The Very Best Sports Bras

Size range

Coverage and fit

Cup and closure style

Size range:XXS–6XL| Coverage:Medium| Cup and closure:Compression with built-in support band, no pads, pull-on

I regularly wearGirlfriend Collective’s Paloma bra with the (unusually size-inclusive) brand’s matchingyoga pantsand love how minimal it looks — the cut is similar to many tank tops I own, except the bra is obviously much more compressive and supportive. There are no roaming cups to contend with, and I like that the thick elastic chest band is lined with a soft fabric that provides comfort while also helping it stay in place. Denton-Hurst owns no less than five of these and says the compression fabric (made from recycled water bottles) and racer-back design make them suitable for just about any activity. Lauren Roxborough, former head of marketing for hot-yoga studio Y7, is also a fan and says the bra is her favorite for an active, sweaty class. Natalie Holloway, co-founder of Bala (maker of our favoritewrist weights), likewise relies on hers for intense workouts and lifts weights in them, too. “They are not restrictive in your movement and show no-to-little sweat, especially when you wear the black,” she says. If black is too boring for you, there are bright seasonal colors to choose from. And the bra is so comfortable that you’ll probably end up wearing it all the time. Brodie Lancaster, a longtime remote worker, wears it forWFH, saying it stays put, is structural, and supports her chest without becoming uncomfortable. “If anything,” she says, “it encourages me to sit up straighter, for which my osteopath is grateful.”

Size range:XS–4X| Coverage:Medium| Cup and closure:Compression with built-in support band, no pads, pull-on

Denton-Hurst also owns a half-dozen sports bras from Old Navy’sultra-affordable PowerSoft line. She says they’re made from a comfortable blend of polyester and spandex that’s “thin but not slippery.” This medium-support design is almost identical to Girlfriend Collective’s Paloma bra above, to the extent that Denton-Hurst will often swap between the two brands without noticing which is which. “The fabric is definitely a touch thinner than Girlfriend Collective’s,” she adds, “but there isn’t a massive difference in quality and durability.”

Size range:XXS-4X| Coverage: Low |Bra style:Compression with removable pads, pull-on

“I wear this mostly because it’s sexy,” says writer and model Kendra Austin of the Beyond Yoga Lift Your Spirits Bra. For Austin, who has a larger bust, it’s her go-to for lower-intensity exercises like walking, yoga, and Pilates. It also works well for smaller busts (and offers a smidge more support). Although Beyond Yoga rates this as having medium support, it’s specifically designed for yoga, and while it might be supportive enough for a medium-intensity flow, it probably isn’t ideal for a bouncier activity like running or trampolining. It’s also a good option for a range of bodies, going up to a size 4X or 30-32. Currently, there are nine shades to choose from — five core neutral shades — and four limited-edition seasonal colorways. One thing to note: Some of the seasonal shades are available in a smaller size range and only go up to an XL (14-16).

Size range:Cup sizes AB–DDE| Coverage:High| Bra style:Compression with mesh racerback, pull-on

If your idea of the perfect sports bra is one that you’ll immediately forget you’re wearing, this Brooks racer-back is a solid choice. It’s more supportive than an everyday bra yet lacks the intense compression of the Lululemon style below. It’s one-piece and seamless, so you can just slip it on over your head. Writer and outdoor-gear tester Maggie Slepian was so confident in this bra that shewore it for 23 days straightwhile hiking the 485-mile Colorado Trail, and it performed admirably. “The racer-back style narrows enough through the back and shoulders for a full range of motion, which was necessary, since I was doing the same repetitive motion for 12 hours per day,” she explains. When she’s not thru-hiking, it’s also her go-to sports bra forcyclingandrunning.

Size range:Cup sizes B–DDD| Coverage:High| Cup and closure:Hybrid with adjustable cross-back straps, hook-and-eye closure

Lululemon is another brand we regularly recommend here at the Strategist. We’ve sorted through dozens of its sports bras (andother stretchy offerings), but this one is ideal for high-impact activities because of its molded foam cups, which add shape and separation to eliminate any jiggle-jiggle. One of our team’s most dedicated runners, Strategist newsletter editor Ashley Wolfgang, has been happilywearing hers for more than five years.This bra is also liked by Dominique Coleman, another Spiked Spin team member, and Alexa Javens, a fitness manager and coach at the Williamsburg workout studio Session. “It’s great for all activities but especially training and running,” Javens says. As someone who wears a C or D cup, she feels more supported in a bra for high-impact sports and says that even though this one has a hybrid design, it’s still comfortable. It’s made from quick-drying fabric, and “most Lululemon bras are already pretty sweat-wicking,” she adds, though she still sticks to black or navy to avoid showing any sweat stains.

Size range:Cup sizes B–J| Coverage:Medium| Cup and closure:Encapsulation with three-row hook-and-eye closure

Adada told me that Panache’s sports bras offer “exceptional support for larger cup sizes.” Its sports bras come in 28- to 40-inch bands and C-to-J cups. Kasvikis, who is also a fan of the brand, says this sizing is more helpful than mono-size bras when you’re trying to find the right fit. “S, M, and L are sizes that may be too broad and too ambiguous to fit both your cup and band well,” she says. “You’re going to need the cup and the band to fit well to feel comfy in a sports bra.” This Panache bra is designed to encapsulate instead of compress, which means there are individual cups for each breast to fill instead of being squashed down; Kasvikis, who wears size 32GG, says that works well for larger chests. “It’s great because you still have two boobs under a shirt,” she says. The straps are padded, and thanks to the uniquely curved stitching, the bra has enough lift to give a great shape without wires.

Size range:XS–6Luxe (cup sizes A–I) |Coverage: High |Cup and closure: Encapsulation with removable pads and adjustable straps, front zipper

Personal trainersKiana Jonesand Nicole Davis ofGarage Gym Reviewsrecommend this bra from SheFit for intense workouts with larger busts.“Your boobs will literally not move,” Jones says. “It’s crazy.” Crafted from two-way stretch fabric that reduces bounce, it has seamed cups to keep the breast shape natural-looking under clothes and adjustable straps to customize how high and tight the bra sits. This bra is “ideal for people who want more adjustability and structure, and is especially helpful for larger busts or postpartum bodies,” says Jones. The brand offers a fairly inclusive size range (up to a size 1), with the biggest a 6Luxe (which translates roughly to a size 26/28).

Size range:XXS–XXL |Coverage:Low |Cup and closure:Compression with removable pads, pull-on

Smaller busts don’t need as much support, so it isn’t necessary to go for something with super-sculpted cups or restrictive straps. This one from Nike offers “light support,” but according to personal trainerTamara Pridgett, who has a small bust, it’s more than enough. “I can wear this when sprinting, hurdling, jumping, and lifting without any issues,” she says. She also likes that it’s comfortable and easy to take on and off. “And the cups don’t get frumpy,” she notes. It comes in a range of colors (new ones are added occasionally), is made from up to 50 percent recycled polyester, and fits up to a 2X.

Size range:XXS–XXL| Coverage: Low |Bra style:Compression, no pads, pull-on

Made from the same matte, cottony Spacedye fabric as the Beyond Yoga Lift Your Spirits style above, this sports bra is my personal favorite for all kinds of workouts, from YouTubeyogato running to hut-to-hut alpine trekking. I first started wearing it because I prefer sports bras that don’tlooksporty, and this one is essentially just a tube of soft and stretchy fabric held taut by discreet racerback straps. There is no roaming padding to contend with, and the tube shape gives higher coverage than a traditional V-necked bra, which makes me feel more comfortable wearing it in public without a T-shirt over the top. I have been washing and wearing mine for more than a year and it remains as comfortable and compressive as ever. The straps never cut into my shoulders, even when I wear it for multiple days of hiking in a row. And the level of support is impressive, especially considering this bra is theoretically just designed for yoga and Pilates. I’m a C cup and will happily wear it when running and cycling.

Size range:XS–XL| Coverage: Medium |Bra style:Compression, pull-on

Most sports bras with unusual and elegant strap details are made to be worn at fancy yoga studios and are really only suitable for low-impact exercise. This asymmetrical Athleta bra is different, being designed specifically for high-impact exercise. “It’s cute and strappy while still providing good coverage and support,” says Davis, who says the brand is her go-to for strength training and light cardio.It’s high-compression, with a nonadjustable fit that’s best for A to C cups (though D–DD+ cups are available too). And the bright cornflower-blue colorway is particularly striking.

Size range:XS-XL| Coverage: Medium |Cup and closure:Compression, pull-on

I am a huge advocate ofmerino-wool base layersfor cold-weather hiking, and Icebreaker makes some of the best out there. So it stands to reason the brand’s merino sports bra comesrecommended by the cold-weather runnerswe interviewed about how they exercise in all seasons. I tried this bra for myself and was relieved to discover it wasn’t itchy, despite my fears that wearing wool so close to the skin might cause irritation. It has a unique slinky texture that’s almost cozy, though it is plenty breathable. As with base layers, the wool will keep you warm even when wet. And merino is naturally anti-microbial, so you can feel free to work up a sweat while wearing this — I’d especially recommend if for travel because you don’t have to wash it as often as other sports bras.