Bra Padding: What Are the 3 Types of Bra Foam Padding?

What Are the 3 Types of Bra Foam Padding?

Bras with light, thin padding in the cups for modesty and shaping are called contour cup or t-shirt bras. Manufacturers can choose between 3 different foam types; each with its own set of unique qualities.

Traditional Polyurethane Foam Padding

Traditional foam padding:

The most widely used foam in contour bra cup production is Polyurethane. This foam is then laminated between two layers of fabric. This foam and fabric combination, along with the glue that laminates the layers together determines the bra’s cup firmness, stretch and softness.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Polyurethane Foam

Polyurethane foam can vary in thickness so contour bra cups made in this foam type can have thicker foam in say the bottom of the cup to give added push-up. It can also be made firm to optimize shape and breast support. And, this foam will keep you warm in the winter.

Because it can be firm, it can also gap around your neckline if you do not fully fill out your cups or during movement. Crushing or turning these foam cups inside out should be avoided to prevent permanent creases. Polyurethane, like your make-up sponges, can yellow when exposed to light. This is why both sides of the foam are covered with a layer of fabric and not exposed to your skin.

Memory Foam Bra Padding

Memory foam:

Yes, this is the same foam used in today’s memory foam pillows and mattresses. Memory foam absorbs your body’s temperature to perfectly adapt to the shape of each of your breasts – a truly custom fit. It then returns to its original shape once your bra is taken off.

Benefits of Memory Foam in Bras

So bras using memory foam turn into your second skin creating a smooth uplifted seamless silhouette, then bounce back to their original shape without creasing – a great travel feature. Though this foam has firmness and support, it is less firm than polyurethane foam even though it too is laminated between fabric.

Spacer Foam Bra Padding

Spacer foam:

Spacer foam is a distinct type of foam. It’s kind of like corrugated cardboard. A machine knits a fine top and bottom layer while running vertical filaments in between that create tiny air pockets between the layers which can vary the foam’s thickness. The result is a foam that is very lightweight, comfortable and most importantly, breathable – a great choice in hot weather or if you tend to feel hot or sweaty in your breast area. You can tell if your bra used spacer foam by holding the cup between your two fingers and pressing them together. You’ll feel a temporary collapsing of the small air pockets.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Spacer Foam

Unlike Polyurethane and memory foam, spacer foam does not need to laminate fabric on its surface. And, it does not yellow with time. So, a white spacer foam bra stays white. Its lightness and breathability makes it a very comfortable bra to wear. However, it has the least breast support of all the foams.

How to Care for Padded Contour and T-Shirt Bras

A final note on contour cup bras. They should receive a little extra care. They should be washed in cold or warm water by hand and not soaked, because the lamination or glue holding the top fabric can unfasten. These bras should never be put in the dryer, but instead hung to dry.

For more information on t-shirt bra care, be sure to watch my video on how to remove creases from a t-shirt bra.