I Tried It: Wool Bras
I have sung the praises of the Skirt Sports Wonder Wool line many times (get yours here). I seriously just love it so much. The skirt with attached leggings are great for in between weather (about 30-40), and the tops are all I run in in the Winter these days. Because, wicking.
I realized, though, that one of the reasons I become so chilled after winter runs is the dang bra. Sure, I wear good bras, they say they wick . . . not so much. I just have really sweaty boobs, apparently.
Then I had my lightbulb moment: what if I bought some wool bras? Yes, Virginia, there is such a thing. Now, I know what you’re thinking — that must be awfully itchy! But is it?
Smartwool PhD Racerback Bra
I first tried out the the Smartwool racerback bra (Amazon Affiliate link here). It fit much like the Champion racerback bras I get from Target — I’d say medium support, which is fine for me as I’m very small on top.
On the first run it seemed just a little itchy under the arms and the band when I first put it on. I put on some anti chafing cream just in case, but there was no chafing and I wasn’t bothered on the run.
The second run I’d lost just a little bit of weight and it felt more comfortable and I didn’t use any anti chafing stuff — still no chafing. Keep in mind my runs are very short (1-3 miles) at the moment, so I can’t say how these bras will do on a longer run.
These are last year’s season, by the way, and a fairly reasonable $30 – $45, depending on size and color. Works for me.
I got my normal size in a running bra, a M, and that fit just right.
Icebreaker Merino Sprite Racerback Bra
Is anyone else amused by the description Women’s Bra? Do men wear bras (well, I guess some may, but still). This bra seemed rather skimpy for a running bra (Amazon Affiliate link here), but it was surprisingly about medium compression, too. It was less coverage, which again was fine for me — it actually gave me some cleavage though.
This bra didn’t feel itchy when I put it on. I’d ordered a slightly different version of this bra first, and my normal M was way too big. I read the comments and ordered a S in this model instead, and that fit much better, although the band was just a bit tight — it will probably be perfect when I’ve lost just a couple more pounds.
This bra also felt less itchy than the Smartwool bra when I first tried it on, and I didn’t use any anti chafing — again, there was no chafing and no discomfort in the bra, either. I came back home after the run and walked the dogs without changing out of the bra — it was a cool day, and I never felt terribly chilled.
Saturday I did my mentoring run (just a little over a mile), waited for my friends, ran a couple of miles with one friend, and then hung around for a while with the other while we waited for one friend to finish up.
It was in the low 40s, cloudy, and again — I never felt chilled or particularly sweaty after either run. Still no itching and no chafing, but again it was a short, easy run. So far, so good. Still no long runs in these bras.
Final thoughts on wool bras
The pros are the wicking — you can get sweaty, but the sweat will mostly wick away and the bra will dry out quickly. Which also means that you can wear them more than once without them getting stinky. They are not itchy, and so far I have not experienced any chafing at all — but whether or not that remains true for longer runs is up in the air — probably until next Winter.
If you are a large breasted women who needs a lot of support (I am not), I don’t think this will work for you. The Smartwool bra has more support, but you larger women would probably have to wear this underneath another bra (for support). I wouldn’t want to do that.
I think for myself wool bras will be a huge game changer next Winter. Especially wool bras plus the Wonder Wool tops — they keep me much drier, and that keeps me warmer in the “long run”.
- Have you ever worn a wool bra?
- Is that an area that gets really sweaty for you?
- What is your favorite piece of cold weather running gear?
Linking up with Zenaida Arroyo and Kim @ Kookyrunner
This week I am also joining up with Running on Happy, Suzlyfe, Crazy Running Girl, and Coach Debbie Runs each week for the Coaches’ Corner linkup
Chocolaterunsjudy 
I always get chilled after I run because my bra is sweat-soaked. I hadn’t considered a wool bra. But those would definitely not provide the support I need! I have some Champion bras (not the Target brand) that are neoprene. I love them. Unfortunately, they have discontinued that style.
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I would’ve thought that Neoprene wouldn’t breath. I hate when they discontinue something you love!
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Never thought about it. I usually run after work and just get in my warm car after my run.
I don’t need support. I like my Target and Handful bras (with pads).
But thanks for info.
I actually love my Smartwool compression calf sleeves. They provide warmth and support. Got them very cheap at Nordstrom Rack.
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You don’t sweat, which is why it’s not a problem for you — lucky you.
I was actually talking with a runner yesterday who has the exact same problem as me, and she was definitely interested in them.
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I do sweat but not enough to spend the $$$. I’m more low maintenance. As you often say, everyone is different.
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Unfortunately I fall into the “larger breast” camp so I probably won’t be able to try out this bra, which makes me sad because it looks so cool!
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Well, it’s just a bra, LOL, but it does what I need it to do!
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I didn’t know they made wool bras. These sound like they’re working out well for you! Sadly, I have a wool allergy so I’ll have to stay away from them.
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Oh no! I do love wool, so that would definitely bum me out but getting a reaction would obviously be a lot worse.
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I love wool socks but have never worn a wool bra. While I am not “big”, for some reason I need a bra with medium-high support. Those bras do look like some I would want to try just not sure how supportive they will be.
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Well, if you do order via Amazon, you can return them. I would definitely say M compression at best. I’m lucky (I suppose) that I truly don’t need a lot of support.
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I love my wool socks (SmartWool brand, none the less), so I can see where a wool bra would be a great concept!
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I know it doesn’t really sound like a great concept, but I’m definitely now obsessed. Hopefully I won’t have to wear them much longer — not an issue when it’s warm.
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I am a huge fan of Smartwool. All 3 of my boys consistently ask for Smartwool socks for their birthdays and Christmas (we foolishly “planned” our sons’ birthdays so they are all within 4 weeks of Christmas) I also have Smartwool gloves, which I love. Never tried the running bra, though. That is next!
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Haha about your sons’ bdays all being in Dec. Kind of like both my parents in March!
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Have you ever worn a wool bra? No, but I need support so I won’t be able to try these.
Is that an area that gets really sweaty for you? YES! I sweat like crazy regardless of the season.
What is your favorite piece of cold weather running gear? My polar fleece headband. Keeps my ears warm.
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I get too cold with just a headband! Although I see women running in them all the time.
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My bras are always sweaty too and they do make me cold as well. Unfortunately, I am a DD so I need a super supportive bra. I do like the idea of the wool bra though thanks for the review
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No, these definitely wouldn’t work for you. I didn’t dive in deep enough to see if there are more supportive wool bras, since I don’t need it, but my guess would be no.
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Interesting! I do like Smartwool products. I may need more support for running, but could get away with less support on the bike ….
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Do you get really sweaty when you bike (when it’s not warm out)? I don’t bike so I wouldn’t know. I know in general you don’t get as sweaty as running — I always see bikers with coats on while I have no coat, and as we all know, I’m one that tends to over rather than under dress.
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Interesting post. My bra gets soaked through when I run, but then I have the larger chest so those wouldh’t work for me. I just put up with it and don’t seem to get chilled – it’s not as cold here plus my other layers keep the cold out.
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Doesn’t matter how many layers I wear, once I sweat and get chilled, it’s just terrible. But it is generally much colder here. I’m just glad I’ve finally found something that helps — I mean, when it’s cold you’re gonna get cold, but it was just ridiculous.
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It rarely gets cold enough here to wear wool running clothes let alone a wool bra. I would be concerned about itchiness, the wool items that I do own drive me a little crazy. Thanks for the review!
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They aren’t 100% wool (not even close!) so not at all itchy. And they dry so quickly! But yes, I could definitely see that you wouldn’t need that — wish I didn’t! It’s snowing at the moment!
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