Read about how we tested ClassPass for several months, attending dozens of classes to see if it is worth the monthly membership prices compared to signing up for those studios and gyms directly.

How we tested

For two months, we gathered reviews and data from four team members on their personal experience using ClassPass in Southern and Northern California, including any previous experiences they have with ClassPass dating from 2018. We originally started with free trials and continued with paid memberships. Some of our reviewers upgraded membership tiers to fit their workout preferences. 

We tried a variety of in-person classes and studio locations, in addition to virtual on-demand classes including yoga, pilates, weight training and even a nail salon. This review describes our personal experiences using ClassPass: signing up for sessions on the ClassPass app or desktop site, traveling and using our memberships, comparing class prices with drop-in rates, and if it’s worth the price.

How does ClassPass work?

ClassPass is a subscription-based fitness model that allows you to try different studios and sometimes for a discounted price. If you like pampering yourself, they also feature wellness and beauty companies that offer massages, meditation, spa services, and even haircuts. With studio partners in over 2,500 cities, ClassPass lets you continue working out even when traveling. 

Depending on your membership level, you can pay between $19 to $159 and receive 8-80 monthly credits. You sign up for classes or appointments on a desktop, laptop, or app with the credits. We prefer using the personalized app because it’s easy to sign up for available classes on the go or cancel as long as you have Internet access. 

ClassPass even has 4,000 on-demand virtual classes (audio and video) so you can work out in your home. These videos are available on every membership tier, and you can choose from various workouts to exercise. 

ClassPass membership plans

There are five membership plans. You get a set number of credits each month. The higher the membership tier, the less expensive credit costs. After the trial membership, individuals will start at $49, giving you 23 credits. Depending on the studio, this will provide you with anywhere between 2-4 classes. 

Membership plans and prices

For someone just starting with working out (or ClassPass in general), we recommend starting with the default membership tier and adjusting as you go on. Of course, you can always add more credits until the next billing cycle or opt to upgrade early. 

Additional credits and prices

If you need to buy more credit during the month consistently, upgrading your membership may be a good idea to reduce the amount of money you pay–since it’s typically cheaper to pay for credits upfront. You can also roll over credits if you don’t have the opportunity to use them within the same month. 

Note that there is no pro-rated price, so you will pay the total upgraded tier price no matter when you upgrade. So, for example, if your billing date is the first of every month, but you run out by the 15th and you want to upgrade to the next tier, you will still need to pay for the total price of the next tier. 

Classpass Cost vs. Direct Price comparison

If you’re wondering if paying for ClassPass is cheaper than paying for a drop-in price for a studio, it can get a little complicated to figure out because it depends on the credit price of each class and how much you pay for each credit based on your membership tier. So here’s a breakdown of some popular studios nearby us in Orange County, California. 

During our tests, we noticed that credits change depending on each class’s timing, demand, availability, and popularity. So a CorePower C1 class on Monday at 10:00 AM could be 8 credits one week because it was empty, and the next week, the same class could be 11 credits because more people have signed up. 

Mobile app & class booking experience

Booking a class was the most accessible experience, and we loved using the app. The ClassPass app is available on IOS and Android. The app allows you to book classes, cancel classes, add friends, view on-demand videos, manage your account, and adjust your membership.

Homepage

On the homepage, the app shows you options for similar classes you’ve previously attended, price drops, and new classes you might be interested in. We didn’t run into any issues throughout our time using the app. We especially liked the options to customize the homepage to our liking with buttons under each category that let you “see more of this” or “see less of this” category. 

Finding & booking classes

You can filter by activity, location, availability, and time when searching for a class. The search also gives you a visual map to see nearby studios with open spots. 

Once you click on the studio, you get more information about the company, including reviews, contact information, amenities, parking instructions, and similar businesses. The “view schedule” button is super easy to spot because it’s bright blue at the bottom of the screen. Each class is listed with a date, time, title, teacher, and how many credits it takes to join. 

Once you reserve a spot, the app informs you about fee cancellation deadlines (typically 12-14 hours before the scheduled class). If the class is booked, you can also add a notification if someone drops out and opens a spot.

What’s great about the app is that if you have a workout partner or friend, you can add them on ClassPass and send them information about your upcoming class so they can join. Of course, you can also send them a direct link to the class to sign up. 

On-demand video classes

We do have one caveat, and that is trying to find the on-demand videos on the mobile app; They are located at the VERY bottom of the search page. Using your phone for on-demand videos can also seem annoying with such a small screen. The ClassPass mobile app offers both visual on-demand videos and audio workouts. To use on-demand videos on the desktop site, click on the “Videos” link located on the upper right corner. There is currently no option for on-demand audio class for the desktop site.  

There are many different types of workouts available, and you can use a filter to find the class you want. For example, you can filter by specific activities, workout length, body focus, equipment, or collaborative partners, like Sweat Factor or Daily Burn. What’s great about these on-demand videos is that they don’t require additional credits; you can do as many as you want.

After testing several virtual classes, we thought it was a good option for days when you can’t get to the studio or travel without any ClassPass studios nearby. In addition, each virtual class is already filmed, so you can go at your own pace and pause the video if you need extra time between sets.

On-demand audio classes

Audio classes describe the type of workout, time frame, level of exercise, and calorie burns. The interface of each audio workout is similar to other audio apps with a movable timeline, play/pause button, 30-second skip or back buttons, and volume, and it also includes music genres based on your preference in between the reps. This is great for intermediate to advanced customers familiar with workout moves and can take directions easily. 

ClassPass pros

After trying out ClassPass for two consecutive months at home and during travel, here are our pros and cons about using it as a way to exercise. 

• Variety – There are various types of workouts and studios available and even beauty and wellness appointments like haircuts or acupuncture. 
• Try new gyms without commitment – You can try a new studio or gym without initiation fees or fear of signing up for additional trial memberships.
• Travel – If you travel & want to continue working out, ClassPass has 2,500 studio locations all over the world. This is an excellent option for popular studios with multiple locations to continue working out when traveling.
• Price – Depending on the studio, some ClassPass classes are cheaper than drop-in rates directly from the studios. Some gyms also offer a half-off discount on your first class, so it’s even more affordable! Some classes drop their prices if there are still spots to fill – even by 30-50% off. 
• Achievements badge – If you’re motivated by earning badges, ClassPass also offers achievement goals to make exercising feel more like a game and less like a chore. 

ClassPass cons

• “Free” but lacking trial – Some things like massages or beauty services are not available on the free trial. You must upgrade to a paid membership to view the prices and sign up. 
• No pro-rated prices for upgrades – If you want to upgrade to a higher membership tier mid-month, you must pay for a full-price membership. So it might be worth it not to upgrade until it’s closer to your billing date. 
• Sold-out classes – Many classes are already waitlisted or sold out even a week in advance. In addition, some studios only open a certain amount every week, or spots open specifically for ClassPass. 
• Class variety on ClassPass – Not all classes from the studio are available to ClassPass students (like Pure Barre only opens up Classic barre classes but not their Empower, Foundations, Align, or Reform classes). 
• Credits change based on the individual – We’ve tested this with multiple users and noticed that sometimes credits would differ from person to person even though they sign up for the same class simultaneously.

Tips to make the most of a ClassPass membership

• If you want to sign up for a sold-out class, check the app about 13 hours before the class begins because some people may drop the class before the fee cancellation deadline. 
• We have also noticed that the cost of a class will decrease closer to the date because there is availability, and the studio wants to fill the class. We sometimes canceled and re-signed up for the same class the day before to use fewer credits. However, this is also a risk because your spot might get quickly taken up. 

If you have health insurance plans with Kaiser, you may be eligible for discounts on memberships.

Is ClassPass worth it?

We believe ClassPass is worth the price if you are interested in taking a variety of exercises, are just beginning your workout journey, or want to work out while you are traveling. Paying on membership for ClassPass to exercise in 3-4 different studios per month will be cheaper than signing up for 3-4 individual memberships at every location. However, if you prefer working at a specific gym or have a dedicated workout plan with a committed gym, you might be wasting your money. 

After using ClassPass solely for working out for several months, we tried almost a dozen studios and locations throughout California. We have thoroughly enjoyed signing up for different exercises, and working out feels less like a chore and more like a game. 

While there are cons with any workout membership, like some popular classes selling out when they’re released, we could still find workouts nearby. There are many pros, especially if you need motivation to exercise. Read below to see our experience. 

Conclusion: who benefits from ClassPass?

If you are ONLY interested in pilates, have found your favorite studio, and want to take multiple classes a week, you might consider the studio’s monthly unlimited membership if you have a dedicated workout at a gym and don’t want variety. 

If you love variety in exercising or are just getting into working out, we think ClassPass is a good option because you spend less money and don’t need to commit to just one studio. ClassPass allows you to try different workouts and teachers to see which fits your body best. Even just visiting two studios within a month seems worth it for a membership class because drop-in rates are so high. 

Comparing drop-in class prices versus ClassPass credits, you are saving money. Where typical pilates drop-in class prices are about $30, a single ClassPass session can be half the price. The highest membership price from ClassPass is $159 for about 7-16 classes per month, which is still a lower price than popular studios’ monthly unlimited memberships.

The post How Does ClassPass Work & Is It Worth It? appeared first on Your Best Digs.

Important features to consider

Design

When purchasing a gallon water bottle, be mindful of the design. The way a gallon water bottle is designed is more than just aesthetics and colors, it also affects ergonomics. Carrying, lifting, or pouring a gallon-sized water bottle is rather heavy, and you want a water bottle designed to be easy and suited for your needs. Some bottles are designed with side handles, carrying straps, top swinging handles, and grippy textures that enhance the drinking experience.

Material

Gallon water bottles come in two primary materials: plastic and stainless steel. The material also affects the weight and insulation. Since carrying around one gallon of water is already heavy, plastic gallon water bottles are great if you want a lighter-weight option. However, if you prefer your water iced cold at all times, consider a stainless steel water bottle that is insulated. Stainless steel is heavier than plastic, so you will also carry a heavier load in preference for longer-lasting cold water.

Cleaning

Similar to our experience testing glass water bottles, the fewer parts, and the simpler the design, the easier it is to clean. Designs with built-in side handles are often the hardest to clean because there are few cleaning tools to reach all the nooks and crannies, like a long, thin, and malleable brush. In contrast, water bottles with wider mouths and no handles are the easiest to clean. Also, if you like drinking from a straw, you will need a straw brush.

Other features (motivation, sleeve, magnet top)

There are also other features we’ve encountered while testing gallon water bottles. For example, some plastic water bottles have encouraging labels on the outside to promote hydrating throughout the day at each hour. If you want a plastic water bottle but hate condensation or want a carry strap, you can also choose a water bottle with a neoprene sleeve. Lastly, some water bottles also have magnets to keep screw caps from getting lost.

Budget

No matter your budget, there are affordable and upgrade options for anyone. While many of the plastic water bottles we found were under $35, the insulated stainless steel water bottles ranged from $50 to $150.

How we selected

We picked eight-gallon water bottles priced from $25-$150. Of the eight bottles, four are lightweight plastic, and four are insulated stainless steel. Some of these bottles also have sleeves with other features like carry straps and pockets. There are also various ways to drink from water bottles, like sippers or straws.

How we tested

We used each of these gallon water bottles for daily errands and gym classes for two months. We also created controlled product tests to review how easy they were to clean, how tight the seals were on each lid or if they leaked, and analyzed their overall usability.

Cleaning

We cleaned each water bottle over a dozen times. Since most of them were not allowed to go into the dishwasher, we hand-washed them and made notes on the number of pieces we had to wash, the difficulty it was to clean thoroughly, if we needed to remove additional sleeves, and any tools we needed to clean. The easier a bottle was to clean, the higher they scored out of 10.

Leak tests

We filled each water bottle with red-colored water and tightened the lids. We laid each water bottle over a paper towel-lined counter and timed how long the paper towels stayed dry. Most of these bottles stayed fully sealed throughout 30 minutes except the RTIC and the Yeti bottles, which needed to be tightened after the first five minutes.

Usability & Insulation

For two months, we made notes on using each water bottle. Was the bottle easy to carry? Did the width of the mouth affect easy refilling? How many handles did each bottle have? Did the design of these bottles help with the ergonomics of carrying and drinking from this bottle? We also noted additional features like insulation, weight, infusers, etc. The easier and more accessible the design of each bottle, the higher it scored out of 10.

Additionally, we tested the insulation of the four stainless steel bottles to analyze if they really did keep drinks as cold as they boast on their labels. We filled each bottle with 60 fluid oz of room-temperature water and 65 oz of ice. We checked the temperature throughout 48 hours with an instant-read thermometer and compared each bottle’s results.

The post The Best 1-Gallon Water Bottles appeared first on Your Best Digs.

Important features to consider

Design

There are many different glass water bottles in the market and one of the most important features to consider is design. For example, you can buy glass bottles for water or hot drinks like tea or coffee. These differences change the design of the water bottle or tumbler.

They can come with straws or mouths that feature sippers for easy drinking. Sippers allow you to gulp more water, while straws are suitable for people who don’t like to lift their entire bottle each time they drink water. If you want a bottle that’s easy to use during the day for exercising or driving, we recommend a lid that opens with one touch. If you’re going to use the glass bottle for drinks other than water, like iced coffee, we recommend something with a straw attachment.

If you’re interested in glass water bottles because you want to use less plastic, keep in mind that other parts of the bottle beside the body can also still be made of plastic, like the cap or the straw. Some brands offer caps made of different materials like bamboo or have designs where the mouth is made of glass.

Size

Since glass can be heavy, it’s essential to think about what size of glass water bottle you want to carry around all day. Many of the bottles and tumblers we tested ranged from 16 to 25 ounces because this was the average size and wasn’t too heavy. However, some brands sold water bottles with capacities between 8 to 32 ounces.

Cleaning

The less amount of parts included the faster the cleaning experience. Keep this in mind with glass water bottles or tumblers that include a straw because they often have more parts and need additional tools for cleaning. While the glass tumblers we tested were easy to use because they had wider mouths, the glass water bottles we tested needed bottle brushes to reach all the smaller crevices. Straws also need straw brushes too. We removed the silicone or rubber sleeves for some bottles to prevent any dirt between the sleeve and the glass surface.

Other features

Do you prefer to carry your glass water bottle in your bag? Make sure to pick a bottle with a secure locking mechanism to prevent leakage. Some bottles also have silicone seals that also keep leaks minimal and nonexistent.

Another feature is sleeves made out of silicone or rubber to help grip and reduce condensation. Often these sleeves are removable, but some glass water bottles are a little more difficult to remove and replace. Some silicone sleeves are designed not to be removed, making cleaning easier.

How we selected:

We selected nine glass water bottles and tumblers in various sizes and designs for under $35. These bottles also featured different ways of drinking, like wider mouths for sipping or gulping or straw attachments for easy drinking.

How we tested:

Cleaning

We cleaned the bottles multiple times by hand and ran them through the dishwasher, noting what additional tools they needed to clean, like bottle or straw brushes. We also observed how many items needed cleaning.

Leak/seal tests

We added colored water inside each bottle and laid it on its side for up to 30 minutes to test if there were leakage issues. We performed leakage tests by flipping each bottle over and shaking it repeatedly. Since the tumblers have openings for straws or sippers, we didn’t want to lay them on a flat surface because they would leak regardless. So we tested the glass tumblers by positioning them horizontally over the sink to test their lid seals.

Ease of use

For each glass bottle, we tested each bottle for an entire week throughout our errands, events, driving, work, and gym time. While we didn’t test dropping these bottles purposefully, some bottles were accidentally dropped, and we noted any damage.

The post The 9 Best Glass Water Bottles appeared first on Your Best Digs.

Himalayan salt lamps can make a beautiful addition to any room in your home. They range in size, weight, and color and are usually mounted on a wooden stand that’s neutral enough to match most furniture. Essentially, the lamp is made of a large rock of Himalayan salt mined usually in Pakistan, and a small light bulb is inserted into the salt’s hollowed-out center.

When warmed by the low-watt lamp, the salt releases negative ions that can purportedly purify and improve air quality. Some lamp manufacturers go so far as to claim their lamps improve sleep, clear up sinus congestion, increase energy level, and even neutralize electromagnetic radiation.

There isn’t enough (or much) scientific research that supports these alleged benefits. But that said, they certainly create a calming ambiance. The best salt lamps have a dimmable light that at full power illuminates the entire salt rock so that its intricate web of colored veins can be seen.

The lamps may look similar to each other, but in truth, they’re different since no salt rock is the same. Depending on your preference, the salt rock can be white, shades of pink, yellow, and/or orange. The low-watt bulb — usually 15 watts — can be clear or yellow, which changes the color of the salt rock. We prefer a clear bulb to see the salt’s natural color, but again, it’s all a matter of personal taste.

The post The 7 Best Himalayan Salt Lamps appeared first on Your Best Digs.

• EHM – Ultra II (not recommended)
• Other finalists we tested
• Are there alkaline water benefits?
• How we selected finalists to test
• Important features to consider
• Alkaline vs. conventional filters
• How we tested
• The bottom line

EHM – Ultra II (not recommended)

We don’t recommend alkaline water. Not from a cheap filter pitcher, not from an expensive machine, and certainly not from a bottle that costs triple what regular bottled spring water costs. Alkaline water is in almost every way just a marketing ploy, and the only benefit we can find is that some prefer the taste of it.

If you’re really convinced that you want to add minerals to your water this way, the best alkaline water filter is the EHM – Ultra II, since it at least gives you control over the rate of water flowing through the filter, which adjusts how much it changes.

EHM doesn’t tell us exactly what’s inside these filters, and that’s the biggest problem. Dr Tanis Fenton is a Canadian nutritionist who has studied alkaline water, and she says the health claims from manufacturers are a trick at best. See our interview below for more info on the science behind alkaline water.

There are actually some risks that come along with using filters like the EHM. Dr Fenton warns: “Since we don’t know what they are adding to the water or what method they are using to change the pH, we can’t evaluate it.” In contrast, bottled mineral water often includes a comprehensive assay of the minerals included.

One of the Amazon listings for the EHM filter cartridges claims the use of “maifan stone,” a naturally occurring mineral-rich rock formation that can contain everything from magnesium to iron to trace amounts of lead. A 2011 research paper often cited as proof that maifan stone is an effective filter media for removing lead was retracted by the publisher. There’s no reason for us to think using this filter is any more dangerous than drinking well water, but there’s little indication EHM even knows exactly what their filters take out or put back in.

The EHM is, to be fair, a well-designed pitcher, with a flip-up filling hole cover to keep out dust and a sealed reservoir that doesn’t leak unfiltered water (or fall out) the way some pitcher reservoirs do. This pitcher has a hole molded into the lid that looks like it was designed to work with an electronic timer to indicate filter life like premium Brita and PUR pitchers have, but it’s just covered with a sticker.

The one case where this pitcher makes sense is if the following all apply:

• You don’t like the taste of the chlorine or other treatments added to your tap water
• You’re not worried about filtering out any other compounds specifically
• Your local tap water source has low mineral content
• You specifically prefer the taste that extra minerals add to water
• You don’t worry about trace amounts of poisonous minerals that may be included in these filters by accident

With a filter cost of around 25 cents per gallon of filtered water, this is definitely cheaper than buying bottled mineral water.

Key takeaways:

• Alkaline water is a scam, don’t buy this for health reasons.
• The EHM – Ultra II adds minerals — supposedly including calcium, magnesium and potassium — at a rate you can control.
• If you like the taste of mineral water, you might prefer this to a standard filter.
• Don’t count on this filter to remove anything harmful.

Other finalists we tested

We tested three other pitchers with alkaline-mineral-adding filters, and they weren’t much different than the EHM. They all change the pH of water the same way, using mineral clumps or beads mixed in with the other.

Hskyhan (not recommended)

The Hskyhan – Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher is like the EHM, but it lacks some of the refinements like variable flow rate. The replacement filters cost about double what the EHM filters do, almost as much as a premium PUR or ZeroWater cartridge. Aside from the awkward name, this pitcher is one of the better designs overall. If this pitcher had NSF-certified lead-removing filters, it would be worth looking into, but the filter design it ships with is just a scam.

Seychelle – pH2O Pure (not recommended)

The pH2O Pure water filter from Seychelle Environmental Technologies is the pitcher we’re most ambivalent about. This pitcher uses a more advanced filter design than the others. It should, if the claims are true, be competitive with the best filters from Brita and PUR. Seychelle shows copies of test results in marketing materials, but these aren’t independently verified and they don’t even list the model number of the filter that was tested. The fact that the test shows a “99.00% reduction in total suspended solids” almost definitely means the test was for a different filter than this one, since our test and tests we’ve seen in customer reviews show that dissolved solids are the same or higher.

The fact that tipped the scales against Seychelle is the other promotional material. While the marketing claims on their Amazon listing and webpage were no less worrisome than any other alkaline water purveyor, a pamphlet included with the pitcher features a long list of decades-old, thoroughly debunked claims about water quality and the purported importance of “healthy” alkaline water. Worse, they include a testimonial from a former NASA engineer, who claims that he is “living proof” that Seychelle’s “pH water filtration system will reduce the illness such as cancer as well as other conditions.[sic]”

The Seychelle filter is supposed to remove fluoride, but in our test with 4 parts per million of fluoride in the challenge solution (about four times the amount you’d expect to see in city water), the reduction was only 75%.

OXA (not recommended)

The OXA – Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher is the smallest we found, which means it’s a bit easier to pour from and keep in a refrigerator. That said, it also had the quickest flow-through rate, and as a result the filter made the least difference in our tests. It can still remove chlorine, but it doesn’t even add very much in the way of alkaline minerals.

Are there alkaline water benefits?

We looked for the source of the claims about alkaline water and traced most back to two base claims: the “alkaline diet” hypothesis and a study testing hydration for athletes.

We asked a certified personal trainer, Lucas Enge of Mosaic Health, what he knows about the trend and its traction in the “biohacking” community. He says the alkaline diet and the water fit together closely.

“Drinking alkaline water is founded on the principle that high acidic water consumption is going to cause oxidative stress and potentially cause disease,” Lucas says. “[According to this theory] alkaline water consumption ought to help prevent high acidity. Most advocates of alkaline water would likely (not necessarily) follow an alkaline diet simultaneously.”

Does he think it’s a sound theory? “I’m not convinced alkaline water is the solution,” he says. “Find yourself a high-quality water-filtration system.”

To get a research-based assessment of the alkaline diet claims, we reached out to Dr. Tanis Fenton, a nutritionist who has spent considerable time reviewing research and educating the public about claims made by diet promoters. In 2016 she co-wrote a systematic review of claims about alkaline water and cancer specifically.

Dr. Fenton gave us her findings in simple, unambiguous terms: “We have looked for evidence that the alkaline diet [benefits] bone health, cancer prevention and treatment, weight loss and heart disease and have found no evidence to support that it makes any difference at all.”

She notes that the hypothesis about dietary pH is based on century-old data, and that more recent studies totally disprove the old acid–ash hypothesis. “The body, and specifically the lungs and kidneys, work to maintain a normal blood pH. If something goes wrong with this process: for example, if one has a lung or kidney disease, or they are poisoned, then the body may not be able to maintain the normal blood pH. People who have a blood pH outside of the normal range are very sick and generally need to be hospitalized in an ICU to keep them alive.”

We asked if there could be anyone who would benefit from drinking alkaline water, even in special cases, and she said “No, other than the companies that are using it as a marketing strategy.”

One popular claim about alkaline water is that it can hydrate your body differently than normal purified water. This claim has been tested in one study: In 2016, the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition published “Effect of electrolyzed high-pH alkaline water on blood viscosity in healthy adults.” Dr. Fenton notes that while the study looks at four different markers for the effectiveness of hydration, only one showed a different result with alkaline water, and she calls the validity of this one measurement of hydration “very questionable.”

Dr. Fenton doesn’t deny that you could get good results from switching to an alkaline diet, but that all depends on what you’re eating now. “If someone wants to try the alkaline diet, I would tell them that are some desirable aspects of the diet including the encouragement to eat plenty of vegetables and fruit, to eat less sugar and less processed foods. I would caution them that the alkaline diet promoters sometimes say that protein is not important for health, which is not true.” Do note, drinking alkaline water doesn’t have anything to do with those positive aspects of the alkaline diet.

How we selected finalists to test

When we searched the web for reviews of alkaline water products, we discovered a minefield of hype and vague claims. Top-ranked review pages show little if any testing, and do nothing to temper the enthusiasm of marketing pitches for “vital” and “balanced” water. We didn’t find any reviews that actually include consultation with experts.

The pitchers all use standard approaches to filtering water, with cartridges containing granules of activated carbon. Some also use ion-exchange resin to grab minerals, and some add layers of “KDF” (made from brass shavings) to speed up chlorine reduction. (KDF media is more popular in high-flow dechlorinators like the shower water filters we’ve reviewed.) All are using some form of compressed mineral powder (similar to what’s in an antacid tablet) to boost pH.

Most are also including red “tourmaline” (quartz or possibly hematite) ceramic beads, which manufacturers claim will add “far-IR radiation” (better known simply as “heat energy”) but don’t do anything beneficial for your water. We’ve tested products that use tourmaline ceramic plates to reduce static cling in our hair dryer review and flat iron review, but those products use heat and pressure to release ions from the tourmaline.

Mainstream manufacturers like Brita and PUR all use extensive tests by third-party agencies like NSF international to show off how effective their filters are at removing harmful or taste-altering chemicals. We were surprised at how little information was provided about the filter performance for alkaline water pitchers. Given how effective activated carbon is at removing chlorine, we thought we’d see at least some test results to show that they can deal with easy filtration tasks.

Only one filter pitcher manufacturer from the alkaline crowd, Seychelle Environmental Technologies Inc, provided documentation of testing. The test results are comparable to results from other popular filters, and it was reassuring to see some evidence to back up claims about “improved” water. That said, the documentation doesn’t show clearly which of their products (the line includes three different types of filters) was tested by the labs.

In addition to the one pitcher that offered some filter performance proof, we picked the four best-selling filter pitchers with good customer reviews on Amazon and with good availability of replacement filters at a price comparable to conventional filters.

Important features to consider

Certified filter performance: If you’re depending on a filter to make your water cleaner, and not just trying to improve the taste, it’s important to look for actual certified test results. NSF International provides the most complete testing we’ve seen, running the filter well beyond its rated lifespan to ensure the filter can actually live up to its claims. None of the alkaline water filters we found are actually certified by an agency like NSF, though Seychelle does provide a copy of a lab result for an unspecified filter.

Adjustable flow rate: If you really want to add alkaline minerals to your water, it’s nice to be able to dial in the amount of change by adjusting the flow rate — Slower flow through the mineral layer will increase the amount of dissolved solids.

A sealed-reservoir design: If you want to pour a glass of water right away when you fill up the pitcher, you need a design with a top reservoir that doesn’t allow unfiltered water to leak into your glass.

Space-efficient pitcher size: If you’re chilling your water, you’ll need to figure out what shape of pitcher will fit your refrigerator best. A narrow oval shape will fit better on most shelves, while a tall cylinder might be better for some fridge doors.

Easy-clean design: The minerals added by the filters in these pitchers will eventually lead to build-up in your pitcher, so a design that has fewer nooks and crannies will collect less of that sediment and be easier to clean. Vinegar or any cleaner designed to help with hard-water scale should be effective.

Ionizers vs alkaline minerals: We didn’t test any water ionizers, since they are very expensive to purchase and operate. Ionizers don’t provide the taste benefits of extra minerals, either. Ionizers use electricity to split your water into hydroxide-rich alkaline water and acidic water, but there’s no reason for most people to do this. (You could use an electrolyser with salt and water to make lye and chlorine disinfectants, but it’s an expensive way to do that, too.)

Alkaline vs. conventional filters

There are a few important differences between the pitchers we recommend in our water filter pitcher review and the pitchers that advertise “alkaline water” as a feature.

First and foremost, the water filter pitchers we recommend are tested by an independent laboratory and independently certified to remove specific contaminants. It used to be that people weren’t especially worried about any one specific contaminant, but the Flint water crisis helped shine a light on the problems caused by lead pipes in older houses. More and more people are now realizing that they have low levels of lead coming out of their taps, even if the water supply is totally lead-free.

Only one of the alkaline-water filters, the Seychelle, has any manufacturer claims about tests for lead removal, but the test results provided have some problems, since they don’t tell us which of Seychelle’s filters was tested and don’t even show the expected added mineral content.

Our Favorite Water Filter: Brita - Longlast

Brita's filters are tested and certified, and the new Longlast design will filter 100 gallons.

See Price at Amazon

Secondly, availability of filters for these alkaline water pitchers could be unreliable. Brita, ZeroWater and PUR filters can be purchased at local retailers, and you can still use your oldest Brita pitcher with the newest filters.

Finally, there’s price. Many alkaline water filters are insanely expensive given what’s inside — granular activated carbon with mineral tablets mixed in. In contrast, the certified-lead-removing Brita – Longlast filters are actually less expensive per gallon than many generic replacements.

How we tested

After using each of these water filters for daily drinking in a household of four, we checked the advertising claims with laboratory equipment in controlled tests.

Changes to pH

We tested a sample of water from each pitcher for pH using a Hanna Instruments HI98103, calibrated immediately before the test and rinsed in cleaning solution between samples.

Results from this test showed that each of the filters was successfully adding some dissolved minerals, but repeated tests showed that the results varied from fill to fill. As predicted, quicker-flowing filters didn’t change pH as much as filters that took a long time. The EHM – Ultra II is the only pitcher that allows you to control this flow rate. In its middle setting, though, the EHM only gave us a slight bump from 7.5 to 7.9; we had to slow it down to a dribble to see a notable bump up to the claimed pH 8–9 range.

If you don’t have a calibrated electronic pH meter, it’s difficult to know what the actual water pH would be, but at least adjustment is possible. You could also use a tester for dissolved solids (which measures the electrolytic properties of added minerals) to calibrate the flow rate, if you’re not worried about hitting a specific pH and you just want the flavor.

The fast-flowing OXA pitcher made barely any difference, but the variability of the rate these minerals will dissolve in your water is one of the biggest problems with this type of filter. Without control over flow rate, you’re relying on the consistency of the mineral clumps or beads to ensure that the pH stays consistent — the manufacturers offer no guarantees.

Chlorine removal

Each of the filters removed the 2 parts-per-million of chlorine added by our local water treatment facility, down to a level that wasn’t detectable with a Hatch CN-66T test kit. This isn’t a surprising result, since even a well-used generic carbon filter can remove chlorine.

Fluoride removal

Sodium fluoride is a difficult mineral to remove from water. Typically, slow-acting activated alumina filters are used if you need to remove fluoride, unless it makes sense to use more expensive systems to get completely pure water. The only pitcher-based system we’ve tested thus far that’s effective at fluoride removal is the ZeroWater ion-exchange system.

We tested each filter with a 4 parts-per-million (ppm) fluoride challenge solution, and we only saw a final reading below 1 ppm with one filter – the EHM. Ironically, this is one of the pitchers that did not claim any effectiveness at removing fluoride. Our tester speculates that the result is because of a chemical reaction between the indicator chemical or the fluoride and the alkaline minerals, rather than the presence of some component in the filter successfully removing fluoride.

Taste

Testers in our test group had strong reactions to the minerals in the samples. Some thought they tasted better than chlorinated tap water, but all prefered water from a Brita pitcher, and in this test group the ZeroWater pitcher won the most votes with its tangy zero-mineral taste.

The alkaline water got adjectives like “silty,” “musty,” “sandy” and “dirty.” When we tried making coffee and tea with the alkaline water, some testers liked the taste, but not most.

The bottom line

Put simply, alkaline water is a marketing ploy used to get people to buy devices or bottled water that they don’t need at a premium price. If you like the taste of the minerals these filters add, they probably won’t hurt you, but the complete lack of information provided by the manufacturers should give you pause.

While the EHM – Ultra II pitcher has more going for it than the others, you still shouldn’t buy it for any reason other than to add a mystery mix of minerals to your water because you like how that tastes. There’s likely to be as much harmful as helpful in the rocks that EHM puts in the filter, but not enough either way to make any difference.

In our review of the best water filter pitchers, we picked the Brita – Longlast series as best overall, since it’s certified to remove lead, and the filter lasts for about six months of daily use. If you’re looking for a new water filter pitcher, that’s our first choice, though some of our taste-test participants like the no-mineral flavor of ZeroWater better.

A Certified Water Filter Pitcher: Brita - Longlast

While it doesn't change the pH of your water, Brita's Longlast filter is certified to give you 100 gallons of lead-free, chlorine-free water. It's the least-expensive way to improve most city water for drinking.

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The post The Best Alkaline Water Filter Pitchers appeared first on Your Best Digs.

• How we selected products to test
• 1. Best compression sleeve: Bauerfeind
• 2. Best wraparound knee brace: Mueller
• 3. Best knee strap: McDavid
• Other knee braces we tested
• Who needs a knee brace?
• Important features to consider
• The bottom line

How we selected products to test

After interviewing an orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist and reading through running blogs and articles from trusted review sites like Wirecutter, we compiled a list of features that makes for a standout brace:

• Excellent support to effectively reduce pain or discomfort
• Comfortable fabric
• Relatively breathable materials
• Design that allows for a reasonable range of movement
• Uncomplicated and fairly easy to put on

With these requirements in mind, we selected seven highly rated compression sleeves, wraparound braces and knee straps—and then assigned each one to seven highly active testers to try them out during their regular workouts.

Note: For this review, we chose to test compression sleeves, wraparound knee braces and knee straps, all of which provide light to medium support. For more heavy-duty support, we strongly recommend consulting your doctor to determine the right one for you.

The knee braces covered in this article are meant to temporarily ease pain or provide light compression or support. Because there are many different kinds of knee injuries that each require a specific type of knee brace, sleeve or strap, it’s essential to talk to your doctor to determine the right one for you.

1. Best Compression Sleeve: Bauerfeind

Out of the compression sleeves we tested, the Bauerfeind – Sports Knee Support was the clear winner, and can be used to apply light to medium pressure to ease a variety of injuries and conditions. Though its price point is more than triple that of the other sleeves in our lineup, this is one case in which you get what you pay for.

Made of stretchy knit fabric, this sleeve has thinner, aerated sections over the legs and the back of the knee for breathability, as well as ribbing along the top and bottom edges to help keep it in place. The sleeve’s knee is heavily cushioned, which makes it a bit bulky. However, our tester raved that he felt no knee pain either during or after his very vigorous workout.

Best Compression Sleeve: Bauerfeind

The Bauerfeind - Sports Knee Support provides excellent nonslip, breathable support for running and action sports.

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The Bauerfeind brace is easy to put
on—our tester simply pulled it on inside out up to his ankle, and then rolled it onto his leg. Strategically placed silicone patches inside the brace hold it in place on the leg; our tester noted that it stayed firmly in place and didn’t slide. Though the brace is tight at first, it quickly warms to the body to provide firm yet comfortable compression and support. The only downside was a noticeable tightness behind the knee.

Key takeaways

• The Bauerfeind – Sports Knee Support brace is made of comfortable, stretchy knit fabric that’s well-aerated for breathability.
• This brace does not budge during activity, warming to the body and providing excellent knee support.
• Though higher priced, the Bauerfeind is superbly designed and well worth the price tag.

2. Best Wraparound Knee Brace: Mueller

The Mueller – Adjustable Knee Support wraps around the leg and then is held in place with several strong Velcro straps, allowing for plenty of adjustment and customization. Though braces with straps can be confusing, the Mueller brace includes clear instructions and even features a diagram printed on the interior of the brace that shows how to strap it into place. Our tester reported that the adjustability made a difference—the brace’s level of support was strong, and being able to tweak the angle of the compression noticeably alleviated impact on her joints.

Best Wraparound Knee Brace: Mueller

Fully adjustable and made of durable neoprene, the Mueller - Adjustable Knee Support brace provides customized, targeted support.

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This brace is made of soft neoprene, with a pleasant thickness that feels supportive and durable. Due to the brace’s thick material, multiple straps and firm support, our tester was definitely aware of it during wear; however, she could move well in the brace, and reported that the support it provided was well worth it and ideal for those who need more rigidity while recovering from an injury. Because of the customizable straps, this brace doesn’t slide; however, you may need to tighten the straps more if you tend to sweat a lot.

Key takeaways

• Made of soft, thick neoprene, the Mueller – Adjustable Knee Support wraparound brace delivers firm, customizable support for the knee.
• This brace features diagrams on its interior to simplify application.
• Though the Mueller brace is on the stiff side, the strong support it provides is worth the firm feel.

3. Best Knee Strap: McDavid

Our tester was pleasantly surprised by the McDavid – Knee Strap, which provided excellent support for such a thin, simple band. The inside of the strap has a soft yet firm roll of foam that lies comfortably against the patellar tendon to stabilize the patella, making it perfect for treating patellar tendonitis, runner’s knee and jumper’s knee. The McDavid’s adjustable Velcro straps allow you to tighten it to your liking. Our tester found it best to tighten the strap snugly, which also ensured that it didn’t fall down during exercise.

Best Knee Strap: McDavid

The slim, simple McDavid - Knee Strap provides firm yet comfortable support that’s easy to put on and take off.

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The McDavid strap is made of thin yet durable neoprene that breathes well and is very comfortable to wear overall; our tester felt that she could do anything while wearing this brace. Easy to put on and take off, the strap was only slightly irritating on bare legs when worn for an extended period of time.

Key takeaways

• The McDavid – Knee Strap features an interior roll of foam that puts gentle yet firm pressure on the patellar tendon, stabilizing the kneecap effectively.
• Except for the slight irritation we felt on our bare legs after wearing it for a while, the brace is extremely comfortable overall.
• The breathable Velcro-and-neoprene McDavid strap is easy to put on and take off.

Other knee braces we tested

Powerlix

Combining a healthy dose of firm compression and breathability, the Powerlix – Knee Compression Sleeve is a good budget alternative to the Bauerfeind brace. Though the Powerlix felt restrictive around our tester’s legs, he also noted that he forgot he was wearing it at one point, and his knees didn’t feel as tense as usual for a few days after wearing it. The Powerlix is stretchy and slim enough to wear under clothes, if a little on the warm side.

Rehband

With a cushy thickness that rivals the Mueller brace, the Rehband – Rx Knee Support compression sleeve is well-padded and very comfortable, but feels stuffy and sweaty after a while under clothes. On the plus side, the Rehband stayed firmly in place on our tester and never felt like it was slipping down during exercise.

Cambivo

The Cambivo – Patella Knee Strap is more complicated than the McDavid, with two plastic buckles on either side that our tester found a little confusing to adjust at first. The Cambivo has a soft, plush front cushion and provides a wide range of movement, but unfortunately grew itchy after a while and was not as supportive as the McDavid strap. The Cambivo may work for lighter activities like walking, but not for running or vigorous sports.

Techware

The wraparound Techware – Pro Knee Brace felt clunky to our tester, who reported that it felt less breathable than other braces he’d worn. Though he didn’t feel any pain in his knee after wearing this brace, it did slide during his run. Despite the brace’s interior silicone strips, we had to tighten it quite a bit to get it to stay in place. Because he needed to tighten it so much, it felt stiff and wasn’t comfortable to wear during exercise.

Who needs a knee brace?

“If you’re having a lot of knee pain that you didn’t have before, it’s like the check engine light has come on in your car,” says orthopedic surgeon and founder of Easy Orthopedics Daniel Paull. “It’s worth seeing your orthopedic doctor so you can get an accurate diagnosis—and if you need to wear a knee brace for temporary support until you see your doctor, there’s nothing wrong with that.”

Knee braces work by stabilizing the knee to restrict its range of motion, to prevent injury or stop a current injury from worsening. Some knee braces help keep your knee cap in alignment, while others can prevent you from bending your knee too much and risking further injury.

“A knee brace or sleeve also provides improved awareness and support of your knee while you remain active,” says Michael Hildebrand, physical therapist and owner of M3 Physio. “If there’s no improvement after two to three weeks, see your doctor or physical therapist for an evaluation to determine the best course of action for your knee pain.”

How can you prevent a knee injury in the first place? Both Daniel and Michael recommend strengthening the muscles around the knee to provide more stability and lower your chance of getting hurt. Runners should cross-train with exercises like squats, deadlifts and both seated and standing calf raises to build the hip, knee and ankle muscles. For runners, Daniel also recommends investing in a good pair of running shoes (and insoles, if you need them) and replacing them regularly—every 500 miles or so.

Important features to consider

Compression sleeves

Compression sleeves are stretchy cylinders of fabric that are pulled over the knee and surrounding leg area. Because they aren’t adjustable, it’s vital to measure your leg and knee to determine correct sizing (see the “fit” section below).

Used for a variety of injuries and conditions, sleeves apply light to medium compression throughout the knee area, which not only helps redistribute harmful pressure on the knee joint, but also eases pain and provides the wearer with extra support and stability. Compression sleeves also help keep the knee warm, which increases circulation to the area and relaxes the surrounding muscles and tendons.

Wraparound knee brace

Just as its name implies, wraparound knee braces wrap manually around the knee area, and then are secured in place with Velcro. More supportive than compression sleeves, wraparound knee braces are fully adjustable and can be tightened to the user’s exact preference. Wraparound braces are best for those recovering from injury, who need more rigid support to keep the kneecap firmly in place.

Knee strap

While compression sleeves and knee braces cover the entire knee and usually the area just above and below it, knee straps wrap tightly around the patellar tendon specifically, which is located just below the patella (kneecap). Applying pressure to the patellar tendon in this way stabilizes the kneecap, eases strain and reduces patella tracking (which is when the kneecap shifts too far out of place). Knee straps are especially good for treating patellar tendonitis, runner’s knee and jumper’s knee.

Open vs. closed patella

The difference between open and closed patella braces is straightforward: Open patella braces have a hole over the kneecap, which provides support while relieving pressure on the knee specifically.

Fit

After choosing which type of knee brace you need, the next most important factor is the fit. This will make all the difference in whether a brace stabilizes your knee effectively. If the brace is too loose, it won’t provide the compression you need; if it’s too tight, you won’t be able to wear it for long before you start losing blood flow below the knee.

Here’s the rule of thumb: If your brace or sleeve is moving around during activity, it’s too loose. If it feels painful or is cutting off your circulation, it’s too tight. The ideal balance is a snug fit that isn’t uncomfortable or so restrictive that you can’t move. If a knee sleeve is offered in different sizes, don’t guess at which size you need. Measure yourself so the brace fits you accurately under your running shorts or sweats, so it can stabilize your knee effectively.

Breathability

Knee braces come in a variety of fabrics, the most common being neoprene, knit, polyester and nylon-spandex. Neoprene tends to be the heaviest and least breathable of the three options; however, if you need a stiffer sleeve that will keep your knee warm and extra stable, it may be your best bet.

Nylon-spandex, polyester and knit are best for sweat-wicking, and choosing between the three will come down to personal preference; polyester and nylon-spandex have the feel of standard workout clothing fabric, while knit tends to be softer and slightly thicker. Knit braces may also feature aeration panels—a plus if breathability is a priority for you.

The bottom line

To determine the best knee braces, we took the recommendations of an orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist and put seven top-rated knee straps, wraparound knee braces and compression sleeves to the test.

The best-performing compression sleeve is the well-aerated, nonslip Bauerfeind – Sports Knee Support, which is admittedly more expensive than the other contenders but well worth the price. Our pick for best wraparound knee brace is the fully adjustable Mueller – Adjustable Knee Support brace, which provides strong, customizable knee support. Finally, the best knee strap is the superbly designed, easy-to-use McDavid – Knee Strap, which delivered excellent support for such a simple, streamlined strap.

Best Overall: Bauerfeind - Sports Knee Support

The Bauerfeind - Sports Knee Support brace conforms well to the knee area and doesn’t budge during activity, providing a great balance of cushioning and aeration for both support and breathability.

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The post The Best Knee Braces appeared first on Your Best Digs.

• Best for A/B cups: Lululemon – Energy
• Best for C/D cups: Outdoor Voices – Doing Things
• Best for D/DD cups: Brooks – Juno
• Best for DDD and up: Bravissimo – Inspire
• How we selected products to test
• Finding the right fit
• How we tested
• The bottom line

The 13 sports bras we tested

Sports Bra	Price	Type	Fabric	Band Sizes Available	Cup Sizes Available
Lululemon - Energy	$$	Combination	Luxtreme (Nylon/Polyester/Coolmax/Lycra/Elastane)	28–38	A–DD
Outdoor Voices - Doing Things	$$	Combination	TechSweat (Nylon/Lycra/Polyester)	30–40	AA-D
Brooks - Juno	$$	Combination	DriLayer/Polyester/Spandex	30–40	B–F (UK sizing)
Bravissimo - Inspire	$$$	Encapsulation	Polyamide/Polyester/Cotton/Elastane	30–40	E–L (UK)
Beyond Yoga - Spacedye Lift Your Spirits Bra	$$	Encapsulation	Polyester/Spandex	32-44	A-DD
Champion - Spot Comfort	$$	Combination	Polyester/Nylon/Spandex	34–42	C–DDD
Sweaty Betty - Stamina	$$	Compression	Polyamide/Elastane	30–38	A–DD
Glamorise - Elite Adjustable Underwire	$$	Combination	Polyester/Polyamide/Elastane	34–46	B–H (UK)
Victoria's Secret - Incredible Knockout	$$	Combination	Polyamide/Elastane	32–40	B–DDD
Patagonia - Women's Barely	$$	Combination	Nylon/Spandex	32–40	A–DD
Under Armour - Eclipse High Zip	$$	Combination	Cotton/Polyester/Elastane	32–38	B–DD
Champion - Absolute Workout	$	Compression	Polyester/Spandex	30–38	A–DD
Athleta - Ultimate Adjustable Bra	$$	Compression	Polyester/Lyrca	32-40	D-DD

1. Best for A/B cups: Lululemon – Energy

Our top pick for A and B cups is the Lululemon – Energy sports bra. Our petite-chested testers reported that its cups have the perfect medium amount of padding — and because the padding is removable, women who prefer no padding or don’t need it at all can simply take it out.

Though a tad tight under the arms (we recommend sizing up), the compression-style Energy bra received high marks for comfort and stayed in place well during our testers’ workouts, with minimal shifting. The neckline of the bra is high enough to control bounce with no chest spillage, and feels secure during exercise; there’s no need to pull on it or make adjustments.

Best for A/B cups: Lululemon - Energy

The attractive Lululemon - Energy bra features removable padding, chic criss-crossed straps, and light-to-medium compression support for smaller cup sizes.

See Price at Lululemon

The Energy bra is made of a blend of several different fabrics that breathed well and wicked sweat nicely: nylon, polyester, coolmax, lycra and elastane. Though the bra’s thin, criss-crossed racerback straps are undeniably cute, we were skeptical about whether they would provide much support and comfort. We were pleasantly surprised; the straps stayed in place well and were so comfortable that one of our testers completely forgot that the criss-cross design was there at all. Our testers also loved the broad range of chic color and pattern choices available: 17 total.

Key takeaways

• The Lululemon – Energy sports bra is a great choice for women who need a high-quality, attractive compression bra that delivers light support and comes in a variety of appealing colors and patterns.
• This bra includes medium-level padding that’s removable, depending on your needs.
• The Energy bra’s criss-crossed straps combine chic design with a surprisingly high level of support and comfort.

2. Best for C/D cups: Outdoor Voices

The Outdoor Voices – Doing Things sports bra was the favorite of the testers in this size range. A pullover-style combination bra that leans heavily on the compression side, the Doing Things bra includes distinct padded cups for effective separation and encapsulation. Our testers found this bra’s seamless, racerback straps particularly comfortable; even though they aren’t adjustable, they’re lightly padded and wide enough to lie flat on the shoulders without digging into the skin.

This bra is comfortable to run in and holds everything nicely in place during activity, with a wide elastic bottom band for extra support. We felt that the Doing Things bra had just the right amount of padding — enough for us to feel secure and supported (and to hide our “high beams,” as one tester said), but not so much padding that we felt bulky wearing it.

Best for C/D cups: Outdoor Voices - Doing Things

The Outdoor Voices - Doing Things br
a combines firm compression and secure encapsulation, with just the right amount of padding for support without the bulk.

See Price at The Outdoor Voices

Another big plus is the Doing Things’ super-breathable mesh back and keyhole opening for extra aeration. Our testers also loved this bra’s selection of fun colors and patterns, which range from cute solid colors (like mustard yellow) to polka dots and florals.

Key takeaways

• With its balance of firm compression and secure encapsulation, the Outdoor Voices – Doing Things bra provides solid support for C and D cups.
• This sports bra features a nicely aerated mesh back and lightly padded, seamless racerback straps that don’t dig into the skin.
• The Doing Things bra has just the right amount of padding to provide great support while remaining streamlined.

3. Best for D/DD cups: Brooks – Juno

The Brooks – Juno sports bra received the highest overall ratings of all the bras we tested. A combination compression/encapsulation bra with separate, moderately padded cups, the Juno provides excellent support and bounce control.

Our testers raved about the Juno’s ultra-comfortable racerback straps, which are lightly padded and can be tightened or loosened in the front of the bra, rather than the back. The straps have a soft, felt-like fabric sewn discreetly into their underside, for a velvety feel against the skin. It’s details like this that really set the Juno bra apart.

Best for D/DD cups: Brooks - Juno

The Brooks - Juno bra features ultra-comfortable, innovative front-adjusting straps, and is built for breathability with sweat-wicking fabric and a hidden mesh panel.

See Price at Amazon

The bra also includes a back closure with three tightnesses, for yet another way to adjust it to your perfect fit. Like the Outdoor Voices bra, the Juno features a center keyhole in the back for extra breathability; in front, a hidden mesh panel allows for more airflow in the “underboob” area. The bra is also made of a blend of sweat-wicking DriLayer polyester and spandex that keeps it dry and comfortable, and comes in both solid colors and a few sporty, if somewhat generic patterns.

Key takeaways

• With the highest overall ratings of all the bras in our lineup, the combination compression/encapsulation Brooks – Juno bra provides excellent support for D and DD cups and effectively minimizes bouncing.
• The Juno bra features innovative front-adjusting racerback straps that received rave reviews from testers for comfort.
• This bra is made for breathability, designed with sweat-wicking fabric, a hidden front mesh panel and open keyhole back.

4. Best for DDD and up: Bravissimo – Inspire

The Bravissimo – Inspire offers excellent support for cup sizes DDD-plus. The most bra-like of the sports bras in our lineup, the Inspire looks more like a traditional encapsulation bra, with a firm underwire and light padding in the cups. Our 34DDD tester was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable this bra was to run in and how well it controlled bouncing, with no chafing whatsoever.

Made mainly of nylon and polyester (with varying percentages of each, depending on the color and print you choose), the Inspire bra feels silky and smooth against the skin and breathed well during exercise. While sports bras made for larger cup sizes tend to look more “grandma” than sporty, the Bravissimo has a refreshingly younger vibe and comes in a few cute patterns beyond basic white and black.

Best for DDD+ cups: Bravissimo - Inspire

The Bravissimo - Inspire bra provides impressive support for larger cup sizes, with firm yet comfortable encapsulation and wide, padded straps for effective weight distribution.

See Price at The Bravissimo

The Inspire’s adjustable padded straps are comfortable, stay in place well and, thanks to their generous width, don’t dig into the shoulders. The bra is also cut high enough in front to fully contain the chest and control spillage.

Key takeaways

• Finding a highly supportive, well-made bra for larger cup sizes can be a tough task — which is why we were so impressed by the Bravissimo – Inspire, an encapsulation bra that made our 34F tester feel well-supported and comfortable during her workouts.
• The Inspire bra includes underwire for firm support and is cut high in the chest area for extra coverage and spillage control.
• This bra breathes well during exercise and features wide, padded straps that don’t dig into the shoulders.

5. Champion – Spot Comfort

Made of a soft polyester/nylon/spandex blend, the Champion – Spot Comfort bra received one of the highest ratings for comfort and breathability. A combination compression-encapsulation bra, the Spot Comfort clasps in the back and has adjustable, gel-cushioned straps that stay in place and are cut wide for better weight distribution.
The Spot Comfort comes up high enough on the chest to eliminate spillage, and offers good bounce control overall. One note: This bra’s cups have no padding whatsoever, so if you prefer thicker fabric or padding in the cups, this bra may not be for you.

6. Beyond Yoga – Spacedye Lift Your Spirits Bra (recommended for low-impact workouts & smaller cup sizes)

Beyond Yoga is best known for its super soft workout attire that is just as comfortable as cute at the gym or studio. We tested the Spacedye Lift Your Spirits Bra on the treadmill, pilates, and yoga classes to see if this encapsulated sports bra provided enough support. While it’s aesthetically pleasing to wear, the deep v design ranked low on the spillage control tests, and our testers were a little worried in some yoga positions.

The polyester and spandex material is one of Beyond Yoga’s most popular materials because it’s so soft it feels like you’re wearing pajamas–our testers ranked comfort and overall support 10/10. This is great for an everyday bra, even when not working out. This encapsulation bra also has removable pads if you prefer a seamless design. Since it’s on the more expensive side, we liked the versatility of this bra, but it may not be a perfect match if you want a bra for HiiT workouts because of potential spillage.

7. Sweaty Betty – Stamina

If you prefer a light-support compression bra with no padding, the Sweaty Betty – Stamina is an excellent, well-made choice for women who need just a little lift. Though the Stamina bra is cut a bit longer than most sports bras, with a wide underband for extra support and a chic cropped look, its perforated waffle detailing allows for increased airflow.

The Stamina also features wide, seamless racerback straps that don’t chafe. This bra received high marks for softness and breathability due to its nylon and elastane fabric.

8. Glamorise – Elite Adjustable Underwire

Although the Glamorize – Elite Adjustable Underwire bra is available in cup sizes B through H (UK sizing), it really shines as an extra-supportive bra for larger-chested women. Similar to the Victoria’s Secret bra, the Elite has two layers: an interior encapsulation bra with a firm underwire, and a front “hammock” made of aerated fabric that hooks over the front of the bra for extra support and compression. The hammock is adjustable to four different tightnesses, and the bra’s adjustable straps are well-padded for cushioning.

We were impressed by this bra’s level of support; all of its different elements kept the bounce factor very low. And despite its layers, the bra’s aerated panels kept it fairly well-ventilated. The layers did make the bra a bit complicated to get into, though it gets easier once you’ve nailed down the best adjustment settings for your body.

9. Victoria’s Secret – Incredible Knockout

The Victoria’s Secret – Incredible Knockout sports bra has two layers: an interior encapsulation bra with flexible underwire and an outer compression layer that zips up over the interior bra. Though the design of this bra is similar to the Under Armour bra we also tested (see below), the Incredible Knockout turned out to be the superior choice. While we had problems with the Under Armour bra coming unzipped during exercise, the Victoria’s Secret bra remained secure and closed. This bra really delivers in the support area — our tester’s chest literally did not move during exercise. Made of sweat-wicking fabric, it also features adjustable racerback straps that are nicely padded for comfort.

The bra’s zipper didn’t give us problems during testing until we started doing exercises lying down on our stomachs; this turned out to be uncomfortable. However, if you’re looking for a sports bra with strong support and like the look of a front zip, we recommend this one.

10. Patagonia – Barely

The Patagonia – Barely bra is a good basic, pullover sports bra for smaller-chested women looking for a comfortable, no-frills bra for light support. Though its racerback straps are not adjustable, they’re comfortably form-fitting and we didn’t feel a need to tighten them at any point during exercise.

This bra’s soft, nylon spandex fabric wicks sweat easily, though we felt it could have dried more quickly after our workouts. For those who prefer no padding, the Barely bra’s padding is removable (one tester felt that the padding was too thick and looked “pointy” under her workout tops).

11. Under Armour – Eclipse High Zip (not recommended)

The Under Armour – Eclipse High Zip bra has a similar combination design to the Victoria’s Secret Incredible Knockout , with an encapsulation bra base and a zip-up outer layer for compression. Like the Victoria’s Secret bra, the Eclipse provided strong support for high impact exercise, with barely any bounce. However, the Eclipse’s racerback straps dug into our shoulders, and its double layers and thick fabric grew hot and somewhat stifling during our workout. And although the bra includes hook-and-eye closures underneath its front zipper, the bra unzipped itself once we started moving more vigorously.

12. Champion – Absolute Workout (not recommended)

The lowest-priced bra in our lineup, the Champion – Absolute Workout turned out to also be the most basic of the bras we tested, from a design and aesthetics perspective. A pullover-style racerback compression bra with no padding, the Absolute Workout’s fabric is the same weight throughout, with zero bells or whistles, though its bottom band is thick for extra support. We found that its polyester spandex fabric’s breathability was okay, but not the best.

13. Athleta Ultimate Adjustable Bra (not recommended)

The Athleta – Ultimate Adjustable Bra is unique in its front-facing adjustable straps that make it easy to fit your body. This compression bra is best for cardio and medium-impact workouts for those who have D-DDD cups. We tested this bra on treadmill runs and HiiT workouts. 

Our testers didn’t really like the pads because they felt bulky when working out, so removing them was more comfortable. We like the added mesh accent and back opening design for more breathability. The compression is very useful and offers a lot of support during running, but our testers found removing the bra difficult after the workout difficult. The bra also seemed to cut into the underarms for our petite tester, making it uncomfortable to wear for long periods. 

How we selected products to test

There are many variables when it comes to choosing the right sports bra. If you generally wear yours for yoga and other low-impact activities, you may not need as much support as someone who runs regularly or plays vigorous sports. However, for this review, we selected bras we felt would provide excellent support during both low-impact and high-impact activities.

We started by interviewing top bra expert Laura Tempesta, founder of the sports bra education mecca Bravolution, to learn more about the design features that make a supportive, well-fitted, quality sports bra.

After our talk with Laura, we scoured trusted review sites like WireCutter and Business Insider to discover the top-rated, most recommended sports bras on the market — as well as cult favorites mentioned numerous times on subreddits like A Bra That Fits.

Finally, we narrowed the resulting list down to 11 models to test — the sports bras we felt were the absolute best choices on the market for our 4 cup size categories (A/B, C/D, D/DD and DDD-plus). All of the bras in our lineup are made of breathable, sweat-wicking fabrics (nylon, polyester and microfiber blends, as recommended by Laura), come in a variety of sizes and are priced below $75.

The complexity of the sports bra

The sports bra is a relatively new invention, first developed in 1977 as the female supportive equivalent of a jockstrap — literally. Made of two jockstraps sewn together, the “Jockbra” (later renamed the Jogbra) was designed to pull the breasts closer to the body for increased support.

Though we’ve come a long way from the Jockbra, the sports bra has yet to be perfected. Because breasts contain no muscle and are made up of glandular, connective and fatty tissue that varies from woman to woman, constructing an adequately supportive sports bra is no small feat. Breast movement, it turns out, is surprisingly complex — so much so that entire research labs are currently dedicated to breast biomechanics.

The University of Portsmouth’s Research Group in Breast Health discovered that a woman’s sports bra actually affects the way she runs — one of the many reasons why it’s so important for a woman to find the right fit for her body. Studies conducted by Breast Research Australia found that up to 70% of women suffer from breast discomfort during exercises that include running and jumping, which then leads to reduced participation.

In this research, a high percentage of women with large breasts not only chose less intense workouts than their smaller-breasted counterparts, they also felt that their breast size affected how much and how vigorously they exercised. So, depending on breast size, the support and fit of a woman’s sports bra can literally make or break her drive to exercise regularly.

Finding the right fit

When shopping for a sports bra, it’s important to try on your different options. Sizing inconsistency is very real in the bra industry, with measurements varying from brand to brand or even within one brand. This is due in part to variations in the stretch fabric used for a bra’s underband (the part of the bra that wraps around the torso). Inconsistent sizing is even more apparent in sports bras, which often have compressed cups and even tighter-fitting underbands. On top of all this, studies show that 85% of women are walking around wearing the wrong size bra.

The best place to start? With a professional bra fitting, which will save you from years of frustration and discomfort. For bra fitting services, our bra expert, Laura, recommends a visit to Nordstrom or Title Nine (which specializes in women’s athletic wear and sports bras).

If you aren’t able to get a bra fitting or are shopping for sports bras online, Laura recommends simply ordering multiple sizes and returning the ones that don’t fit.

Important features to consider

Compression vs. encapsulation

There are three general types of sports bras on the market: compression, encapsulation and a combination of the two.

Compression bras are made to simply flatten the breasts and press them closer against the body, distributing pressure evenly throughout the chest area. Encapsulation bras are designed more like everyday bras, with separate cups that provide individual support for each breast. Combination bras incorporate elements from each type, usually incorporating separate cups and compression.

While compression bras are usually thought to be better for smaller chest sizes, and encapsulation and combination bras tend to be recommended for C cups and larger, a study of D-cup women by the University of Portsmouth showed that there was actually no significant difference between the bra types when it comes to reducing breast movement. Ultimately, the right choice will depend on the wearer’s preferences.

“You could have five 34D testers,” says Laura, “and the same bra would fit them all quite differently due to breast shape, tissue composition, space between breasts and shoulder slope and width. It depends on the bra and wearer. If you feel good in it and it doesn’t distract you during exercise, that’s paramount.”

Fabric

To wick sweat away, maximize breathability and minimize discomfort, synthetic microfiber, polyester or nylon blends are your best bets. Avoid cotton, which will hold on to sweat, and look for bras with cooling mesh panels. Keep in mind that the more layers a bra has, the less air circulation it will allow.

“Unfortunately, there is no one fabric that’s better for chafing than another,” says Laura. “Chafing is related to things like how the bra is constructed, the wearer’s skin sensitivity, intensity of exercise and climate.”

While hand washing is the best choice to prolong the life of a sports bra, many women don’t have time for that after every workout. The next best thing? Laura recommends this method: Place your bra in a lingerie bag and knot the bag to reduce its capacity and minimize your bra’s movement within the bag. Wash on the delicate cycle — minus fabric softener, which can prevent fabrics from wicking sweat. Then hang your bra to dry (dryers make elastics wear out quickly).

Fitting room tips

Once you’ve chosen bras to try on based on the recommendations above, here are some vital features to pay attention to when you’re trying on your options.

Cups

With the sports bra on, if you see wrinkling on the outside of the bra or can feel space inside the cups, it’s probably too big. If, on the other hand, the bra gives you cleavage or your breasts are spilling out of the cups, it’s too small. Remember, any part of the breast that isn’t covered by your bra will move during exercise — which means less support for you.

Underband

If you’re trying on a sports bra that hooks in the back, notice whether you can comfortably hook it at the middle setting. If so, you’re wearing a well-fitted underband. But if you need to hook it on the tightest or loosest setting for a comfortable fit, the band is most likely too loose or too tight.

For both non-hook sports bras and bras hooked at the middle setting, if you can pull the band away from your body more than an inch, it’s probably too loose. The wider the underband, the more support it will provide.

Straps

Shoulder slope and width is one of the most overlooked areas when it comes to finding the right bra fit. If you have narrow or sloped shoulders, or if you find that your straps are constantly falling off your shoulders, try a racerback or X-back style to keep your straps in place.

If you have larger breasts that weigh heavy on your shoulders, look for wider straps to distribute the pressure over more surface area. Cushioning and gel inserts can also help pad shoulders against extra weight.

How we tested

To try out the bras in our lineup, we enlisted 12 testers ranging in sizes from A cups to DDD cups (also known as an F cup in UK sizing). Our testers then wore the bras during activities ranging from running and HIIT to yoga and weight lifting.

Post-testing, we asked our testers to rate the sports bras on a scale of 1 to 10 using the following metrics:

• Overall support
• Overall comfort
• Fabric comfort
• Breathability
• Cup support and comfort
• Front “spillage” control
• Bounce control
• Strap comfort and design
• Aesthetic design

We also surveyed our testers to find out what specific features each of them tend to look for when sports bra shopping, and how the bras they tested measured up to those standards:

• Our A and B-cup testers tend to prefer a cute, flattering design that’s comfortable and provides a bit of lift and support, with minimal padding.
• Our C and D-cup testers’ named non-bulky, streamlined design, durability, good support and light to medium padding as the top features they look for in a sports bra.
• Our DDD-plus testers reported that they mainly look for sports bras that will keep their breasts supported and in place while working out, and prevent pain during more vigorous exercise like running.
• Interestingly, twice as many testers said they tend to prefer compression over encapsulation bras, with the rest of the group favoring compression-encapsulation hybrids.

The bottom line

To find the best sports bra, we put 11 top-rated sports bras to the test with 12 testers ranging in bra size from A cups to DDD-plus cups. After wearing the bras out running and during weight lifting, HIIT and yoga sessions, we chose four winners.

For A and B cup sizes, our testers preferred the Lululemon – Energy bra, which offers light support with removable padding in a comfortable, high-quality design. We recommend the Outdoor Voices – Doing Things bra for C and D cup sizes; it breathes well and provides strong, secure support for the chest.

For D and DD cup sizes, we like the Brooks – Juno bra, which features an innovative strap design and provides unbeatable support. Last but not least, we’re especially impressed by the Bravissimo – Inspire bra for sizes DDD and up; its combination of comfort, solid construction and high-level support wowed our testers.

Top Pick: Brooks - Juno

With the top overall ratings of all the bras we tested, the Brooks – Juno bra provides excellent support in a highly breathable shell, with unique front-adjusting straps that received high marks for comfort.

See Price at Amazon

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Table of contents

• Compare the five best DNA tests
• 1. Top pick: 23andMe
• 2. Runner-up: AncestryDNA
• Other finalists we tested
• How we selected finalists to test
• How we tested
• Privacy risks
• Important features to consider
• How hobbyist DNA tests work
• The bottom line

Compare the five best DNA tests

1. Top pick: 23andMe

Our testers rated 23andMe and AncestryDNA similarly for being easy to register, complete the test and understand the results. However, they reported that 23andMe gave more detail in terms of haplogroups, country level data and migration paths. Our panel also found that 23andMe’s website was the easiest to read. “I knew where my ancestry was from based on the maps and graphs,” stated one tester.

All of the companies delivered results within 4-6 weeks, although the 23andMe results arrived before the others.

23andMe tests for more than 1,500 regions, while AncestryDNA tests for about 500 regions. More regions are not necessarily better, since the DNA matching specific genetic markers from these areas only gives you an estimate of which region you may come from. The statistical confidence gets lower when the results are more specific. However, our testers appreciated the level of detail they received.

The Ancestry + Traits service is an additional add-on service from 23andMe. It costs $99 and includes your ancestry composition, maternal and paternal (for males only, since it is traced through the Y chromosome) haplogroups and traits reports. The traits report tells you about your likelihood of having certain characteristics, such as curly hair or cheek dimples. You can even see how DNA affects your taste preferences in terms of sweet or salty and ice cream flavors.

Top pick: 23andMe

Gives you the most value for your money, with three different types of tests (autosomal, maternal haplogroups, paternal haplogroups) for the same price as just the autosomal test from AncestryDNA

See Price at Amazon.com

While we didn’t order the health and wellness tests from 23andMe, the company does provide detailed reports for an additional fee. With the Health + Ancestry service, you can also find out if you have a genetic risk for certain illnesses.

While 23andM3 is a member of the Future of Privacy Forums’s Best Practices, a recent partnership with GlaxoSmithKline has raised privacy concerns for many consumers. The goal of the collaboration is to leverage the genetic and phenotypic information in 23andMe’s database to potentially find new treatments and cures for conditions such as Parkinson’s disease. The company press release states that “the continued protection of customers’ data and privacy is the highest priority for both GSK and 23andMe.”

Key takeaways:

• 23andMe offers a bundled autosoma, broad Y-DNA and broad mtDNA test for one price.
• You can purchase their health and wellness screen separately (or as part of a combined package) if you wish to test for certain hereditary diseases.
• With a breakdown of 1,500 regions (twice that of AncestryDNA), 23andMe pinpoints your ancestry to a more precise locale.
• 23andMe has the easiest-to-read website, which would appeal to the greatest number of consumers interested in ancestry estimates.

2. Runner up: AncestryDNA

If you are searching for a strong genealogical community, AncestryDNA is your best bet. Our testers rated AncestryDNA rated very close to 23andMe in terms of being easy to understand, describing the test as “pretty easy and fun.”

AncestryDNA has the largest database of all the direct-to-consumer DNA testing companies, and if you opt-in to its family-matching service, it provides the largest number of matches. AncestryDNA’s database is approximately 15 million compared to the 1 million potential matches in 23andMe’s database. However, it doesn’t provide as much detail about how you are related to your distant living relatives as 23andMe does.

AncestryDNA only offers autosomal testing, so it gives you information about the last five generations in your family history. It does not offer options for Y-DNA or mtDNA tests, which means that it doesn’t track your paternal or maternal lineage or give you information about your ancient ancestors and the migration paths they took.

Best for Genealogy: AncestryDNA

Since Ancestry has a database that is 15 times larger than its competitors, there is a greater chance of being connected with more living relatives. You can also (separately) purchase a subscription to explore Ancestry’s record collections and organize your family tree online.

See Price at Amazon.com

The AncestryDNA autosomal test is $99, and you can purchase the AncestryDNA + Traits test (with 26 personal traits such as eye color, hair curl and taste perception) for $119. While the basic AncestryDNA test costs the same amount and provides less information than 23andMe, you are paying for a stronger likelihood of more relative matches.

If you are interested in genealogy, you can combine the information gleaned in your ethnicity estimate with an Ancestry subscription.

An Ancestry subscription is purchased separately, and is not necessary for access to AncestryDNA results. Ancestry subscription prices start at $24.99 a month and give you access to Ancestry’s family trees and records for even more insight into your genealogy and origins. This means you can explore all of Ancestry’s U.S. record collections (such as birth, death, marriage and census records), connect with other Ancestry members and organize and preserve your family tree online.

Key takeaways:

• If you want to find relatives through a family-matching service, AncestryDNA has the largest database of potential matches.
• AncestryDNA focuses on ethnicity and family-matching and does not offer information about ancient ancestry or track paternal and maternal lineage independently.
• While not necessary for access to your AncestryDNA results, an Ancestry subscription gives you access to genealogical records for a more accurate understanding of your recent family history and more detailed information about common ancestors.

Other finalists we tested

Helix National Geographic (Discontinued)

The Genographic Project was launched as a research project in collaboration with scientists and universities around the world with a goal of revealing patterns of human migration. Since 2005, nearly one million people have participated in the project.

National Geographic announced in August 2019 that the public participation phase of this research project has ended. If you sent in a kit for processing before December 31, 2019, you can access your results until June 30, 2020. It is recommended that you print your results prior to the end of June as they will not be available on the website or elsewhere.

National Geographic partnered with Helix to process the DNA samples. Users will retain their Helix accounts and Helix will retain customer saliva samples and information resulting from sequencing of the user’s DNA per the terms of the applicable Helix privacy policy.

Our panel of testers gave mixed reviews of Helix National Geographic’s reports. Some found them difficult to understand and others appreciated the level of detail. For example, one tester stated that the National Geographic test had the most “interesting, in depth information,” while another tester reported that they “still don’t fully understand” the results.

The National Geographic test provides fun tidbits that make for great conversation starters. For example, they list celebrities or historical figures that could be distant relatives.

Your data is sequenced through Helix, and it then tests autosomal, maternal and paternal haplogroups.

FamilyTreeDNA

FamilyTreeDNA offers the most details of any of the tests we ordered, but it received the lowest score overall because the results were difficult to read. As one tester explained, “I felt like I needed a refresher on biology to read this website sometimes. This could be useful for someone who wants to map out their whole genetic code, but not for the everyday person who just wants to know their ancestry.”

Another tester said simply, “I still don’t understand the scientific breakdowns.”

FamilyTreeDNA prices are based on the type of test: $79 for an autosomal DNA test, which is comparable to AncestryDNA’s basic test for $99. For maternal or paternal haplogroups, however, the prices are much steeper: the Y-DNAtest starts at $169, and the mtDNA test starts at $199. Keep in mind that 23andMe offers all three of these tests for only $99.

African Ancestry

African Ancestry is the highest priced DNA test we considered as a finalist, but it also offers a unique selling point. The company claims to have the most comprehensive database of indigenous African genetic sequences. Their database includes over 30,000 maternal and paternal lineages from more than 30 countries and several hundred ethnic groups.

Ancestry tests such as 23andMe and AncestryDNA will trace your lineage to Africa, but African Ancestry places your ancestry in a present-day country or region in Africa. They may also be able to tell you the particular ethnic group with which you share maternal or paternal ancestry. For example, Ancestry.com gave one of our testers a breakdown of 53% African, while African Ancestry was able to provide him with a Certificate of Ancestry declaring that he shares maternal genetic ancestry with Temne people living in Sierra Leone.

The price for the MatriClan (maternal heritage, for men and women) or the PatriClan (paternal heritage, for males only) is $299, making it significantly higher than other services we tested.

The results from the African Ancestry test took significantly longer to arrive than any of our other finalists and is the only company to provide a paper copy. All of our other finalists used a digital platform. Our tester pointed out that having a digital platform has certain benefits: “I still get new updates of new family members. Having a digital platform is a really nice thing.”

How we selected finalists to test

Although we often consider consumer ratings, the expectations versus reality of a hobbyist DNA test can lead to disappointed consumers. Results are not definitive because each DNA-testing company estimates your ancestry by comparing your ancestry informative markers (AIMs) with markers most frequently associated with different populations in their proprietary database.

The larger the database, the more accurate and detailed your results will be. However, none of the DNA-testing companies we tested share their proprietary data, and their methodologies aren’t verified by an independent group of scientists.

Since we were unable to verify accuracy, we chose to focus on selecting services that offer security. When submitting your DNA sample to a for-profit company, you probably have questions about privacy. We discuss this in further detail in our privacy risks section below, but it’s important to know that some companies share your genetic information with third parties including law enforcement agencies, pharmaceutical companies, public academic institutions and nonprofit research groups.

A 2008 law called the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act prevents health insurance providers from using the results of a genetic test to deny coverage or charge higher premiums. However, the act does not apply to companies with fewer than 15 employees.

Since identity security is such a large concern, we only selected companies who participated in the release of the Future of Privacy Forum’s Privacy Best Practices for Consumer Genetic Testing services.

However, since our initial testing began in 2018, Family Tree DNA, one of the companies we chose to test, revealed an agreement with the FBI that doesn’t line up with FPF’s best practice guidelines and is no longer considered a supporter.

Biomedical testing

Health DNA tests (or biomedical tests) can predict your risk of developing certain diseases by looking at gene variants in your code. Companies such as Helix help consumers to use their genetic information to potentially make better choices for their health in terms of diet, sleep and fitness. For example, wellness insights can give you a better sense of how caffeine will affect you.

However, there are unknown risks about how the data you provide for-profit DNA testing companies will be used by third parties (for example, by insurance companies in the underwriting process) or the company’s genetic testing laboratory. Additionally, DNA testing companies can change their privacy policies with no notice to current customers. FamilyTreeDNA even quietly allowed the FBI access to their database without disclosing this fact to its users.

Additionally, the results can be hard to interpret without the aid of a doctor or geneticist. While consumers may be able to protect themselves if they are at risk for certain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, it can be difficult to understand what the genetic markers actually mean. Results could be misleading or overwhelming, so many geneticists recommend working with your doctor to interpret genetic health tests. After considering all these factors, we chose not to participate in biomedical testing options.

How we tested

To determine which companies provided the most detailed results — especially to those of non-European populations — we had five different testers send their DNA samples to the five companies we narrowed down as finalists. We chose testers with known geographic origins (based on family history) from distinct haplogroups: European, African, Native American and Asian.

We also included one Latino tester, as individuals from Latin American countries have different profiles of genetic ancestry determined by the country’s unique interactions with other populations . According to Science Direct, “Latinos across the Americas have differing proportions of Native American, African and European genetic ancestry, shaped by local historical interactions with migrants brought by the slave trade, European settlement and indigenous Native American populations.”

We selected testers from different haplogroups to compare (through the results) the diversity of the databases of our finalist DNA companies. We ordered five kits from each company and then met with our five testers to:

• Activate their kit online by registering with their personal information
• Take a swab or spit sample
• Mail the sample back to each company (each kit came with a prepaid box for shipping)

Ease of translating results

After 4-6 weeks, testers began to receive their results via email. We had each tester answer a questionnaire on how easily they were able to translate results and on the detail of the information they received. They ranked each site on a scale from one to five (five being best) and answered the following questions:

• Were the results from each company similar?
• Did any company provide drastically different results than the others?

• Rate each company on ease in translating and understanding results
• Rate each company on how specific the results were (for example: too broad, giving haplogroup only, country level data, migration paths)

All of our testers reported that the results were similar across the board. Our tester who self-reported as Filipino, Chinese and Spanish reported that 23andMe had more variation and breakdown of her Chinese ancestry: “They informed me that I was 6% Mainland Chinese and also 6.5% “Broadly Chinese,” which means that I could’ve had other ancestors that were Chinese but who also traveled elsewhere in Asia in the last 40,000 years.” The other tests simply told her that her ancestors were from Southeast Asia.

We averaged our testers’ ratings for each company, allowing us to determine which DNA company gave results that were the easiest to understand and the most detailed. The highest overall score went to 23andMe, with 23.6 points; AncestryDNA was a close second with 22.4 points.

Family matching service

Finally, three of our testers opted-in to the family-matching service (available on certain sites such as 23andMe and AncestryDNA), to rank the database for ease of use and ability to translate information. One tester found that AncestryDNA gave him the highest number of connections. “It’s pretty cool knowing I have over 10,000 cousins around the world and their locations.”

Another tester pointed out that while AncestryDNA connected him to more relatives, 23andMe gave more detail. “23andMe showed me the same chromosomes we shared, Ancestry just told me who was related to me but not much information on that.”

Privacy risks

As private businesses, genetic-genealogy companies have some limitations and restrictions. Currently there are few legal policies that govern the private use of consumer data in regard to direct-to-consumer DNA testing kits. LawSeq is a project with a searchable public database of current U.S. federal and state laws and regulations relating to the field of translational genomics. However, the future of how new policies will affect privacy and genetic data is unknown.

Some of the larger companies claim to take steps to protect their customers, such as not releasing genetic information to law enforcement officials without a valid legal process. For example, 23andMe openly states that it “chooses to use all practical legal and administrative resources to resist requests from law enforcement.” In a similar vein, Ancestry says it only releases customers’ information in response to a trial, grand jury or subpoena.

However, police are using DNA raw data files to solve cold cases. These raw data files are uploaded (by consumers themselves) to an open-source website called GEDMatch, which police can use to compare against DNA collected from a crime scene.

Unless you’ve committed a crime, this may not be relevant to you. However, it’s difficult to forecast how laws regarding privacy and DNA testing will change. It’s important to remember that once you provide a DNA sample, your information may be less secure than you would like. You should always review the privacy statements of both the company you plan to use and the company’s labs.

Important features to consider

Security: While the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) does not currently apply to direct-to-consumer genetic-testing firms (such as the ones we tested) as a group, some of the larger companies are part of a FPF’s best practices forum.

Database size: A larger DNA database allows you to connect with more relatives. You can find it on the company website, such as the About page on AncestryDNA, this 23andMe press release or African Ancestry’s Lineage Map.

DNA collection method: The two methods for testing are saliva or cheek swab. Each of our testers reported that the cheek swab is the easiest to use, and it would certainly be more practical for children or elderly relatives.

How hobbyist DNA tests work

There are three different ways to test your ancestry:

Autosomal DNA: This test traces your genetic inheritance from the last five generations. It tells you about ancestry from both mother and father, since you inherit half your autosomal DNA from each parent. This means that you get a quarter from each grandparent, and therefore, autosomal DNA is hard to trace when you go back too many generations. This is the most common type of DNA testing, and it can help you identify relationships with cousins and determine your ethnicity.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA): This is DNA from your mother’s side and traces the female line from mother to all her children.

Y-Chromosome DNA (Y-DNA): DNA from your father’s side; only biological males can give samples for a Y-DNA test. A female who wants to trace her paternal lineage needs to ask a male relative to take the test.

The benefit to mtDNA and Y-DNA tests is they go back much further than the five generations indicated in an autosomal test, allowing you to trace the migration paths of your ancestors. Depending on the company you use, the costs for these types of tests may be significantly higher.

Other key terms

Reference data set or population: A reference data set is a database of people with confirmed roots in specific countries. Information is drawn from both publicly available research and proprietary data.

Haplogroup: An ancestral clan, such as the Celts, Vikings or Native American tribes. Initially, there was only one haplogroup originating in Africa. As African tribes moved off the continent and gene mutation occurred, new haplogroups were formed.

Today’s known haplogroups are traced back to the earliest known person to carry the mutation, although we only know approximately where and when they lived and not identifying information, such as a name. There are also male and female haplogroups from each side of one family.

Haplogroups are named alphabetically in order of discovery, and sub-groups are named with letter and number combinations that indicate when they were discovered, which main haplogroup they descend from and sometimes a specific geographic area where the earliest members lived. The more letters and numbers in your haplogroup’s subgroup, the more detailed information you’ll have about distant ancestors.

What to expect

To determine where your ancestors might have lived 500 to 1,000 years ago, genetic genealogists look at a certain chunk of DNA and compare it against a reference data set. Each company uses its own algorithms to determine a probability for where your ancestors lived. Most of the time it won’t be an exact match. Since DNA testing companies use reference data to estimate your genealogy, hobbyist DNA results are most useful when used in conjunction with other genealogical tracing methods such as historical records.

Each company uses databases and algorithms that are proprietary and may give different results. The larger the database, the better able a company’s geneticists are to spot patterns. The database is pooled from independent research and self-reported data, with European populations making up the most-sampled group. Since broad ancestry data is limited, the results are far from perfect, especially if you come from a group with fewer samples, such as Native Americans.

Since most buyers are looking for detailed information rather than being lumped into an overly broad category, we sought out companies that had the most diverse databases. All of them are likely to run into diversity limitations in their reference population, but some have made concerted efforts to solve this problem. For example, African Ancestry claims exclusive rights to the largest database of individual African DNA sequences.

The bottom line

Knowing your goal when researching your ancestry will help you decide on the DNA testing company that will best meet your needs. If you want to find out your history on both sides of your family tree, 23andMe has an easy-to-use interface and provides clear, understandable results. If you want to find and connect with living relatives, AncestryDNA links you to the highest number of people with whom you share a common ancestry.

Top pick: 23andMe

Gives you the most value for your money, with three different types of tests (autosomal, maternal haplogroups, paternal haplogroups) for the same price as just the autosomal test from AncestryDNA

See Price at Amazon.com

The post The Best DNA Tests appeared first on Your Best Digs.

Who needs running socks?

Plenty of runners simply run in regular gym socks, but a sock designed specifically for running is more likely to stay dry and in place during your run.

“I used to buy cheap, thin socks for running, but paid the price in blisters and calluses,” says Whitney Heins, founder of TheMotherRunners.com, who is also training to qualify for the Olympic Trials.

With compression to support your arches and extra cushioning for the heel and ball of the foot, running socks can make all the difference. Those with sweat-wicking fabric and ventilated sections also help prevent excess moisture from building up in the sock — the number-one cause of blisters.

Running socks tend to last longer as well, with many brands offering year-long or even lifetime guarantees. If you’re updating your running wardrobe, take a look at top picks for the best running shorts in both dry and wet weather conditions. You might also want to incorporate a weighted vest into your running routine.

Important features to consider

Fabric: Whether you plan to wear your running socks in warm or cool conditions — or just on the gym treadmill — it’s important to choose sock materials that keep the foot cool and dry. “Sweat leads to blisters because it can cause your foot to swell, increasing friction,” says Whitney.

Polyester, acrylic, nylon and merino wool blends are all good choices for eliminating moisture. Look for socks advertised as seamless and “sweat-wicking” — which means they move moisture away from the foot to the surface of the sock, so it can evaporate. Avoid cotton socks, which are more likely to retain moisture. You may also consider investing in ultra-thin, well-aerated socks for warm weather, and thicker, better-insulated socks for cold weather.

Fit: Running socks should mold closely around the foot; if your sock is loose or there’s excess fabric, your foot will slide around inside the sock, creating friction that leads to blisters. Many socks feature varying levels of compression around the arch, which helps keep them in place on your foot and also boosts circulation to reduce inflammation.

“The right-size sock will be fitted and tight to your foot, gripping your arch and heel,” says Meghan Kennihan, a personal trainer and running coach. “That way, it won’t slide back and forth in your shoe as you run, or bunch up.”

Thickness: Running socks generally come in a variety of thicknesses, from ultra-light to ultra-cushioned. We recommend choosing a lighter sock to start, and then moving up a level or two in thickness if you find that you need extra cushioning or warmer socks. Lightweight socks will be more breathable in general, and the high-quality designs will feature cushioning where it counts: under the heel, toes and ball of the foot.

When choosing a pair of running socks, also consider the fit of your running shoe. Perhaps an insole will relieve discomfort, or maybe there’s too much extra space inside your shoe, and your foot will rub against the sides,  causing blisters. If you’re between shoe sizes or wear a running shoe that’s a little big on you, look for a thicker, more cushioned sock that will fill up that extra space. If your shoe fits your foot perfectly, try a thinner sock.

Men’s vs. women’s socks

While the majority of running socks are unisex, some brands offer socks marketed specifically to men or women. The main difference between the two? Unlike the many variations between men’s and women’s running shorts, women’s running socks simply tend to have a narrower fit than men’s, which are on the wider side. Therefore, let the width of your foot — not your gender — guide your decision. If you’re a man with a narrow foot, a women’s running sock might fit you better; if you’re a woman with wider feet, you may feel more comfortable in men’s socks.

After running in eight top-rated pairs of running socks, our testers ranked the best running socks below for blister prevention, weather conditions and extra cushioning.

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