 This Product
Patagonia Maipo Low Impact Adjustable | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | |  | |
| Price | $59 List $29.50 at Backcountry | $75 List $75.00 at REI | $54.00 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $34.95 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $35 List $34.95 at REI |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | If you desire a bra that is as soft as a second skin and complements the feel of nude tech leggings, this lightweight bra provides elegant style, exceptional breathability, and flexible movement, ensuring ultimate comfort during any activity | One of the highest-performing bras in every category, its comfortable compression, soft comfort, and sporty style make it one of our top picks for athletes | A medium-impact sports bra that hugs your curves just right and is comfortable through all the day's activities | We never knew how easy it could be to wear and care for a sports bra with sewn-in pads. This bra keeps you snug during your hardest moves and gives you a classic athletic style | A soft, breathable, and date night attractive bralette best for smaller chests that is a budget buy for everyday wear, backpacking, traveling, restorative yoga, and swimming |
| Rating Categories | Patagonia Maipo Low... | On Performance | Beyond Yoga Spacedy... | Nike Swoosh | REI Co-op Active Br... |
| Comfort and Fit (40%) | |||||
| Support (30%) | |||||
| Style (15%) | |||||
| Quality (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Patagonia Maipo Low... | On Performance | Beyond Yoga Spacedy... | Nike Swoosh | REI Co-op Active Br... |
| Material | 81% nylon, 19% spandex knit with miDori bioSoft and HeiQ Pure odor control | 65% recycled polyamide, 35% elastane | 87% polyester, 13% elastane | 72% polyester, 28% spandex | 86% polyester, 14% spandex mesh |
| Support | Low impact | Medium/high impact | Medium impact | Medium impact | Low impact |
| Size Range | XXS - XXL | XS - XL | XXS - 4X | XS - XXL | XS - 3XL |
| Support Type | Encapsulation | Encapsulation and compression | Encapsulation | Compression | Encapsulation |
| Strap Style | Adjustable cross-back or tank | Racerback | Racerback | Racerback | Racerback |
| Adjustable | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Padded | Yes, removable | Yes | Yes, removable | Yes, sewn-in | Yes, removable |
| Neck Line | Scoop neck | High neck | V neck | Scoop neck | V neck |
| Key Pocket | No | No | No | No | No |
The Patagonia Maipo is made from a buttery soft synthetic fabric that is quick dry and offers a unique odor control from bio-materials and natural peppermint oils. Patagonia advertises that most of the material is made from recycled fishing nets to help reduce pollution from plastic in the ocean. It is offered in sizes XXS-XXL in a range of classy colors and features an innovative “sweat-dumping” cut-out above the front chest band.
When one of our testers first tried on the Maipo sports bra, her immediate reaction was, “Wow, this is so comfy; I feel like I have nothing on.” Our other testers echoed this sentiment, including a yoga teacher who found that the bra's next-to-nothing buttery softness matched that of our award-winning yoga pants.
The Maipo was the best bra in our test for balancing unconfining mobility, supportive softness, and lightweight breathability, which are ideal for low-impact movement practices. Patagonia claims the fabric is made from recycled fishing nets to reduce ocean plastic pollution and adds miDori™ bioSoft for wicking and softness and HeiQ® Pure odor control. The fabric has a peach softness that no other sports bra can match and felt incredible with all our second-skin yoga leggings, especially the Maipo yoga leggings. The bra's comfort and non-confining fit make it ideal for any movement practice where you want the fabric to breathe with you and move without distraction into bends, twists, and folds. It does not constrict the ribs, so you can take deep breaths and practice your most flexible moves without feeling pinching or constricting around your chest or shoulders.
The Maipo is one of the most breathable bras we tested. We were impressed by how the lightweight material and sweat-wicking fabric help cool our body heat and manage inner boob sweat during a week of hiking in a summer heat index. Patagonia created a genius design for cooling the center of the chest with a chic crescent-moon cutout in the front band that increases airflow. We were impressed at how effective this ventilation hole was for cooling and preventing the sticky feeling of thicker, enclosed bras which can build sweat pools between boobs. The cutout provides so much airflow that we wish other high-impact bras would incorporate this feature for our sweatiest workouts.
The Maipo offers gentle compression, giving you a next-to-nude feeling of support for low-medium impact activities. If you are a yogi, dancer, Pilates enthusiast, or climber, this bra kisses your skin and softly supports your mobility when you put it to the stretch.
While it is a favorite for yoga, the compression is decent for medium-impact activities but may need to offer more support for women with larger chests. It may not hold in the bounce if you are looking for a bra for running, burpees, or trampoline acrobatics.
One feature that our testers found improves support is the straps are highly adjustable. It features comfortable and non-pinching straps that can be worn as a cross-back or hooked in a strait tank configuration, increasing its versatility for different activities and allowing a more inclusive fit for women with varying shoulder widths. The cross back increases support when exercising, but the strait configuration is comfortable for lounging or switching it to a daily bra. The pads are removable and blend in with the fabric more than most bras, giving you more or less support when you want the lightweight pads.
The Maipo rocks the hottest vibes but keeps you cool in the summer sun. All our testers appreciated the subtle sculpting of the Fit, the elegance of the minimal seaming, and the flattering cut of the Maipo's gentle V-shaped neckline.
One unique and sleek feature is the half-moon ventilation cut-out on the bottom of the bra, which is made for function but is “over the top” for fashion. The Maipo sports bra is not just comfortable and functional, it's also stylish. All three of our testers appreciated its subtle sculpting and flattering cut, particularly the gentle V-shaped neckline. Our market research found that women of diverse ages found this fit flattering. Our testers also enjoyed how the bra complemented their shape, and its stylish design made it a favorite day bra for date nights.
The Maipo is simple to care for as one of the load-and-go bras in our lineup. However, it is one of the only bras in our test with odor control tech woven into the fabric. Patagonia partnered with HeiQ to design a fabric treatment using bio-materials like peppermint oil to help keep your bra smelling clean after sweat.
The Maipo is one of the most effortless bras to care for, and Patagonia recommends machine washing cold and tumble dry on low. You can spiff up any suitcase crinkles with a cool iron bleach. Having tested the Maipo fabric in yoga leggings, we found that the material resists pilling if you opt for hang drying, and any bra will have a longer life if washed in a mesh delicates bag. Patagonia uses HeiQ in the fabric to help control odors. The technology is an odor control strategy that uses bio-based or mineral-based ingredients, like natural oils such as peppermint oil, to help keep the bra fabric fresh and lessen the volume of washes needed.
Patagonia offers an excellent warranty, so if the bra is damaged, look at their website for the possibility of a repair. The company is trying to keep clothing out of landfills, so they also offer the Worn Wear program, where you can send gently worn clothing for a trade-in.
The Maipo has unmatched softness out of the sports bras in our lineup, and we love the peach fuzz finish against our skin and the next-to-nude sensation that makes it ideal for yoga and dance. This bra helped testers twist in their bendiest “wall asanas” while climbing without pinching or chafing. However, the lower neck may feel immodest in inversions like a headstand or acro yoga for those with larger chests. The bra is best for low-medium activities but is not designed for high compression for HIIT or running.
Suppose you love this bra but are on a budget. In that case, the REI Co-op Active Bralette 2.0 or the wool version, the REI Co-op Merino Bralette are both incredibly comfortable and flattering for low-impact activities and lounging. However, they are best suited for C cups and under. The Girlfriend Collective Paloma and Tracksmith Run are also soft and comfortable options but with more compression for runners who appreciate a lightweight bra. Runners who want an outstanding balance between ventilation and high support may prefer the Lululemon Run Times High Support. With such a great bra to move in, you may want to check out our top yoga pants to find the best Fit for your moves and grooves.
