New and Improved? - My Review of the Adjustable Handful Bra and Tank

by Jodi

A few months ago I wrote a review of the Handful bra.  At the time, this bra was still relatively new to my workout attire but I knew that I liked it.  Shortly after the review posted I heard from Jody, COO at Handful.  She was interested in my feedback on two new products they had just rolled out.  Side note:  The women who run this company are the REAL DEAL - down to earth, friendly, and so generous. It is a privilege to support the work they are doing to help women athletes and those suffering from (and beating) breast cancer.  Go Handful!

photo taken from Handful's website

Let's start with the Adjustable Handful Bra.  The only difference between the Adjustable Handful Bra and the Original Handful Bra is the straps.  The Original Handful Bra is a one-size-fits-most approach to fit and support. And I love my Original Handful.  But the Adjustable Handful Bra has straps that are both adjustable and convertible.  The sliding toggles allow you to adjust the straps to the exact length needed, customizing the fit of the bra.  The convertible feature allows for the straps to be worn in either a racerback or traditional style.  

When Jody first told me about the new features I was excited about the adjustability and wary of the convertibility. The strap options sounded challenging to a mechanically deficient person like me.  I envisioned myself running down a busy road and having the strap pop off leaving me to fix a personal problem in a public place.  Jody assured me that even I could convert these straps and be confident in their ability to both support me and stay in place.

photo taken from Handful's website

Jody was right.  I LOVE my Adjustable Handful Bra.  Since the straps can be customized to the exact length, it gives better bust support than the Original Handful Bra - an improvement I noticed as soon as I tried it on. The convertible portion is fool-proof - even for me - and only takes me a few seconds to convert the straps to the style I want. 

Both the Original Handful Bra and the Adjustable Handful Bra come with removable pads.  When I first started wearing my Original Handful bra, I often chose to not wear the pads because I didn't like the extra cleavage they added. However the natural shape of the pad and the fact that I could confidently wear my Handful in freezing cold weather and know I was Headlight Proof won me over.  I never wear my Handful's without the pads anymore.  

The Adjustable Handful Bra retails at $44.  I think the price point is more than fair for a buttery soft, oh-so-comfortable bra that can be worn for athletic endeavors and as a "layering piece" under your street clothes.  They are so pretty, feminine, and comfortable that I often choose them as my every-day bra under my regular clothes.  The new Adjustable Handful Bra gets a raving five out of five stars from me.

photo taken from Handful website

Handful also released a Handful Tank that retails for $48.  I'll let the folks at Handful tell you about the tank.  "The Handful Tank combines function, feel, and fashion while supporting you from workout to weekend with a flattering cut that moves with you and adjustable and convertible straps.  It includes the removable pads you love that are part of our Original and Adjustable Handful Bras.  It flatters without flattening as a workout tank and on its own as a fashion piece.  The Handful Tank supports you when you want to look, feel and perform your best.  If you are debating sizing, we are finding the tank runs slightly larger than the Handful Bra fit so if you are in between, order a size down."  

photo taken from Handful website

I was really excited about the Handful Tank because days that I wear just a sports bra without a shirt to exercise are few and far between.  But I have to admit that I was a little disappointed in the Handful Tank.  Here's why.  The Handful Tank fabric is slightly different than the fabric the bras are made of.  It's shinier, more slippery, and less durable.  I accidentally washed mine without using the mesh bag and it came out of the washing machine snagged in multiple places.  I will readily hand over $48 for a bra/tank but I need to know it will hold up for several running seasons to make it worth the investment.  

The other issue I have is the cut of the tank.  The bra portion fits just like my Handful bras - supportive and pretty, Headlight Proof, adjustable and convertible, uber comfortable, and awesome.  I love the top.  But the bottom portion is flared.  I have a love-hate relationship with flared tops, particularly this one.  The flare is wider than I would choose and I go back and forth between loving the flare because it camouflages imperfections and hating it because it adds girth in places that I am already amply girthy.  

I am my biggest critic so I asked my husband and several friends (who are honest with me) what they thought.  They all gave the tank a resounding thumbs up for being flattering and pretty.  Clearly the flare issue is my problem and not a design flaw.  With that said, if I was designing this tank, I would give it a straight (but not tight) cut.  

Me modeling my Handful Tank.  That's my "mad face" at Carissa.  She tricked me into mountain climbing when I thought I was going for a run and made me finish by running up a huge hill.

I do love how pretty the Handful Tank looks, how comfortable it is, and how supportive the bra is. There were several days this summer when women stopped me and told me they "loved my top" and asked where I got it.   I found myself rationing my Handful Tank between workouts and every-day outfits.  I'm certain this summer, I'll be buying another one (or two) to add to my summer wardrobe.

Overall, I give the Handful Tank a 4 out of 5 stars.  If they modify the fabric, it would quickly move up to five stars.  

What about you?  Have you tried a Handful product?  What did you think?