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January 12, 2009
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The Helena (Courtesy of Moving Comfort)
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What's the best sports bra for running?
— The Editors
Santa Fe, New Mexico
 The R&D specialists at Moving Comfort know breasts better than anyone except, perhaps, your gynecologist. They should. They’ve been in the business of making bras and other women-specific fitness clothing since 1977. Arc'Teryx , better known for bomber ski shells than bomber boulder holders, is also rolling out a new “Endorphin Line,” that includes a form-fitting tank that can double as a running bra.
In general, a sports bra must get an A+ in four essential areas: breast support, comfort, breathability, and moisture control. Specifically, it should fit snugly, yet feel comfortable, stay in place, and not chafe. The criteria may sound basic, but sports bras are a surprisingly complex piece of engineering, which is why the finished product is often less sexy than a Hanky Panky lace bra.
Moving Comfort's Helena ($58) is the ultimate powerhouse, a high-impact bra for women in the 34-40 C, D, DD range. (Surprising fact: The average breast size of an American woman is a 36C.) The Helena's fully-bonded front and interior eliminates layers and bulky seams, adds support, and improves the form and fit. The straps are fully cushioned and front-adjusting, and the back has a hook-and-eye clasp. If you're well-endowed, training for a marathon, or simply prefer a lot of support, this is your bra.
Smaller-breasted women will want to go with the Diana ($52), which is made out of lightweight, quick-drying, bonded fabric that makes for powerful compression support, but still doesn't chafe. The adjustable keyhole back makes it easy to get on and off and the mesh in high-sweat areas prevents you from stinking.
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Do you have a question of your
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Brand-new for spring is Arc'teryx's Cito Series, a range of fitted tops and bottoms for women. The Cito Crop Tank ($69) is for hot days when you want to run in something less than a full tank with a cloying bra underneath. This little number, which hits you slightly lower on your midriff than a standard sports bra, has a shelf-style bra, a narrow cross-back, and is made out of stretchy polyester knit that wicks sweat away.
Stephanie Pearson: The Gear Girl
When it comes to gear, contributing editor Stephanie Pearson lives by one rule: What you own, owns you. That's why the skier, hiker, biker, runner, canoe paddler, and sometimes yogini is on an eternal quest to find gear and clothing that will enhance her life rather than make her a slave to dysfunctional stuff. During her seven-year stint as a travel editor at Outside, Pearson received three honorable mentions in The Best American Travel Writing series for stories on Guatemala, New Zealand, and Bhutan. Now that she's no longer in the office at Outside HQ in Santa Fe, Pearson hopes to be on the road more and is always in search of functional and aesthetically pleasing gear that's easy to use or clothing that's elegant to wear. Pearson is based in northern Minnesota and Santa Fe. Her latest adventure was on the fringe of the Amazon Basin in Brazil.
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