By Melissa Gunner
Besides shoes, running bras are perhaps the item used most by women runners—and we demand a lot from them. Brooks is making a concentrated entry into the bra category in 2020 with Dare products being introduced this spring and more models coming in the fall.
Deep Dive
With the Strappy Bra, Brooks offers a visually appealing design that proves strappy bras can be sporty, too. This bra breaks out of the norm for a typical running bra profile, which is great if you’re looking to soften up tan lines from summer. A delicate v-shaped neckline comes down a little lower than most sports bras and thin double straps connect to a keyhole-style racerback, creating a flattering aesthetic. Brooks utilizes seamless construction for improved comfort against the skin, and the bottom band is fully integrated into the bra to prevent chafing.
Brooks Strappy Bra front
Sleek rear straps with perforated venting
Strategically placed ventilation holes in the middle of the chest and around the back provide extra breathability. Brooks’ DriLayer fabric is slightly less stretchy than expected for a running bra, but still moves easily enough to accommodate movement during a workout. One benefit we found with this semi-rigid fabric is that it dries quickly and is easy to remove when sweaty. Also, instead of hassling with removable pads that inevitably get mashed up in the washing machine, the Dare Strappy Bra has molded cups with light, built-in padding for moderate support.
Sizing for the Brooks Dare Strappy Bra is limited to band sizes 30-38 for A/B cups. We found it to be comfortable in wet and dry conditions, but for different activities depending on preference. Some testers opted to wear the bra for lower-intensity activities like hiking or yoga, as it allowed too much movement while running. However, the hold was more than adequate for our smaller-chested runners with both low and high intensity running and jumping, even for several hours.
Basic Summary
Brooks’ Dare Strappy Bra has a flattering aesthetic with fabrics designed for high intensity performance, and is comfortable enough for all-day wear. The bra is currently available in A/B cup sizing with expanded size ranges to come in fall 2020.
Features and Specs
- Material composition
- Body: Dri Layer 63%, Spandex 37%
- Cups: DriLayer 100% polyester
- Adjustability: Pullover
- Sizing: 30–38 A/B cup
- MSRP: $60
The Brooks Dare Strappy Bra is available now at www.brooksrunning.com.