Getting one of the best sports bras for running is actually really important. A good sports bra gives you support and comfort and lets you exercise without discomfort or distraction.
For women, it's arguably the most important bit of workout wear that you can buy, and no more so than when running. No one wants to experience breast pain while running.
Yet choosing a sports bra can be really difficult, particularly when looking around online. There are so many styles and types to chose from, from racer backs to classic clasps. There is confusing terminology, like encapsulation or compression. Luckily, Live Science is here to help. Our tester tried a range of the best sports bras for running so you don’t have to spend hours scouring the internet. And don't forget to check our selection of the best running shoes too.
Best sports bra for high-impact support
Under Armour put a lot of thought into the design of this Infinity High bra, working with breast health expert Dr Joanna Scurr and the University of Portsmouth, UK, to really try to understand and account for how breasts move while in motion.
The result is a quite different approach to construction. Most sports bras are made by cutting out two breast-shaped cups from flat padding, then gluing and layering foam on top. By contrast, the Infinity High bra injects foam with liquid to create a natural shape that is supposed to move with the breasts. In our testing, we found that the bra fitted around the breasts comfortably and securely, and really did seem to mold with the body’s natural shape and movement.
The Infinity High bra is therefore an encapsulation rather than compression style bra. It fastens via a smooth, sweat-wicking band, secured with a classic hook and eye closure. It was one of the easiest bras to get on and off that we tested, with the elastic straps were also easy to adjust. We also tested the bra both with and without chafing gel, and found that neither the strap nor band dug in or left any visible marks.
Despite its brilliant support for high impact activities, the High is still really breathable and stayed super comfortable over longer distance runs as well as shorter efforts. You might, however, get sweat marks on the light dash pink/french gray design after a hard session. The cups are also cut quite high under the arms, which might not be to everyone’s liking.
If you’re relatively small-chested, then the support that the Infinity High bra may be unnecessary. For those with a cup size above a C, however, this is a fantastic running bra that provides an impressive level of support, without feeling suffocating.
Best lightweight sports bra
The Sweaty Betty Ultra Running bra is unusual. It is constructed more like a lightweight, delicate bra, yet is deceptively supportive. The breathable lightweight fabric has no padding or removable cups, the support instead coming mainly from the band and network of panels over its construction. These cover the breast areas and both ventilate and support your chest.
The band is slightly snug, but it’s not too constricting – we put the bra to the test during an interval session on a particularly warm day, and experienced no rubbing or chafing.
The Ultra Running Bra has fully adjustable straps, which means you can wear it either as a racer back or a U-back if you prefer not to have to pull it over your head to put it on and take it off. Both options provide a really flattering fit. It also comes in a wide range of sizes, from an A-F cup, and over 10 attractive colors. In fact, when it comes to style, this is one of our favorite sports bras for running.
The only significantly drawback is the price, as it's certainly not the cheapest as full price. But if you’re fairly new to running you’ll want a reliable piece of kit to keep you supportive – and if you’re prepared to invest, you can’t go far wrong with the Ultra Running Bra.
Best fuss-free sports bra
Much like the Under Armour Infinity High, the Brooks Dare Crossback Run Bra 2.0 has been designed with a scientific approach. Like Under Armour, the company worked with the researchers at the University of Portsmouth’s Institute for Breast Health
The result is a minimalistic, seamless design, made from a breathable "DriLayer Horsepower" fabric, which wicks away sweat nicely and has good flexibility. This bra has a hook and eye fastening, while you can also adjust the straps with swan hooks – similar to the Adidas FastImpact Luxe.
However, while the FastImpact Luxe has five hook options, the Dare Crossback Run Bra 2.0 has nine, allowing for a lot more variability in body shapes. For instance, if you are fairly broad shouldered, you should be able to still get a great fit.
We did, however, find that this bra runs slightly small, so you might want to considering opting for a slightly larger band size than your usual fit, particularly if you don’t enjoy quite so much compression.
We tested the bra on a particularly long run without chafing gel and found that it didn’t rub or dig into the skin. The ventilated material also allowed the skin to breathe easily.
This is another design that has built-in cups, so no annoyingly easy to lose (and impossible to put back in) removable cups. The padding felt just right, creating a flattering fit without too much bulk.
The Dare Crossback Run Bra 2.0 may not win any awards for the most stylish design, but it is a fuss-free sports bra for running that offers just the right amount of support.
Best premium sports bra
Lululemon say that the Enlite bra took two years to develop, so perhaps that explains the premium price point. That, and the luxe feel and design, of course. This bra is made from the brand's "Ultralu" fabric, which is soft, breathable, sweat-wicking and soft.
It does feel a bit heavier than some of the other, simple bras that we tried, and the cups definitely have more padding. If you are smaller-chested you might find this a bit suffocating.
The chest band is very tight on this design, and fastening it can be tricky. However, don't necessarily think about sizing up because once the hook and eye fastening is secured, you'll be grateful for the tension in the band. Everything stays beautifully in place even on hard workouts. It felt secure but not restrictive, and there was no chafing.
The straps aren’t adjustable, which was an initial concern, but we didn’t find this to be a problem once the bra was actually on.
The Enlite has a scooped neckline, but an otherwise minimalistic design in a handful of simple colorways (black,grey, navy and speckle grey black). The cups are non-removal, which is a bonus for those who can’t stand those rogue pads getting lost in their washing machine. Lululemon also caters for a wide range of sizes, with its ‘DDD’ suitable for those with an E cup.
At $98, the Lululemon Enlite isn’t cheap, but if you can afford it, this is a well-made, high-quality bra that can withstand any running session.
Best sports bra for running for larger breasts
As you might expect from the name, Shock Absorber are all about high-impact support, whatever your size. Their much-loved Ultimate Run Bra is no exception.
In terms of getting the bra on and off, this is one of the easiest and quickest bras to wear. It has both a full back opening and a hook and eye band, making it great for those with larger breasts and/or those who struggle to get bras on over their heads.
It's important to note that on its website, Shock Absorber recommend trying a band size up from your normal size. So if you wear a 34D, it recommends a 36D. We did find this to be true, with the bra coming up a little small.
Designed specifically for runners, Shock Absorber claims its Ultimate Run Bra reduces bounce by up to 78%. We did find that the breasts held firmly in place, even during an intense interval session. The Y-cut back also fits nicely around the shoulder blades, which makes it really comfortable to wear.
The Ultimate Run Bra perhaps favors functionality over style, although it is available in a few different colors, including pink/purple and waterfall purple. The fabric is moisture-wicking and breathable and has a surprisingly silky feel. Plus, it’s available right up to a size 38G, making it a great option for those with larger breasts.
Overall, Shock Absorber’s Ultimate Run Bra is supportive and comfortable, with two clasps and adjustable shoulder straps making it one of the best sports bras for running.
Best all-rounder sports bra for running
Runderwear also design specifically for — yes you guessed it — runners. The Original Run Bra v5 is designed with comfort and support in mind, and it delivers on this.
The fully opening back makes it easy to get on and off, and like the Shock Absorber and Sweaty Betty bras in this guide, it’s made from lightweight fabric with no added bulkiness. The straps are really easy to adjust too.
It’s worth noting that the Original Run Bra is designed for cup sizes A-D. We’re modestly sized, but found ourselves at the upper end of this threshold; it’s not that we needed more support, rather the bra runs slightly small, so we felt a little ‘pushed up’ and exposed without a top on. We’d recommended sizing up, but if you’re larger breasted, you’ll want to opt for Runderwear’s Easy On bra instead, which caters for sizes C-H.
As this is the fifth version of the Original Run Bra, there have been a few changes to the design. Firstly, there’s additional mesh paneling to improve breathability and control temperature. Enhanced performance fabric also provides a super-soft feel against your skin, with very few seems in contact with the skin. The result? Absolutely no chafing (with and without chafe gel). We rate this bra for high-intensity interval sessions, as well as running, never feeling overly constricted.
As always, the bra comes in Runderwear’s signature blue, pink and black colorways. While not the cheapest option on the market, you can often find it on offer, saving yourself a few dollars. Plus, it’s machine washable up to 40C (124F), which saves the hassle of multiple different washes.
best sustainable sports bra for running
The FastImpact Luxe from Adidas was one of the most unusual running or sports bras that we tested. You put it on over your head, like a compression bra, but it has swan hooks on the chest band and straps. These allow you to customize the fit, once on, to how you want it.
We found that this did make the FastImpact Luxe a little tricky to wriggle into, which again perhaps means it's not the easiest bra to get on for those with larger breasts. We weren't alone here: online user reviews also cite difficulty figuring out how the it works and in adjusting it to the right size. Once you do master that, however, the breasts are held firmly in place and it’s an incredibly comfortable fit.
Where the FastImpact Luxe really excels is in the fabric. Made from a minimum of 60% recycled material, it has a sleek, lycra-like feel to it. We were actually surprised how good this fabric was at sweat wicking, with even the orange design showing minimal sweat marks.
It’s comes in four colors – magic gray, orange, black and bright blue – and has a scoop neckline. Of all the bras we tested, this was one of the most flattering designs.
Overall, this is a quality bra with great support and the added bonus of being made from sustainable materials. It can be difficult to get on, however, so if you prefer minimal faff, a traditional encapsulation style running bra might be better for you.
Best sports bra for running for smaller breasts
The New Balance Fuel Bra provides medium-impact support, making it a great option for those with smaller breasts who don’t need the extra support that an encapsulation style bra provides. Those with larger breasts will want to stay clear, however, because while the bra promises to be a ‘no-bounce fit’, we didn’t find this to be true for bigger sizes.
The NB Fuel Bra pulls on over the head. Neither the band nor the straps can be adjusted, but we didn’t find this to be a problem with the overall fit. It does run slightly small, however, so we’d recommend sizing up. The fabric is extremely comfortable and uses New Balance’s wicking technology to ensure it’s fast-drying and sweat-absorbing. It's a seamless design, so it sits well under a tank top or t-shirt, and we didn’t experience any chaffing during our testing.
The bra comes in three colors – white, black and pink – and at $44.99, it’s one of the most affordable options we tested.
The NB Fuel Bra is a great option for those with smaller breasts who don’t need high-impact support, but those with a fuller cup size would be better off investing elsewhere.
How we test the best sports bras for running at Live Science
We put each of the sports bras through a series of testing procedures. First, we looked at how easy the bra was to get on and adjust, noting if it took an usual amount of time or level of difficulty. We did a standing bounce test to see how much the breasts stayed in place. Each sports bra was then worn for a minimum of three different running sessions too; a mixture of shorter, interval sessions, relaxed short runs and longer runs. We tested each sports bra with and without chafe gel, and also washed each bra as per the care instructions.
FAQs
What are the different types of sports bras?
We asked the brand manager at Pocket Sport, Jess Kitson, for her advice on picking between types of sports bras. According to Kitson, sports bras fit into three main categories:
Compression bras usually resemble a crop top, and you generally pull them on over your head. Women with smaller breasts can benefit from these sports bras, as the compression ‘hugs’ your breasts to your chest. However the style is certainly less suited to those with larger cup sizes.
Molded and encapsulation bras look more like regular bras with built-in cups for support and comfort.
Combination bras mix the two, offering support and compression.
How to choose the best sports bra for running
We spoke to Charlotte Davies, the global design and buying director at Hunkemöller, to find out how to choose the best sports bra for running.
Davies advises considering the material, sizing, and support levels first, as a “good sports bra will be breathable and quick-drying and should also have some stretch to it,” she says. Davies also recommends materials that don’t restrict your breasts, so they can still “move with your body”, which helps avoid “pain and damage to breast tissue.”
The correct size is crucial. Rubbing, gaping, or discomfort means you’ve got the wrong size. The lower band needs to sit comfortably, too. “It should feel tighter than a natural bra to give the best support and functionality, but make sure it’s not so tight that it hurts to wear,” she advises. A great test is to jump around or go for a run to see if your bra absorbs movement.
Lastly, Davies recommends looking at support levels. Yogis won’t benefit from feeling restricted and will need more room to stretch, whereas sprinters will require a tighter fit.
Best sports bras for running high-impact
For those who prefer high-intensity exercise, Davies recommends ramping up the support. “Your sports bra should absorb your movements and stay in place while exercising,” she says.
Brand manager Kitson advises opting for a thicker everything, including straps and a supporting band around the ribcage. You’ll also need a more compressive fabric, too.
Combination bras are a great pick, providing comfort and support without allowing excessive movement during high-intensity training.
Best options for large breasts
Shopping around for good sports bras for large breasts deals can help you save big on a bigger bust.
The larger your breasts, the more support you’ll need, and the smaller your bust, the less support necessary.
Combination bras that inject encapsulation and compression qualities into their designs are a safe bet for solid and reliable support. Davies recommends a high-compression bra for larger breasts, which helps “prevent back pain and encourage better posture.”
Kitson favors a reliable back clasp bra. “They’re great for those who like the option to adjust the fit of their sports bra,” she says. According to Kitson, it offers a tailored fit for those between sizes or with a larger bust.
Wider adjustable shoulder straps also help create a tailored fit and help to secure your bra. “The option of removable pads is also nice for different cup sizes,” Kitson adds.
How often should you replace your sports bras?
It comes down to personal preference, but the type of bra you wear, your exercise preferences, and how often you work out will all affect the longevity of your sports bra.
Rotating your bras is a clever way of extending their lifeline, but if you exercise every day, you’ll need to replace them more often.
Signs of wear and tear or a loss in elasticity indicate that your bra needs replacing. If your bra was once snug and supportive but now allows excess movement, then you need to get a new one because it's not giving enough support. Some adjustable bras may last slightly longer because you can tighten them, but do check your cups for loss of shape, as this also means it’s time to reinvest.
Throughout your life, your body will go through natural periods of change, including hormonal shifts and weight fluctuations, so make sure you regularly update your bra as and when you need to. If unsure, many outlets will measure for you and recommend a bra specific to the brand you’re shopping for.
