Price: $60
The right bra for: A to D cups; high-intensity training
Last month, we covered the launch of the PureMove, a sports bra that Reebok touted as the next chapter in high-tech activewear. Intrigued by the Motion Sense technology that promises no bounce under high-impact workouts, we got our hands on the PureMove to test it out.
Next-Wave Support Tech
It’s been 60 years since three women teamed up to create the first sports bra. We’ve come a long way since the JockBra (the original concept was two jockstraps sewn together), but Reebok wanted to take the next step with Motion Sense technology, conceiving “the last sports bra you’ll ever need,” according to the brand’s website.
Three years went into developing the PureMove; Reebok used 54 motion sensors to record and observe the breasts’ movement during exercise. The shear-thickening fluid (STF) inside the bra reminds us of Brooks’s DNA, which adapts to pressure upon impact. STF liquefies while you’re at rest and stiffens when it’s compelled by force.
Non-Constrictive
Reebok wanted to make the PureMove all-inclusive; the bra is available in a variety of sizes, from extra small to extra-extra large, A to D cup. High-impact bras usually have a constrictive fit, with pinching under the arms and pesky imprints on the skin of your torso and shoulders. This isn’t the case with the PureMove; no hard-to-reach back hooks, no adjustable clasps on the straps, no underwire. You simply slide the racerback bra over your shoulders and head out for a run. The front and back have perforated holes for ventilation, and the bottom band is padded for a soft, cozy fit.
Putting the Bra to the Test
I was expecting to feel a gel-like consistency in the cups, but the STF is undetectable upon touch or wear. The PureMove isn’t tight around the shoulders, and I wasn’t gasping for air. For a high-impact workout bra, the PureMove surprisingly doesn’t have that stifling, corset-like fit while almost pancaking your breasts.
The bra has a smooth, second-skin feel; there was no digging or scrunching. I ran downhill, took off at race pace, and pranced over puddles in the rain. As promised, my breasts didn’t budge.
I doubt this will be “the last sports bra I’ll ever need,” but its next-level comfort and support has made me believe the two can coexist. The PureMove, which will be available in more colors this fall, is an exciting entry into the future of activewear. We can’t wait to see what’s next.
Amanda Furrer, Editor, Running Reviews, studied journalism at NYU and writing at Emerson College. She has reviewed gear and covered other topics in the running space for almost 10 years. Since 2013, she has consecutively run the Boston Marathon. She also has a master’s degree in gastronomy from Boston University and was formerly a professional baker for two years before hanging up her apron.
