Why This Women's Clothing Item Is Less Useful While Hiking And Likely To Cause Discomfort

In order to successfully execute an incredible hiking trip, a little planning and preparation is key. You're going to want to ensure that you have the necessary equipment and supplies in order to feel comfortable throughout the experience. Having enough water for the duration of your hike is crucial if you don't want to experience dehydration, and high protein snacks can keep you feeling energized. You might choose to invest in some gear like hiking poles to instantly upgrade your outdoor excursions. A proper pair of hiking boots or shoes will help you keep your footing on uneven terrain.

When it comes to clothing, you want to choose items that are lightweight and moisture wicking. A lot of the things needed to hike comfortably may seem obvious, but overlooking little details can have painful repercussions on the trail. People with breasts should be extra careful when selecting what type of bra to wear on a hiking trip, or else it might become painful on the trail. Choose items of clothing that are specifically designed for movement and comfort. Your typical everyday bra might not fit the bill. Carefully consider the style, fabric, and fabrication of your garment in order to have the best hike possible.

After a long day, certain bras can feel super uncomfortable. Even though wearing a bra is something about half of the population has to do on the regular, many of them are still made in a way that causes our skin to become pinched and chafed. According to Popular Science, about 25% of women claim that the first thing they do when they return home is take off their bra. And 50% of women take their bra off within the first 30 minutes. That being said, not wearing a bra can lead to back pain, neck pain, and posture problems. Clearly, the struggle to find bras that provide ample support without causing discomfort is an ongoing problem for many of us. You always want to pack the best and safest hiking gear, but it can be particularly important to find the right bra.

When you're wearing a traditional bra with a hook and eye closure at the back, it can rub painfully against your skin while you're hiking. Hiking backpacks can further exacerbate the issue, leading to pain that is annoying at best. After a while it can become agonizing. Avoid any bras that have metal closures, and bras with underwire. While underwire can provide great support, particularly for those of us with large busts, the wire can begin to poke and rub after a while.

Selecting the proper fabric is also important if you don't want to be soaked with sweat for the duration of your hike. Cotton is usually an excellent fabric choice for travel clothes, because it's super breathable and keeps you cool. However, it's a type of clothing you should avoid packing for a hiking trip because it takes forever to dry when wet. Hiking can be strenuous and when your body becomes soaked with sweat your bra can rub uncomfortably. It's also miserable to feel wet when hiking.

Ditch the basic bras with a metal closure, cups, and underwire. Instead, choose a quality sports bra for hiking. A good sports bra provides just as much support as a traditional bra and they're more comfortable. Sports bras are usually made in a pull over style, so they won't have any metal closures that would pinch and rub under your hiking backpack. They're usually made from moisture wicking material, and some have ventilation to help keep you cool. Many sports bras have wider straps that are adjustable, which will help keep you from feeling as sore. 

The Interval Sports Bra by Athleta is a great choice for people of all shapes and sizes. There is a version for anyone with A-C cup sizes, and a version for people with D-DD+ breasts. Each version comes in size XS-3XL. It has a slight compression to help you feel supported, and doesn't have any metal or plastic parts to irritate you during your hike. It's crafted from a moisture wicking synthetic fabric that is rated UPF 40+. The bra comes in tons of cute colors and costs $49.

If you're someone who struggles with poor posture, consider purchasing the Forme Power Bra.It's designed to improve your posture as soon as you put it on, and can help strengthen your core muscles over time. The bra has gone viral on social media, and even the iconic Taylor Swift was spotted wearing it during her rehearsals for her Eras Tour. Improved posture can help reduce strain on your bones and joints, improve your breathing, and can even boost your energy levels. At $182, it's certainly on the pricey side, but worth the splurge if you're serious about proper alignment.