Brooks 3 Pocket Bra Review

Updated: January 24, 2024
Written by: Caroline

Compression support with secure storage

Likes

Phone pocket on the back
Supportive fit
Soft, comfortable fabric
Durable design
High-neck, racerback style

Dislikes

Underarm location of side pockets
Removable cups for laundering

What's New

The Brooks 3 Pocket Bra offers compression-led support with secure storage for your phone. The bra features removable cups for customized coverage with lightweight materials that hug your chest and allow for freedom of movement. With two side mesh pockets and a phone pocket in the back, there is secure storage for your essential items for a hands-free run. Lastly, Brooks' DriLayer HorsePower fabric delivers sweat-wicking properties to help keep you dry and comfortable.

The Bottom Line

Our testers found the Brooks 3 Pocket Bra to be a supportive, comfortable and durable bra that offers the innovative convenience of a phone pocket on the back. The team especially loved the clever addition of the back phone pocket, which freed them from having to carry any extra running gear for secure phone storage. Our reviewers' felt the two side mesh pockets (designed to hold smaller items such as keys or cards) were somewhat impractical, given their underarm location, and when it comes to removable vs. buil-in cups, it is a matter of personal preferences. The 3 Pocket Bra did receive high praise for its high-neck, racerback style and durable, soft fabric construction. Overall, the Brooks 3 Pocket Bra comes highly recommended by our reviewers for the support it offers and its quality design, which makes this bra a great addition to any runner's rotation.

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Our In-Depth Look

Features & Style

Becky: "The Brooks 3 Pocket Bra is a basic, solid-colored bra with storage pockets and a structured, supportive fit that meets all the needs for the daily grind. Any run where I don't have a hydration pack with pockets, I want a sports bra with a back pocket to hold my phone. Personally, I wouldn't store anything in the extra side pockets beneath the armpit area except a small key. I think if they eliminated those two side pockets, and either added one to the front or just had the back phone pocket, it would be a 10/10. I also love the high neck and keyhole in the back, but that may not be to everyone's liking."

Liz: "I personally love the high-neck, racerback style, and I appreciated how it allowed me to wear the bra with many of my athletic tops without the straps showing. I like the pocket design, but I would have liked the rear pocket to be slightly larger. While it stretched to accommodate my iPhone 11 and case, it was hard to put the phone back in the pocket while running. I also didn't end up using the pockets on the side. I found the under-armpit location a bit awkward, and I would notice when a gel was in the pocket more than I'd like."

Fit & Comfort

Becky: "The bra's fabric is smooth and comfortable. Because it doesn't stretch in the same way as some sports bras, it isn't quite as cozy as some other options. However, for a bra that offers as much support and structure as it does, it is really nice."

Liz: "This bra fits very well thanks to the wide variety of sizing options and the impeccable design. It also does a great job of providing support without feeling restrictive. I felt no bounce while running, and the lightweight fabric and well-designed cut got my mind off the bra and focused on my run. My only complaints were with the removable cups. I personally hate having to wash bras with removable cups, so this was the biggest downside for me. I ended up wearing the bra without the cups for most workouts. It still did a great job of providing support, but I would have preferred a bit more modesty; that would not have been a problem if the bra had built-in padding."

Quality & Value

Becky: "This bra is quality made, with a seamless feel. The fabric has good hold and will retain that over time, giving you support where you need it most. While the price point is on the higher end for a sports bra, the durability, support, and pockets make it worth the money. The price is definitely in line with similar products."

Liz: "The Brooks 3 Pocket Bra may be slightly more expensive than comparable compression-style bras, but I think that this bra's value mostly comes from its amazing construction and fabric. The well-thought-out construction shows the time and care put into making this bra, and the multiple-piece design provides targeted support rather than just relying on the compression of the fabric."

Individual Thoughts

BeckyOverall Score: 8/10

There are not many bras that have pockets in them, so the 3 Pocket is a special find. Having a pocket on the back is the greatest addition to a sports bra of all time! I love putting my phone in the pocket while I run and never having to worry about dropping it. The overall support of this bra is high, and I love the high neck.

LizOverall Score: 8.5/10

I really enjoyed the 3 Pocket Bra. It may be my favorite bra right now (tied with my Brooks Crossback). The fabric has the perfect lightweight, stretchy feel to help keep me unrestricted while on the run without sacrificing support. I am a huge fan of the phone pocket, and I may not purchase a running bra without it moving forward. I used to run with a belt for my phone, but I find the pocket bra a much more comfortable and convenient way to carry the essentials. The only thing I didn't like about this bra was the removable cups (and some might love this). I just found that they made washing the bra more difficult and required constant repositioning after wash. I got to the point of keeping them out of the bra, but with that, I noticed that it didn't have the modesty that I usually prefer, even under a shirt.

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