Reviews > Clothing > Base Layers and Undies > Stonewear Designs Tempo Bra > Test Report by Nancy Griffith

STONEWEAR DESIGNS TEMPO BRA
TEST SERIES BY NANCY GRIFFITH
LONG-TERM REPORT
February 11, 2017

CLICK HERE TO SKIP TO THE FIELD REPORT
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TESTER INFORMATION

My outdoor experience began in high school with a canoeing/camping group which made a 10-day voyage through the Quebec wilds. I've been backpacking since my college days in Pennsylvania. I have hiked all of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina. My typical trip now is in the Sierra Nevada in California and is from a few days to a few weeks long. Over the past few years I have lowered my pack weight to a lightweight base weight of 15 lb (6.8 kg) while still using a tent, stove and quilt.

INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Great Trango Holdings Inc.
Year of Manufacture: 2016
Manufacturer's Website: http://www.stoneweardesigns.com

MSRP: $44 US
Listed Weight: Not Listed
Measured Weight: 3.4 oz (96 g)

Size Tested: M
Other Sizes Available: XS, S, L, XL

Color Tested: Jitter Stripe
Other Colors Available: Aqua, Barberry, Black, Pacific, Cross Hatch, Purple Wine

Made in USA of imported fabrics

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

The Stonewear Designs Tempo Bra has a unique strap design for better support. There are standard over-the-shoulder straps in addition to a set of crossover straps in the back. The tailoring has princess seams down both sides to create a fitted design for comfort. There is an inner lining that secretly has an open slot on the side to reveal removable cups.

The fabric is called Dryflex which is 92% micropoly and 8% Lycra per the website, but the tag on the bra itself says 90% polyester and 10% Spandex.

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS & TRYING IT OUT

My first impression was that the color and pattern are quite spiffy. I like that it isn't a solid color like all of my other sports bras. It certainly is stylish enough to wear as a sole layer. Next I noticed that the straps are unlike anything I've ever worn. There are both back crisscross straps and standard over-the-shoulder straps. The back cross straps are a bit more narrow than the shoulder straps.

I tried it on and was happy with the fit of the medium bra. I'm normally always a medium and occasionally wear a small size. Since I'm on the smaller end that spectrum right now, I find the fit overall to be a little on the small side for a medium size.

I'm anxious to get this bra out into the field for some testing.

READING THE INSTRUCTIONS

The washing instructions are found on a tag attached to the side seam. It is conveniently located such that it can be slipped inside the slot for the removable cups. So, it won't be able to irritate my skin if I keep it inside the lining. It says to machine wash in cold water with like colors and to tumble dry on low. No bleach is to be used. All of this is standard for such a garment so it's unlikely to cause me any trouble remembering special instructions.

SUMMARY

The Stonewear Designs Tempo Bra is a comfortable sports bra with a couple of unique design features to help with support.

Initial Delights:
Nice color and pattern
Dual strap design
Comfortable

Initial Concerns:
Not a problem for me, but sizing runs a little small

FIELD REPORT

FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

comfy with pack

I wore the Tempo sports bra for various activities during the test period. I wore it for one 5-day backpack trip, a 3-day boat camping trip, three hikes, one snowshoe hike, seven morning runs, four softball games and multiple trips to the gym. I also love to wear it for yard work and home improvement projects around the house.

Backpacking:
Pacific Crest Trail, Cascade Range, Northern California: 5 days; 65 mi (105 km); 4,355 to 6,684 ft (1,327 to 2,037 m) elevation; 31 to 64 F (-0.5 to 18 C). Conditions ranged from clear and sunny to cloudy with strong winds and light rain.

Hiking:
Two hikes on Gerle Loop, Auburn Recreation Area, California: 2.5 and 3.5 mi (4 and 5.6 km); 500 to 1,500 ft (150 to 450 m) elevation; 50 and 65 F (10 and 18 C); clear to overcast conditions

Monroe Ridge, Sierra Nevada Foothills, California: 4.2 mi (6.8 km); 743 to 1,262 ft (226 to 385 m); 50 F (10 C); pine forest to rocky soil; moist trail conditions

Snowshoe hiking in Sierra Nevada Foothills, California: 2.5 mi (4 km); 5,873 to 5,923 ft (1,790 to 1,805 m); 32 F (0 C); first good snowfall; windy with storm coming in.

Boat Camping:
Loon Lake, Sierra Nevada, California: 3 days; 6,327 ft (1,928 m) elevation; 52 to 82 F (11 to 28 C); mostly sunny with afternoon breezes

Running:
Pre-dawn runs were from 2.3 to 3.6 mi (3.7 to 5.8 km); 47 to 70 F (8 to 21 C): dry conditions; occasional breezes

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

condition

I have really liked the fit and comfort of this sports bra. The bra has been comfortable and both sets of straps seem to be well-positioned. I noticed during removal that the bra is a little tight to pull over my head, but it feels fine while wearing. The narrow straps have a tendency to fold over and get twisted when I put it on, but it isn't a major problem. I just straighten them out before I put my shirt on.

After the first washing, I quickly donned the bra and a shirt on my way to workout at the gym. Unfortunately I didn't notice until I was lifting weights in front of a mirror that the removable cups in the bra had shifted during washing and now were up high in the bra. It made for an uncomfortable workout hoping that nobody else noticed the weird shape except for me! I re-positioned the cups and made a note to do this after washing or to remove them prior to washing. I found it better to wash the bra with the removable cups still inserted so that they'd get washed too but not be wandering around loose in the laundry. But I re-positioned them after washing every time. I would prefer if the bra just had the cups built-in rather than having to worry about them shifting around in the wash.

I've worn the bra under short and long-sleeved shirts and base layers with and without a jacket on top. I haven't had any issue with the straps rubbing my shoulder or of my pack straps irritating me due to the bra straps or thickness.

I like the style and fashionable pattern and color of this bra. I don't wear it as a sole layer, but I know that if it shows beneath my top that it looks stylish. I could definitely wear it as a swim top on the trail in warmer weather.

I've washed the bra eight times in the washing machine on cold and dried it by lying flat or hanging over a clothes basket. I haven't washed it on the trail for fear of it not drying quickly enough to wear the next day. So that means that I have worn it for multiple days in a row with the most being five days straight including one night of wearing it to sleep. I've never noticed any foul odor or aroma.

The durability has been very good. The bra still looks and feels like new except possibly a slight loosening. It doesn't feel as tight when I remove it over my head. There is no pilling, no fading of the bright colors and no loose threads or other deterioration.

LONG-TERM REPORT

LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

I wore the Tempo bra multiple times per week for various activities during the test period. I wore it on a three-day backpacking trip, a three-day fishing/crabbing trip, three snowshoe hikes, four softball games, six morning runs and multiple trips to the gym. I continue to wear them around the house.

Backpacking:
Pacific Crest Trail, San Bernardino National Forest, Southern California: 3 days; 42 mi (68 km); 2,922 to 5,601 ft (891 to 1,707 m) elevation; 25 to 52 F (-4 to 11 C). Conditions ranged from clear and sunny to cloudy with strong winds.

Snowshoe Hiking:
Loon Lake Trail, Sierra Nevada, California: 6.2 mi (10 km); 6,327 to 7,030 ft (1,928 to 2,143 m); 23 to 26 F (-5 to -3 C); clear, sunny conditions changing to windy snowstorm conditions

Blodgett Experimental Forest, Sierra Nevada, California: 2.1 mi (3.4 km); 4,080 to 4,200 ft (1,244 to 1,280 m); 26 F (-3 C); clear, sunny to cloudy conditions

University Falls, Sierra Nevada, California: 6.1 mi (9.8 km); 3,450 to 4,100 ft (1,052 to 1,250 m); 35 to 45 F (2 to 7 C); sunny

Fishing/Crabbing:
Fort Bragg, Northern California Coast: 3 days; sea level; 34 to 56 F (1 to 13 C); mostly sunny

Running:
Pre-dawn runs were 2.3 mi (3.7 km); 36 to 53 F (2 to 12 C): varied from light rain to clear and cold

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

The bra has continued to perform as well as in the Field Test Period. The fit is great and the comfort makes this my go-to bra every week. I have worn it multiple times every week with it getting tossed into the wash each time that there is an appropriate load. The bra gets worn so often that it seems to be always ready for a wash.

I have learned to remember to re-position the cups after washing. It's a bit of a hassle that I'd rather not have to bother with.

The bra has gotten worn with a wide variety of layers during this colder test period from just a short-sleeved shirt overtop when playing indoor softball to a long-sleeved base layer, mid-layer shirt, fleece jacket and rain jacket for the coldest snowshoe outings. In every case the bra is really not noticeable meaning that it is comfortable in every situation. There is never any restriction and the straps never rub even while wearing a full backpack.

I've washed the bra an additional nine times in the washing machine on cold and dried it by lying flat or hanging over a clothes basket. I still haven't washed it on the trail and probably won't try that until next summer when I know that it will dry quickly.

The durability continues to be very good. The bra still looks and feels like new except that it doesn't feel tight when I remove it over my head. There is no stretching, no pilling, no fading, no pulled threads or other noticeable wear.

SUMMARY

The Stonewear Designs Tempo Bra is a comfortable sports bra with two separate strap systems.

Woo Hoos:
Stylish color and pattern
Dual strap design
Comfortable
Odor resistant

Boo Hoos:
Have to remember to re-position the removable cups

This concludes my Long-Term Test Report and this test series. Thanks to Great Trango Holdings and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to test this product.

Reviews > Clothing > Base Layers and Undies > Stonewear Designs Tempo Bra > Test Report by Nancy Griffith