The 18 Best Running Sports Bras of 2024, According to Runner and Coaches

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Whether you need more support, extra coverage, or slightly less compression, these bras are guaranteed to go the distance.

In This Article

Shape / Kristin Kempa

Even if you’re not chasing PRs or training for half marathons, all runners need the right gear to move through their miles in comfort — and a supportive, comfortable, sweat-wicking sports bra ranks high on the list of essential equipment. But like hunting down the best sneakers for your feet, finding the right sports bra for your running can be quite a journey. "A sports bra’s job is to minimize the up-and-down, side-to-side, and forward-backward motion of soft tissue that results from the ground reaction forces and body movements during each running stride. The goal is a great running workout where you are hardly aware of your breasts (or bra) because your sports bra comfortably snugs your breasts close and minimizes breast motion,” explains LaJean Lawson, Ph.D, a sports bra expert.

To narrow the overcrowded sea of contenders, the Shape team tested a truly wild number of sports bras for more than 12,000 hours and consulted some of the top experts in the field, including some of the country’s best run coaches and professional runners. Our testers and editors took these sports bras for a spin at least twice a week for over a month (and sometimes for years even). The sports bras were worn on everything from speed walks and tough track workouts to recovery jogs and marathon builds. The team then analyzed everything from chafing and bounce to the comfort of the straps and how the bra held up after multiple washes. From options for small chests to sports bras for large breasts, these are the best running sports bras on the market.

Buttery-soft feel

Steel-like support

Designed for B-cups and larger

Size: 32B-42DDD | Pads: Removable | Adjustable: Shoulder straps

The Lululemon Run Times Bra is a dream of a run bra come to life. Ladies with larger busts, you’ll feel super strapped in and supported thanks to the excellent fit and molded cups in this Lululemon sports bra. The buttery-soft, moisture-wicking fabric has Lycra added for extra shape retention, and the adjustable shoulder straps give you the most dialed-in fit (no riding up the back, ever!). This is one bra that’s best used how it's meant: for high-impact activities. If you use it for a walk, fine, but that's like having a Rolls Royce and only driving it around the block.

High-quality and high-performing

Seamless design prevents chafing

Supportive ribcage band

Runs small, so check the brand's size chart before buying

Ideal for chests below DDs

Size: XS-XXL | Pads: Removable | Adjustable: No

Don’t let looks deceive you. There's more than meets the eye with the Gymshark Sweat Seamless Bra. Anything but basic, the sleek woven fabrics combine with resilient design to give you all the compression you need without any restriction when you’re on the move. Particularly perfect for smaller-chested wearers, the thin racerback straps and ribbed ribcage band lock you in while creating plenty of shape and support. It feels like a snug hug, which is basically exactly what we’re looking for in a sports bra, isn’t it?

Voted most likely to be worn by Shape editors

Sweat-wicking

Available in multiple bright colors

Labeled as a yoga bra, those with smaller busts will still benefit while running

Not adjustable

Sizes: 2-14 | Pads: Removable | Adjustable: No

“My go-to sports bra for running my track workouts and interval runs is the Lululemon Energy bra,” says certified running and strength coach Idalis Velazquez. “I get sweaty quickly, and it keeps me dry. I also love the fit and how durable these are.” That’s not surprising, given this sports bra is made with the brand’s Luxtreme fabric–a dream of chafe-resistant, sweat-wicking, breathable delightfulness. Combined with a small hit of added Lycra, this bra gives plenty of slick support and four-way stretch, but more importantly, shape retention. “It comes in different bright colors, so I choose depending on my day and mood," the coach says.

Maintains solid performance at under-$30 price

Full support with minimum compression

Available in sizes XS-3X

Removable pads get twisted in wash

Size: XS-3X | Pads: Removable | Adjustable: No

The sign of a really great running sports bra? You don’t even think about it when you’re wearing it. While some bras designed for smaller chests simply squeeze and compress your boobs to hold them in place, the Running Girl Sports Bra uses distinct cups to hold your breasts in place comfortably. The result? An extremely comfortable bra that delivers full support with minimal compression, barely any bouncing, and absolutely zero discomfort. Bonus? It’s often on sale — meaning this “best under $30” sports bra occasionally becomes a “best under $20” sports bra. This is Velazquez’s go-to budget pick, thanks to the combination of style, fit, and material. “I use it for my 45-minute or under treadmill runs,” she says.

Balanced pressure and compression

Anti-chafing design

Pocket for phone storage

Most comfortable during high-impact activities

Size: XS-XXL | Pads: Removable | Adjustable: No

When you’re increasing the intensity–busting out sprints on the treadmill or tempos on the track–you need a sports bra that can keep up. The thick, rich fabric of the Senita Sarah Sports Bra evenly distributes its compressive support, so you won’t have any issue with it riding up, pinching, or getting tight in the straps. Testers found that it's just as comfortable to wear while lounging around as it is on the run. Oh, and there’s a pocket in the back to store your phone. So clutch.

Sleek and form-fitting

Quick-drying

Breathable

Larger busts may not find this suitable

Size: XS-2XL | Pads: No | Adjustable: No

“I am in love with this sports bra!” says professional runner and 2016 Olympian Emily Infeld. “It’s so comfortable and breathable. It doesn’t feel constricting; it feels like it can move with my rib cage when I’m breathing hard in a workout.” Infeld says the cooling, butter-soft fabric is so comfortable so loves it for casual everyday wear, too. Oh, and if you hate removable cups that slide around and bunch (or fall out) when washed, worry not: The cups are the perfect level of coverage without being bulky. “It doesn’t have removable padding but instead a thicker material that serves as a gentle padding in the front,” says Infeld. “This is nice so the pads don’t get lost but it also feels like great coverage for all body types.”

No pads, no fuss, no rub

Doesn't chafe on balmy runs

Not adjustable

Size: XXS–XXL | Pads: Non-removable | Adjustable: No

Being “simple” gets a bad rap sometimes, but when it comes to sports bras there’s something blissful about a no-fuss fit. And that’s exactly why Kaitlin Goodman, head coach of Running Joyfully, calls them her go-to. “I both train and race in this workhorse sports bra,” she says. “I first started using them back in my pro days when I was an Adidas-sponsored athlete. They are not padded (which I prefer), the band is comfortable, and importantly–they don't chafe.”

Best of all, they last: “I'm still rocking many from 2018-2020!” Goodman says.

No uniboob

Supportive features from front to back

Easy to take off post-run

Front zipper takes some practice securing

Size: 34B-42DD | Pads: Non-removable | Adjustable: Shoulder straps

Shoulder straps and a racer back strap? The unique design of the Champion Motion Control Zip Sports Bra Wirefree gives double the support for larger busts. Combined with a front zipper and innovative molded cups intended to prevent extra movement without a lot of extra pressure, this bra locks your girls in–no digging, jiggling, or spillage, ever.

Adjustable straps

Hook closure that stays secure

Made with a structured bra liner instead of pads

Size: 32B-40DD | Pads: None | Adjustable: Yes

Have you ever found yourself thinking mid-run, “Wow my boobs don't feel like they’re being thrown all over the place”? Well, you will in this. Wear it as a racerback or scoop back by hooking or unhooking the back straps, then find your personalized fit by adjusting the back straps

"Sports bras with hook closures used to scare me — imagine pounding the pavement to have the top burst open. Chills. But this one cured my fears and remains secure on every run I take it, including touch track workouts," says Summer Cartwright, Shape's senior commerce editor. "I noticed some chafing along the shoulder strap on my first go, but then nothing after that, so I put this in the category of sports bras I can trust to not chafe me up."

Made one tester actually excited to run

Built-in pockets for gels, keys

Might feel thin to runners used to removable pads

Size: XS-XL | Pads: None | Adjustable: No

From the moment you put this baby on, you can tell the Tracksmith Allston Bra was made with runners in mind. Simple and streamlined yet designed with so many features distance-runners not only want but need. Two layers of performance Italian fabric deliver a luxuriously soft next-to-skin feel, while keeping you locked and bounce-free no matter how many miles you’re running. Best of all, a hidden pocket in the bra lining makes stashing your keys, card, phone, or fuel a breeze.

Adds no extra stress to tough workouts

Available in sizes XS-3XL

Fits snug but shouldn't suffocate

Size: XS–3XL| Pads: Molded cups | Adjustable: No

When you’re pushing your limit, you need a sports bra that can grow–not stifle–your potential. “Living and training at high altitude has caused my ribcage to grow,” says professional runner and two-time Olympian Aisha Praught-Leer. “I need enough support, but I don’t want my breathing to be restricted in any way. This is my Goldilocks bra. I wear these for my hardest track workouts because I know I will feel good and not be distracted by any discomfort.”

An important bonus for very regular runners: This sports bra is super durable, “lasting at least a wash a week for four years,” says Praught-Leer.

Sweat-wicking fabric goes unmatched

Has a double layer of fabric for coverage

Not adjustable

Size: 2XS-2XL | Pads: No | Adjustable: No

Some non-adjustable sports bras can get loose and floppy over time. Not the Reebok Running Essentials High-Impact Sports Bra. The rib cage band is one of the most comfortable bands the Shape team has ever experienced on a sports bra, keeping you snug without any digging or discomfort. The brand’s Speedwick fabric wicks sweat away from your skin, keeping you cool and dry (and, friction-free!) no matter how drenched you get. What’s more, it holds what needs holding while still being soft and pliable enough to get on and off without an extra workout.

Cozy fit

Adjustable to your liking

Pads are sewn in

Size: 32C-40DD | Pads: Sewn-in molded cups | Adjustable: Shoulder straps

Have you ever found yourself thinking mid-run, “Wow my boobs don't feel like they’re being thrown all over the place”? Well, you will in the Oiselle Queen Bra. Soft spandex stretches to gently hold your girls, while you decide the right level of support in the positioning of the straps: adjustable shoulder straps to give you a precise fit for casual jogs, while the cross-back design creates even less bounce during your highest-intensity efforts.

Supremely comfortable

Quick-drying fabric

Same bra is also available for A-C cups

Only available in XXS-XL

Size: XXS-XL | Pads: Removable | Adjustable: No

It can be hard to find a running sports bra that is both comfortable and supportive. A lot of times, if a sports bra is supportive, it feels like it has too much compression to be comfortable. The satiny, quick-dry fabric of the Athleta Ultimate Zip Front Bra stays soft against your skin and the front zipper makes it a breeze to take off. But don’t be surprised if you’re not quick to unzip: This bra was so comfortable that we caught ourselves wearing it around the house — not just on the run.

Lifts and separates

Very supportive

You'll likely have some cleavage in this silhouette

Size: 32-38 B-DDD, 32-36 G | Pads: Foam pads | Adjustable: Shoulder straps

A common complaint we hear about sports bras amongst busty runners? In an effort to be supportive, they just push your breasts down rather than lifting and separating them–translating into a suffocating fit and feel. The underwire in the Natori Dynamic Convertible Contour Sports Bra makes your breasts feel lifted, separated, and secure. There’s no popping out of the top, side, or bottom, and the underwire helps create an even distribution of weight, resulting in zero shoulder and back pain.

Comfortable for any workout

Super breathable

Still have to take it off over head despite the hook and clasp in the back

Size: XS-4X | Pads: Molded cups | Adjustable: Shoulder straps

We’ll admit, we can be something of running sports bra snobs around here, so this affordable pick surprised us. With adjustable shoulder straps and back band, it didn't take us long to find the best possible fit. Better yet, there was no gapping anywhere–the lightweight fabric laid flat against our skin (no weird bulging around the straps)–and we never experienced anything close to chafing. And while the All in Motion High Support Embossed Racerback Run Sports Bra shines during everyday runs, we found ourselves turning to it regularly for our non-running activities too.

"I tested this sports bra and yes, I wore it for several runs — but I also wore it for boxing, tennis, strength training, and yoga," says Kristen Geil, NASM-certified personal trainer. "To be honest, my expectations for a Target sports bra were pretty low, but I was blown away by this one’s versatility and how often I found myself reaching for it!”

Buttery soft

Moisture-wicking

Fits like a second skin

Foam-like padding held onto odor a bit more than we’d like

Size: 30-40 AB-DDE | Pads: Molded cups | Adjustable: No

The bra has molded cups for the breasts, and a thin layer of foam-like padding in the cups that is built into the fabric of the bra, which worked out great. Laser-cut construction and minimal seaming give the Brooks Dare Crossback Run Bra 2.0 the most comfortable fit, especially in hot and humid weather. In spite of there being no back closure, the soft fabric was still easy to remove even after our sweatiest runs. And while we were skeptical at first, the molded cups with their thin, foam-like padding have held their shape with no signs of wear after months of testing and washing.

"Having DDs and training for marathons doesn't go hand in hand. I'm prone to chafing everywhere, from under my boobs to above them, but somehow when this molded-cup bra is on, the chafing is minimal," says Cartwright. "It fits on super tight but holds everything in and after a while starts to feel like a second skin. Also, it fits great under t-shirts and doesn't cause uniboob."

Super low-maintenance

Comfortable before and after labor

Bottom band isn't form-fitting

Size: XS-XL | Pads: Sewn in | Adjustable: Shoulder straps

A dream for active moms. The longline Ingrid and Isabel Seamless Nursing Sports Bra is made of a stretchy and pliable ribbed fabric that gives plenty of compression, yet not so much that it causes painful pressure. Adjustable shoulder straps help you dial in your fit, and front hooks make feeding a breeze. Oh and since you have enough to deal with that little baby of yours, don’t add “search for missing sports bra pads in the wash” to your list; these ones are sewn in so they stay perfectly in place.

“A sports bra’s job is to minimize the up-and-down, side-to-side, and forward-backward motion of soft tissue that results from the ground reaction forces and body movements during each running stride,” says Lawson. A sports bra that comfortably snugs your breasts and minimizes breast motion should be the goal. “The goal is a great running workout where you are hardly aware of your breasts (or bra) because of your sports bra.”

Of course, you can run without a sports bra. But whether you want to depends on several considerations, says Lawson. “If you are larger than a AA or A cup in breast volume, you will probably want a sports bra to keep breasts securely anchored to your chest and pain-free,” she says. A sports bra will also help prevent painful friction and rubbing against your nipple, as well as permanent stretching of the breast skin.

Professional runners wear a wide range of sports bra brands, styles, and sizes. This largely depends on unique and individual factors such as their body size, breast size, comfort preferences, and even their sponsor.

An active bra is often a synonym used to describe a type of sports bra that typically has less support or structure than most sports bras. Active bras tend to be best for low-intensity activities such as walking or yoga, or for women with very small breasts.

Wearing a well-fitted sports bra is the simplest way to secure your breasts while running. Finding the proper amount of support that you need starts with your cup size (or breast volume). “Larger breasts are heavier, move more, and are more acted upon by forces coming up through your body each time your foot hits the ground,” says Lawson. “Larger cup sizes generally need sturdier materials, more coverage at the front neckline, as well as adjustability in straps to keep your bra more firmly in place during each running stride.”

As a health and fitness editor who has been regularly testing all categories of activewear since 2009, Jen Ator has nearly 15 years of practically living in spandex and sports bras. A four-time marathoner and Ironman finisher, she personally knows what to look for in terms of comfort, support, and fit over the course of many miles, and has worked with women of all sizes to help them find the best sports bra for their needs. For this piece, Jen worked closely with the testing team to gain insights from our real-world test and spoke with Lawson to determine our winners for best running sports bras across various categories.