We Tested Close to 25 Sports Bras — Here Are the 10 We Recommend

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Here are the 10 sports bras we loved the most.

Key Specs

When it comes to playing a high-impact sport like soccer, you’re going to want a bra that can hold everything in comfortably — and that’s exactly what the Lululemon Enlite Front-Zip Bra does. This sports bra has high support and is available in a range of sizes, from A to DDD (otherwise known as E).

“The bra didn’t dig in, rub, or chafe my very sensitive skin, even during a 9-mile run,” our tester explained. “No jostling or flopping.” The zippered front also makes the bra easy to get on and off, and an extra bit of fabric on the inside of the zipper protects your skin from any rubbing, pinching, or chafing from the closure.

We also appreciated that the bra is seam-free, with two-and-a-half-fingers-width straps that didn’t dig into our tester’s skin or shoulders. However, since this sports bra has seamless straps, it means the length of them cannot be adjusted (which is worth noting). The straps come straight down the back, and then cross in an X. Our tester stated that this X design made her feel especially held in during workouts.

Admittedly, this is the priciest sports bra on our list ($108). We think it’s worth the splurge because of its quality construction, high-support fit, and vast size range.

Key Specs

If you’re looking for the perfect bra for cycling (or other medium-impact sports like boxing and weight training), we recommend the Under Armour SmartForm Evolution. With an overall compression style and two built-in pads, it combines the best features of encapsulation and compression sports bras into one. For context, an encapsulation sports bra traditionally has built-in cups, and a compression sports bra compresses your breasts to keep them in place.

This sports bra is available in seven different neutral skin-tone colors and sizes XS through XXL. Straps are thicker in the front and thinner in the back, and we like that the thicker straps add a feeling of security while still being adjustable. Plus, the cutout in the back of the sports bra isn’t just a cute touch — it also creates ventilation.

One thing to keep in mind if you have sensitive skin: A seam on this bra gave one of our testers some irritation near the band area. She only noticed it while running, and it did not leave a mark after the sports bra came off.

“This bra fits me really well,” another tester, Olivia, shared. “I am so pleased to have a size medium band with cups big enough to fit my breasts.”

Key Specs

Yoga and Pilates are considered low-impact activities, which means the bra you wear doesn’t need to provide you with as much breast support. That’s where a low-impact bra comes in, and our pick is the Alo Airlift Intrigue. “This bra provided enough support for brisk walking, low-impact Pilates, stretching, and mobility work,” our tester explains.

Just bear in mind that this bra is not available in as many sizes as some of the other options on our list — and it really is a low-impact bra. In other words, don’t try running in it, even if you do have small breasts.

That said, we loved the look of this one. It has thin, cami-style straps, a low scoop neck, and cross-back adjustable straps. A small keyhole also adds needed ventilation, though some of our testers reported that the material doesn’t do the best job of wicking away sweat. Best of all: All of our testers noted the bra is easy to get on and off, which we count as a big plus. Who likes to struggle to take off a bra after a long day?

Key Specs

It can be a pain finding a bra for larger cup sizes, which is why we appreciate the SHEFIT Ultimate Sports Bra. Available in sizes XXS to 6Luxe (the brand’s equivalent to 6XL), this sports bra provides ample support for a wide range of sizes.

This bra has two-way stretch fabric to minimize bounce, and the encapsulation style keeps each breast in its place. It zips down the front (the zippers have covers to prevent chafing) and has two removable pads. Both the straps and the band are adjustable, and the straps can be worn two different ways: cross-back or straight down. The wire-free construction is another perk.

That said, if you’re smaller-chested, bear in mind that one of our testers with smaller breasts complained that this bra felt like overkill. And the two-way stretch material that helps keep larger breasts from bouncing during a workout can feel a bit stiff for people who don’t need as much support.

If you do have larger breasts, there’s a good chance this is the bra for you. “This sports bra has adjustable back and shoulder straps with firm support for no bounce and easy adjustment,” our expert Dora Lau explains. We’re sold.

Key Specs

If you have A, B, and even C cups, try the $35 Nike Swoosh Sports Bra. I’ve personally been wearing this bra since I was in 9th grade. I’ve ran, played soccer, and jumped in this style and found it offered enough support for my 32C bust (I wear a medium).

The Nike Swoosh Sports Bra is a racerback style with a thick band that sits underneath your breasts. Although Nike does make a different version of this sports bra with built-in pads, this one relies fully on compression to keep your breasts in place.

That said, this bra is not adjustable and won’t be for you if you don’t like a one-piece bra. We wouldn’t recommend this style for folks with larger breasts, even though it does go up to 2XL sizes, as the average compression likely wouldn’t offer enough support for high-impact activities.

I reach for this sports bra frequently because of the sweat-wicking material that keeps me from feeling like I just jumped in a lake after a tough workout. And I’ve recently become even more of a fan since Nike has made some sustainability updates: The company now uses 75-percent recycled polyester fibers in the sports bra’s construction.

I wasn’t alone in liking this bra, either. “There’s nothing fancy about this bra, but it’s a classic and probably one of the ones I lean on the most,” one of our other testers, Kelly, shared.

Key Specs

We love Target. And we especially love its All In Motion Seamless Sports Bra — which is also the most affordable sports bra on our list.

This bra is made of nylon, recycled polyester, and spandex, which gives it a soft, stretchy feel. The thin straps are adjustable, and the back is a traditional racerback style. Our tester, Sabrina, reported that it is easy to slip on and off and is comfortable for all-day wear or a workout.

This bra offers a medium level of support, so if you have larger breasts and are planning to do lots of jumping and running, it may not be right for you. Additionally, our tester complained about the plastic straps making some squeaking noises while she moved. However, for low-impact activities or smaller breasts, we think it’s a great option.

“I’m a smaller cup (B size), so this bra provides enough support for me, even when doing a tempo run or faster intervals, and I don’t notice a lot of jostling or bouncing,” reported tester Sabrina.

Key Specs

If you’re looking for a sports bra that can go from a comfy day at home to a battle on the pickleball court in one fell swoop, check out the Nike Indy Plunge Cutout Bra. Because this doesn’t compress your breasts too much, it’s a great choice for daily wear.

“Overall, this was one of my favorite fits because it was comfortable to wear everywhere from the gym to running errands,” product tester Kathryn explained.

However, one of our testers did not think it was an ideal choice for running, saying she noticed some irritation around the band area after a few miles.

The pads are removable and the straps are adjustable, which is ideal for those who prefer to customize their fit. Adjustable straps are especially important for those who have a particularly long or short distance from their shoulders to the top of their breasts.

Key Specs

For running, you’ll want to ensure you pick a bra that provides enough support while also being really comfortable. After all, who wants to wear a sports bra that makes your underarms chafe during a five-miler? Not me.

The Lululemon Energy Bra is a great choice for folks with an A, B, or C cup size heading out on almost any length of run. Note that if you’re above a size 14, this bra doesn’t come in anything larger than the equivalent to an XL (although our testers did report that this bra runs true to size).

However, our testers said the bra fit snugly and offered adequate support without being too tight. Additionally, it was easy to slip on and off, even when it was damp from sweat. The combo of Lycra and Luxtreme fabric also makes for a comfortable fit.

“Long runs are always the big test, and I really liked it on the long runs,” tester Ilyce explains. “Super supportive.”

Key Specs

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of a soaked sports bra after a tough gym session — and not in a good way. If you want to avoid feeling like a drowned rat after a workout, we recommend the Brooks Crossback 2.0 Sports Bra.

“The material felt great, and it was easy to wear,” our tester Kathryn explains. “It felt like it was pulling sweat away from my body.” The combo of nylon and spandex (coupled with ventilation holes at the front) make for a powerful sweat-wicking combo. And our testers reported that, even after lots of activity, the bra didn’t make them chafe, which is a testament to the material and design.

It is worth noting that this crossback sports bra does not have adjustable straps. This will likely only be an issue for you if you traditionally have to adjust your bras. We also found in testing that the internal pads weren’t very sturdy. That said, overall our testers felt that the bra offered plenty of support, with compression elements and individual cups. Paired with its sweat-wicking prowess, that was enough to make our list.

Key Specs

If you’re looking for a bra to take with you on a hiking trip, the On Performance Bra will give you adequate support while still helping you remain comfy and focused. “When I took a five-day trip and was trying to pack light, this was the only sports bra I took — which I wore through running, hiking, and yoga,” one of our testers said.

In testing, we all loved the recycled polyamide fabric, which we felt was soft yet lightweight. Additionally, we loved that the thick straps don’t dig into our shoulders or create chafing. Although the straps are comfortable to wear, they are not adjustable. This can be problematic if you’re on the shorter side, as one of our testers reported that the sports bra was a bit too long for her due to the straps.

One of our testers has a larger chest (34DDD), and she reported that the neckline of the bra is high enough to prevent spillage. This is great news if you are larger-chested and wear straight sizes. Unfortunately, this bra is not available in extended sizing.

However, tester Olivia was sold on this sports bra, saying, “I didn’t think about this bra at all while I was working out — the best!”

For the better part of four years, I’ve been testing, reviewing, and writing about the products we need and want (walking shoes, cold plunge tubs, pillows, and more). I’m also a former NCAA D1 women’s college soccer player who holds her CrossFit coaching license (CF-L1) — so I’ve worn plenty of sports bras in my day.

In addition to testing some of the bras on this list myself, I also worked with four other people to test more than 20 popular sports bras on the market today. We evaluated each bra based on how well it fit, fabric quality, durability, breathability, washability, and support level. We then compared notes before landing on these 10 favorites.

When shopping for a sports bra, we recommend taking a few things into consideration, including:

Sports bras are designed one of two ways: with compression or encapsulation. Compression sports bras are traditionally one piece and use the tightness level to hold your breasts in place. Encapsulated sports bras have a separate place for each breast (and usually removeable or sewn-in cups). Some sports bras can even have elements of each (for instance, removable cups and a compression-like fit that holds your breasts in place).

Some folks prefer one fit to another, but there is no hard and fast rule about who should wear what. However, people with larger breasts tend to want more support, which means encapsulation is usually the best pick. And for folks with smaller breasts, compression sports bras usually offer all the support they need.

Sports bras can have a variety of different strap types. You’ll see sports bras with adjustable straps (which is ideal for folks who are particularly tall or short) and options that are seamless, sans adjustability.

It’s also worth noting if you prefer straps to be convertible or not. Some of the sports bras on this list can be worn multiple ways (like cross-back or traditional).

“If they have multiposition options like crossover adjustability, that’s even better for versatility,” Lau explains.

Most people don’t know specific materials that they’d like their clothing to be (sports bras included), but they do know they want to feel comfortable. We recommend choosing sports bras with sweat-wicking material that feels comfortable and not scratchy.

“Look for breathability, moisture-wicking, and cooling fabrics, especially in the bra cradle and underbust areas,” Lau explains.

Some sports bras (like those on this list made by Nike) even make options using recyclable materials. If being earth-friendly is a big buying factor for you, keep your eyes peeled for options made of recyclable polyester.

Most of the time you won’t know about a sports bra’s fit until you try it on for yourself. However, using other people’s reviews (like ours) can help you make a solid guess as to what might fit you properly.

Wondering how a sports bra should fit you? According to Lau, “The bra should fit snugly but still be comfortable, with a high enough neckline to contain the bust.”

Additionally, it is worth taking a look at the size options available. If you have a particularly large or small bust, this may be more of a concern for you. Some brands size their sports bras in traditional XS to XL sizing, while others may use actual bra sizes. For those that use XS to XL, be sure to read sizing guides before you purchase online.

Just like you might purchase unique types of regular bras (strapless, nude, lacy) for different occasions, you’ll also likely want different sports bras for different activities. If you’re someone who does a lot of low-impact workouts like yoga and Pilates, you may not need to choose a super-supportive sports bra. But if you’re looking for something that can stand up to CrossFit and running, you’ll need to be particularly mindful of the sports bra’s support level.

Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.

Caroline is currently the senior shopping editor for Family Handyman, where she manages all commerce editorial content. Prior to her current role, Caroline was a fitness writer for Garage Gym Reviews, and spearheaded cardio content. She has been published in Reader’s Digest, Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Family Handyman, Active, Garage Gym Reviews, and Yahoo, among other outlets.

Caroline is a former NCAA D1 women’s college soccer player who also played in the WPSL. She holds a CrossFit Level 1 certificate (CF-L1).

When she isn’t writing, you can find Caroline watching true crime or playing with her dogs. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Scott Haak, PT, DPT, has been a member of the Mayo Clinic staff since 2000. Dr. Haak serves as faculty for the Sports Medicine Fellowship program at Mayo Clinic Florida. He is certified by the NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) as a CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist), is a Certified USA Weightlifting Coach and Certified USA Football Coach, and possesses a MTC (Manual Therapy Certification) from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.

Haak is an exercise enthusiast and enjoys running, weightlifting, and sports performance training. He is the president and director of coaching of a youth tackle football organization, JDL Providence Football, and currently coaches high school football and weight lifting.