The Best Sports Bras – GWC Mag

If you own a pair of boobs you understand the struggle of finding the perfect sports bra. The unsung (often invisible) heroes of any outdoor activity, sports bras can make or break a day. When it’s right, we forget about it. When it’s wrong, it becomes the bane of our existence.

We won’t pretend that there’s a single sports bra that will work for all of us. It would simply be a lie. But through research and testing, we’ve compiled a list that we truly believe has something for nearly everyone. Since style, fit, and application is so diverse, instead of ranking these sports bras outright, we sorted them into categories to help you find the best sports bra for you.

Learn about what differentiates sports bras in our comprehensive buyers guide and FAQ at the bottom of the article. Our comparison chart can help you work through the decision-making process. Otherwise, read our full gear guide below.

Editor’s Note: We heavily updated our Sports Bras guide on April 13, 2024, with 10 new, field-tested sports bras plus three returning favorites, as well as a new extensive buyers guide, FAQ, and comparison chart to help women find the best sports bra for their activities and bodies.

The Best Sports Bras of 2024

Best of the Rest

Sports Bras Comparison Chart

Scroll right to view all of the columns: Price, Impact Level, Size Range, Fabric, Straps.

How We Tested Sports Bras

There are many factors that make up a great sports bra. On top of extensive research, we put each of these bras to test in the field, logging hours in the mountains and the gym to bring you the top sports bras on the market today.

For this test, we evaluated bras for comfort, breathability, and sweat retention, taking note of different fabrics and performance in different environments. We evaluated bras in sweltering summer heat waves and crisp fall freezes. Snow, smoke, rain, and beating sun helped us tease out the highest-performing and most versatile bras.

A mix of running, gym workouts, yoga classes, pickleball sessions, horseback rides, air time on a mountain bike, and one really intense trampoline session helped us evaluate impact resistance and coverage.

Additionally, we take price and material quality into consideration, ensuring that higher investment bras are really worth the coin.

Lily Ritter, a lead GearJunkie tester, book author, and journalist, writes about outdoor gear full-time. A dedicated runner, she’s been officially and unofficially testing sports bras for at least 15 years on the trail and road, with marathons and half marathons under her belt. In the winter, she spends most days exploring the backcountry on skis. In the summer, you can find her pushing her mountain bike up way too steep hills.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose Sports Bras

Similar to owning a variety of socks for a range of conditions, footwear, and sports, you might find yourself needing a few different styles of sports bras. Next-to-skin layers are available in a range of materials, which excel in different climates and can provide different fits. The straps and entrances of sports bras can be more accessible to certain body shapes and mobility. Other sports bras offer additional functionality like pockets or removable cups.

Of course, the importance of choosing the correct size for a sports bra cannot be overlooked. Every single brand offers a specific size chart, which we try to break down in each product review for ease.

Read on to learn more about the variables that create unique sports bras for a range of activities and physiques.

Level of Support

Most brands characterize sports bras by levels of support, helping differentiate what bras are best for certain activities. Essentially, the more bouncing involved (think running or horseback riding) the higher support you might want. Features like cups, compression, structure (underwire), and wide bands underneath breasts allow the bra to go up in the support category. Of course, this also depends on your own cup size and preference. Smaller chested folks can often get away with running in a low-support bra.

• Low support: Minimal or no padding, compression, and structure. Ideal for low-impact activities such as yoga, hiking, or everyday wear.
• Medium support: Moderate padding, compressive bands, and structure. Ideal for activities like jogging, mountain biking, or gym training.
• High support: The most structure with features like thicker straps, integrated cups, compressive fabrics, and adjustability. Ideal for activities like HIIT workouts, dancing, horseback riding, or sprinting.

Fabric of Sports Bras

Sports bras are made of many different fabrics. Most synthetic bras utilize polyester or nylon as the primary fabric for softness, moisture-wicking, and breathability. Almost every bra integrates a small percentage of elastane or spandex to deliver stretch and mobility.

The Icebreaker Merino Sprite Racerback Bra is the only bra on this list built with merino wool (used in tandem with nylon and elastane for stretch), known for moisture-wicking and antimicrobial properties. Merino is a great low-maintenance material for summer activities, as well as being the top choice for winter base layers for temperature regulation. Your ski jacket will keep you warm from the outside, but merino will keep you warm from the inside.

Breathability and Quick-Drying Material

Breathability is influenced by both fabric and design, creating airflow to stay cool during workouts. The weave of the fabric is important; the looser the weave, the more easily moisture can escape. Typically, breathable panels are integrated into the bra, since breathability can also come at the cost of durability if used across the entire piece. For instance, the Brooks Crossback 2.0 Sports Bra features a little bit of perforation in just the front and back, instead of compromising strength throughout the entire bra.

Sweat is inevitable if you’re having any fun at all, so fabrics like polyester and nylon wick moisture away from your body (thanks to hydrophobic properties), working to keep you dry throughout the activity. Merino wool feels more absorbent than nylon and polyester, however it can absorb up to 30% of its weight without feeling wet, so there’s a chance you actually won’t even notice the sweat.

Rib Band

The rib band (which runs around the bottom of the bra) is a structural component, designed to provide support and stability. Generally, the thicker the rib band the more support you’ll find; the rib band width in this test ranged from 0.5 inch to 3 inches. Some rib bands, like the Knix Catalyst Sports Bra, are integrated into the rest of the bra since the entire bra is so supportive overall. There’s still a rib band tucked underneath the cups, but it’s sewn into the rest of the bra, instead of a uniform band that runs consistently around the front and back.

Many low-support bras, like the Harper Wilde Bliss Bralette (which has no cups and features a stretchy over-the-shoulder design) feature a wider, 3-inch rib band, to provide extra support to make up for the light duty.

Because it’s typically thicker than the straps and upper fabric, the rib band can also be the spot that absorbs the most sweat and is the slowest to dry. Some rib bands, like the 1.5-inch band on the lululemon Flow Y Bra Nulu Light Support, A–C Cups is made from the same material as the body of the bra, so it wicks moisture and dries pretty quickly (although it provides minimal support).

Underwire in Sports Bras

You’ll see underwire in some sports bras where extra support and shape is required. It’s usually made with either metal or rubber, the former sacrificing some mobility and comfort in the name of support.

Rubber underwire is a little more flexible, which might serve more active ladies better. That being said, underwire is not only for the larger-chested ladies. Some folks with smaller boobs prefer to wear a bra with underwire since it adds a little more shape and definition. That part is entirely personal preference.

Underwire isn’t as commonplace is sports bras as it is in everyday bras, although the Title Nine Cuz She Says So Underwire Sports Bra is a good example of rubber underwire you can still move in.

Breast Cups and Pads

Cups can provide support and shape, while the pads are removable in many bras for a customizable fit and personal preference. Some brands use the terms ‘cups’ and ‘pads’ interchangeably, which can be confusing.

Some bras feature removable pads, while others feature an integrated cup that fits more like a traditional bra. You’ll typically see fixed cups in bras that offer a higher level of support, like the Adidas TLRD Impact Training High-Support Bra and the Knix Catalyst Sports Bra.

Removable cups in bras like the Under Armour Women’s Armour Mid Crossback Sports Bra and the lululemon Energy Bra Medium Support, B–D Cups can be taken out to decrease volume. A few low-support bras, like the Harper Wilde Bliss Bralette and the Icebreaker Merino Sprite Racerback Bra don’t have cups at all.

Sports Bras Coverage

Coverage in general refers to how much fabric covers the breast area of a sports bra, and it often (but not always) aligns with support.

In general, higher-impact activities like running or horseback riding require more coverage than lower-impact activities like hiking and yoga. High-neck bras often feature more support, while v-neck and scoop-neck bras typically have a little less coverage and are less supportive overall. But that also depends on cup size.

For instance, someone with smaller breasts may be able to get away with the low-coverage NOBULL Matte V-Neck Sports Bra for a long road run, while someone with a larger chest may prefer a higher-coverage option like the SheFit Ultimate Sports Bra High Impact. Often, coverage directly relates to how much support you want, but in some cases modesty plays a role too; some folks might feel more comfortable in a high-neck bra versus a low-cut v-neck, so there’s plenty of personal preference.

Sports Bras Straps

Straps differ for many reasons including style, support, and ease of pulling the sports bra on and off. A lot can depend on the type of top you’re going to wear, too.

Racerbacks aren’t adjustable, but can provide a supportive and secure fit that disappears under racerback tank tops. Straight straps fit more like a traditional everyday bra, and are easier to get on and off, but might take a little more adjusting when you initially try it on to get the fit right since they typically feature more customization.

Some bras, like the SheFit Ultimate Sports Bra High Impact, feature a combo for ultimate customization since they utilize adjustable racerback straps. That bra adjusts with hook-and-loop straps on both the shoulders and around the rib band, which is why it’s been a favorite for so many ladies looking for a more precise fit.

Thin, criss-cross straps, like you’ll see with the lululemon Energy Bra Medium Support, B–D Cups are mostly aesthetic, and provide a little style if you plan on wearing it on its own during a pilates class. More skinny straps can be a small sacrifice in support since the thick straps tend to hold bras in place a little better, but the difference is pretty minimal and many testers felt the cute design was worth it.

Closure: Back or Front

Closure is often (but not always) related to the level of support a bra has. The high-support Knix Catalyst Sports Bra features three levels of clasps for easy on-and-off and support, while the SheFit Ultimate Sports Bra High Impact has a front zipper for extra security and adjustability.

Most of the rest of the low- and medium-impact sports bras pull overhead in a more simple design thanks to stretchy synthetic fabrics that let you wiggle through.

Sports Bras with Pockets

Some sports bras, like the Brooks 3 Pocket Sports Bra integrate pockets as a creative way to store essentials without having to carry a bag. The 3 Pocket is the only sports bra with pockets on this list (two lateral mesh drop pockets on either side under the armpits), but we’ve seen this trend increase overall in the past few years. Small zippered side pockets and center back pockets just under the neck have emerged a bit, with mixed results.

Ultimately, it can be useful for runners heading out for a quick jog without wanting to carry anything else. It definitely requires the proper fit; otherwise, it can pull the bra in weird directions or dig in if you try to stash your keys or something hard-sided. High-coverage and high-support bras can handle pockets better in general since they tend to have more structure.

Sizing

Sports bra sizing varies by brand. Typically, bralettes and low-impact bras (like the Athleta Exhale Bra A-C and NOBULL Matte V-Neck Sports Bra) utilize XS-XL size labels, opting for sizing closer to a T-shirt since the cups are a minimal component and the bras mostly rely on consistent stretchy fabric. Other companies, like Brooks, let you select your band size as well as your cup size, while Lululemon uses numerical sizing (2-14) similar to its tights.

SheFit has a “Find My Fit” tool on its site that lets you input your height, weight, and age to help you calculate the right fit. Most brands have some sort of size guide available on the product page, which can help you translate your sizing into the company’s language.

Chafing

Chafing. In a perfect world, we’d avoid it altogether. But even the most seasoned athletes end up experiencing it at some point or another. Chafing is often caused by excessive rubbing, which can be exacerbated by heat. Once you’ve rubbed your skin raw it’s hard to go back without just waiting for it to heal. We’re all about getting ahead of the problem.

A chafe injury isn’t necessarily caused by a specific type of textile, but some of our sweatier testers have noticed more chafing with certain synthetic blends versus a synthetic-wool hybrid fabric. Every person’s epidermis, size, shape, climate, and amount of perspiration differs—even day to day or activity to activity.

Anti-chafe products like Body Glide, applied before the activity can help prevent chafing from starting in the first place. Baby powder is another effective option that runners turn to, applied in areas like the rib band or shoulder straps which are the most common culprits.

Check your fit, too. A bra that’s too big or too small can cause excess rubbing, so that’s another important component to think about.

Sustainability

A few sports bras we tested were touting sustainable fabrics, however, we didn’t find a ton of sustainable or recycled materials in the bras we tested. The Icebreaker Merino Sprite Racerback Bra, for example, utilizes merino wool, which is naturally renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable.

Tags

In general, most ladies prefer to remove the tags from their sports bras to prevent chafing. A long, scratchy tag (like the one lululemon has attached) can be a quick way to turn a perfectly good sports bra into a scratchy, chafy, jog.

Most sewn-in tags, like the Brooks tags, are easy to remove once you’re ready to wear the bra, but they can also contain useful information about washing instructions.

Almost all of these sports bras had a tag we pulled off inside (typically attached to the seam between the back and front on one side), as well as a hang tag with a little more info.

Returns

Each sports bra and brand carries a unique return policy. If you’re ordering a top online, without trying one on in person first, be sure to read up on the return policy, so you have a chance to swap out sizes if you need or prefer to.

Here are the return policies for each of our favorite sports bras:

• Knix Catalyst Sports Bra
  Knix offers returns or exchanges within 30 days, even if you’ve worn the bra.
• SheFit Ultimate Sports Bra High Impact
  SheFit offers returns within 30 days, even for items that are worn.
• Harper Wilde Bliss Bralette
  Harper Wilde accepts unworn returns (try-ons) okay, unwashed and with the tags attached within 90 days in the original packaging.
• Icebreaker Merino Sprite Racerback Bra
  Free returns within 60 days if the item is unwashed, unworn, and with the original tags.
• lululemon Energy Bra Medium Support, B–D Cups
  Lululemon accepts unwashed, unworn products with the tags still on within 30 days.
• NOBULL Matte V-Neck Sports Bra
  Free returns or exchanges within 30 days of delivery (recently changed from 60 days) if the item is unwashed and unworn, with the tags still on.
• Brooks 3 Pocket Sports Bra
  A generous 90-day return policy, with a no questions asked return even if you take the bra out for a run.
• Title Nine Cuz She Says So Underwire Sports Bra
  No questions asked return policy if you don’t like the item within one year.
• Athleta Exhale Bra A-C
  Thanks to the Give-It-A-Workout Guarantee, you can try it out, and return within 60 days if you don’t like it.
• lululemon Flow Y Bra Nulu Light Support, A–C Cups
  Lululemon accepts unwashed, unworn products with the tags still on within 30 days.
• Born Primitive Helix Sports Bra
  A 45-day return window if the tags are still on and it’s unworn.
• Brooks Crossback 2.0 Sports Bra
  A generous 90-day return policy, with a no questions asked return even if you take the bra out for a run.
• Under Armour Women’s Armour Mid Crossback Sports Bra
  Free returns and exchanges within 60 days if the tags are still on and it’s unworn.
• Adidas TLRD Impact Training High-Support Bra
  Returns are available within 30 days with the original tags.

Price

If you’re shopping on a budget, we’d consider bras under $50 to be a reasonable price. The Under Armour Women’s Armour Mid Crossback Sports Bra ($35) was the most affordable bra in this test, while the Athleta Exhale Bra A-C ($49), NOBULL Matte V-Neck Sports Bra ($48), Harper Wilde Bliss Bralette ($45), and lululemon Flow Y Bra Nulu Light Support, A–C Cups ($48) proved to be excellent everyday bras as well. These bras utilize similar materials as the rest of the bras on this list, but with more minimalist designs.

The bulk of sports bras fall into the $50-$70 range, and from these bras you can expect thoughtful and strategic constructions and more durability than the sub-$50 bras. This includes favorites like the SheFit Ultimate Sports Bra High Impact ($69), lululemon Energy Bra Medium Support, B–D Cups ($52), Icebreaker Merino Sprite Racerback Bra ($60), Brooks 3 Pocket Sports Bra ($55), Title Nine Cuz She Says So Underwire Sports Bra ($65), Born Primitive Helix Sports Bra ($52), Brooks Crossback 2.0 Sports Bra ($65), and Adidas TLRD Impact Training High-Support Bra ($55).

Above $70, you’ll see specialized designs and more customizable elements. The Knix Catalyst Sports Bra ($75) offers extra support and adjustability, and is a high-quality product that you’ll hold onto for a long time.

FAQ