The RW Takeaway: The Enlite Bra Weave is the smooth operator of high impact sports bras—once you overcome the hurdle of clasping it on.
- No underwire or removable cups
- Super soft and a flattering strappy back design
- Difficult to clasp on
Price: $98
Sizes: 32B to 38DD
Impact: High
Colors: Cherry cola, white, black
The Enlite Bra Weave sports bra from Lululemon is so cute you’ll consider wearing it to the pool party. Made of super soft, smooth fabric with no underwire, two straps hold everything in place in the front and a six-strap weave creates a flattering pattern in the back. But looks aside, it also provides high impact support and comfort, making it the perfect bra to wear on a summer Friday long run.
Barely There, Barely a Bounce
I am drawn to pretty, soft things which is why I wanted to try this piece. It’s stretchy, lightweight, and breathable without any underwire. Although it’s designed for your heaviest, most intense workout, there isn’t really anything extra; no fabric overlays, not even clasps to adjust your straps. It’s almost all one solid piece, like a structured crop top with a built-in bra. The cups are non-removable (no misplaced pads rotating in the dryer), and the underband is one solid piece of fabric that doesn’t move, ride up, or bunch. There are no sections or parts digging into your skin.
I was prepared for the bra to squish my Bs (I’m a 34B), but it provided a flattering shape under my tank top. No uni-boobs here; however, without any removable cups, one may expect pronounced cleavage under a low-cut tank. It was less compression than I had thought, but that’s what also made it so comfortable. The cup size was perfect, no squish and no bounce; I wasn’t flying out of the bra, nor did I feel trapped. On the flip side, I’ll admit I stopped to unhook the bra in the middle of a midday, raging hot run; the band got a little bit tighter as I got my workout going.
Easy to Take Off
After long, sweaty workouts, the first thing I want to do is take off my sports bra, but sweat-soaked sports bras are often difficult to remove. There you are, behind a closed door, writhing and wriggling to peel off a suffocating bra without getting it stuck in your hair. A quick reach-around to the back, even with one hand, unhooks the Enlite nice and wide.
The interesting thing about this bra is that the thing we love about it is the one thing we don’t love about it. The fabric is so smooth it’s actually difficult to attach the super-duper flat hook-and-eye clasp in the back. One tester resorted to clasping the bra first, then slipping the whole thing over her head. But because high impact equals very little give, that method was not ideal. However, taking into account comfort and the simplicity of taking if off postrun, testers agreed clasping the back is a small compromise.
Verdict: High Impact Support for All
Lululemon offers the Enlite Bra Weave sports bra in 3 colors—Cherry Cola, White and Black. I’d love a few more color options (black was the colors our testers loved the most) but it is available in a plethora of specific sizes—which is rather unique in sports bras—32B through 38DD. Run on, ladies!
Pros
- No removable cups or underwire
- A six-strap weave racerback
- Easy to take off
Cons
- Difficult to put on
- Expensive
Amy Wolff is the photo director of Popular Mechanics, Bicycling, and Runner’s World, overseeing visual content for print and digital. Though her first love is the visual image, she’s a dedicated runner, loves the bike and as a new homeowner, learning new skills everyday.
