This Ruby Ribbon Zip-Front Sport Demiette review is part of our 2022 SELF Certified Activewear Awards, where the bra won Best Medium-Impact Bra With Zip Front. You can see the rest of our award winners here.
Ruby Ribbon may be best known for their shapewear camisoles, so we’re here to let you in on a little secret: Their sports bras rock, too. The Ruby Ribbon Zip-Front Sports Demiette is an excellent medium-impact bra for a variety of sizes. Its zipper closure makes it easy to put on and take off, and it has a flattering, stylish design—complete with a scoop neck and mesh sides—that adds to its appeal. The bra is supportive without the use of compressive material or underwire too.
For our reviewers’ full assessment of the Zip-Front Sports Demiette—and why we deemed it a winner in our 2022 SELF Certified Activewear Awards—read on below.
How We Tested
Testers reviewing bras for a SELF Certified seal complete at least two workouts at the level of intensity the sports bra is indicated for—in this case, medium-impact exercise. Testers wear the bra through standard ranges of movement, like jumping, twisting, and jogging. They also wear them for appropriate workouts, in this case, medium-impact exercises, which could include things like indoor cycling, HIIT workouts, or weight lifting. We also ask testers to wear the bra for an hour or two after their workout, measuring comfort and wetness over time.
Our testers wore the Ruby Ribbon Zip-Front Sport Demiette for a 30-minute indoor cycling session, a 30-minute interval training workout, on a two-hour hike, and during a 30-minute run (Editor’s note: Running is considered to be a high-impact activity.) You can see SELF’s full criteria and testing recommendations for buying the best sports bras here. Below are our reviewers’ thoughts on how the Zip-Front Sport Demiette performed for each of our 2022 SELF Certified Activewear Awards expert-informed criteria.
Support
“The Ruby Ribbon bra provided both comfort and support,” one tester, who wears a size 42D, said. “Although it is intended for medium-impact support, it felt compressive enough to withstand moderate jumping in my workout. I was able to bend and twist freely without any discomfort.” Another tester, who wears a size 32D, agreed: “This sports bra lives up to its medium-impact promise. My boobs felt secure but not suffocated. In fact, I didn’t think about my chest at all while hiking or running, which is a huge win for someone with a D cup! I definitely felt supported.” The bra doesn’t have underwire, which many might view as a plus: Our testers said with this level of support, you don’t even need it.
Fit
Both of our testers loved the fit of the Demiette, reporting that the bra solves for common complaints you might find with your typical sports bra: the need to pull or adjust during a workout, and a proper fit across both the band and bust. “I was able to complete both of my workouts without having to make any adjustments,” the size 42D tester said. “It stayed in place throughout my cycling, even with all the bending forward.” The size 32D tester said she usually has a hard time finding well-fitting bras due to her large chest and narrow frame, while this bra fit her perfectly in both places. Wrote the other tester: “The supportive sling construction in the cups helped separate and lift my larger breasts. It was a good fit for my plus-sized body.” Ruby Ribbon recommends this bra for people with cup sizes B and above.
Cut and Style
The Zip-Front Sport Demiette has a zip front, as the name suggests, along with a scoop neck and mesh side panels that add style, stretch, and breathability to the bra. Don’t be intimidated by the scoop neck—our 32D tester said that, in warm weather, she would feel comfortable wearing this bra without a top over it outdoors: “It gives just enough coverage, is very flattering, and honestly very cute!” The 42D tester also described the cut as “perfect:” “The scoop neck design did show a little cleavage, but not too much to make it inappropriate or uncomfortable. The molded cups helped keep everything in place so no accidental slippage occurred.”
Strap Style
The Zip Front Sport Demiette has a unique and supportive strap design. While the straps are not adjustable, they are double layered for added support. The scoop neck leads to a wide straight strap design. However, from the back, you’ll notice the bra has a mesh racerback set of straps as well. The straps stretch to your body for a comfortable, flexible fit. Our testers agreed that the racerback design helped smooth out the back, and were a perfect width and length for maximum comfort and coverage.
Ease to Put On and Take Off
The zipper close makes putting on and taking off this bra a breeze. Both testers raved about the zipper design too—it’s easy to use and stays put thanks to top and bottom zipper covers.
Moisture Management
The bra’s inner is made of an antimicrobial wicking material that kept both of our testers dry—even through sweaty cardio workouts. They also reported it was comfortable to wear after a workout, and dried quickly once they look off the bra. “It did a great job with my dreaded under-boob sweat,” one tester said. The mesh sides also helped keep the bra breathable.
Fabric
The material is super stretchy, so the bra cradles breasts like a sling, anchored by the double straps at the back of the bra. As we mentioned above, the fabric is both antimicrobial and wicking, so it passes our technical test. It’s also comfortable—one tester was impressed by the lack of chafing and marks on her skin from the bra post-workout. “It feels expensive!” she said. “It never felt stiff or scratchy or too thin. It has a nice thickness to it that made it feel even more supportive.”
The Bottom Line
The Ruby Ribbon Zip Front Sport Demiette is an excellent option for exercisers who are looking for a low-maintenance medium-impact option. The zip closure makes putting it on and taking it off a little bit easier, and the luxurious fabric and dependable support make the bra a no-brainer to keep at the top of your drawer. And, most of all, the bra seems to work well for a variety of body sizes: Both testers were thrilled with their experiences.
Available in Ruby Ribbon sizes 32–44 (band sizes 27–51 inches; bust sizes 30–66 inches).