I’ll write my first review on the first sports bra I bought, the TomboyX Adaptable Soft Sport Bra. Early in my transition,I wanted a sports bra that could hold breasts forms. After searching online, I still was not sure which sports bras could actually accommodate breast forms. Then my spouse (a physical therapist) recommended I check out the TomboyX line. That was a great call, and the Adaptable Soft Sports Bra has been working well for me so far. In this review, I have broken down my observations by comfort, level of support, and how well the bra fits with my gender expression. I have not worn a lot of bras yet, so take some of this with a grain of salt. I do plan to come back and update reviews as I continue in my transition to add some more perspective.
At the time of writing this entry, my bra size is 38A, and I am reviewing a size large.
Comfort
The TomboyX Adaptable Soft Sports Bra feels supersmooth and fairly comfortable for running. The fabric handles sweat well, so I have not had any issues with chafing or rubbing seams on long runs. I find the foam chest padding useful, both because cold air over my breasts is not pleasant at all for me (maybe that will be different when it heats up) and the inserts add a little extra shape. The band is a bit tight but does not restrict breathing (however, I might try a size up in the future). Wearing a heart rate monitor strap underneath the bra does worsen the feeling of being extra squeezed, but I can still get in a rhythm while running where I do not thinkabout the band. Due to the band constriction and fit with a heart rate monitor, this would not be my go-to bra for a race, but it works fine for easier runs.
Support
The TomboyX Adaptable Soft Sports Bra provides moderate support. At this point, I am very sensitive to any kind of bouncing while running or working out. For me, this bra works fine for road running. However, it does not provide enough support for aggressive trail runs, so I have stopped using it off-road.
Gender Expression
The TomboyX Adaptable Soft Sports Bra is, well, adaptable! Early on in my transition, before HRT, the bra’s chest pockets allowed me to use breast forms to get an affirming appearance. This was great for me! Now that I have small breasts, I do not frequently use the pad inserts. This bra does significantly compress chest tissue down, making me appear flat-chested, and in turn, moremasculine. Underneath a shirt, my breasts are basically gone, which is sometimes what I want (see pictures). The level compression may not be ideal for a transfeminine runner. I will update you all as to whether this bra is worth holding on to as my breasts develop further.
Summary
In summary, the TomboyX Adaptable Soft Sports Bra has been a great bra to have in the early part of my transition. The bra is comfortable, if a bit tight. It provides decent support for running, but I do not endorse it for high impact activities. The adaptability portion of the bra is great for expressing myself how I want. I definitely recommend this bra for other genderfluid and transfeminine runners.