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The Best Sports Bras

Finding a bra that’s going to hold up – no pun intended – in high-intensity workouts as well as low-impact exercises isn’t as easy as some might think. It’s impossible for a sports bra to be a one-size-fits-all, because A. there is no one size for every woman, and B. no workout is the same. It wouldn’t make sense to wear the same bra for both yoga and heavy cardio, because they each involve different levels of physical exertion.

I own a variety of sports bras that I alternate between depending on which exercise I plan to do. Low impact for brisk walks, yoga or pilates, medium support if I’m going for a light jog, and a full-coverage bra for when I need to be fully supported, like for treadmill sprints or Zumba classes. To help you choose the right workout companion for your needs, take a look at the top 5 recommendations for the best sports bras below. Each of these vary between high, medium and low-impact and are suitable for a wide range of physical activities.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which sports bra is the best?
A: Our pick for the best sports bra is the RUNNING GIRL Sports Bra for Women. It’s one of the most versatile bras you can find that’s suitable for both medium and high-impact sports, depending on your bra size.
Q: Can you wear a sports bra every day?
A: Theoretically yes, but low-impact styles are recommended if you’re planning to wear one every day. If you wear a high-impact, full-coverage sports bra daily, this will be compressive on the breasts and can even cause skin irritation. If you don’t work out daily and therefore don’t need full support, go for low-impact bras or tanks that will support you more comfortably.
Q: Can you wear a sports bra while sleeping?
A: If it’s your preference to sleep in your sports bra – and you find it comfortable enough – this could definitely be an option for you. Just like wearing a sports bra everyday, it’s recommended to go with a low-impact style as these are the most comfortable options available for all-day wear.
Q: How tight should a sports bra be?
A: This will always depend on the intensity level of your workouts. For high-intensity exercise, a full-coverage sports bra should be worn that’s tight enough to fully support you (with minimal to no bounce). It shouldn’t be too tight that the straps dig into your skin and become uncomfortable, but tight enough that your breasts feel secure and in place.
badge-editor's-choice-gold-with-blue-ribbon-fitrated

Editor’s Choice – RUNNING GIRL Sports Bra for Women

Rating: 95%

Top 5 Best Sports Bras for Women

Model

Rating

Material

Sizes

Colors

Support level

Pricing

Reviews

Editor's Choice
Editor’s Choice – RUNNING GIRL Sports Bra for Women
95%

75% Nylon, 25% Spandex

Xs-3xl

46 To Choose From

Medium

Runner Up – Yvette Front Closure Women’s Sports Bra
94%

80% Polyamide, 20% Elastane

Small-5xl Plus

Grey Blue, Black, Coral Red, Violet, Orange Red, Pastel Pink, Army Green

High

Best High Impact/Full Coverage – Champion Spot Comfort Full Support Sports Bra
92%

Not Specified

34c-42ddd

32 To Choose From

High

Best Medium Support – Nike Women’s Victory Compression Sports Bra
93%

88% Polyester, 12% Spandex

Xs-4xl, Including Tall Sizes

13 To Choose From

Medium-low

Best Light Support – THE GYM PEOPLE Longline Sports Bra
93%

80% Polyamide, 20% Spandex

Xs-xl

14 To Choose From

Low

Buyer’s Guide/Things to Look For When Choosing a Women’s Sports Bra

Material/Comfort

When you’re working out, you probably want a bra that you barely notice is there, but also that holds you in securely. Features like underwire aren’t my favorite for sports bras, as these are rarely comfortable and can dig into your skin. For me, it’s important to find that happy medium between full support yet having soft, lightweight materials on my skin. Most of the bras recommended above are made from a combination of polyester, polyamide and spandex to name a few, which are all ideal for any level of exercise. It’s also important to think about what kind of fabrics will be breathable, particularly for high-intensity workouts where you know you’ll be sweating up a storm.

Breathability/Moisture-Wicking Properties

Moisture-wicking materials like polyester or nylon are always recommended for heavy exercise, particularly for intense cardio like running, hot yoga or HIIT workouts. If it’s important to you that your sports bra is breathable and doesn’t trap sweat, consider buying cooling fabrics that wick away moisture so this is never an issue.

Support: Low/Medium/High

Let’s talk about support. I’ve already mentioned that different sports bras are best suited for different forms of exercise, but now let’s unpack which ones are recommended for specific physical activities.

 

Low Impact – Yoga, Walking, Pilates, Running errands/lounging

 

Low-impact sports bras (like the Longline Sports Bra from THE GYM PEOPLE) have very little support and aren’t suited for heavy, intense workouts. You’ll often find these with built-in shelf bras, occasional padding but minimal sculpting of the bust or cups and no adjustability. This type of bra is perfect for practicing yoga, pilates, walking or hiking and lounging around the house in general.  

 

Medium Impact  – Biking, Jogging, Weight training

 

What’s classified as a medium-impact bra is debatable since this will depend on your size. For example, a low-impact bra might give a smaller chested woman full coverage, but minimal for someone with a C cup or higher. The same goes for medium, but in general these bras offer sufficient support and are best for biking, light jogging, weight training or any activity that’s not too labor-intensive.

 

High Impact – Running, HIIT training, Dance, CrossFit

 

High-impact or full-coverage sports bras are just what you’d expect – they hold the girls in. Styles can include high necks, thick spandex materials, adjustable straps or built-in cups. It’s recommended to wear these for any high-intensity physical activity, including running, HIIT training, dancing or CrossFit.

Closure Types and Adjustability

What kind of closure is your go-to in a sports bra? Do you prefer the standard hook closure like regular bras, front zips, maternity bras with easy access for nursing, or no closure at all? Hook closures are great for adjustability, as these will typically have three options to choose how tight you want it around the bust. It’s recommended to fasten it on the tightest hook to start off with, then gradually loosen it as the bra expands on your body over time. Adjustable straps are also beneficial to give you a customized fit, which isn’t possible for a pull-on bra that has no closure. I personally have a range of sports bras for different physical activities, because there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to a bra.

1. Editor’s Choice – RUNNING GIRL Sports Bra for Women

Finding one of the most versatile and supportive sports bras doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg – Amazon has a ton of options that are suitable for any workout. RUNNING GIRL makes a cross-cross back, strappy and padded sports bra that’s ideal for medium-impact exercise. One of my must-haves in a sports bra are thick straps. Spaghetti straps won’t do any favors for anyone, though they might be nice to look at. For light jogging or medium-intensity workouts, you want to feel securely held in place by thick straps across your shoulders and back. There are 46 colors and styles to choose from, with my personal favorites being the many camo print options. 

The size variety is also generous, and with a bra like this I’d typically size down to get a tight, secure fit. For me as a size 32DD, I’d opt for the S or XS if I plan to wear it for high-impact workouts. It’s affordable, lightweight, breathable, super supportive and can even be worn as a tank with some bike shorts or leggings. Although there’s no sports bra that will suit everyone’s needs, this one from RUNNING GIRL comes pretty close.

Pros

Huge range of colors and styles
Thick straps and criss-cross back for added support
Made of breathable nylon to wick away moisture

Cons

Not adjustable – it’s recommended to size down to ensure the perfect fit

2. Runner Up – Yvette Front Closure Women’s Sports Bra

This wouldn’t be a roundup of the best sports bras without a front-closure, high-neck option. When I think of supportive bras designed specifically for high-intensity exercises, the Yvette Front Closure Women’s Sports Bra is pretty much what comes to mind. How much more support can you get than having a front zip, high neck, racerback style with extra straps, plus an adjustable hook closure around your bust? If I’m running around in this bra or doing burpees, I can feel pretty confident that my girls are kept in place. The high-cut shoulder straps also prevent any spilling out the sides, so even larger-chested women can feel fully supported with minimal bounce. 

Speaking of which, the plus sizes are generous with options ranging all the way up to 5XL. It’s rare to find manufacturers that design high-impact bras specifically for busty women, so this is very much appreciated. The mesh panels in both the front and back also offer breathability for those sweaty workouts, making this one of the best options for heavy exercise.

Pros

Suitable for plus-size women with larger chest sizes
Front-zip is one of the most supportive styles you can find
Mesh panels for added comfort and breathability

Cons

Not as much color variety as others on our list

3. Best High Impact/Full Coverage – Champion Spot Comfort Full Support Sports Bra

Finding a full-coverage sports bra that’s going to hold you in is difficult if your chest is on the larger side. As someone with a DD cup size, it’s been a never-ending journey to find a sports bra that I can run, jump, do burpees in and anything else that requires everything to stay in place.

Unlike many other parts of our bodies, breast tissue doesn’t repair and regenerate itself (hence why breasts sag over time). It’s so important to find not only your perfect size, but a bra with enough support to let you be as active as you like. Gone are the days of wearing two bras (that were a few sizes too small) just so I could sprint and experience minimal bounce. For larger chested women, the Champion Spot Comfort Full Support Sports Bra is a great pick. 

Ranging from 34C all the way to 42DDD, this bra is made to fit every woman with a larger cup and bust size. While many bras are sized on the traditional Small, Medium, Large scale, this doesn’t cover those who have a smaller shirt size, yet larger cup (like myself as a 32DD). I’d sit somewhere in the Small-Medium range, and neither is really the perfect fit. With thick adjustable straps to suit your needs, Champion has designed a bra that’s perfectly customizable to suit a range of shapes and sizes.

Pros

Ideal for larger chested women and for high intensity workouts
Huge range of colors and styles
Adjustable, thick straps and 3 hook closures

Cons

Material isn’t listed on Amazon, difficult to know how breathable and moisture-wicking the fabric is

4. Best Medium Support – Nike Women’s Victory Compression Sports Bra

For jogging, biking, weight training or any physical activity where medium support is all you need, the classic Nike Victory Compression Sports Bra has you covered (no pun intended!). What I love most about this bra is that it has a massive range of sizes – XS to 4XL – so you can pick your perfect fit. Slip it over your head as you would any shirt, but it’s important to mention that it’s not adjustable. Make sure to read each size measurement carefully so that you’ll get the right amount of support. 

As you can see, I’ve had the purple version for many years and it’s been well-loved. The Nike logo has started to fade since it’s been worn and washed countless times. But since I bought it over five years ago, it’s held up pretty well. I wear this sports bra for hiking and jogging, but not for intense workouts. However, for smaller chested women, you could easily do a HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) workout or run in this bra, it just depends on your cup size!

Pros

Super comfortable, wear-anywhere style of bra
Large size variety
Thick band for added support

Cons

Not suitable for intense exercise or for larger chested women needing more support
Not adjustable or padded

5. Best Light Support – THE GYM PEOPLE Longline Sports Bra

When it comes to shopping, there are few things more satisfying than finding a dupe of an expensive product for less than half the price. THE GYM PEOPLE have come through with this almost identical version of the popular Lululemon Align Tank. Perfect for yoga or any other low-intensity physical activity, this everyday tank top has a built-in shelf bra that offers light support.

Just like the Align Tank, it comes in a wide range of colors that will pair well with any yoga pants, compression leggings, shorts or even jeans when you’re running errands. Rather than spending $68 plus tax at Lululemon, why not get 3 for the price of one? If you’re looking for a sports bra specifically for light exercise like yoga, pilates or hiking, the Longline Sports Bra checks every box.

Pros

Can double as an everyday tank top
Built-in shelf bra with removable padding
Lots of colors available

Cons

Low support only – perfect for yoga, not for high-impact workouts
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