This is a really great bra.

Growing up, I mostly only wore sports bras. (I think constantly wearing compression bras almost 24/7 (I wore them to bed) while developing, probably didn't help my case much. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_razz.gif" alt=":p" />)

However, this is the FIRST sports bra to ever fit me.
Makes me face palm at myself when I think of 3 years ago, asking my mom if I could get a tank top with a built in sports bra for running. She did pick one up, and it sagged everywhere and we had to take it back.
I didn't bother trying another one until a year or so later, ... in Medium. That one was tight, but not good enough for sprinting. Not even running, just jogging.

I tried this bra on and jumped around a bit, and nothing moved. I've never had a sports bra like this. Super happy with the 32D.
The band is super taut and supportive. This is used, but it seriously feels like a new bra. It feels better than any of the sports bras I bought previously, when they were brand new.

I'd recommend sizing up in the band, and down in the cups, for more compression. Especially soft tissue.
I'm in between soft and mildly firm, and I think I MAY fit the 32DD, but I really don't believe my boobs would be kept in place as well as they are in the 32D. It's exactly what I need and want from a sports bra.

If you have extremely firm tissue, maybe try one in your usual size (but sister size up in cups and band), and one in the smaller size+bigger band ( bigger band, 1 cup down from sister size).
I'm not super firm, just mildy in some spots, so I don't know for certain, unfortunately.

I also like the general design of this. It's very simple. I like the black.
I'll usually settle with colors and designs in sports bras, but in reality, I don't really like grays, whites, or super loud, neony colors.
I've only ever had neons and white, cheap sports bras, like cotton/spandex, pull over bralettes, and they dirty quickly and never work.

I like the entire look and structure of this. It's exactly what I've always wanted.

The racerback feature is also really nice. I prefer racerbacks in most bras, but again, usually settle.

The shape is also good. Usually, sports bras give me weird, box boobs. I think because of the structure and design of this bra, it retains a rounded shape, while still compressing. Oh, and without wires, of course. I've never gotten a rounded shape without wires.

Not that much of that matters when you're running anyway, but sometimes I like to go out places before I go for a workout, and having box boobs just makes me feel awkward.

As for straps, I haven't readjusted them, but there are 8 slots for the hook, which are for lengthening/shortening. I mostly never have issues with straps, but this seems to adjust pretty high/low.

The cups/bra itself comes up pretty high on my chest, so I have no issues with my tall roots or anything making this a strange fit. It's pretty perfect.

Fabric is a double layered(I think), silky material, and a mesh, with a taut, elastic band.

I think I'll be sticking with Shock Absorbers for a long time. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />
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Updated on Jul 07, 2015 Flag this

The 36E is really great, but it has got too big band. I bought 34F (soon will be reviewed) and this one has too small band. So I guess I'm between sizes (again!). Max sports bra has got stretchier band. This one works on tightest hook. I feel supported, the fabric is really nice. But I sent it back, because of the band.
Another thing – straps are great – comfortably lay on your shoulder AND they are long enough for me (it's like miracle). But in 34F the straps are again too short and it kills my shoulders.
So sad that I'm not Shock Absorber girl https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" />

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Nov 12, 2012 Flag this

I had major fit issues with this bra and I could only surmise that I was sold a defective bra online.

I bought this Shock Absorber for only $25 & $13 shipping (I'm in Canada and shipping is expensive!) off of the website YourBraStore.com, which is supposed to be "bra clearinghouse" of sorts for boutiques, not sure if I agree with that theory if I'm going to be pawned defective merchandise. I guess that price was too good to be true. I plan to try out this same size at Running Stores (when they open again), as I really had my hopes up for getting an ... Ultimate Run bra.

Normally this bra would run $65 ish retail. I learned after I tried this bra out that it's sold at some running stores in my area, but this try-on has turned me off of the brand. I ordered a cheaper brand (Syrokan) off amazon to tide me over until I can find something.

The fit issues, where should I begin? First of all, I knew the bands were really tight. This one was TIGHT. I sister-sized up to a 32 band, it felt like a 26 band. See pictures of the back (holy back fat, I know...I honestly wasn't aware of my fat stores until I tried to squish into this tight of a band).

Okay, the band was too tight, maybe next time will try a 34, but the CUPS?!? Way, way, way too loose (see pics). Basically, I am not supported at all, and this is accentuated by the too-tight band. This is basically natural breast shape: I would do better running in my BM Perla.

So, there's no way this was a 32F cup. How would I even describe this size, like 26KK? Is that even a size?...something was way off here. Too bad b/c I liked the colour, and I liked how the back fastens with strap over the shoulder area plus band. Will try this brand again when stores open up.
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32:7 32F

Does anyone have experience with Shock Absorber Ultimate Run bras?

Shock Absorber

Ultimate Run Bra (B5044)

2 suggestions

Updated on Jun 08, 2021 Flag this

This bra has a ridiculously tight band. It fits like a 26G, and it is in fact a 30F. This works for me, but that's a big heads up for others who are looking to buy this bra. I've heard it still runs two band sizes small in the other end of the size range as well. Other than that, the bra does a really good job of reducing bounce and minimizes quite a bit, as is to be expected from a compression sports bra. Sometimes it's tricky to get in and out of, and sometimes I'm not actually a fan of how tight it runs; sometimes it ... just gets too uncomfortable for me. The other issue I have is with the straps. They're only partially adjustable and I was nearly on the tightest setting when I first bought it, so by now the straps are a little too loose, but I don't wear it very frequently so it may be even worse for someone who wears it more frequently. Other than that, I've had it for at least two years and several size changes, and it still works for me whether I'm a 26FF or 26GG because it doesn't have wires. I mean it's not ideal when I'm at the small or the large end, but it still does fine. I don't usually do super intense workouts anyway, so it's not a problem for me.
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Updated on Oct 31, 2016 Flag this

Alright, this is not my bra size but I am reviewing it for a giveaway listing.

Believe it or not, I actually think I could still make this bra work. It's very forgiving. With the band on the tightest hooks, it's reasonably snug (for a low impact exercise). This means the band runs tight (since I have a 27.5" snug comfortable underbust). And while I have a slight amount of baggy material up top, because of the second set of hooks in the middle, I can still jump around with a minimum of bounce.

I have tried on a 30E in this same style (since I normally wear a 28F) and found the whole thing uncomfortably tight when taking a deep inhale (but that might be because the cups were so small). I could see myself wearing a 32E in this style, possibly.

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 30, 2013 Flag this

I had high hopes for this bra. Silly me, I didn't listen to others' reviews and order up a band size - I had to go out and buy an extender because after 30 minutes of running I would start getting chest pains because it was so tight!

Pros: Quite comfortable, very soft, and not at all itchy. The material absorbs sweat very well (bleh!) and because of the cut, it doesn't ever feel like I am stuck in a heavy, sweaty bra: it is very light feeling. Also, unlike many other sports bras I have tried, the straps don't stretch!

Cons: The straps do not adjust enough; even using ... the racerback option I could still use a good inch less. In order to get great support I have to pull the band down in the back, so it is essentially "riding down" and not parallel and I have to adjust it several times during my workout because it shifts back up to being parallel. Also, since I have to use the racerback option in order to get decent support, my shoulders hurt by the end of my workout and I can't do any exercises that involve raising my arms because it puts strain on those muscles by my neck. Regarding shape: this is a bra that straps you down so you do get monoboob and I end up with a tad amount of side boob.

Overall, the quality of this bra is very high and I am glad I bought it. If I ever get around to taking up the straps it might just become my favorite sports bra. I would highly suggest trying this one out if you can find it on sale from a site that allows exchanges. Definitely order up a band size (I would use your plus-four measurement if you have a bonier ribcage) and consider going down a cup size if you are a less full __. (So a 30E/DDD might try a 32DD or 32D.)

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Updated on Jul 25, 2013 Flag this

The only sports bra I use now, I own 4. I am usually a 32 FF deco or 30 G panache porcelain plunge but in this I am 34E?! The 32 is super tight and if I get a cup bigger than E I don't get enough support. There is the slightest quad boob effect at certain times of the month but not enough to need to go up a cup size.
Fantastic support!
Edit: OK, I am a 30G in the deco too after a few wears the 32FF is far too loose around the ribs and uncomfortable.

Updated on Mar 25, 2013 Flag this

I bought this bra a few weeks ago, and ran in it 5 times. I've just started running, so I didn't put many miles on it, but it did seem to control nearly all bounce. The shoulder straps were the deal breaker for me; they put too much pressure on my traps. The band also runs extremely tight. I measure 28.5 inches around, and I hooked the bra on the loosest set of hooks, and it was pretty darn tight. I bought the bra from a store with a generous one year return policy, so I took advantage and returned it.
The bra has no modesty padding, so be aware you might have high beams in cool weather.
I recommend trying this bra if you run or horseback ride, if you can handle the T-back style, but suggest going up a band size. I don't have the bra to measure anymore, but I believe the size 32 measured around 26 inches unstretched.

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on May 06, 2012 Flag this

I received this sport's bra as a gift almost 10 years ago. It was already the wrong cup size as the store didn't carry my size.
Nevertheless, this sport bra is top quality as my breast didn't bounce during high impact activities (running, zumba classes) & as it lasted 10 years with machine washing & air drying! I only discarded this bra as with times my cup size growed & I have quad-boob effect when wearing it!

This sport bra is a compressive style one so it isn't comfortable wearing to lounge around!
But I bought the same bra in my size thanks to the Internet!

BLACK colorway

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Updated on Jan 12, 2022 Flag this

I am using this bra at home, and with a looser T-shirt with some applications at front it helps me look more flat. For now this is very comfortable, although running I'm recently experiencing some pain inside the breasts after about 10-15 minutes (medium-high pace).
Sometimes it makes me feel the most comfortable, sometimes I can't stand wearing it - it changes for every bra for me from time to time without the measurements change.

It could be more flattening for me, although I am worried if it wouldn't hurt then.

black colorway

Updated on Aug 18, 2019 Flag this