Product review
Having figured out that I'm of generally athletic bent, the good people at Outer Sports asked me to do a product review on one of their in-stock items recently. Since I can't throw, hit, or catch, running is really just about all that's left; to that end, I opted to review the Champion 02Cool Seamless Racerback Sports bra.
The Champion 02Cool Racerback is advertised as highly supportive, comfortable, and earth-friendly in that part of the construction features recycled nylon. I can't argue with supportive, per se: much to my chagrin, I discovered that the 02Cool Racerback runs small. As a result, my distinctly medium girls felt crammed and mashed.
This, I suppose, is one way of ensuring support.
I also didn't find the 02Cool Racerback particularly flattering. It works on the classic flat compression model, which results in what women runners call the Uniboob look. It's good for keeping everything in its proper place, but it's not the optimal solution for everyone. Women who take a B size cup or bigger are often better off with encapsulated compression sports bras, which provide more cup support without the mashing and Uniboob that medium-sized and larger women experience with classic flat compression.
The Champion 02Cool Racerback didn't score too well on looks or comfort. How did it do out on the road?
This is where the 02Cool Racerback performed better. It's advertised as having strong wicking capabilities, and I certainly found that to be true: sweat didn't hang around on my skin long enough to cause chafing or itching. Unlike some sports bras, the front band didn't slide up or otherwise migrate around. In addition, although I ran in the daytime, I noticed that there are built-in reflectors for nighttime use that would presumably make it easier to navigate a little more safely in and around traffic.
All in all, while the Champion 02Cool Racerback Sports Bra has its overall benefits and would probably work very well for small-framed women in the A cup range, the comfort issue doesn't make it one that I'd take out for a twenty-miler. In addition, the Uniboob look essentially guarantees that I'll keep it covered, which makes it less of a candidate for hot-weather training.
I'm always a fan of hearing other people's fitness gear recommendations. What does and doesn't work for you, and why?
5 retorts. What say you?
OK, I'm not a woman so I don't wear sports bras, but that was a pretty entertaining review. I hope you write more for them... maybe running shoes or something? For me, once I find something that I like in sporting goods equipment it leads me to stick with that item until it isn't made any more. Literally. I purchased two extra pairs of my favorite hockey gloves when I realized I had no insurance that the company was going to continue making them. I will wear only two brands of running shoes for running, because they have been good to me. For my money, once you find a good manufacturer, they deserve your business!
Jerry
www.leads4insurance.com
I was going to sit this one out, because, like Jerry, I'm a guy. I am married to a woman though, and I just noticed something. This is a P.F. Blog and there was no pricing in the review (as compared to other models). Wouldn't that be important? Or is it support at any cost?
can you translate that please, did you put that post together on the run because the post was pretty poorly written. Stick to plain english - ever heard of the plain english campaign?
I do not have much to contribute, since most of my gear (with sports underwear in various permutations) gets recycled across commuter cycling, hiking, skiing and snowboarding. On the issue of frugality, I am firmly of the opinion that as long as their clothing is moisture-wicking enough, people do not need specialised cycling gear - a gore-tex jacket in a strong colour and perhaps a reflector vest for a few bob will do right fine. To me, the recommendation for cycling jerseys, often made on websites geared to people who think of taking up cycling, and depicted as a necessity, is a wicked, wicked marketing ploy.
The only gear I am a fan of are hiking boots by the French manufacturer Salomon. Salomon has some very good models for men with narrow, slender feet like I have, and is just about the only manufacturer who does. And as any hiker knows, you want firm sideways support in your boots.
Salomon's boots are in the upper-midprice range, but the expense absolutely beats walking four miles in rough terrain on a sprained ankle (as once happened to me due to an unsuitable boot).
Jerry - Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. I've thought about writing product reviews before; I'm very loyal to particular running shoes and sports bras because they work so well for me. I've hesitated because these things can be so misleading because there's so much variation in what works for different people. I'll keep it mind, though, especially if vendors are willing to give me free stuff.
Gord - No, definitely not support at any cost. I don't know why I didn't put the price in, to be honest. I just didn't think of it. The retail price for that one is around $33, though, and the maximum I'm willing to pay for a sports bra capable of doing heavy lifting in $20. (I only buy them on sale.)
Anon - Nope, haven't heard of that campaign. Sorry you didn't like this one. I had fun writing it, though.
goldsmith - I think you're right, there is a lot of smoke and mirrors with specialized performance gear. Very few people compete at a level where highly specialized gear is needed, so I don't see the point in spending money on it. As long as my shoes don't injure me and my running gear doesn't cause a rash or make me look like the back of a bus, I'm good.
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