When I first was given this bra, I wore a 28E Cleo Lily as my only fitting bra. That's about five years ago, and at the time, this could have in theory been a bralette sort of thing - but it was too tight for lounge wear, and the cups were too big. So it hung out in a drawer until i tried it on for a fit check half a year ago - and what do you know, it fits?!
So now that this fits, it is my only sports bra. And boy is it GOOD.

COMFORT:
So I set the comfort to "Good" because it is a ... sports bra, and it's not comfortable to wear outside of excersise. The band hurts my ribcage/underbust when I'm not actively focused on the excersise. That being said, it is the optimal sports bra for my current activity type and level. It holds everything in place, there's no jiggle, there's no finnicky straps or mechanisms that rub the wrong place, etc. The person that gave it to me did hardcore martial arts with this bra, and today it's a perfect fit since they stretched out the band just enough by wearing it for high intensity excersise. I tried a brand new 32F shock absorber and I could barely breathe, so this being a perfect fit all these years later is magnificent.
Since this is a compression and not an encapsulation sports bra, the breasts are squished together and onto the chest wall. Excellent for support! I love it! No bounce! But not good for sweaty excersise boobs!! My only real issue with this bra is the boob sweat. Ho boy, the boob sweat. I'm considering getting a cookie (removable pad for evening out the fit in bras) of sorts, or making one, to have between the boobs so they're not wet when I take off the sports bra.

QUALITY:
Absolutely solid construction. Wide elastic band at the bottom, all cup edges are elastic, wide straps, several different pieces of fabric for maximum hold and support. And the thing that drives it home for me: the 4 hooks in sets of 2. The support isn't only relying on your IMF and underbust/ribcage, but is distributing it to between the shoulder blades as well. I will admit that it's not always the easiest to hook this bra, but the shoulder hooks are about as hard as the underbust hooks - I have flexible shoulders so the top hooks aren't super hard, but it's an awkward angle. The bottom hooks are actually a little difficult to clasp, because the band is so tight.
When it comes to the straps, I have no issue with them not being fully adjustable. I have a relatively long torso so I don't struggle with straps not adjusting short enough. I really like the thicker part of the straps since it's that part of the straps that rest on the top of my shoulders, and it's that spot that bears the most weight.

DESIGN:
I'll admit also that I don't super enjoy the fabric color choices of this bra. The dark floral pattern isn't really my thing, and the blue is too dark so it's not a very satisfying color combination. I like flashy and bright colors, so this bra is just a little plain. It looks okay when I'm wearing though, and honestly the fit is really the most important thing about this bra. Fit first, design second, when it comes to sports bras.
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Blue/purple colorway

Updated on Nov 24, 2020 Flag this

This is a 32 that measures to about 29-29.5" stretched, so one band size small which I expected.

I don't particularly care for this pattern, but it is cheap and the bra is top-notch. I bought three after I returned the 30E - Shock Absorber » Active Multi Sports (4490) with the intention of keeping one, I'm not sure if I want this one or the 32E - Shock Absorber » Active Multi Sports (4490) Dark Pink.

Sturdy materials that take abuse well, last forever, and can be washed in hot water to remove gym stank make these awesome bras. Not to mention the level of support they provide, no bounce for me in these suckers.

Dark Floral colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jan 06, 2016 Flag this

This is much better.

This color is definitely running two sizes smaller in the band, a 32 that measures 28, craziness. Ordinarily I would be concerned with it stretching out, but given my experience with my purple/turquoise 28F, I don't think that's going to happen.

Anyway, sturdy materials that take abuse well, last forever, and can be washed in hot water to remove gym stank make these awesome bras. Not to mention the level of support they provide, no bounce for me in these suckers.

These bras are expensive, currently this color and size is available on Amazon for $12 and it's more than worth it.

Dark Pink colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jan 06, 2016 Flag this

This bra was love at first try. It fits wonderfully, like a snug hug, keeps everything in place. I went for a run shortly after buying it and it was the most comfortable I felt in ages, bounce was minimal and I could breathe and move freely. I'm glad I followed the advice in other reviews to size up in the band - the 32 band fits me perfectly but I usually wear 30 bands. If I had gotten a 30 band it would have been hard to breathe. I have soft breast tissue so the compression kind of flattens me out, but I like how comfortable it is. The bra has a sling like structure inside in non-stretchy fabric. There is also a seamed wireless cup on the inside, made from the same non-stretchy fabric. These both help give the support and compression needed. Bonus, this "mellow blue" color (it's actually coral pink and light pink combined with dark blue) looks much better in person than it did on the website.

Mellow Blue colorway

Updated on Nov 25, 2021 Flag this

My shape: close set, center full, full on bottom, average/narrow width roots, tall shallow roots, soft tissue.

This is the 6th Shock Absorber bra I try. This one is a better fit for me then the Classic Support style, but it was very tight in the band. I tried it with an extender, and added two extra hooks, and the cups felt better, but I'm not sure if they're still somewhat too small for me.

The top hook is very hard to do once you put the bra on; I managed to hook it, but I was contorting in every which way which was ridiculous. The ... straps are borderline too short for me, but they're okay. The fabric is stiff to offer compression, but not uncomfortable. I wish it came up a little bit higher in the front and the sides, which is where I still have movement when I do the bounce test.

I am not keeping this bra, but I want to try this in a 34DD and 34E to compare the two sizes to see if these are a better fit for me.
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Dark Grey colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Aug 14, 2019 Flag this

So I went up one cup size from my usual 30E/32DD and it fits much better in this style. I get less armpit fat/side overspill and also there's enough room for breathing (the 32DD felt a little too constricting).
Surprisingly, the 32E is as supportive as the smaller size.

The only letdown is the flattened shape - but that's something you have to live with in a compression sports bra. I don't really care as long as it's comfy and keeps my boobs from bouncing.

pink/turquoise colorway

Updated on Jul 01, 2014 Flag this

Honestly, this bra is what I wear a week before my period. Even before I went up several cup sizes, this bra didn't fit comfortably for exercise. I couldn't run in it because after a few blocks my breasts felt like they were being impacted into my ribcage, and I couldn't breathe. But the compression is nice sometimes, so I keep it around.

As a sports bra, it worked great in that there was little bounce. It didn't work so well in that I have super dense breasts, and they were being pressed into my ribcage. It is well made, but as a sports bra, it doesn't work for my dense boobs, and I won't be getting a better size.

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Feb 17, 2014 Flag this

Didn't write a review

Dark Pink colorway

Added on Mar 23, 2016

Didn't write a review

Added on Jun 30, 2013

Didn't write a review

This bra is not owned any more

Added on May 07, 2013