I'll admit I purchased this size because it was such a good deal, and about half the price of getting a 30HH on ebay. I got this one for $15 on ebay and that included shipping.

I anticipated that the band would be the biggest fit problem and I thought I could use an extender when it arrived - but I've been continuing to lose weight and the have lost some squish around my ribcage so the band feels awesome and so secure! For most people the issue will be actually getting into this thing! I can fasten the bottom set of hooks behind my back ... but do it more around my waist and then pull the band up - this is the easiest way anyway. And I'm pretty flexible but not flexible enough to fasten the second set of hooks with the straps on - but pulling the straps up over my arms after I fasten the second set of hooks works great.

The problem is, this is the largest cup size in this band size, so a 30HH would have been a better choice (and still might not have been large enough in the cups) I have the strangest looking quadboob ever! It's just up so high! I also get some tissue pushed out of the sides by my armpits that simply wont fit into the fabric of the front. I really like how secure the non-stretchy fabric of this bra is, but in a 28 band I probably need a J or JJ and I don't believe any shock absorber bras go above an HH cup. The shock absorber US website has this sizing disclaimer:
"Sizing Disclaimer: Shock Absorber follows UK bra sizing standard. Also note that the cup sizes tend to run large while the band sizes tend to run small. A good rule of thumb is to go up a size for the band and down a size for the cup. Example: If you are a 32DD, in UK sizing, it would be wise to go for a 34D."

I think that disclaimer may be perfectly correct for smaller cup sizes, but in small band/large cup combinations where a tighter band is often preferred to offset as much weight as possible, I would not recommend following their advice. My standard UK size is (I'm pretty sure now! Plus bratabase and various other sizing calculators agree) 30HH, and towards the smaller end of HH I believe, since the weight I've lost and slight decreases in my leaning, vertical and lying breast perimeters this month put me closer to an H - so a 28HH shouldn't be *too* far off, but I definitely need a bit more cup volume. If I had gotten a 32H as suggested, the band would have been way too loose for a sports bra. The cup volume might have been sufficient but what good is a fitting cup if the band isn't secure. So, sizing could be an issue. I read lots of different reports on sizing when I looked at the reviews already up and I don't have a ton to add. I would say if you like a firm band stay with your normal size or even size down. I can say that if you're a 28J, which would be my sister size, you're going to be pretty squashed and wish for more volume. I still like the way this bra fits better than any of my other sports bras though, and I can always hope for some stretch!

Straps could adjust longer, I have a pretty high set bust and they work adjusted to their longest. Thank goodness they're long enough becuse they are sooo soo comfortable, the front portion of the strap is padded and widens to 1.5 inches at the shoulder and the comfort this adds is remarkable. I can feel that the straps are there, but there's no digging, no nerve pain, no headache beginning. They're the most comfortable straps I've tried, probably in large part because I have a band that actually is tight enough to support most of the weight of my breasts, and they aren't too far apart/wide, like so many bra straps seem to be.

This is a compression sports bra. This style is my preference for intense workouts where my chest really gets in the way - even in the Panache sports bras, which use more encapsulation than compression for support. Even in the 30GG - Panache Sport » Non Wired Sports Bra (7341) that is a more compressing bra than the standard panache, I feel bulky and ungainly compared to this. For goodness sake, my overbust measurement is compressed to 37.5 inches! In the no-wire panache it's 40 inches and 42-43 in regular bras. This is the perfect amount of compression for really active stuff where breasts legitimately get in the way of arm movement. I'm going to wear this the next time I split wood, and may order another specifically to wear under my bathing suit when I swim laps. For years I've been using the ridiculously too small size "small" in champion's firmest 'ultra compression' or whatever it's called, for swimming, but I can see this bra being a lot more comfortable since I wouldn't have the issue with boobs sneaking out of the bottom elastic.





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Pink/Purple colorway

Updated on Oct 12, 2016 Flag this

The Good: this bra minimizes bounce by smooshing your boobs together and against your chest wall. It may be too gross and uncomfortable for those who prefer the separation design of some other sports bra styles. For my close set boobs, it's perfect since there's no room for a high rising gore to tack. As such, there's no underwire, which I prefer and the bra still does a great job securing you when you are doing high impact cardio. There are two sets of hooks for ease of detachment when I get back from the gym feeling all mushy and uncoordinated.

The Bad: the cup design seems to cut ... in too much into the side boob. If this design were to satisfy my aesthetic requirements, there would have to be another inch and a half of fabric on each side of the "cup". I wouldn't consider myself full on top, but perhaps this design would work on shallow and narrow roots and FOB breasts. I've resorted to wearing this bra with an extender on the top hook to reduce the look of side boob. While it looks better now, I've sacrificed some support and security. I use this bra now for mid-impact workouts.

Overall: If you can overlook the side-boob, go for it. If not, explore other options if you jump a lot in your workouts.
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Updated on Apr 29, 2014 Flag this