The Right Sports Bra Can Make Running Easier and Less Painful—Here Are the Best Ones

December 16, 2024

the-right-sports-bra-can-make-running-easier-and-less-painful—here-are-the-best-ones
Fitness Shopping
16 min reading time

We love a soft, strappy bralette when we’re lounging at home—but certainly not when we’re hitting the pavement. For high-impact workouts, only the best running sports bras will do. And by that, we mean supportive, sweat-wicking bras that won’t let you down (literally) when you pick up the pace.

We’ve tested tons of sports bras over the years—as part of SELF’s annual Activewear Awards and in our own lives as runners and movement-lovers—so it’s safe to say we have some opinions on the matter. Here, we’ve highlighted our absolute favorite sports bras for runs, cardio, and other high-intensity activities. We also checked in with experts about what makes a bra better for these types of workouts to help you shop smarter.

Our top picks

FAQs about shopping for running sports bras

Why is it important to wear a supportive sports bra during high-impact activities?

Besides feeling comfortable (and avoiding a black eye), there are quite a few expert-backed reasons to wear supportive bras during runs and other high-impact workouts.

For one thing, your form changes if your chest isn’t well-supported, Lindsay Nunamacher, PT, DPT, a physical therapist at Hartford HealthCare, tells SELF. Running and jumping can cause your breasts to swing from side to side or bounce up and down. If you aren’t wearing anything that can help distribute the weight of your chest and reduce this movement, you’re more likely to change how you work out. Your pace might slow, your strides might shorten, or your posture might tip forward. “These mechanical changes can negatively affect [your] performance,” Dr. Nunamacher says.

Wearing bras that lack support may also lead to back and neck pain, Dr. Nunamacher says. Too much breast movement strains the rest of your upper body, which can cause your muscles to feel tired and sore more easily. Over time, your back may round and your head and neck may shift forward to compensate for that discomfort, she says. And slouching isn’t just bad for these areas—as SELF has previously reported, it can create aches throughout your entire body.

So for your short- and long-term comfort, it’s worth your while to spend some extra time browsing bras: “A good sports bra allows you to focus on your workout and continue your journey towards your own fitness and health goals without distraction,” Dr. Nunamacher says.

You probably already have some preferences when it comes to sports bras—maybe you like a zip-front closure or a racerback. In addition to those personal must-haves, below are a few other features you should keep in mind as you shop.

  1. Fit: Your bra should suit your measurements and cup size while providing some compression, NASM-certified Peloton Tread instructor Marcel Dinkins, CSCS, tells SELF. That’ll help hold your breasts in and limit their motion (but you should still be able to move and breathe comfortably). She adds that those with larger busts—think DD cups and above—should look for encapsulation bras that have built-in, structured cups for a better fit.
  2. Fabric: Running bras should be built for sweat. Look for moisture-wicking, quick-drying materials like mesh and nylon, as well as breathable inserts or panels. Your bra should also feel smooth and comfortable when you’re working out (read: it shouldn’t chafe or rub against your skin). Seamless or flat-seamed designs are less likely to cause irritation, Dr. Nunamacher says.
  3. Straps: The right shoulder straps will help distribute the weight of your breasts. They should be wide, adjustable, and, for bonus points, padded. Skip skinny or trendy strap configurations like halters or one-shoulder necklines, Hayley Akradi, CPT, classes operations manager and national ultra fit program lead at Life Time, tells SELF. They’re cute for low-impact workouts, but they won’t offer the support you need during runs—and, Dr. Nunamacher points out that they can dig into and pull on your shoulders, neck, and traps (ouch).
  4. Coverage: Some extra coverage can help you feel more secure as you run. Dinkins recommends looking for higher-cut necklines and avoiding scoop neck sports bras.
  5. Band: Think of the band as the foundation of your bra’s support system: You want it to be sturdy and snug. Akradi looks for bras with bands that fit right under her bust, and Dinkins prioritizes thicker, wider bands—ideally, your bra will check all of these boxes.

Is it okay to wear a sports bra all day?

Wearing a sports bra all day long is fine, as long as you feel comfortable. If the band is too tight and you feel restricted, take it off and keep searching for a better fitting bra. If you notice your bra is messing with your posture, restricting your normal breathing, or causing any skin irritation or breakouts, that’s also a sign to try a different style (or none at all) and see how you feel.

How tight should a running sports bra be?

A running sports bra should fit snugly, but it shouldn’t be so tight that you feel like it’s hard to breathe, and the straps shouldn’t cause pain and discomfort by digging into your shoulders. A general rule of thumb: You should be able to fit two fingers under your straps. If the fabric around the cups is wrinkled, that’s a sign the bra is too big or doesn’t fit properly. Your sports bra should make you feel supported but comfortable, both when you are and aren’t running.

Shop the best sports bras for running

Whether you’re a daily jogger or a budding marathoner, you deserve a good support system. Check out our picks below to find the right sports bra for you.

Best Overall: SheFit Ultimate Sports Bra

SheFit

Ultimate Sports Bra

Pros

  • Highly adjustable
  • Durable
  • Available in cute colors

Cons

  • Next to none—practically perfect

Talk about staying power—SheFit’s viral Ultimate Sports Bra has won multiple SELF Activewear Awards, including last year’s Reader’s Choice Award. “This is the first and only bra that actually holds me together while still being comfortable,” one reader told us. “It’s the perfect merger of real support and style, and keeps my 38Fs from hitting me in the face during a full marathon.” Another reader said that after this bra entered their life, they no longer had to layer sports bras to keep their chest bounce-free while refereeing soccer games.

The wide band and padded straps are adjustable, up to 15 and 8 inches, respectively (one reader noted that their SheFit bra fits perfectly, even though they have a larger bust and a smaller rib cage). Its front zip closure adds further security, and the convertible straps can be worn as an X- or H-back. In a world where it’s still perplexingly hard to find a bra that fits, SheFit and its many customizable details meets you right where you are.

Sizes: XS to 6Luxe (fits up to a 52- to 55-inch bust and a 38.5- to 49.5-inch rib cage) | Material: Nylon, spandex, polyester

Runner-Up: ThirdLove Kinetic Sports Bra

ThirdLove

Kinetic Sports Bra

Pros

  • Very comfortable
  • Adjustable, convertible straps
  • Molded cups don’t have any underwire

Cons

  • Normally more expensive than our overall pick

ThirdLove won our 2024 Activewear Award for Best High-Impact Sports Bra because it defied expectations. “It seems like the more high-impact [sports bras] get, the less comfortable they get,” one of our judges said. “The ThirdLove Kinetic adjustable sports bra isn’t that—it’s very supportive without feeling extremely tight and heavy.”

It strikes that balance with the help of a few small, intentional features: Its band offers a bit of adjustability with a hook-and-loop closure, and the convertible straps can also be adjusted. Even better? ThirdLove swaps underwires for molded cups, which lift and separate your breasts without any unpleasant digging.

Sizes: Band sizes 32 to 44, cup sizes A to H | Material: Polyester, spandex

Best Budget: Old Navy High Support PowerSoft Sports Bra

Old Navy

High Support PowerSoft Sports Bra

Pros

  • Under $30
  • Soft, sweat-wicking fabric
  • Adjustable band and straps

Cons

  • Some reviewers say the straps are too short

One SELF staffer swears by Old Navy for affordable, colorful, surprisingly supportive sports bras (she wore one marketed as “medium support” for a half marathon without complaints).

While her personal faves are no longer in stock, you can find similarly budget-friendly, bounce-limiting options available now, like the best-selling High Support PowerSoft Bra. It’s smooth, sweat-wicking, and lightly compressive. Reviewers love it for its ability to keep their breasts still on runs, as well as its super soft feel.

Sizes: 32C to 46D | Material: Polyester, spandex

Best with Pockets: Brooks 3 Pocket Sports Bra

Brooks

3 Pocket Sports Bra

Pros

  • Lots of pockets
  • Good coverage
  • Removable cups

Cons

  • Sizes and colors sell out quickly

“I like this one because it gives me a little more coverage if I want to run shirtless in the summer,” one SELF staffer says, adding that she loves how much storage the Brooks 3 Pocket Sport Bra has. (That’s one mesh pocket on each side and a third between your shoulder blades, while we’re counting.) The larger pocket is perfect for your phone, while the other two can hold your keys, credit card, or (in our staffer’s case) extra gels. Considered a medium support sports bra, this option has a decent amount of compression and comes with removable cups, so you can move freely and securely.

Sizes: Band sizes 30 to 40, cup sizes AB to DDE | Material: Polyester, spandex

Best Sweat-Wicking: Nike Swoosh High Support Non-Padded Adjustable Sports Bra

Nike

Swoosh High Support Non-Padded Adjustable Sports Bra

Pros

  • Moisture-wicking fabric
  • Retains stretch without losing its structure

Cons

  • Straps aren’t adjustable

Another SELF staffer considers Nike’s Swoosh line of sports bras a “classic” for anyone, including those with large breasts. This non-padded, high-support style is ideal for higher-impact workouts. The band has a sleek, extendable closure for a dialed-in fit, while the mesh lining in the front and back of the bra sheds sweat and boosts airflow. In other words, when you up the intensity, this bra keeps moving with you and helps you cool down faster.

Sizes: XS (A to C cups) to 3XL (F to G cups) | Material: Polyester, spandex

Most Versatile: Athleta Interval Bra

Pros

  • Works for many different activities
  • Comfortable pullover racerback style
  • UPF 40+ fabric protects your skin from the sun

Cons

  • Not adjustable

Athleta’s Interval Bra is cherished by reviewers (it has a near perfect rating on the brand’s website) for its supportive feel and well-placed back cutouts. Available in a range of sizes in two different cuts (one designed for A to C cups and one for D-DD cups), this bra is also made from fabric that’s rated UPF 40+, meaning it’ll help protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays when you go for a jog outside.

“I love this bra. I wear it for tennis, walking, rowing, barre. Not too tight and holds everything where it needs to be,” wrote one reviewer. “This is the first sports bra I’ve tried made for a D cup, and the fit is so much better.” It’s designed to be a medium-support bra, so you can wear it comfortably for lots of different types of exercise. But it’s also compressive enough to help you feel contained, if you want to wear it while running.

Sizes: XS to XL (A to C cups), XS to 3XL (D-DD+ cups) | Material: Polyester, elastane

Best for Larger Busts: Knix Catalyst Sports Bra

Pros

  • Extremely supportive and bounce-reducing
  • Wide, comfortable, adjustable band
  • Adjustable straps

Cons

  • May come with a break-in period
  • Limited color options

One SELF staffer exclusively runs in Knix’s Catalyst: “It’s the only sports bra for bigger boobs I’ve tried that keeps bounce to a minimum when running and doesn’t squeeze the shit out of your rib cage and back,” she says. Its wide band (which features five rows of hook-and-loop closures) is snug, smooth, and doesn’t dig or cause any back bulges, she adds. The straps are adjustable, the cups are built in for a smoother silhouette, and the entire bra was found to drastically reduce motion in a 2018 treadmill study.

One thing to note: Our staffer says the Catalyst bra may feel a little too snug at first, but she found that it eventually stretched and molded to fit her nicely.

Sizes: Band sizes 28 to 42, cup sizes A to F | Material: Nylon, spandex

Best for Smaller Busts: Lululemon Wundermost Ultra-Soft Nulu Scoop-Neck Bralette

Lululemon

Wundermost Ultra-Soft Nulu Scoop-Neck

Pros

  • Soft and comfy
  • Under $40
  • Four-way stretch

Cons

  • Not supportive enough for people with larger chests

A SELF staffer who “doesn’t need a ton of support” and usually wears a AAA cup size has multiple Wundermost bralettes in different colors—and says she pretty much only wears them on runs. Made with Lululemon’s super-soft, brushed Nulu fabric, this bra has a lightweight feel that won’t distract you when you’re on the move. It’s also made to wick sweat and stretch in four directions. Just bear in mind that this bra isn’t designed to provide a locked-in feel, like many other options on our list are.

Sizes: 2 to 14 (A to D cups) | Material: Nylon, Lycra

Best Longline: Adidas Run Pocket Medium-Support Bra

Adidas

Run Pocket Medium-Support Bra

Pros

  • Versatile length
  • Convenient pockets
  • Removable padding has silicone grippers to keep it in place

Cons

  • Straps aren’t adjustable

This longline sports bra from Adidas is another staffer favorite for its slightly longer length (you can wear it as a standalone workout top, if you so choose), medium level of support, and cleverly placed pockets. They’re located along the bra’s front—so, in the words of one SELF editor, “you can easily stick a gel in there and don’t have to contort yourself to reach it.”

And here’s one more feature that helps ensure consistent coverage: The bra’s padding is removable, but if you decide to keep it, you don’t have to worry about it shifting around in the middle of your run. The padding features little grippy dots to help it stay put (genius).

Sizes: XXS to XXL (A/C to D/DD cups) | Material: Polyester, elastane

More great options

If you’re running, jumping, and breaking a sweat on a regular basis, it can’t hurt to have a few more sports bras handy. Here are some more top-notch options to add to your collection.

Panache Non Wired Sports Bra

Panache

Non Wired Sports Bra

Pros

  • Convertible straps
  • Adjustable band

Cons

  • Straps are on the thinner side

With its wide, adjustable straps and built-in, molded cups, this top-rated sports bra from Panache is made to hold you up and in. Its compression is balanced out by a good amount of stretch—reviewers say it feels sturdy yet flexible, which we’d consider the best of both worlds.

Sizes: Band size 28 to 40, cup size B to J (UK sizes)| Material: Nylon, polyester, elastane

Oiselle Flyout Bra

Pros

  • Wide band and straps
  • Ample coverage, especially across the back
  • Convenient, no-bounce pocket

Cons

  • No adjustability
  • One Oiselle reviewer says the high underarms can cause chafing on long runs

Our director of fitness and food ran her first marathon in this Oiselle bra and came back with great things to say, specifically about the roomy back pocket: “My larger-than-average Android phone fit perfectly and securely in the pocket, and I didn’t feel it jostle. In fact, I didn’t feel it at all.”

Sizes: 2 to 14 | Material: Polyester, Lycra

New Balance NB Sleek Medium Support Sports Bra

New Balance

NB Sleek Medium Support Sports Bra

Pros

  • Comfortable racerback fit
  • Wide band and straps

Cons

  • Not adjustable

One SELF writer is a big fan of New Balance’s sports bras for marathon training. “They’re super soft and I’ve never had chafing issues with them, which is super important during long runs,” she says. “I also find that the padding is high quality, doesn’t fold up in the laundry, and looks really flattering on my small chest.”

While the style she loves is no longer available, this classic racerback is similar. With a thick, wide band and a high neck, it should keep you locked in during any high-impact activities.

Sizes: XS to XL | Material: Polyester, spandex

Vuori Elevation Racer Bra

Pros

  • Super soft material
  • Comfortable racerback fit
  • Great stretch

Cons

  • Not adjustable
  • Band is on the thinner side

“I love all things Vuori; their leggings and sports bras are made of peach-fuzz-soft fabric and somehow stay in place as you move without feeling constructive,” says one SELF writer. This classic sports bra hits all of those marks too, with a higher neckline than most of Vuori’s bras, which makes it a solid pick for running (or really any activity).

“It is SO hard for me to find bras that fit loosely enough to be comfortable and not feel compressed in, but fit enough to contain my breasts in a yoga class that includes lots of going upside down, lying down, twisting, etc. This one is a rare winner!” one Vuori reviewer wrote.

Sizes: XS to XXL | Material: Polyester, elastane

Fabletics On-The-Go Medium Impact Sports Bra

Fabletics

On-The-Go Medium Impact Sports Bra

Pros

  • Easy to get on and off
  • Phone pocket
  • Moisture-wicking

Cons

  • Not adjustable

With a front-zip closure, a large back pocket, and a thick band, this bra was made for running. You’ll never struggle to get it off after a sweaty run, thanks to the front zipper, and there’s fabric between the closure and your skin to prevent chafing. “This is my go-to sports bra when I go running in the summer,” wrote one reviewer. “It’s stylish, comfortable, and has great support. It should be a staple in every runner or gym-goer’s wardrobe.”

Sizes: XXS to 4XL | Material: Nylon, spandex

Champion Motion Control Zip Sports Bra

Champion

Motion Control Zip Sports Bra

Pros

  • Easy to get on and off
  • Adjustable straps
  • Molded cups

Cons

  • No zipper cover
  • Champion reviewers say it runs small

This wirefree bra provides ample coverage, with a high neckline and back to keep you fully supported on every run. The adjustable straps mean you can dial in the fit, the mesh panels keep the air flowing, and the molded cups will be particularly comfy for bigger breast sizes. “This bra definitely keeps the girls in and secured,” wrote one Champion reviewer. Just keep in mind that the zipper doesn’t have a cover at the top, so if you tend to chafe there, you might want to invest in a different style.

Sizes: 34 to 42 band size, B to DD cup | Material: Polyester, spandex, power mesh

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