Finding the best sports bra for running can be a challenge.
Running is quite possibly one of the best activities for men and women of all ages. It’s much more of a full-body exercise than just a lower-body one like sprinting.
It’s also one of the best activities if you want to be fit for life.
But there’s one problem: You need the best sports bra for running. Lauching off for a run with a regular bra can be uncomfortable and cause a sloshing feeling.
But why is this?
A lot of times it’s because regular bras, even with the padding in the straps and band, just aren’t meant to withstand the force of your body running or bouncing up and down. That’s where a sports bra for running comes in.
You don’t have to buy an expensive one.
And you don’t have to buy the most feminine of all sports bras. Although we do have some recommendations for those as well.
Most sports bras for running have the same features; they are typically made for medium impact activities, have padded straps that you can adjust, and they come with a bit of a shelf-bra as well.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria's Secret Incredible Sports Bra Adjustable Strap | Best Overall |  |
| Champion C9 Women Smooth Sports Bra Power Shape Medium Support Duo Dry | Budget Pick |  |
| Anita Women's Momentum Sport Bra | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Victoria's Secret Incredible Sports Bra Adjustable Strap
Pros:
- Comfortable fit
- Flexible straps are easy to adjust
- Breathable fabric is soft against the skin
- No bounce effect
- Long lasting
- The price tag is reasonable for a running bra of this quality
Cons:
- It doesn’t have enough room for high impact or larger cup sizes.
Victoria's Secret Incredible Sports Bra is one of the best running bras for larger chest sizes. It gives a secure fit and holds up under any kind of movement.
The adjustable straps are super convenient and the underwire keeps you feeling supported. The fabric is soft, breathable and stretchy so it can stretch with you and fit any body.
For larger chest sizes:
- It doesn’t have enough room for high impact or larger cup sizes.
2. Under Armour Women's HeatGear Mid Impact Crossback Sports Bra
Pros:
- The breathable HeatGear material is incredibly comfortable
- It has a built-in internal bra for a seamless look under clothing
- You can adjust the shoulder straps to create a racerback or a regular crossback
- This bra is decently supportive for most high-impact activities.
Cons:
- It isn’t very supportive in larger-than-average cup sizes
- Some people might find the materials to be too hot
Overall, the Under Armour women’s sports bra is one of the more popular models used by women for high-impact activities.
This bra is a solid option for women who are active in sports and other high-impact activities.
The Under Armour women’s bra has a thin strap that circles the back of the bra to create a racerback. You can adjust this strap as you like.
3. Panache Women's Underwired Sports Bra
Pros:
- Great support for high-impact sports, such as CrossFit
- Decent choice for smaller bust sizes
- Several color options available
- Removable pads for extra modesty
- Sizes run pretty true
Cons:
- Band elastic is not adjustable
- Support is only average
- Not as durable as the competition
This is the best sports bra for runners who need a lot of support, including women with larger breasts. It has a thick, sturdy band and firm internal shoulder straps. The cups are soft and rounded, which is important for minimizing chafing during intense workouts.
This sports bra is also highly breathable, thanks to its mesh panels throughout, and it includes matching removable pads, which increase modesty and minimize bouncing when the fit isn’t perfect.
The Panache sports bra is available in five sizes, running from 32A to 38DDD, and four colors.
4. Brooks Fiona Medium-Impact Adjustable Sports Bra
Pros:
- Very comfortable
- Washable
- Dries fast
- Bra adjusts from one cup size to three cup sizes
- Has a racer-back
Cons:
- Fit runs smaller than other sports bras from Brooks
- Not comfortable for high-intensity workouts
- Fabric is less durable than others
- Back straps are not very supportive
To sum it up:
If you’re looking for a high-performance sports bra that looks and feels great, this one comes highly recommended from many running and sports sites. It has a nice racer back look with twin adjustable straps, and a wide back band to provide good support. There is a nice wide band at the bottom to prevent slippage over time.
The fabric is lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking, so it will keep you feeling comfortable during your workout.
5. Nike Women's Victory Compression Sports Bra
Pros:
- Breathable mesh with soft Dri-FIT moisture wicking technology.
- Lightweight, comfortable and supportive compression fit.
- Cushioned cups with two-ply structure.
- Adjustable straps for a custom fit.
- Rear zippered pocket.
- Looks great with a wide range of casual wear.
Cons:
- The built-in padded sports bra did not offer enough support for running.
- There have been reports of the zipper breaking after just a few wears.
Nike's Victory compression sports bra is a solid bra option for most casual situations, but does not meet the necessary support requirements for running.
The Nike Victory is a comfortable, breathable sports bra with lace detailing and moisture wicking properties.
The bra also has a two-ply structure and while it is not a heavy-duty practice bra, it is good for low-impact exercise such as jogging.
6. Brooks Women's Juno Bra
Pros:
- Made out of polyester and elastane
- Flexible enough for you to move comfortably in all kinds of workouts
- Very breathable and comfortable
- Great fit
- Super cute design
Con:
For a fully supportive and flattering workout bra with a dynamic design, you’ll love the Brooks Juno bra for running.
This bra is made of a breathable and stretchy fabric that is moisture-wicking and quick drying. It is lightweight while still providing enough support for most workouts.
7. Champion Women's Curvy Strappy Sports Bra
Pros:
- Center front panel is wider that most sports bras.
- The back is well-fitting and gives a nice shape.
- Moderate support for running.
- The racerback style is comfortable.
- The bust fits well and is not too tight.
- The straps don’t slip.
- The straps are adjustable.
- The bra doesn’t give bulges.
- The fabric is soft.
- The stitching and color are durable.
Cons:
- The bust is too small for larger women.
- Not enough support for high-impact activities.
- The straps leave red marks when worn for extended periods.
- The fabric is a bit thin.
- The bra is a bit big for the size ordered.
This sports bra is great for a variety of activities, like hiking, cycling, weight lifting, and cardio. It has a breathable, wireless support construction that is also ideal as everyday wear.
The racerback style gives the bra a nice form to your back and the front is wide enough to give extra support to the bust. The straps are adjustable to accommodate different torso lengths and sizes. They stayed in place even when your activity gets intense.
8. New Balance Women's Shockingly Unshocking Bra
Pros:
- Plenty of support
- Lightweight material
- Competitive price point
- Thick straps that feel comfortable
Cons:
- Constantly needs to be adjusted during your workout
- Entire design could be improved
- Order a larger size than you normally wear
This bad boy is one of the best sports bras for large breasts you will find on the market. The New Balance Women’s 2044 sports bra has a 4-way stretch fabric. This helps in the comfort factor, but also gives it a curvier look, which will help to smooth out the lumps and bumps.
The New Balance 2044 sports bra is made out of a moisture-wicking fabric that keeps you dry while you work out. The straps on this bra are thick and padded for support and comfort. In addition, if you’re looking for an A/V feature, this sports bra also has a subtle mesh design along the back.
The support and padding on this bra is nothing short of fantastic. It holds you where you need to be held and is comfortable and lightweight. However, the straps are a little too thin for our liking and we wish the cup fabric was a tad thicker. We also wish that the bra was a little longer.
9. Reebok Women's Wireless Racerback Sports Bra
Pros:
- Comes in various sizes from small to X-large.
- Great for yoga and other medium-impact workouts like weight lifting.
- 100% seamless construction for ultimate comfort.
- Compression and support you need for the gym or everyday use.
- Adjustable straps, including an adjustable racerback.
- Encased elastic under band keeps the bra secure and firm.
Cons:
- Not the best for high intensity/heavy-impact activities like running or HIIT workouts.
- If you need something more supportive, you might want to choose something else.
If you want the best quality sports bra that you can spend on, then the Reebok Women's Wireless Racerback Sports Bra should be your final pick. It was comfortable and it never gave me a sweaty back, which was a good thing.
I also like the color; it doesn't rub off or bleed in the wash, which is what we expect from good quality sports bras. Overall, this bra does everything one would need on a regular day at the gym and for yoga or pilates.
10. Glamorise Women's Double-Layer Custom-Control Sport Bra
Pros:
- Snug but comfortable fit
- Helps prevent chafing
- Great for high-impact workouts
Cons:
- The band is not as comfy as some other models
- The material under the arms is not breathable
It's one of the most popular and highly rated sports bras for athletic, high impact women. The Glamorise Double Layer Custom Control Sport Bra is built for women who like to work out hard.
It has a compression design that helps prevent bouncing. It is best for women who don't mind a firm fit.
The main gripe that most women have about this bra is that it digs in under the arm.
11. Anita Women's Momentum Sport Bra
Pros:
- Quick-dry.
- Wide bust support.
- Very comfortable sports bra.
- Flat lock seams.
- Made from fabric similar to that of athletic shorts.
- Customizable level of compression.
- Wide straps and back mesh.
- Made of OEKO-TEX Standard 100 fabric.
- Available in A through G cups.
Cons:
- Some women claim they can still feel their breasts moving.
- Can chafe in the seams.
Adidas came out with this new sports bra for women, and it’s definitely a top pick for women who are looking for an A-cup-sized sports bra in their CrossFit workouts.
Made of 100% OEKO-TEX Standard 100 fabric that you’ll usually find in athletic shorts, the Anit Anita women’s sports bra features flatlock seams, a wide mesh back, and wide straps that are adjustable and removable.
One thing we like especially about the Anita bra is that it is made with removable cups, which can be attached for medium coverage, or removed for full open-breast movement. Be advised: the company does not recommend wearing the bra without the cups for jumping or big pulls.
12. Nike Women's Dri-fit Pro Classic Padded Giraffe Bra
Pros:
- Attractive design
- Feels like a sports bra made for actual athletes
- Great, supportive structure
- Radiant colors
- Terrific sweat wicking material
If you’re looking for an attractive sports bra designed for CrossFit, check out the Nike Women’s Pro Classic Padded Wonder Bra.
This sports bra is attractive, but not too sexy, with a giraffe pattern on the black front and a tangerine stripe above the Wonder Bra logo. Perfect for the casual CrossFitter.
It’s made from a smooth, moisture-wicking Dri-FIT fabric that feels great next to the skin and helps to keep you dry. And the bra itself fits very comfortably.
13. Champion C9 Women Smooth Sports Bra Power Shape Medium Support Duo Dry
Pros:
- Lightweight and airy
- Great for all-around workouts
- Holds up well
- Wicks moisture away
Cons:
- Fabric isn’t super soft
- Might not be great if you’re very busty
Even though I am 40 years old I recently threw out all my old sports bras and bought several of these. You could say I’m a big fan.
I don’t love running, but I enjoy physical activity in all its forms and have been working out my whole adult life. I dislike the way traditional sports bras cut into my shoulders and are extremely hot and a pain to get on. These bras are not like that at all and the first time I put one on I wondered why I hadn’t bought these ages ago.
A few tips as you buy:
- Fabric isn’t super soft
- Might not be great if you’re very busty
14. Freya Women's Epic Underwire Crop Top Sports Bra
Pros:
- Lots of variation
- Great support and control
- Made in the UK
- Ace customer service
- Price
Cons:
- Black color might show sweat stains
- The molded cups might not be for everyone
- The band can dig into the ribcage, so be sure to buy a size that fits very snugly
- The underwire can create folds on the outer edge of your breasts
This is another excellent sports bra from Freya bra. It is suitable for all kinds of high impact sports. The support is excellent, but is not as thick as the Define-A-Booty. The molded cups are very supportive and shape the breasts very well.
The band and straps are wide enough to be comfortable, but it does dig into the ribcage after running for extended periods of time. Unfortunately, the straps are very short, so if you have a long torso, you’ll have to tuck them under your bra or just let them hang.
This bra does create a fold line on the outer edge of your breasts, so if you don’t like that, this isn’t the bra for you. The black color will show most sweat stains.
15. Freya Women's Active Underwire Molded Sports Bra
Pros:
- Soft fabric cup lining and wide straps are ultra comfortable.
- Wide straps are ultra comfortable if you have large and wide shoulders.
- Best sports bra for high impact activities.
This Freya Women's Active Underwire Molded Sports Bra is the best Sports Bra for high impact activities for women who are active and don’t want bounce.
This Sports Bra is made from a compression fabric that draws you in so you have the comfort of a compression bra but like a sports bra. This bra is great if you have a small chest like me as it creates the illusion of larger breasts.
It also has wide adjustable straps that can even be used as a racerback bra. The long line is ideal if you have any back issues as you can tuck your shirt in quickly with the wider straps.
16. Berlei Sf3 High Impact Underwire Bra
Pros:
- Has a cotton front section and high quality fabric on the back section.
- Front sections are hidden by clothes when worn.
- Has adjustable straps, which make for a great fit on a variety of body types.
- Covers well for more coverage, comes in a huge range of sizes.
- Covers wires as well as possible for more support.
Cons:
- Might have an issue with the straps and wires digging in.
- Wire might not be in your physical center but slightly to the side.
(XS-L)
This bra from Berlei is one of the very best vibration isolating bras we’ve reviewed lately on our website.
This padded sporty bra comes with a unique shape to fit larger breasts. It has a side support to keep the breasts from slouching and make them look firm. The fabric used for the bra is a high-quality breathable material.
17. Triumph Women's Triaction Underwire Racerback Sports Bra
Pros:
- The Triaction bra includes molded cups to support and shape your breasts for a natural appearance.
- It keeps you secure and comfortable all day long since it is made with breathable mesh and wide straps.
- It can wick moisture and control odor.
Cons:
- The bra’s straps are thin compared to most sports bras.
- The bra is pricey (almost twice as much as many of the other bras on this list).
This sport bra is currently the highest-ranked and most-reviewed sports bra on Amazon. It is often recommended as a budget option for women with larger or highly sensitive breasts.
First, it’s a racerback bra (different from a traditional cross back or scoop back sports bra). If you are in a CrossFit WOD, you will appreciate that this bra will not show under your shirt.
The