Still LOVE these after 8 years and a design change
I bought two of these 8 years ago, and although those two wore out a couple years ago, I have 7 of these bras in my drawer now and couldn't live without them. They just last and last and although they might get a bit faded or stretched after 5 years...you can't ask for a better performing bra in my opinion! I am 5'8" 165lbs with an athletic build, chest 38, A cup size.
These are my every day, all day bra for work (large animal veterinarian), sport (rowing, hiking, rugby, horseback riding and more) and general use. I have no other "sports" bras and only a select few bras for low-cut or strapless tops and formal wear that are just ridiculously uncomfortable in comparison.
My one critique - the most recent purchase of two of these surprised me as the design has changed. They run smaller now - I have always been perfect in Size Large, and the new design is less stretchy and therefore I felt very squashed the first time I tried them on, compared to my older slightly stretched ones. I didn't dream of sending them back and I don't even notice anymore but a woman with a larger cup size might find it to be an issue. One other point, is that when rowing longer distances in hot weather I do find the under arm chafes a little bit.
Overall though, I can't recommend this bra highly enough and I would go into mourning were Patagonia to take it off the market!
Great Product But Needs Improvement
I love these bras as a casual weekend bra. They are the most comfortable design I have ever found They have continued to fit me through my pregnancy although perhaps I am stretching them a bit. I've had mine several years now and will likely need new ones after this pregnancy just because I'm stretching them too much. Some of the stretchy fibers pull loose a little but this is after much wear and it does not effect the fit or function of the bra at all. I just cut them as they pull loose. My one complaint is the use of spandex in the stretchy part at the base of the bra. I have some minor skin reactions with spandex when a sweat. So I wish the spandex did not lay against my skin or less spandex was used in the product. Some days I come home and just have to rip the bra off I'm so itchy around the middle. It is only on days where I'm sweating and it is only because I have mild allergies to spandex. But it would be nice if the design reduced the quantity of spandex for those of us with difficulties with spandex. Other than that it is my favorite bra so please keep making it.
Brilliant Accident
I purchased two of these bras on something of a whim prior to a 5 day 240 mile bike ride through hot, muggy conditions in Missouri. I couldn't have been happier with their performance. Size-typically I am a 34A and I got the small. It seems a bit small when I first put it on, but I rarely notice it once on. I also don't have substantial marks on the skin when I take it off. Wash-n-wear: On my trip I took two bras. I could have taken one. I washed my clothes out in the sink every evening, and they were dry by morning. Working with water: The bra wicked moisture so well I didn't notice sweating the way I normally would have. I also got soaked to the skin in an unexpected 2 hour torrential downpour->this bra dried within an hour and didn't leave tell-tale wet spots under my shirt as the rest of me dried. Some reviews have mentioned the arm holes being a bit high. This concerned me a bit when I bought it. Despite doing high levels physical activity in this bra for 5 full days, I had NO chaffing issues. A GREAT find!
So I've been on an endless quest to find a lightweight wicking bra that is not see thru that would be appropriate for my hot yoga classes. Finally, the search has ended! I have this bra in the Fitz Roy Cerise color way and it is perfect. It fits snug enough that it does not move around in class but it is also not super heavy and does not collect sweat. The material is a double layer so you don't have to worry about it becoming see thru with a lot of sweat (definitely a concern when you are in 105 degrees for 90 minutes).
I have not worn the active mesh bra running but I am confident that it would be supportive enough, and I am a C cup. I got the size Medium and my regular bra size is 32D/34C, it's a perfect fit!
More than it appears
This is the second of this style Bra that I've bought for running, cycling, etc. LOVE it. I am 5'4"/115 and an A/B (that is A-1/2) cup, and the size SMALL is the perfect bra for me. Not sure how it would be for larger breasted women as it is definitely uses the 'squish' system to stabilize. BUT, for my size chest, I don't want any more(or less). The material is thick, stretchy and durable, but not hot, and the shoulder straps are narrow but do not dig in. The design around the chest is wide and comfy, even with a heart rate monitor strip. It's 'modest' enough for running without a top over it in summer, and the designs are cute and make them look less like a 'bra'. I will own more of these in the future!
old one is my fave sports bra
I love the size M I bought a little over 2 years ago. wear it skiing, yoga, gardening, hiking. Enough support when I was around 34-36d, but I lost some weight recently and it's a little too big now (34c, it may have stretched slightly being worn at my various sizes). I just tried on a newer size medium that's too tight. I thought i'd need to go down to a small, but the new sizing is either very different or I got an odd oneâ has happened to me before with patagonia. I'm going back to the store to figure it out, but meanwhile, be warned, the new one in my usual size (varies S to M but usually M) was painful for me to wear for ~10 minutes.
My favorite comfortable sport top
I wear this sport top/bra most days, for a range of activities, from hiking to canoeing to yoga. It offers good support, it wicks and, most importent to me, it's comfortable. I have other sport tops, but this is the one I seem to keep coming back to. I like the accent colors on the straps since they sometimes show depending on the shape of the top I'm wearing. With the darker or brighter straps, it seems OK for them to show, less like a bra strap showing. Great item! Though I'm a M in most tops, I like to get a L or even XL in sport tops, including this one, sizce comfort is key for me. I think this top is accurately sized, however.
most comfortable bra ever!
i thought Patagonia had the market on "most comfortable bra EVER" a few years ago when i first started wearing the Active Mesh bra, but the newest edition has some rad improvements! what's new? the material is now even more lightweight and silkier, plus there are two cut-outs under the arms for even better breath-ability! the bra still has the market on being incredibly comfortable AND supportive! such a win! Patagonia added the Active Mesh bra to their Common Threads Recycling Program so it's built to last and they will help you recycle it when it's time to retire it. sweet. i don't plan on wearing any other style of bra again! Patagonia knows how to keep the chest happy!
This is my favorite sports bra, ever! I have about 5 of these bras and though I've tried other brands, this is by far my favorite.
What do I like about it?
The fabric has a substantial feel to it (i.e, not flimsy), yet it is lightweight. It does not stretch out of shape over time, like many cotton-based bras do. And it's nice and snug for my A-sized chest.
Highly recommended for small-chested, active women. However, the sizes do tend to run a little small. I have a 32" chest and the X-small says it's good for 32-33" but the small is actually a more comfortable fit. The XS tends to feel like my circulation is being cut off.
My Favorite Bra
This is my favorite bra of all time. It works great for running, daily wear, and stands alone as a sport top for races. My only two issues are: that after repeated washings, the stringy elastic fibers begin to stick out and I usually just melt them off, followed by some chafing on my inner arm from the armpit area of the elastic (but only on really hot sweaty runs). I would want flatter, wider shoulder straps if I could design it myself, but overall I love this bra and will keep ordering them. (I think I have about 20.) When they get worn, I just start doubling them.