The last thing you want to be thinking about during a hard workout is your sports bra. But far too often, that's exactly what ends up happening.
Things like poor design and fit can completely derail your workout, leaving you feeling uncomfortable, unsupported and chafed. With a good one, on the other hand, you can take your workout to the next level.
That's why I, along with two other staffers — associate editor Sierra Hoeger and social editorial assistant Annie Shigo — spent the last month trying seven popular sports bras, wearing them for everything from walks and strength sessions to marathon training runs to determine our favorites for a range of activities.
We also consulted experts on how to get the right fit, but most importantly, how a sports bra should actually feel.
What to look for in a sports bra
According to Laura Tempesta, the founder of Bravolution, the right bra should feel "100% distraction-free," meaning you shouldn't have to adjust it or think about it as you move around.
You also want to consider the activity you'll be using it for; you don't need the same kind of bra for pilates as you do for a HIIT class. “Although you could wear a high-impact bra to a yoga class, you’d probably find it uncomfortable and restrictive,” Tempesta says. “You could also wear a low-impact bra for running, but the risk of breast pain greatly increases.” She shares that a high-impact bra "compresses the breasts against the body, limiting movement" and helping to prevent pain, whereas a lower impact option likely will not.
However, Carrie Schechter, owner of the Brooklyn-based boxing gym Jukebox, notes that those who wear a D-cup or above should always opt for a high- or medium-impact bra.
Low-impact sports bras tend to be designed for comfort, Tempesta says, while high-impact bras are designed for performance. "One noticeable difference [between the two] is the amount of stretch in the garment," she shares. "The more the bra stretches, the more the breasts will move. Hence, (well-designed) high-impact sports bras have less stretch than low-impact sports bras. High-impact bras will also have design features that reduce stretch (wider straps, stiff foam cups, a lot of fabric coverage, etc.)."
For the fit, you want to ensure that you can fit two fingers underneath both the straps and the bottom band, allowing for enough room to move around comfortably, Schechter says. You also want to make sure that the band is sitting on your ribcage and not the bottom of your breasts.
Here, we're sharing our favorite sports bras that we tried.
The best sports bras, according to our editors
Best overall:
Fit: Hoeger shares that this sports bra from Athleta has "quickly become a favorite" of hers, and I would agree. I've been wearing it so often on my marathon training runs that I've had to get multiple versions so I'm never without it.
"It fit great and the straps were hitting right where they were supposed to," Shigo says. Even on runs of up to 20 miles, I found that the straps stayed securely in place. I also appreciated how airy the open back design felt during hot, sweaty workouts.
There are removable cups, so you can take them out if you feel like you need less coverage or a little more room. (Athleta also has a Mastectomy Bra Insert that can be added as well.)
Material: The material has light compression to hold you in without ever making you feel restricted. And it feels high quality overall. "The material was thick but buttery, so it didn't hurt or feel heavy," Shigo says.
Hoeger calls it "soft" and "supportive," noting that "it doesn’t lead to chafing, which is also a plus when you’re moving and grooving for upwards of 3 hours."
There were a couple of long runs where I did notice some chafing under my boobs and arms, but when you're running for hours on end in the heat, there's only so much a sports bra can do to prevent that.
It does a good job of wicking away moisture during sweaty workouts, though I did have some sweat stains in the front and underneath the armpits.
Security: "I felt fully supported in my workouts in this bra; it didn't move around or loosen," Shigo says.
Hoeger and I both agree, and Hoeger says that "it doesn’t have a large amount of padding that interferes with how my chest moves while running." She continues, "The design alone helps it remain supportive, even for high-impact workouts, in my opinion."
How it holds up: I am someone who washes my sports bra with the rest of my laundry and throws them right into the dryer on full heat as well (yes, I'm well aware I'm not supposed to). Even after wearing it and washing it all summer long, I haven't noticed any signs of wear, and Hoeger has had the same experience. Though sometimes, I have had to adjust the cups and put them back into place after washing.
Best budget:
Fit: One of the biggest things that we all appreciated about this sports bra was its no-frills design and its ability to feel comfortable — and supportive! — without extra straps or additions to distract you.
Material: The bra is made from a blend of nylon and spandex, making it both breathable and stretchy. Hoeger compared the feel to that of the first bra you get for playing sports when you were younger. And while she meant it as a compliment to its simplicity, I drew a similar comparison. However, it was because I found the material to be a bit lackluster and not as high-quality as I expected.
Shigo agrees that while it wasn't necessarily anything special, it did feel comfortable on.
Security: All of us agreed that it did a good job of holding us in during different activities. "It was reliable, supportive and didn’t budge during a run or strength training workout," Hoeger shares. It has removable cups, so you can customize your support level.
However, security may depend on personal preference and the activities that you're doing. While we all found it to be perfectly supportive, some Amazon reviewers have noted that it may not provide enough security and support for higher-intensity activities.
How it holds up: After multiple uses and washes, it's held up well. Though if you're the kind of person who puts your sports bra in the dryer, you may find that the internal cups can shift and need to be put back into place.
Best sports bra top:
Fit: As someone who doesn't typically opt for a fitted workout tank, I was surprised by how much I liked the fit of this top. I felt like it was very flattering overall and looked like a cute top that you could wear under a sweater while running errands, as well as to the gym. It's pretty low cut, and while that didn't necessarily bother me, I could see it being too revealing for some, especially those with a larger bust.
Material: When I first pulled it out of the package, I was surprised by how luxurious the material feels. Hoeger describes it as being "buttery soft," and I would agree. However, the two layers of material made it feel less breathable than other bras.
"I wish it was not as long as it was," Shigo notes. "It left me feeling hot during my workouts and uncomfortable."
Security: We all agreed that this was one area where the top was lacking. Hoeger notes that it often rides up when working out. That, paired with the internal padding, made the bra feel less secure than others. "I feel like the additional padding was hurting me more than helping, and it pushed out my cleavage rather than keeping it in place."
While I was able to wear the top for a run without feeling any pain or having to stop because I didn't feel supported enough (which has happened in the past), I would reserve this top for lower-intensity workouts, such as walks or yoga classes.
How it holds up: While I thought the top held up well after multiple washes, Shigo found that it turned a grayish color after washing.
Best for high intensity:
Fit: All of us had previously reminisced on how the classic Nike Swoosh sports bra was an early staple in our wardrobes and never led us astray — and this upgraded version takes the classic to the next level. It features an open back with mesh to help wick away sweat and Velcro at the bottom, allowing you to adjust it to fit your needs.
"I loved the back straps for people with bigger boobs because you can adjust them after putting it on, and it makes taking the bra off while sweaty easier," Shigo says.
The bra comes in a range of sizes, with plenty of options for different cup and band sizes, so it's pretty easy to find a good fit. (The brand's sizing guide is helpful for that.)
Material: The material of the bra felt easy to move in, and the back design, with its open and vented areas, helped to keep me cool, even on a 14-mile run in 75-plus degree heat. The one thing I will note is that if the Velcro in the back is not totally lined up, it can lead to chafing. Though I only experienced this once.
"The front of this sports bra is similar to the Nike sports bras I know, love and unashamedly own from middle school," says Hoeger. "It's the spandex material that feels soft to the touch without being restrictive."
Support: "I felt fully supported in my workouts in this, it didn't move around or loosen," Shigo shares. And I agree — even during jumping warm-ups and runs, my chest was not budging.
Hoeger, however, had a different experience. "I first wore it to a Barry's class and was distracted the entire time I was running because I could feel how unsupportive it was. It's also hard to adjust on your own once you're already wearing it, because of the position of the strap on the back."
How it holds up: While it held up well overall after multiple washes, the Velcro did sometimes get stuck on other clothes in the load, so it may be worth it to wash the bra separately or put it in a bag.
Best for everyday movement:
Fit: I was surprised by how much I liked this sports bra. It felt really comfortable on, and it has some adjustable features, like a hook-and-eye attachment at the back and adjustable straps that make it easy to get the right fit for you. Shigo also notes that she appreciated how you could customize the fit and says it “fits nicely overall.”
Hoeger, however, mentions that she had trouble getting it to fit correctly and struggled with the bottom band hitting too high on her chest.
Material: All of us agree that the material was our favorite part of the bra. It’s super soft and buttery. In fact, it’s so comfortable, I sometimes find myself reaching for it to wear under normal clothes in place of a real bra. I also appreciated the mesh cutouts for some extra breathability — though during particularly sweaty workouts, I didn't feel like the bra did much to wick away the moisture.
Support: When Shigo was doing more movement-intensive workouts, she appreciated how the straps could be made tighter for extra security. But overall, we found the support to be lacking in this bra, in both the straps and band. While I wore it successfully for runs, I found it to be better suited for everyday wear and lower-intensity activities.
How it holds up: We had mixed experiences with this one while washing. While Shigo's bra held up well, Hoeger says her straps came unbuckled in the wash. I noticed some fraying on the bottom band after a couple of washes. (Though it should be noted that I put the bra in the dryer, which is not recommended.)
Frequently asked questions
According to fitness expert and creator of FunWithFit Ebonny Fowler, you should be washing your sports bra after every use.
Schechter suggests filling your sink with cold water and a cup of white vinegar and then soaking it for 15 minutes. Then, move it to the washing cycle.
You should always air dry your bras, as putting them in the dryer can wear down the elasticity. Plus, Tempesta says that you should avoid washing them with fabric softener, as it can block their sweat-wicking abilities.
According to Fowler, it should feel both snug and supportive. “You want it to feel like it’s snug on your breast and your chest without giving you any pain because the straps can be digging into your shoulders or your neck area, [which] can cause headaches or neck pain,” she says.
How we tested sports bras
We selected seven sports bras to try based on shopper ratings, popularity and previous editor recommendations. I, Emma Stessman, was training for a marathon, so I wore each of the sports bras for a variety of activities in my training, including strength workouts at the gym and walks, as well as runs ranging in distance from four to 20 miles.
Hoeger, who is also training for a marathon, tested sports bras while on runs, at workout classes and during strength training sessions. "I like to include variety within my workouts, so each sports bra was tested within a range of movements, including arm workouts, long runs, lifting sessions and more," she shares.
Shigo tested the sports bras while running errands, going to the gym and at Pilates classes. She predominantly does weight-lifting workouts, so she needs something comfortable and not restrictive.
Additionally, we washed all of the bras at least once to determine how well they hold up over time.
Why trust Shop TODAY?
Stessman is a self-proclaimed fitness obsessive with a long history of writing about everything from the best running shoes to comparing popular fitness trackers. She has plenty of opportunities to test workout gear, as in her spare time, you can often find her running around New York City as she trains for her next race, on a long walk or trying new workout classes.
Hoeger has been covering topics related to travel, clothing, beauty and more for Shop TODAY since 2022. She’s assisted in other Ranked testing processes, so she’s familiar with the rating system we apply to our product picks.
Shigo has been wearing athleisure for years in workout classes, grocery shopping and traveling. For Shop TODAY she covers fashion, cleaning products and more buzz-worthy topics in the social and editorial space. She has contributed to and written multiple articles for our Ranked series, where she has tested and reviewed products based on key factors determined by the team and experts.
Meet our experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on a given topic. We also ensure that all expert guidance and recommendations are provided independently and without any undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Laura Tempesta is a sports bra expert and the founder of Bravolution, a sports bra education and review site. She has her Master’s degree in Lingerie Design and the inventor of seven separate bra patents.
- Carrie Schechter is a former celebrity photographer and current owner of Brooklyn-based boxing gym Jukebox.
- Ebonny Fowler is a fitness expert and the creator behind FunWithFit, a fitness program where she posts workouts you can do at home on Instagram.
