I have spent many years searching for a good quality and supportive bra. The issue I have is that the bras often feel too tight and restrictive around the chest band. I have tried going up a size to a medium, but I still need the support for my breasts, which I would describe as small, so it’s not an option to increase the size of a sports bra to a large. What attracted me to the Paradis Sport Turbo Dry sports bra is the pledge of “support without restricting breathing”. I requested a size “medium”.
Features of Paradis Sport Turbo Dry Ballet Back Sports Bra
Fabric: 71% polyester, 29% elastane
Fabric claims to wick away moisture form skin
Third-party tested BPA and PFAS free
Straps stay in place when you move
4-way stretch
2 side pockets for credit cards/gels
Sizes: S, M, L
Colourways: Ice blue and black
Price: £43 for 1 bra, £38.70 per bra when you buy 3,
Website: Paradis Sport (I gain a small commission for sales through this website).
The company also sells a racer back style and a Merino racer back sports bra, plus pants.
My thoughts: Paradis Sport Turbo Dry Ballet Back Sports Bra
The first thing I noticed is the lovely soft fabric. It’s soft to touch and feels very comfortable once the bra is on. It is not a tricky sports bra to pull on over the head. (Some sports bras can require Houdini type antics to get the bra on!)
The bra sits neatly and comfortably around the chest and just under the breasts and it doesn’t feel at all restricting. I am very happy with how it fits but also the support it offers. The wide shoulder straps are also very comfortable and they stay in place, even when moving about while doing weight training in the gym and while doing yoga.
The brand states that the fit has a “smooth, gently compressive feel”. I agree with this.
It’s not a sports bra that offers padding or uplift. As we age, boobs tend to droop and I do prefer a bit of lift to give a better shape. Padding also helps with “nipple privacy”! When cold, my nipples show through the bra fabric so a suggested design update would be to add a bit of padding.
The support is medium and I find this fine for running and hiking, as well as yoga and weight training. I have also happily worn the bra for other more general day-to-day activities.
The fabric does get damp with sweat while exerting myself but not excessively so. I also find it dries quite quickly. If I leave on a damp sports bra after exercise I end up feeling chilly but this bra does dry out quite quickly. The drying out is not instant, but faster than other synthetic sports bras.
The brand explains the moisture transportation: “The TurboDry® fabric uses a specialised construction to move moisture away from your skin and spread it across the fabric’s outer surface, where it can evaporate more quickly.
“Unlike traditional moisture-wicking treatments, its moisture transport is built into the fabric rather than applied as a topical chemical finish, so the performance will not wash out over time.”
I have had zero chafing from the bra and that is a huge bonus.
I usually prefer a racer back style because this fits better under my sports vests but for tops that do not require a racer back, this bra is totally fine.
I haven’t used the wee pockets under arms. I don’t carry a credit card and I am not sure I want a gel to be stashed in the most sweaty part of the bra! I guess this is a useful extra for a small item, perhaps a single car key. The item needs to be small and flat though otherwise you will feel it in the armpit.
The racer back bra has a pocket at the rear, which might well be more useful.
To be honest, I usually carry a running pack so I don’t need to stash items in my sports bra when out for a run.
I have the ice blue colour, which is a nice light blue shade. The bra could be worn as a standalone top should you wish to do so.
It’s not a cheap bra, but most sports bras are on the costly side. If you like the bra you can invest in three at a time, or more, to bring the price per item down.