who knew finding the right bra would be so hard.

I've always been envious of smaller breasted women.  I would think being smaller would be a lot easier. 

There are a few more bras I'd like to try, but they are so spendy.  Some of the ones I've been eyeing at Boulder Running Company are in the $70+ range.  Just can't bring myself to spend that much on a bra!