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Mar 13, 2024

11 Best Sports Bras for Running 2023

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We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Our fitness product experts tested 50+ sports bras to find the most supportive and comfortable styles.

Finding the right sports bra for running can be a life-changing experience (especially if you have ever been guilty of layering two bras to find better support). Whether you have small or large breasts, you deserve to feel supported and secure when running. High-impact sports bras designed specifically for high-intensity workouts like running help minimize bounce all while preventing chafing for a comfortable run.

With seemingly endless options available, the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab tested 51 different sports bras in our Lab and with consumer testers to find the best sports bra for your next run.

We test all types of bras with state-of-the-art equipment and standardized testing methods. In the Lab, we evaluate shrinkage after laundering, moisture management and stretch recovery. To find the best sports bras for running, we had testers wear these bras on their runs to give feedback on comfort, fit, support, moisture management and more.

Because everyone has a different body shape and preferences when it comes to sports bras, we included a range of different styles of bras with varying levels of support, so you can find the right sports bra for you and your workout routine. Read to the end of this article to learn more about our testing protocols.

High-quality bras can be expensive (even more so for high-impact sports bras), but this pick from Champion keeps the cost very reasonable. Featuring molded cups, mesh detailing and wide straps, this sports bra is designed for running and high-intensity workouts. The cups are sewn in, so they stay perfectly in place during laundering. We were impressed with how well the fabric wicked away moisture in our Lab tests and loved the hook and eye closure in the back for easier on and off.

Tester notes: Multiple testers specifically noted that they loved wearing this supportive bra on runs. One tester with a C cup size said, "I like that it's easy to put on and take off this sports bra. I don't usually like padding, but the fact that this padding stayed in place even after washing was a plus. I also felt very comfortable in the fit while running and cooling down. It didn't cut into my back or move around much." It received lower scores overall for appearance with one tester saying it's "a little boring."

Whether you're headed on a run or joining a HIIT class, you need to feel supported as you move in every direction. This ThirdLove sports bra is specifically designed for high-impact workouts. The wide, adjustable straps can cross into a racerback style for additional support or uncross for a standard fit. We appreciate the wide breadth of size options up to a 44 band size and H cup (with some half-cup sizes available too!).

We found the inner cup fabric to easily wick away moisture to help keep you dry when building up a sweat. The fabric showed no shrinkage after laundering, but analysts did note that the bottom band stretched out after stretch recovery testing.

Tester notes: Giving high marks for appearance, testers appreciated that the molded cups are hidden behind stretchy fabric with decent coverage. One tester with a C cup said, "It was very supportive and comfortable. I went jogging and did yoga and pilates and it didn't budge." Another tester with a D cup size said, "This was a top-notch product, for sure. I was skeptical because I usually use an underwire but this bra did the trick. Absolutely loved it way more than my bras!"

Brooks is one of the most popular running brands for a reason. It makes top-performing running shoes and apparel designed to feel comfy and supportive mile after mile. This sports bra has a clever back pocket for your phone or keys to keep everything you need conveniently within reach. It offers high compression with removable pads for better shaping. It's very compressive — we couldn't even stretch the bottom band and material enough to do stretch recovery tests. We like the bonded seams and edges to reduce any chafing irritation.

If you love the look of this bra but don't want pockets, we just began testing Brook's newly launched Dare Crossback 2.0 Women’s Run Bra and are impressed with its breathability and supportive fit so far.

Tester notes: Especially popular among runners, one tester (with a DDD cup size) said, "I felt super sucked in and supported even while running." Another tester with a B cup size shared, "Overall, this is a great workout bra that I would highly recommend for anyone who loves sweaty workouts because the support/comfort is amazing!" All testers agreed that this bra was challenging to put on and take off because of its compressive fit.

Racerback sports bras offer extra lift and support compared to traditional style straps. This pick from Athleta has a permanent racerback design with mesh detailing in the back to allow extra airflow. The hook and eye back closure helps achieve a snug fit for proper support around your ribcage and the higher neckline keeps you covered. Although we haven't tested this exact style, other Athleta high-impact sports bras have aced our previous sports bra testing for staying in excellent condition after our battery of Lab tests. They were also popular among fitness testers.

Tester notes: When testing a similar style from Athleta, one tester said, "Everything stayed in place as I ran. There was no ‘bounce.’” Another shared, "I ran 6+ miles this morning wearing this sports bra, with no chafing or irritation.” Some online reviewers note that this bra is challenging to get on and off because of the racerback design.

Ideal for optimal support up top, this sports bra from Wacoal is designed with larger cup sizes in mind. (Sizing is available up to an I cup.) Offering unparalleled lift and coverage, this bra features an underwire and encapsulation design with unlined cups for breast separation without bulky padding.

We appreciated that this bra helped minimize bounce in every direction (not just up and down). We also found that the material easily wicked away moisture, which is crucial when running.

Tester notes: On runs, at the gym and during studio classes, testers were blown away by the support and comfort of this bra. "I loved the fit — it was surprisingly comfortable for an underwire bra, and it stayed put. No strap slipping or sliding around. Very supportive," said one tester. With a hook and eye closure in the back, some testers found it trickier to put on.

If you rip the pads out of your sports bras the second you buy them, opt for a pad-free sports bra instead. This Under Armour style was a tester favorite for offering unparalleled support as a compression-style sports bra with no pads or molded cups. In our Lab evaluations, the sleek material proved to be moisture-wicking with a smooth, comfortable feel. The double-lined fabric offers decent coverage with wide straps for ample support. It aced Lab testing, returning to its shape perfectly after stretch recovery testing and showing no changes in appearance after laundering. Because it lacks encapsulation and molded cups, this bra doesn't offer much separation.

Tester notes: Noting nearly no bounce during high-intensity cardio workouts like sprints and CrossFit, testers appreciated how well this bra kept everything in place. Our testers were amazed that the compression didn't feel restrictive with one tester with a C cup size saying, "I felt completely supported." Because of its padless design, some testers noted that their nipples were noticeable. Others didn't like the front logo placement.

Lululemon continues to reign supreme for its best-selling leggings and comfy athleisure. The Energy Bra from Lululemon is available in a variety of different configurations to offer varying levels of support for everything from low-impact yoga to intense cardio. The high-support version combines excellent lift and security with molded foam cups. Using the hook and eye back closure and adjustable straps, you are able to achieve a snug, customizable fit.

Tester notes: With a stylish, strappy back, testers loved how the straps of the Energy Bra looked peeking out of workout tops. Testers did find that it took a few tries to find their proper size when trying Lululemon sports bras, but free returns make it easy to try out a few different sizes. Testers also loved matching their Energy Bras to their leggings.

Thanks to the molded encapsulation cups and the wide, sturdy straps, this Knix sports bra stays put on every kind of run. The padding and separate cups help prevent uni-boob. We tested the front zip version of this bra, but most testers preferred the version without a front zipper as they feared it would come undone. Make sure to not put this bra in the dryer and only lay flat to dry.

Tester notes: The hook and eye back closure was a favorite among testers with smaller rib cages and larger cup sizes for a more secure fit. One tester with a DDD cup size noted that it's "super supportive and not overly padded." The inner cups earned decent moisture management scores in Lab testing, but some testers noted that the bra felt sweaty after wearing it for a while.

Although this bra is not designed for running, many testers found themselves wearing this bra on lighter jogs with good results. Pair this racerback sports bra with Girlfriend Collective's best-selling compression leggings for a chic matching set. This bra has no pads and offers snug, compressive support with a longline design for additional coverage. In our Lab, the material washed beautifully and showed no changes in appearance after machine laundering and air drying. The fabric was not as moisture-wicking as other featured styles, making it better suited for less intense exercise.

Tester notes: With an impressive size range from XXS to 6XL, this sports bra impressed testers from A to E cup sizes. One tester with an E cup size who wore an XXL said, "I loved the thickness and coverage of the Girlfriend Collective bra. It was comfortable, it made me feel supported and best of all, it made me feel confident. It was the first time I considered wearing a sports bra without a shirt on top."

Runners with smaller chests still need proper support. Designed for cup sizes A-C, the Performance Bra from On Running is a high-impact sports bra with light padding. It has a more minimal design compared to high-impact sports bras, so it doesn't feel too bulky The high neck keeps you covered, and the racerback straps add extra support.

Tester notes: One tester with a C cup size said the bra itself feels smooth and luxe with a sleek look. "My chest feels supported without feeling compressed. It's not bulky or overly tight like other high-impact sports bras I've tried," she shared. Testers gave it high marks for appearance, loving the higher neckline, chic color options and trendy design.

Combining a sports bra with a workout top, this tank top from Nike has the brand's signature Swoosh sports bra built-in (currently featured as our best overall sports bra). Using stretchy fabric that wicks away moisture, this tank moves with you while keeping you fully covered. The compressive fit keeps you secure while the racerback style provides extra lift.

The Swoosh sports bra was rated the most comfortable sports bra by our testers and aced Lab tests for moisture management, easily wicking sweat away. Because this bra offers medium-impact support, this style is not suited for runners with larger cup sizes.

Tester notes: "It was comfortable, supportive and nice quality. It was also easy to take on and off and stayed dry," said one Swoosh sports bra tester. One GH analyst wears this tank during nearly all of her workouts saying, "It's so convenient to not have to pack a separate top and bra in my gym bag." She also especially appreciates that the tank doesn't ride up even during sprints.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab tested 51 different sports bra styles in our Lab with nearly 100 different testers wearing the bras during over 700 hours of exercise. All of our extensive testing lead to over 5,000 data points to analyze before we made these selections.

Unlike yoga or other low-impact workouts, running is high-intensity cardio that can cause a lot of breast movement. Therefore, we had testers — people ranging from A through H cup sizes — wear these featured styles on all types of runs: treadmill sprints, steady track jogs and even during a marathon. Testers gave feedback on support, comfort, mobility and ease of taking on and off.

In the Lab, GH fiber scientists evaluated stretch recovery (pictured here) to determine how well the fabric returned to its original shape after being stretched out. This test helps ensure that the bras are able to maintain elasticity for proper support.

We also laundered each bra multiple times to see if there were any changes in appearance after washing. To avoid sweat accumulation, we evaluated moisture management by dropping water on the inside of the fabric and measuring both the speed and distance of its spread.

✔️ Sizing: A proper fit is the first step to finding the right sports bra for you. Before purchasing, check out the brand's size chart and match your measurements to find your proper size. You will need two main measurements to find your bra size and calculate your cup size. Make sure to be wearing an unlined, non-padded bra when taking these measurements:

✔️ Encapsulation vs. compression: The two common styles of sports bras are encapsulation and compression. Encapsulation refers to bras that separate your breasts for individual support. These are best suited for high-intensity exercise and larger cup sizes. On the other hand, compression bras pull over your head and hug your breasts to your body. We find styles that combine compression and encapsulation can help offer ultimate support.

✔️ Wide, adjustable straps: Thick, wide straps won't dig into your shoulders as easily. Look for styles that have adjustable straps to help ensure a snug fit that offers sufficient lift. We also love sports bras that can convert to a racerback style for even more support up top.

✔️ Moisture management: Especially important for runners, moisture-wicking materials are a must to help prevent chafing on a sweaty run. Confirm if the material is actually moisture-wicking by placing a small drop of water on the inside of the fabric. It should spread out quickly. If the water beads up, it is not a moisture-wicking material.

Proper support up top helps prevent breast and back pain during and after running. Whether you have small or large breasts, we recommend wearing a well-fitted sports bra when running to help keep your breasts from moving and bouncing too much.

Sports bras designed specifically for running and other high-impact exercise help keep you fully supported to reduce bounce, while a lower-impact style won't offer nearly as much support. Therefore, we recommend leaving your yoga bra at home and opting for a more supportive option when running.

There is no exact timeline that applies to every sports bra, but when you notice a looser fit or extensive wear and tear, it's a good time to replace it. Because everyone has different preferences and workout routines (and not all bras are created equally), sports bras can last just a few months or several years. In our research, we found that most people tend to replace their sports bras after a year or so.

To ensure proper support while running, replace your sports bra if you notice feeling bouncy and sore or see signs of damage to the bra like being stretched out of shape. When you pull on the bottom band, you want to feel tension so it stretches back to its original shape.

The best way to extend the life of your sports bras is to follow proper care instructions when laundering them. Avoid drying them on high heat as high temperatures can damage stretchy fibers like spandex, elastane and lycra. We also recommend having a variety of sports bras designed for different workouts, so you only wear your running bra while running, to help keep all your sports bras in better condition long term.

Emma Seymour is a senior textiles product analyst in the Good Housekeeping Textiles Lab for over four years, overseeing Lab and consumer tests for all different types of bras, including these sports bras styles, wireless bras and bralettes as well as other fitness products like workout leggings, exercise dresses and bike shorts. With a degree in Fiber Science and Apparel Design from Cornell University, she has research experience in activewear working with the Body Scanner Lab to design workout gear specific to athletes' body shapes.

Emma Seymour (she/her) is a senior product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.

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