Best sports bra I have owned in a while. I definitely must use the strap hook in the back because without the hook, it feels like you are working out in a normal every day minimizing bra. Unfortunately, the hook occasionally unhooks itself - during workouts this can be very uncomfortable. This bra was good for me when I was a little heavier and a size 32FF, but I have lost some weight since purchasing it and so I am no longer happy with the support I receive from it (I am now a 30GG).
What would you tell a friend with similar boobs about this bra?
GO GET PLENTY OF THEM!
I want to LIVE in this bra!! It's a great fit; this must be sports bra heaven! It looks good under tops. I haven't tried the racer back option yet, but I don't formally need it (maybe just under some tops?). The band is fairly tight; only buy the 28 band if you're a 'true' 28. I love the tight band on my 25.5in underbust. It's nice and tight, and the cups hold my breasts like they're made of china.
I just ran with it, and there's just about no bounce! I ...ran without the J-hook making it a racer back (I haven't even found that yet, it's supposed to have it), which is supposed to be used for extra support. My boobies weren't going anywhere... Can I have one of these for my bum as well please? THAT was the bouncy part on this run. According to reviews the J-hook reduces any remaining bounce.... I can't judge the difference between zero bounce and zero bounce. Some also say it's uncomfortable in the neck when worn with the J-hook, but I'm not bothered by that; I simply let out the straps and have a quite comfy racerback bra which sits comfortably between my shoulderblades. To resolve the neck issues some people have with it Panache would have to reduce the adjustability of the straps and make the J-hook lower on the back. They should put J-hooks on more bras.
I've had the OLD model Shock Absorber Active Multi Sports (4490) , and never bought the new ones because the double hook in the back annoyed me: the bit between shoulder blades became wider. This is uncomfortable, as it poked my shoulder blades when moving. Then I had the Shock Absorber Ultimate Run Bra (B5044) , same problem to less extent, and it has pretty good compression-support. I 'outgrew' that one though (and the old shock absorbers have grown with my boobs, now they're yoga bras) The Panache beats any one of them by far, and I love the shoulder comfort. No annoying straps on/against my shoulder blades! I shall be ordering more of these to keep up with my active lifestyle.
Oh, and it says 'hand wash only'.... but all my bras say that. It survived the machine just fine.
Got it in black and white as well; both have slightly stretchier fabric for some reason.
Best sports bra ever! I will likely never stray from this style in regards to sports bra--this one is awesome. It's comfortable, gives me great shape without the pointiness (which I LOATHE--no thanks, Madonna cone boobs!), and keeps me completely supported.
The only minor issue I will note is that when I bend over, the boning in the middle separating the cups moves forward and lifts off from the skin, sticking out slightly. But this only occurs when I'm bent further than 90 degrees. I have this in 2 colors and am definitely looking to grow my collection!
I have 4 pieces of this sports bra in 28FF, so that tells you something about how much i like it! https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" /> I copied here my old review that I wrote earlier:
I have this sports bra also in 30E in which the cups feeled a little too small, so I tried 30F. There the band was too big! So heading for 28FF.
The band is now tight enough. There is also enough room in the cups now. The only minus is that some wrinkling or so is seen in the upper cups but not much and it doesn´t bother me.
I don´t have much to say about this bra, because it just feels okay https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" /> Band okay, cups okay, straps okay. Boobs barely move when jumping and the bra stays in place if I hold arms up. Appearance excellent!
EDIT. The wrinkling of upper cups seems to have disappeared for some reason.
Molded cups, so I don't quite fill the exact shape toward the top. Since it's a sports bra, it comes high enough there is no quad-boob.
Comfort = Good but not Excellent for my application, as the (non-adjustable) rings on the back sit exactly where the barbell is placed for squats, so I get bruising. If I wear it as a racerback, it's uncomfortable because the straps don't adjust long enough for my low-set boobs.
Also tried 28E (too tight, pushed muscle on either side of spine together) and 30E (comically big and empty - no amount of scooping & swooping could hope to fill it - too much projection).
Really disappointed about the fit of this bra, as it is too big for me. The band is loose (in my opinion) for a sports bra. As this fits me now, there is no support for my breasts. My breasts don't quite fill out the cups; I can fit my hand down the front of them. On the positive side: The bra seems to be well made and it feels nice. The pink color is also gorgeous https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />
You forget you're wearing it. This is the most supportive bra I've found yet, but makes me look GIANORMOUS, and I think I could go up a cup or even a band? I couldn't really get the racer back option to work. Maybe I am too tall? I have the straps loosened all the way. It still is probably not enough support for high-impact like running or jumping rope, but it's fine for biking, hiking, gardening, and probably weight training.
I have slight armpit spillage. I'm afraid if I go up to a 36 it will ride up. I really do mean to get some extenders sometime.
Now that I have a better sized cup, I am much more comfortable in this bra. The band is quite wide, very snug but not tight, and offers great support. You might want to think about ordering the next band size up if you do not prefer a snug bordering on tight fit. The straps convert from racer back to a leotard style, offering versatility for tops and offering some extra security for women with narrow shoulders or those engaging in high impact activity. I also like the bright colors available in this style. Bring on the aqua trimmed in neon green!
I've been re-sized recently and generally wear a 32HH or thereabouts, but this bra is still one of my favourite bras. It's just so comfortable and flattering. I do wish the shoulder pads came up a little higher or at least were adjustable for us tall ladies, but it's still one of my favourite bras. It looks good under clothes, it's quite pretty in a massively-sporty kind of way (I have both the purple and the black one), and controls the bounce to some extent. With the racerback option, I can usually contain the bounce enough to run or use the elliptical. It's more bouncey than the Shock Absorber, but works better for taller ladies, and I experience less discomfort in it.
First off, the bra looks great on. It's got a great shape and looks sporty. I would be fine with parts of it showing around workout tops, and in another life and body might wear it as a top by itself. Unfortunately for me, it seems to be designed for breasts with more upper fullness than mine. It didn't look it, bu there was space in the tops of the cups that allowed for movement. I'll probably try it in a size down to see if that fixes things.
The bra has a very high cut, and that makes that I don't fill the top of the cups. I could probably do with a DD, but the wires were to narrow on that one. Even though I don't full up the cups completely, it still gives my wonderful support and I would surely recommend it to everybody. It feels nice and soft, softer than everyday bra's. Yhe cups have a little bit of padding. Just enough to make sure there are no nipples poking though, no more, and it looks nice.
I really wanted to like this bra. It looks great on, nice uplifted shape.
Not supportive enough for running without the upper clasp but gives me a sore neck/supper back with. Absolutely no bounce with both clasps done up but lingering neck pain after a long run means it is not as comfortable as my usual Freya Active underwired.
The band is very tight - fully stretched, the 32E measures 31". My fitter was putting the bras on for me when I was trying them on, and this one feels really good on. I didn't realise until I got home that I can't actually get it done up by myself behind my back. I -can- get it on backwards and then twist it around, but that's not ideal, so I bought a bra extender. Or, I can get my husband to do it up for me, if he's home.
It is hard to see if the centre gore tacks, because it's covered in fabric. It feels like it might not be sitting completely flat on my sternum, but if not, it's very close.
My girls don't move at all, which is nice in a sports bra. There is also none of the dreaded uniboob that is sadly so common.
Overall, I would say that it fits pretty well, but I probably should have gone for the 34.
Great sports bra. Tested it during a power yoga class and I had no bounce issues. It's comfortable and separates unlike most standard sports bras. It seems very sturdy so far.
It's very comfortable, and gives me a much nicer shape than other sports bras. However, because of its light padding this sports bra feels warmer than the unpadded Shock Absorbers I own. I feel really supported in it, even without clipping the straps together in the back - I cannot really do this comfortably, because I need long straps. The band feels very tight and is just right for a sports bra.
First I have to say, that this bra did not fit me. I would need a 32J / 30JJ which Panache does not make.
Since I heard that the cups run big on this one (I can't say if it's true since I tried a wrong size) I hoped a 34H might fit. *wishful thinking*
The band was too big, I could fasten it on the tightest set of hooks right away. For comparison: the band on a Shock Absorber sports top in the same size is just right for me.
Other I have to say that the bra is very pretty and does look good (for a sports bra) and it is the most comfiest bra I ever tried! The wires are padded so they do not dig in.
