I first learned about Gracie’s Gear in a magazine. Sadly I can’t remember which publication had the article, but it caught my eye as an innovative product. Then I saw the company mentioned on the Fitness For Mommies blog. (Yes, I read that site even though I’m not a mother. Rachel is running a good site with lots of helpful information.) I browsed around the company’s site and was still impressed at the concept. But it wasn’t until I saw them at the expo for the 2008 San Antonio Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon that I realized just how impressive their product is, sometimes it’s so much better to see a product in person.

Gracie’s Gear is made to have extra storage built-in, to make hauling all your junk a little easier. Let’s face it, participating in endurance events means you have to pack a lot of stuff on your person. The longer the workout, the more “stuff” you’ll need. And pockets are a challenge anyway, you need to be able to conveniently access them, but you don’t want them to be weighing you down or causing uncomfortable bouncing.

The Short Top by Gracie’s Gear is a sports bra with a pocket, or “Power Pouch”, on the front. I’ve heard of women stashing gels in their bra, but that always sounded like it would be scratchy and uncomfortable to me. The pouch provides a zipper-close pocket with 3 separate compartments inside, so the wearer could keep items separate as needed. The neckline is plenty high on this pouch, so you can actually access the pouch… even if you wear the top under a shirt with a V-neck or a pullover with a half-zip.

The top comes complete with a “cord management” system, a small opening at the top of the pocket is included so headphones can come through and then there is another loop on the strap to keep the cord from getting tangled. Nice attention to detail!

I loaded the pouch with a few gels to head out on a 35 minute run. Did I need gel on that run? No, I just wanted to test how it felt without necessarily being locked into a distance if it was uncomfortable. But my fears were unfounded, the extra stash didn’t even make a difference.

The unfortunate thing for me was the top was a little loose. I do have a slightly smaller rib cage, so maybe that’s part of the problem. The looseness could be a problem if I’m out on a long run, you know… chafing! I think that women would have to try the bra out, just like any other bra, to see if it fits them individually.

The bra is made from materials that are not only moisture wicking, but also features odor-inihibiting technology. The materials feel really soft and the product is very well made.

I will be talking to Gracie at the Las Vegas Marathon expo this weekend and plan to scope out their other items a little more carefully. In my opinion, I would love to see a slightly fitted short-sleeve top or tank that could be worn with a bra I know works for me. This way I could have the benefits of the pouch but keep the comfort I’ve found in other support items.

Gracie’s Gear Official Web Site
(Keep an eye on the site, there will be a giveaway for a Gracie’s Gear item coming up next week!)