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Finding a sports bra that looks good, fits well, and gives you enough support for your workout is really hard.
We've done the heavy lifting to find the best sports bras for every size and budget.
Sweaty Betty and Zensah make the best sports bras for A to B cups, Brooks and Champion make the best sports bras for C to D cups, while Panache and Syrokan make the best sports bras for DD cups and up.
The first prototype of today’s modern sports bra was invented just over 40 years ago in 1977. Not so surprisingly, traditional lingerie bras just weren’t cutting it on runs, so two women named Lisa Lindahl and Polly Smith took matters into their own hands. Thanks to them, we’ve come a long way from the “jockbra” and now there is an overwhelming number of styles and sizes of sports bras to choose from.
Besides your running shoes, as a woman, your sports bra is the other most important — and personal — piece of workout gear that you shouldn’t do without. It keeps your chest supported during your workout, minimizing any bounce and jiggle. This is important because while your breasts don’t have any muscle, the skin and ligaments that give them their shape can stretch over time without proper support.
With so many styles and sizes to choose from, you’re bound to find your perfect fit so you can run happy and bounce free. Below are some important factors to consider when it comes to finding your perfect bra.
There’s plenty to think about when searching for the perfect sports bra to add to your running wardrobe, but we’ve done the testing and read the reviews to find you well-performing sports bras for every size.
- The best sports bra for A/B cups: Sweaty Betty Stamina Workout Bra
- The best sports bra for C/D cups: Brooks Rebound Racer bra
- The best sports bra for DD+ cups: Panache Women’s Underwire sports bra
- The best budget sports bra for A/B cups: Zensah Seamless sports bra
- The best budget sports bra for C/D cups: Champion Spot Comfort sports bra
- The best budget sports bra for DD+ cups: Syrokan Front Adjustable sports bra
Read on in the slides below to see which of the best sports bras is right for you.
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The best sports bra for sizes A/B
Why you'll love it: The supportive under band, wide straps, and waffle detailing for extra ventilation make the Sweaty Betty Stamina workout bra an all-around winner when it comes to support and performance.
Just because you’re petite on top doesn’t mean you should go without a sports bra. Everyone needs support, no matter their size. While you may not need a high impact bra with extra padding and underwire, a medium impact compression style bra that helps restrict any extra movement is always a good idea.
With a compression style bra, the band and material are especially important, as these are the things that will provide you with the comfort and support you’ll need. The Sweaty Betty Stamina delivers in both departments, with a wide under band and sweat-wicking, seamless fabric.
The wider band makes this an ideal bra for high impact sports like running, and if you cross train on the days you aren’t running, it will do double duty. It's comfortable enough for other types of workouts like spinning and yoga. Workout gear isn’t always cheap, so versatility is a great thing to have, giving you the most value for your money.
The Sweaty Betty Stamina is on the more expensive side, but its multi-use functionality does help justify the price, as do its features. The seamless design adds comfort and reduces chafing on longer runs, and the strategically placed waffling in the fabric provides extra ventilation where you’ll need it most. The wide straps won’t dig into your shoulders, and the tight-knit fabric and added elastane give this bra a soft, yet supportive feel.
The Stamina comes in six different colors. It’s available in sizes Small, Medium, and Large instead of cup sizes, so you’ll want to refer to the bra guide to find your perfect fit. Some buyers do wish that an extra small was offered, but otherwise found the Stamina comfortable, and like that it washes well.
According to the product description, it will give medium support up to a C cup, but for adequate running support, most reviewers with up to a B cup felt that it provided them with the support they needed for higher impact workouts. Those with larger busts loved the comfort of this bra, but don’t recommend it for running.
If you’re looking for a sports bra that can take you from the road, to the yoga mat, and then go the extra mile with you on your weekly errand running, this is the “must have” that can help you do it all in comfort.
Pros: Wide under band for support, seamless design, wide straps for added comfort, waffled fabric detailing for extra ventilation, washes well, multiple colors to choose from
Cons: Expensive, some reviewers wished it came in extra small
Buy the Sweaty Betty Stamina workout bra for $50.00
The best budget-friendly sports bra for sizes A/B
Why you'll love it: The Zensah Seamless is a no fuss, affordable sports bra that has a seamless design, making it a favorite among distance runners who want chafe-free runs.
Even some of the most well-designed sports bras will start getting uncomfortable once you’re 5 miles into a run, but this isn’t the case with the Zensah. At first glance it looks almost too simple, but for those with smaller chests looking for compression support, simplicity wins out.
There are no hooks, plastic, metal, or tags on this pullover bra, and the seamless design means nothing will be jabbing you repeatedly while you log your miles. The fabric is sweat wicking and odor resistant, so you can stay comfortable even as the temperatures rise and the sweat starts to pour.
The racerback design won’t hinder your motion, and there are plenty of fun colors patterns to choose from, making this the type of bra you could wear alone or under a top.
This bra shows up repeatedly in “best sports bras” lists, including the Runners World Best Bras of 2017. While it may look simple, the Zensah is anything but. Most of its features are knitted directly into its fabric. The wider fabric knitting in the back allows for ventilation, while the more sturdy ribbing on the sides and in the band itself offer more structured support without the use of underwire or additional padding.
The simplistic, clasp free style also lends itself well to mat workouts on the days when you’re giving your muscles a rest, so you can do your Savasana without anything digging into your back and distracting you from your state of mindfulness. If yoga isn’t your thing, the Zensah’s support also lends itself well to other high impact cardio workouts.
While the price range varies depending on the color and size you choose, most styles are available for under $30.
This bra is best suited to those requiring an A or B cup for running, but those with a C cup have also had good results while running with the Zensah. This distance runner deems it the “best running bra, ever” and loves that it “never chafes, never digs, and always supports.”
There are few downsides to this bra, but if you’re looking for extra coverage on those cold days, be aware that the material across the chest doesn’t have any additional padding.
Another reviewer, Amy, praises the seamless support that this bra gives her saying, “I don’t notice my boobs at all when I run (as it should be) and I don’t get chafe lines.”
Pros: Seamless design, sweat wicking fabric, fabric ribbing on the sides and in the band for extra support, affordable
Cons: Not as much coverage across the chest
Buy the Zensah Seamless Sports Bra on Amazon starting at $19.88
The best sports bra for sizes C/D
Why you'll love it: The Brooks Rebound Racer is a high impact bra that delivers support without extra padding and has adjustable straps for comfort and a customizable fit.
While Brooks is a well-known brand when it comes to reliable running shoes, the company also makes some great running apparel. The Rebound Racer bra is a perfect example. Finding a high impact sports bra that provides enough support without any padding can be a challenge, but this sports bra does just that.
I was able to test the Brooks Rebound for myself and can attest to both the comfort and support it provides on a run. While those with A and B cup sizes would be fully supported in this sports bra, its design is also fantastic for those with a little more up top.
Compression style bras don’t always provide enough support for those with C or D cups, but the molded, compressive cups keep everything in place while creating a flattering silhouette. In short, you get compression-style support without the dreaded “uni boob” effect that can sometimes occur with this style of bra.
The sweat-wicking fabric and strategically placed mesh ventilation keep you dry and comfortable. Adjustable straps, as well as an adjustable rear enclosure, add to the comfort of the Rebound Racer, provide a more customized fit, and make it easier to get it off after a long, sweaty run.
I’ve taken this bra on multiple runs without any issue. While running, I felt completely supported and didn’t notice any chafing. The adjustable straps were one of my favorite features, allowing me to find my perfect fit, and preventing the straps from cutting into my shoulders — an issue I’ve had with many other sports bras I’ve tried in the past.
I liked that the fabric used was thick enough to provide coverage with no additional padding needed, giving this bra a less cumbersome feel. It was also nice not to have to remove any padding before washing. I’ve washed the bra multiple times, and it’s held its shape completely, making it feel like new every time I put it on. I’ve never put this in the dryer, which isn’t recommended as drying will shorten the lifespan of any sports bra, but it also air dries very quickly thanks to the sweat-wicking material.
Most buyers love this bra and the support it offers. Reviewers on REI say it’s “great for C cup runners” and they “love the secure hold of this sports bra.” Another reviewer liked the fact that they didn’t have to worry about removable padding, stating it “provides support for my C/D cups without a wire or those dumb removable pads that just get banged up in the wash.”
Some reviewers did feel that the sizing was a little off, and did need to size up to find their perfect fit. It’s important to note that this is a compression style bra, so the fit will be snug, but it shouldn’t be snug enough to make you uncomfortable.
Pros: High impact support without padding, adjustable straps and rear enclosure for a customized fit, sweat wicking fabric, washes well
Cons: Some reviewers feel that the sizing runs small
Buy the Brooks Rebound Racer on Amazon starting at $49.95
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