9 Finest Sports activities Bras for Operating of 2025
We love a tender, strappy bralette once we’re lounging at dwelling—however not once we’re hitting the pavement. For top-impact exercises, solely the very best working sports activities bras will do. And by that, we imply supportive, sweat-wicking types that gained’t allow you to down (actually) once you choose up the tempo.
We’ve examined tons of sports activities bras over time as a part of SELF’s annual Activewear Awards and in our personal lives as runners and movement-lovers. So, it’s protected to say we’ve got some opinions on the matter. Right here, we’ve highlighted our absolute favourite sports activities bras for runs, cardio, and different high-intensity actions. We additionally checked in with consultants about what makes a bra higher for these kinds of exercises, that will help you store smarter.
Our prime picks
- Finest Total: SheFit Final Sports activities Bra, $69
- Runner-Up: Lululemon Vitality Bra, $58
- Finest with Pockets: Brooks 3 Pocket Sports activities Bra, $55
- Finest Sweat-Wicking: Nike Swoosh Excessive Help Non-Padded Adjustable Sports activities Bra, $60
- Finest Racerback: Athleta Interval Bra, $49
- Finest for Bigger Busts: Lululemon Run Occasions Bra, $68
- Finest for Smaller Busts: Lululemon Wundermost Extremely-Mushy Nulu Scoop-Neck Bralette, $38
- Finest Longline: Adidas Run Pocket Medium-Help Bra, $55
- Finest Compression: FP Motion Win Win Sports activities Bra, $38
On this article
Store the very best sports activities bras for working
Whether or not you’re a every day jogger or a budding marathoner, you deserve an excellent assist system.
Finest Total: SheFit Final Sports activities Bra
SheFit
Final Sports activities Bra
Discuss endurance: SheFit’s viral Final Sports activities Bra has gained a number of SELF Activewear Awards, together with a Reader’s Alternative Award. “That is the primary and solely bra that truly holds me collectively whereas nonetheless being comfy,” one reader informed us. “It is the right merger of actual assist and magnificence, and retains my 38Fs from hitting me within the face throughout a full marathon.” One other reader mentioned that after this bra entered their life, they now not needed to layer sports activities bras to maintain their chest bounce-free whereas refereeing soccer video games.
The vast band and padded straps are adjustable, as much as 15 and eight inches, respectively (one reader famous that their SheFit bra suits completely, regardless that they’ve a bigger bust and a smaller rib cage). Its entrance zip closure provides additional safety, and the convertible straps might be worn as an X- or H-back. In a world the place it’s nonetheless perplexingly arduous to discover a bra that matches, SheFit and its many customizable particulars meets you proper the place you might be.
Sizes: XS to 6Luxe (suits as much as a 52- to 55-inch bust and a 38.5- to 49.5-inch rib cage) | Materials: Nylon, spandex, polyester
Runner-Up: Lululemon Vitality Bra
A scooped neckline and a strappy again present loads of air flow whilst you work up a sweat on this bra. It lends medium assist, with a thick, sturdy band and medium (however not too tight) compression.
“I wore this for my final half marathon—completely no chafing and only a nice total sports activities bra,” SELF’s director of health and meals, Christa Sgobba, says. “I like that it is a pullover fashion and there is not any have to futz with any clasps or hooks.”
SELF’s affiliate social media supervisor, Katie Gunderman, agrees. “There’s nothing worse than worrying a few gear malfunction whereas figuring out, and since the Vitality bra is longline and has fuller protection, this has by no means been a problem!” she says. “It has the right compression that makes me really feel safe whereas working.”
Sizes: XXS to XL | Materials: Nylon, elastane, polyester
Finest with Pockets: Brooks 3 Pocket Sports activities Bra
Brooks
3 Pocket Sports activities Bra
“I like this one as a result of it offers me a bit extra protection if I wish to run shirtless in the summertime,” one SELF staffer says, including that she loves how a lot storage the Brooks 3 Pocket Sport Bra has. (That’s one mesh pocket on either side and a 3rd between your shoulder blades, whereas we’re counting.) The bigger pocket is ideal in your cellphone, whereas the opposite two can maintain your keys, bank card, or (in our staffer’s case) additional gels.
Thought-about a medium assist sports activities bra, this fashion has an honest quantity of compression and comes with detachable cups for additional protection, if you happen to want it.
Sizes: Band sizes 30 to 40, cup sizes AB to DDE | Materials: Polyester, spandex
Finest Sweat-Wicking: Nike Swoosh Excessive Help Non-Padded Adjustable Sports activities Bra
Nike
Swoosh Excessive Help Non-Padded Adjustable Sports activities Bra
One other SELF staffer considers Nike’s Swoosh line of sports activities bras a “traditional” for anybody, together with these with giant breasts. This supportive, non-padded, fashion is good for higher-impact exercises. The band has a modern, extendable closure for a dialed-in match, whereas the mesh lining in the back and front of the bra sheds sweat and boosts airflow. In different phrases, once you up the depth, this bra retains shifting with you and helps you quiet down sooner.
Sizes: XS (A to C cups) to 3XL (F to G cups) | Materials: Polyester, spandex
Finest Racerback: Athleta Interval Bra
Athleta’s Interval Bra is cherished by reviewers (it has a close to good ranking on the model’s web site) for its supportive really feel and well-placed again cutouts. Obtainable in a variety of sizes in two totally different cuts (one designed for A to C cups and one for D-DD cups), it is comprised of cloth that’s rated UPF 40+, that means it’ll assist defend your pores and skin from the solar’s UV rays once you go for a jog exterior.
It’s designed to be a medium-support bra, so you possibly can put on it comfortably for plenty of several types of train. But it surely’s additionally compressive sufficient that will help you really feel contained, even when your mileage begins to hit double digits.
Sizes: XS to XL (A to C cups), XS to 3XL (D-DD+ cups) | Materials: Polyester, elastane
Finest for Bigger Busts: Lululemon Run Occasions Bra
All the little design particulars—adjustable, cushioned straps; a hook-and-eye clasp on the band; and molded cups that separate your boobs—add as much as make this bra really feel tremendous supportive. Simply ask Gunderman: “That is probably the most sturdy and safe sports activities bra I personal,” she says. “It’s tight in a approach that feels prefer it’s been spray-painted onto my physique, and I like to put on it when doing a high-impact exercise.”
Discovering your good match can be simpler as a result of this bra is available in conventional cup and band sizes, in contrast to some others on our listing.
Dimension: 32B to 42G | Materials: Nylon, elastane, polyester, polyurethane foam
Finest for Smaller Busts: Lululemon Wundermost Extremely-Mushy Nulu Scoop-Neck Bralette
Lululemon
Wundermost Extremely-Mushy Nulu Scoop-Neck Bralette
A SELF staffer who “doesn’t want a ton of assist” and normally wears a AAA cup dimension has a number of Wundermost bralettes in several colours—and says she just about solely wears them on runs. Made with Lululemon’s super-soft, brushed Nulu cloth, this bra has a light-weight really feel that gained’t distract you once you’re on the transfer. It’s additionally made to wick sweat and stretch in 4 instructions. Simply keep in mind that this bra isn’t designed to supply a locked-in really feel, like many different choices on our listing are.
Sizes: 2 to 14 (A to D cups) | Materials: Nylon, Lycra
Finest Longline: Adidas Run Pocket Medium-Help Bra
Adidas
Run Pocket Medium-Help Bra
This longline sports activities bra from Adidas is one other staffer favourite for its size (you possibly can put on it as a standalone exercise prime, if you happen to so select), medium stage of assist, and cleverly positioned pockets. They’re situated alongside the bra’s entrance—so, within the phrases of 1 SELF editor, “you possibly can simply stick a gel in there and don’t need to contort your self to achieve it.”
And right here’s another function that helps guarantee constant protection: The bra’s padding is detachable, however if you happen to determine to maintain it, you don’t have to fret about it shifting round in the course of your run. The padding options little grippy dots to assist it keep put (genius).
Sizes: XXS to XXL (A/C to D/DD cups) | Materials: Polyester, elastane
Finest Compression: FP Motion Win Win Sports activities Bra
FP Motion
Win Win Sports activities Bra
Constructed for high-impact exercises, this FP Motion bra holds you in utilizing compression alone—no zippers, Velcro, or toggles to take care of. Its longline silhouette additionally lends additional protection and assist.
“It is considered one of my go-tos after I’m working,” Gunderman says. “The marginally increased neck and thicker design holds every part down whereas I work out, and the thick straps and total floor space forestall any pinching or digging in.”
Sizes: XS to XL | Materials: Nylon, elastane
How we selected the very best sports activities bras for working
First, we requested bodily therapists and private trainers which qualities a sports activities bra ought to have if you happen to’re carrying it for a high-impact exercise like working. After they shared their recommendations on discover supportive choices that’ll hold you comfy, we requested SELF staffers which bras they attain for to coach for marathons or go for informal jogs. Plus, we added earlier SELF Activewear Award winners that impressed each us and our testers.
What to search for in a sports activities bra for working
Your bra ought to fit your measurements and cup dimension whereas offering some compression, NASM-certified Peloton Tread teacher Marcel Dinkins, CSCS, tells SELF. That’ll assist maintain your breasts in and restrict their movement (however it’s best to nonetheless be capable to transfer and breathe comfortably). She provides that these with bigger busts—assume DD cups and above—ought to search for encapsulation bras which have built-in, structured cups for a greater match.
Operating bras must be made for sweat. Search for moisture-wicking, quick-drying supplies like mesh and nylon, in addition to breathable inserts or panels. Your bra must also really feel clean and cozy once you’re figuring out (learn: it shouldn’t chafe or rub towards your pores and skin). Seamless or flat-seamed types are much less more likely to trigger irritation, Dr. Nunamacher says.
The appropriate shoulder straps will assist distribute the load of your breasts. They need to be vast, adjustable, and, for bonus factors, padded. Skip skinny or stylish strap configurations like halters or one-shoulder necklines, Hayley Akradi, CPT, lessons operations supervisor and nationwide extremely match program lead at Life Time, tells SELF. They’re cute for low-impact exercises, however they gained’t supply the assist you want throughout runs—and Dr. Nunamacher factors out that they will dig into and pull in your shoulders, neck, and traps (ouch).
Some additional protection can assist you are feeling safer as you run. Dinkins recommends searching for higher-cut necklines and avoiding scoop neck sports activities bras.
Consider the band as the inspiration of your bra’s assist system: You need it to be sturdy and comfortable. Akradi appears for bras with bands that match proper beneath her bust, and Dinkins prioritizes thicker, wider bands—ideally, your bra will examine all of those bins. Some bands are even adjustable utilizing a hook-and-eye or Velcro system.
Regularly requested questions
Why is it vital to put on a supportive sports activities bra throughout high-impact actions?
For one factor, your kind adjustments in case your chest isn’t well-supported, Lindsay Nunamacher, PT, DPT, a bodily therapist at Hartford HealthCare, tells SELF. Operating and leaping may cause your breasts to swing back and forth or bounce up and down. For those who aren’t carrying something that may assist distribute the load of your chest and cut back this motion, you’re extra more likely to change how you’re employed out. Your tempo would possibly gradual, your strides would possibly shorten, or your posture would possibly tip ahead. “These mechanical adjustments can negatively have an effect on [your] efficiency,” Dr. Nunamacher says.
Sporting bras that lack assist may additionally result in again and neck ache, Dr. Nunamacher says. An excessive amount of breast motion strains the remainder of your higher physique, which may trigger your muscle mass to really feel drained and sore extra simply. Over time, your again might spherical and your head and neck might shift ahead to compensate for that discomfort, she says. And slouching isn’t simply unhealthy for these areas—as SELF has beforehand reported, it will probably create aches all through your complete physique.
TL;DR: It’s price your whereas to spend some additional time shopping bras. “A great sports activities bra permits you to focus in your exercise and proceed your journey in the direction of your individual health and well being targets with out distraction,” Dr. Nunamacher says.
Is it okay to put on a sports activities bra all day?
Sporting a sports activities bra all day lengthy is ok, so long as you are feeling comfy. If the band is just too tight and you are feeling restricted, take it off and hold looking for a greater becoming bra. For those who discover your bra is messing along with your posture, proscribing your regular respiration, or inflicting any pores and skin irritation or breakouts, that’s additionally an indication to strive a distinct fashion (or none in any respect) and see how you are feeling.
How tight ought to a working sports activities bra be?
A working sports activities bra ought to match snugly, nevertheless it shouldn’t be so tight that you simply really feel prefer it’s arduous to breathe, and the straps shouldn’t trigger ache and discomfort by digging into your shoulders. A normal rule of thumb: You must be capable to match two fingers beneath your straps. If the material across the cups is wrinkled, that’s an indication the bra is just too massive or doesn’t match correctly.
With extra reporting by Kristin Canning
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