I got this sports bra because I was thinking of getting into running. The Shock Absorber 4490 has good reviews all around, it runs notoriously tight, and lucky me, there was one in my size listed on Bratabase!

[As a side note, it took about a month and a half (!) to actually finally get to me via airmail (!!!); presumably because Malaysia Post accidentally sent it on a joyride around the world first (who knows!) but sender cass_lee28 was extremely polite and apologetic about the whole ordeal. She was just about to refund me in full when the bra finally arrived. Props to her!]

Back to ... the bra. It's tight enough that, although I am technically flexible enough to do up both sets of hooks behind my back by myself, I had to get my S.O. to do it for me today because my arms were way too sore (due to an unrelated adventure on the climbing wall yesterday). Based on the measurements I took, the band currently stretches to 26in, which is tighter than my snug underbust (27) but not break-the-tape tight (25). I consider this perfect for a high impact sports bra. It's tight enough to feel, but not so tight I can't breathe.

The bra pretty much holds itself up by the band, so there's very little pressure on my shoulders. The straps are quite wide too, so it wouldn't be a huge issue either way. I found the straps to fit me just fine on the shortest setting, though as some others have mentioned, there's not much to adjust.

The cups are also fairly tight, in a compressing way, not a "too small" way. They come up high enough that even with my tall roots, I felt like absolutely everything was contained. I found it easiest to scoop and swoop BEFORE closing the upper set of hooks because ain't no way my hand is fitting in the cups after closing it all the way. Once it's on, there is zero chance of boob movement. Seriously. None whatsoever. I ran in it and didn't notice any bouncing or discomfort or anything. I pretty much forgot I have boobs. As far as performance goes, 10/10, extremely impressed; I may buy more of these.

With regards to appearance, I'm not a fan of that pink/orange combo, but who cares, it works better than literally every other sports bra I've ever tried, including the 28DD Panache Sport (underwired, moulded) and the 28D Freya Active (underwired, non-moulded) and definitely much better than everything that doesn't have hooks at the back. I don't think it's even possible for me to pull this bra over my head without undoing it first.

The cups do have another layer of fabric on the inside (lining?) which seems slightly tighter than the outside layer. This results in the *slightest* bit of wrinkling on the outside of the cups just along the seams, though I definitely do not have any room to spare on the inside. It doesn't bother me at all because it's entirely an aesthetic issue and I don't intend to wear the bra on its own.

I would absolutely recommend this bra if you need 100% boob immobilization.
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Updated on Mar 08, 2016 Flag this

I've mixed feelings about this. I'm SUPER happy that I've found a perfect hold-em-down sports bra which fits my 25 inch ribcage like a wearable vice. I can run, play tennis and hockey with this bra without feeling my titties jiggling everywhere. However, it weirdly wrinkles at the side of the cup and I've a little bit of armpit fat going on. I'll make do with it.

28:5 28DD

Wrinkling, but doesn't feel too big.

Shock Absorber

Active Multi Sports (4490)

5 suggestions

White colorway

Updated on Oct 26, 2016 Flag this

A sports bra that locks my breasts down completely while running! Fantastic! I don't even think about my breasts once while running, which is a first! The band is very tight, and there's even another band higher up that connects the straps together for even more support. But don't let the super super tight band scare you--that's what makes it so effective at holding your boobs in place while running around. I've read about other women buying a band size up for this and other Shock Absorber bras but I think if you do you're sacrificing support, especially considering bras stretch out over time. One gripe I have ... is that I wish the straps could be pulled tighter. They're not loose by any means.. there's just not a lot of option for adjustment.

I got mine in a cute grey and purple shade and it isn't even ugly as far as sports bras are concerned.

PS I got this on ebay for only 12 USD. It was listed as
"b4490 shock absorber level 4". I think my particular model is discontinued but that's what it was sold as.
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Updated on Mar 05, 2013 Flag this

A sports bra that locks my breasts down completely while running! Fantastic! I don't even think about my breasts once while running, which is a first! The 28 band is very tight on me, even given my 26" ribcage. If I were a true 28" ribcage I would absolutely definitely size up to 30. And there's even another set of hooks higher up that connects the straps together for even more support. I've read about other women buying a band size up for this and other Shock Absorber bras but I think if you do you're sacrificing support, especially considering bras stretch out over time. One gripe I have is that I wish the straps could be made tighter. There's just not a lot of option for adjustment.

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Updated on Jun 15, 2017 Flag this

the straps are longer (too long) and the cups feel roomier than the older pink version. I can actually do up the top clasp in the back on the tightest hook, which is physically impossible on the pink. I'd say the fit in the band is similarly tight but the cups are more true to size, and therefore less supportive for me. I get more bounce in this than I do in the 28DD Panache Sport. Still usable for sure, but the older pink one I bought secondhand off Bratabase is a much better fit and more effective boob clamp.

I think the newer white version is more true to size but I don't know if that's because of inconsistent sizing between different colourways or if they updated the fit to be less tight.

Interestingly, the fabric composition is different. The pink one is a 62% polyester, 32% polyamide, 6% spandex blend while the white one is 45/44/11. As in, the white version contains twice as much spandex and is noticeably stretchier :/

white colorway

Updated on Apr 10, 2016 Flag this

I have a wide root and shallow boobs. I do need flat cups but not extraordinary wide wires. I almost don't have any volume on top.

The bras band is really snug I'm not able to close it without using an full extender. Weaing that bra to tight makes the cups work as a part of the underwire so the cups become smaller.
To me the bra offers great support and is comfortable to wear.

Updated on Sep 09, 2014 Flag this

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Added on Sep 29, 2018

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Added on Apr 07, 2014

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Purple/turquoise colorway

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Added on Oct 11, 2016

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Added on Aug 30, 2012