SheFit is a specialty activewear brand focused on sports bras. Their flagship model, the Ultimate Sports Bra, is billed as one of the highest support, flexibly sized sports bra options on the market. Their size range combined with their signature adjustable design makes their bras some of the most size-inclusive out there.
In addition to their original Ultimate bra, they also have the Flex bra as part of their lineup. I wanted the support of the Ultimate bra but I liked the design of the Flex, so I decided to try both. They are very similar, so most comments will apply to both styles, and I’ll point out any differences where needed. In my photos, the Ultimate bra is black and the Flex bra is blush.
Fit and Features
One of SheFit’s main innovations is their use of velcro adjustable straps at the band and the shoulders. This makes it easy to dial in the fit exactly where you want it to be. I found the velcro straps very user-friendly and easy to adjust. The velcro is very strong and I don’t anticipate it will wear out anytime soon.
The band on SheFit’s bras are extra-wide for maximum support. Mine measure 1.75″ wide, whereas most of my sports bra bands are only 1″. If you have a very short torso or you don’t like longline bras, you might find these uncomfortable. Since it feels quite different, it does take a little getting used to.
Besides the width, the band is made of an extra-sturdy material that is slightly less flexible than most bra bands, another design choice that adds support. The velcro band adjustment ensures that the band is never too restrictive.
The criss-cross straps in the back are set very wide, crossing over my shoulder blades. If you choose a size where you’re tightening down the band considerably, the straps will be closer together. I prefer straps closer together, out of the way of my shoulder blades, so this is one minor grievance I have with the design of this bra. (Update: since publishing this review, I bought SheFit’s bras in size S. The straps are fully off my shoulder blades and more comfortable in size S.)
On the other hand, in the front, the straps are set closer in. The front of the bra is more triangular in shape, with the straps at the apex of the triangle. If you compare the shape to my photos of the Brooks Juno bra, for example, you can see that the design of the Brooks bra is much more curved, while the SheFit bras are more angular.
Note that the velcro adjustable end of the shoulder straps lays on the front/top of the straps. This means the edge won’t rub against your shoulders, but it adds some additional bulk, which you might notice under lightweight tops. The straps are quite low-profile, though, so I don’t find them pesky.
Although front zippers sometimes get a bad rap, this one is very sturdy and secure. There are two hook-and-eye closures inside for an extra layer of closure security, should you choose to use it. The zipper is fully covered on the inside of the bra, plus has covers on the top and bottom edges, so there’s no uncomfortable rubbing to worry about.
As an added bonus, both of the colors I chose have pretty metallic foil designs. The black Ultimate bra features rose gold branding elements and the Flex bra has a rose gold foil design accent. I love the little details.
Sizing and Support
I purchased both bras in a size XS. Normally, I wear a 30D/DD depending on the bra. Comparing my measurements to SheFit’s size guide, I am on the border between XS and S, but I opted for the smaller size. I think the XS fits me well, but I may try the size S in the future just in case I like it better. Since the band and straps are so adjustable, I’m pretty sure the variation between two sizes would just be in the amount of coverage. (Update: since publishing this review, I bought size S. I prefer this size and ended up buying many more, so if you’re in between like me, I suggest going up!)
Since the designs are very similar and they both incorporate adjustable features, the sizing between the Flex and Ultimate bras is the same.
The Ultimate bra is billed as their maximum support bra, while the Flex is advertised as “medium” support. For me, the difference in support between the two bras is barely noticeable. The Flex is still one of the most supportive bras I own. If you are particularly full-busted, you’re more likely to notice the difference. For most women, the Flex bra will be plenty of support even for very high impact activities.
The Ultimate bra comes with removable cup inserts, which adds to the support, shape, and coverage. The Flex bra does not have any kind of cups, nor does it have slots to add your own. The layered fabric is quite thick, but to avoid show-through, it’s not quite enough for me to feel comfortable wearing this one without a shirt out on my workouts.
I’ve gone on runs of varying distances in both of these bras, including long runs lasting more than 2 hours. I’ve been extremely pleased with the level of support–they are basically the closest you can get to NO bounce. In my experience, they do live up to their claims of being some of the most supportive bras you can find.
Concluding Thoughts
If you need a heavy-duty sports bra for heavy-duty impact, I absolutely recommend giving SheFit a try! Over the last couple months of testing these, I’ve been happy with them and plan to buy more.
Between the two bras, I’m slightly partial to the Ultimate bra since it has the addition of the cups not to mention is slightly cheaper. I do prefer the simpler, more visually clean design of the Flex, but that takes a back seat to the functional elements.
The biggest downside SheFit’s bras are price. At $65-69 (Ultimate) and $69-78 (Flex), these are more expensive than a lot of other sports bras out there. Based on my experience, they don’t seem to put styles on sale very often, but they do offer a loyalty rewards program where you can earn discounts.
Hello! Thank you for your review! I would love to order, but can’t seem to get your link to work… :(
Thanks for pointing this out! It looks like SheFit discontinued their referral program since I wrote this post, so I removed the link.