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Reviews > Clothing > Base Layers and Undies > Stonewear Designs Tempo Bra > Owner Review by Theresa LawrenceSTONEWEAR DESIGNS TEMPO BRATest Series by Theresa Lawrence Initial
Report
- September 12, 2016
Field Report - December 2, 2016 Long Term Report - February 12, 2017 TESTER INFORMATION
I have more than 15 years of backpacking experience. Day hikes and 2-3 day backpacking trips take place on most weekends throughout the year while longer trips are only occasional. I backpack predominantly in mountain terrain (Coast Range, Cascades and Canadian Rockies) with the goal of summiting peaks. Activities I use my gear with include mountaineering, ski touring, rock climbing, kayaking, biking, trail running, Search and Rescue and overseas travel. I like my gear to be reasonably light, convenient and simple to use though I would not claim to be a lightweight hiker. PRODUCT INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION The Tempo Bra is an athletic bra designed for active use. It is unique in that it has double straps over the shoulders. The manufacturer refers to this as their Double Cross design. This sport bra also has an inner bra with removable cups and princess seams that allow a more tailored fit. The material appears both sport-worthy and stretchy. The synthetic fibers listed above allow it to be supportive, breathable and quick-drying, which is ideal for any high intensity activity. FIRST IMPRESSIONS & TRYING IT ON The Double Cross design along with the vibrant color makes this bra very appealing aesthetically. After trying it on I found that the medium size will work for me. I found the outside straps were a bit constricting, which at first was rather alarming and was amplified when I raised my arms forward. These straps, but not the others felt as if they were slightly too short for me. The bra is not restrictive anywhere else. I liked the look of it and would not hesitate to where it on its own if the opportunity presented itself. The material is very smooth to touch and sturdy. All the seams look to be of a professional caliber. SUMMARY    FIELD CONDITIONS The field conditions consisted of three backpacking trips with 6 days and 4 nights in Glacier National Park, Montana, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta and Peterlougheed Provincial Park, British Columbia. I also brought this bra on a 3 week trip to Greece, which consisted of a week of live aboard sailing, a week of car camping and a week of exploring on foot. Another dozen or so uses were made up of day hikes, Search & Rescue practices and indoor gym workouts. Outdoor temperatures (not including Greece) ranged from -2 to 14 C (-3 to 57 F). Weather encountered on the backpacking trips included everything from sun, rain, sleet and snow to strong gusts and howling winds. Total distance and elevation gained while hiking was 62 km (38.5 mi) and 1390 m (4560 ft). The trail conditions were good for the most part into alpine terrain with the last trip being on hard packed ice and wearing trail crampons. The Greece trip consisted of high humidity and an average of 28 C (82 F). COMFORT & FIT PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD From a performance perspective the bra holds things in place well enough while doing vigorous exercise. However, it doesn't wick and I don't find it dries quickly. Once wet, it typically stays wet for the duration of the trip. This is not ideal on a multi-day hike, especially with the cooler temperatures I have encountered. I do like the fact that there is removable padding, though in the washing machine they get folded up inside the garment. However, the garment doesn't fit well for me without them, so I always where the garment with them in. The garment retains odor after a sweaty workout, which is not pleasing on multi-day trips. I have machine washed the Tempo Bra more than a dozen times and there is some minor pilling. It otherwise remains in good condition. It has stretched noticeably since the first day as I am finding it is getting less restrictive in the shoulder straps. SUMMARY Likes - Color - Removable cups Dislikes - Restrictive in fit (straps too small, yet sides have gaps) - Straps dug into the bony part of my shoulder cause bruising with my backpack - Retained odor - Did not dry quickly - Minor pilling - Has stretched over 2 months of use - Vertical seam shows through lighter shirts LONG TERM FIELD CONDITIONS Over the last two months it has been wicked cold averaging -15 C (-5 F) and reaching as cold as -30 C (-22 F). We have also had an abundance of snow. In this time I have worn the Tempo bra on three ski hill days, two backcountry ski touring days, a three-day backcountry avalanche training course involving both snowmobile and backcountry ski travel and another three-day backcountry hut trip accessed by snowmobiles and involved ski touring and snow mobiling once we got there. Other uses included local avalanche training nights with search and rescue and gym use (treadmill and rowing machine). PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD My previous report was not all that positive for fit and comfort. After wearing the Tempo bra for another couple months I found it became more comfortable and/or perhaps I'm more used to it. It is not as conforming as other ones I use, however. I mentioned that once wet it usually stayed wet. But this time, since I was in a backcountry hut with heat, I was able to hang it to dry, out of freezing temperatures and it was dry for the next day. Unlike my cardio workout in the gym, I didn't notice the smell on my multi-day trips. I still noticed the thicker straps under my backpack straps, which was a bit bothersome on longer trips with my backpack. Putting it on was a bit cumbersome as I had to pay attention to where the straps were when putting it on. A few times I tried to put it on quickly and I missed putting my arm through one of the straps. This was not a big deal, just something I needed to be aware of just like the removable cups, which moved and folded in the laundry and had to be reset in place before using. I would much prefer if they were not removable. The bra was too roomy for me without the cups, so I never wore it without the cups. I liked that the thickness of the cups were not overly padded. I would say they were just right. DURABILITY There appears to have been some stretch in the thinner straps, which would have stretched when I was putting it on as they're actually a bit loose when they're in place. However, it is still in really good shape with all seams flawless and only minor pilling, but no snagging of the fabric. The color doesn't look faded either. I've washed it a dozen more times or so and have always hung it to dry. SUMMARY Overall I'd say that the Tempo bra was a trendy looking well-crafted bra that just wasn't an ideal fit for me. I would have also preferred it to wick better and dry faster, but I was happy that it didn't smell after multiple days of use in the backcountry. The bra seems quite durable and while I don't plan on using it for backpacking, I will continue to use it at the gym. Likes - Color and look - No odor after multiple days of use - Great for gym use Dislikes - Straps dug into the bony part of my shoulder causing bruising under my backpack straps - Does not dry quickly (but did dry in a heated hut overnight) - Removable cups (always had to adjust after washing) - Minor pilling - Has stretched a bit over 4 months of use - Vertical seam shows through lighter shirts I'd like to thank Great Trango Holdings Inc. and BackpackGearTest.org for allowing me to take part in this test series. Read more gear reviews by Theresa Lawrence Reviews > Clothing > Base Layers and Undies > Stonewear Designs Tempo Bra > Owner Review by Theresa Lawrence | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
