On Test: 25 Best Sports Bras Whatever your needs, we’re here to support you all the way
We spent over 100 hours testing bras across 16 activities, to bring you the best picks for running and more
Decathlon Cardio Training Zip-Up Bra 900
£17.99 | decathlon.co.uk
SIZES: UK 8-18 | STYLE: Zip-up racerback
SUPPORT LEVEL: High
OUR BEST IN TEST is an affordable highimpact compression bra. With light padding, adjustable straps and a zip-up fastening, it is supportive on the road and the gym floor. Thanks to a claspless back, nothing digs in while you’re stretching and a soft fabric panel stops the zip chafing. Comfortable all day long.
Marks & Spencer GoodMove Medium Impact Sports Bra
£12 | marksandspencer.com
SIZES: UK 6-22 | STYLE: Pull-on, adjustable straps
SUPPORT LEVEL: Low to medium
FOR DAYS OFF running, this pull-on sports bra is a steal. Despite it’s medium-impact design, we found it more comfortable for lower intensity activities such as Pilates. It looks good worn on its own but does come up a tad small, so you may want to go up a size for a better fit.
Reebok Strappy Back Low-Impact Bra
£18 | reebok.co.uk
SIZES: 2xs-2xl | STYLE: Pull-on racerback SUPPORT LEVEL: Low
IF GENTLE GYM WORK is a key part of your training plan, then this technical sports bra is worth a look. A racerback pull-on, it is made with wicking fabric that does a good job. The minimal coverage works best for smaller boobs and can’t be worn for anything bouncy. But for yoga, it ticks all boxes.
Decathlon Seamless Gentle Yoga Bra
£12.99 | decathlon.co.uk
SIZES: xs-2xl | STYLE: Pull-on with crossed straps
SUPPORT LEVEL: Low
CLEAR YOUR MIND and stretch out in comfort with this seamless pull-on yoga bra. The simple design isn’t adjustable and the fabric won’t wick away your sweat, so we wouldn’t recommend it for any pulse-raising workouts, but for active recovery sessions, it’s a constriction-free winner.
New Balance NB Pace Bra 3.0
£20 | newbalance.co.uk
SIZES: xs-xl | STYLE: Pull-on racerback
SUPPORT LEVEL: Low to medium
WHEN YOU’RE TAKING things easy, this is a striking item. It’s supposed to be a mediumsupport bra but our testers, especially those with bigger breasts, only felt comfortable in it for lower intensity activities because of the lack of adjustable features and cup support. A cooling option for relaxed gym sessions.
H&M Seamless Light Support Bra
£14.99 | hm.com
SIZES: xs-l | STYLE: Crop top
SUPPORT LEVEL: Low
HAVE SPORTS BRAS become everyday bras for you over the past year? Then you’ll like this bralette style that can do both.
It’s not substantial enough for running, but the comfy design will take you from your desk to the yoga mat – and even the spin bike – in supportive style.
Sundried Power Bra
£20 | sundried.com
SIZES: s-xl | STYLE: Racerback pull-on
SUPPORT LEVEL: Medium
BUILD YOUR STRENGTH in this intricately designed sports bra. The laser-cut holes keep you cool in the gym and the crop-top style is comfortable for extended cross-training workouts. The fabric isn’t structured enough for high-impact work, but our testers loved wearing it for weights sessions and yoga. •
Next High Impact Full Cup Wired Sports Bra
£28 | next.co.uk
SIZES: 32B-42G | STYLE: Wired
SUPPORT LEVEL: High
WIRED SPORTS BRAS are an acquired taste, but if they work for you, the design has a lot to offer. With individual cups, this is a great all-rounder that provides support without compression and the breathable fabric feels smooth. Testers felt secure in the bra and it reduced movement on the run.
Under Armour Seamless Low Long Sports Bra
£30 | underarmour.co.uk
SIZES: xs-xl | STYLE: Pull-on with crossed straps SUPPORT LEVEL: Low
THIS IS A SUPPORTIVE, low-impact option that holds its own in downward dog, hiking in the hills and even strength work in the gym. The adjustable crossed straps provide a personalised fit with added security, and help this lightly padded bra work for a wider range of chest sizes. The fabric is soft, too.
Pour Moi Energy Empower Bra
£28 | pourmoi.co.uk
SIZES: 32B-38G | STYLE: Wired
SUPPORT LEVEL: Medium to high
THIS MIGHT NOT LOOK like a typical sports bra, but if you have bigger breasts the support and coverage this underwired design provides is excellent. By crossing the straps at the back, you boost the support of this lightly padded bra further, for extra comfort. Best for shorter, easy runs.
Next Low Impact Light Pad Non Wire Sports Crop
£32 for two | next.co.uk SIZES: 6-22 | STYLE: Crop top
SUPPORT LEVEL: Low
IF YOU NEED AN INCENTIVE to stretch regularly, treat yourself to this set of lowimpact sports bras, which are perfect for yoga. The two ruched crop tops are lightly padded and despite a lack of adjustable straps or fastenings, they make for comfy additions to your rest-day wardrobe.
Marks & Spencer GoodMove Extra-High-Impact Sports Bra
£28 | marksandspencer.com SIZES: 32A-42E | STYLE: Wired
SUPPORT LEVEL: High
IF YOU LIKE WIRED SPORTS bras and wear smaller cup sizes, this is a contender. It comes in sizes up to an E cup but testers wearing the bigger cup sizes found the support better for cross-training than pavement pounding. For runners it does suit, this versatile bra is comfortable, adjustable and secure.
Nike Medium-Support Dri-FIT Swoosh
£31.95 | nike.com
SIZES: xs-2xl | STYLE: Pull-on racerback
SUPPORT LEVEL: Low to medium
THIS CLASSIC-STYLE item stands out in more ways than one. It’s made from recycled bottles, has just one removable pad for fafffree washing, and a built-in pocket on the front. It’s not supportive enough for running, but the crop top is comfortable and secure for cycling and most cross-training.
Tala SkinLuxe Tank Sports Bra
£36 | wearetala.com
SIZES: xs-xl | STYLE: Sports bra/crop top hybrid
SUPPORT LEVEL: Medium to high
SUPPORT YOUR CHEST and do your bit for the planet with this soft-feeling but highimpact sports bra that’s made from 76 per cent recycled nylon. The size choice is limited and it’s a tight fit, but if you fit into the crop-top style, this bra, with its substantial compression band, may suit.
Royce Aerocool Sports Bra
£45 | royce-lingerie.co.uk
SIZES: 32G-40K | STYLE: Hook-and-eye back with adjustable straps | SUPPORT LEVEL: High
IF YOU WEAR CUP sizes G to K, finding a well-fitting compression bra may be a challenge. This supportive solution helped testers go the extra mile with no discomfort. The adjustable straps can be worn normally or as a racerback, though the clip’s a little fiddly. It comes up small, so size up.
Elomi Energise
£36 | elomilingerie.com
SIZES: 32GG-46DD | STYLE: Wired
SUPPORT LEVEL: Medium
AFTER A LOWER-IMPACT bra for bigger breasts? Then go for this encapsulation bra; with underwiring and individual cups, it’s close in design to everyday bras, only with more support. The lack of compression meant testers preferred it for low- to mediumimpact cross-training such as cycling.
Brooks Drive Convertible Run Bra
£45 | brooksrunning.com
SIZES: 32B-40F | STYLE: Hook-and-eye back with adjustable straps | SUPPORT LEVEL: High
THIS LIGHTWEIGHT offering is made for running. The technical fabric feels luxe and supportive, and the easy-to-access adjustable straps and racerback clasp make it simple to fit this compression bra how you like it. There are no built-in cups, but the bra feels secure – especially for those with smaller boobs.
Shock Absorber Shaped Support Bra
£38 | shockabsorber.co.uk
SIZES: 32BB-38F | STYLE: Padded cup bra with adjustable straps | SUPPORT LEVEL: Medium
OUR RUNNER-UP in testing, this sports bra is ideal for cross-training. The mediumimpact design works hard to support you on the bike or in the gym and moisture-wicking fabric keeps skin dry. The fit can be variable – on some testers, it either gaped or came up tight in places – but it comes in many sizes.
Sweaty Betty Mindful Seamless Yoga Bra
£45 | sweatybetty.com
SIZES: xs-xxl | STYLE: Racerback pull-on
SUPPORT LEVEL: Low
FIND YOUR FLOW in luxury with this highend sports bra that looks the part and feels great. Made with modal – a sustainable fabric sourced from wood fibres – this is a treat for yoga and rest days. The design gives minimal coverage and support, so don’t wear it for anything strenuous. But it’s so comfy! •
Shock Absorber Ultimate Run Bra
£46 | shockabsorber.co.uk
SIZES: 30A-38G | STYLE: Non-padded racerback
SUPPORT LEVEL: High
FROM SPRINT SESSIONS to marathons, this gives maximum support on the run by counteracting the figure-of-eight motion your breasts make. What this compression bra lacks in style – it’s not a design to wear on its own – it makes up for in comfort, thanks to adjustable straps and a nifty clasp.
Lululemon Wunder Train Long-Line Bra
£58 | lululemon.co.uk
SIZES: US 2-14 | STYLE: Pull-on racerback SUPPORT LEVEL: Medium
ALTHOUGH THIS IS NOT designed for running, it’s a good investment if you crosstrain; it performed well across 10 activities, from spinning to lifting to yoga. Where it came up short was sizing – the snug fit was better suited to testers with smaller frames but if you find the right size, it’s a good choice.
Reebok PureMove Motion Sense Bra
£50 | reebok.co.uk
SIZES: xs-3xl | STYLE: Hook-and-eye back with
adjustable straps SUPPORT LEVEL: High
OUR TESTERS FOUND this bra supportive for running, but where it shone was in HIIT workouts. The compression is better suited to smaller boobs and the straps are, initially, a bit of a puzzle, but it keeps the skin dry during hard sessions and the high neckline provides unrivalled coverage.
Adidas Studio Two-Tone Bra
£60 | adidas.co.uk
SIZES: xs-4x | STYLE: Pull-on racerback
SUPPORT LEVEL: Low to medium
BRING A TOUCH of environmentally friendly glamour to your recovery-session wardrobe with this sports bra that’s made from 84 per cent recycled fabrics. It will stand out on the yoga mat and has enough support for strength training – for a lowimpact style, the compression is impressive.
Runderwear Easy-On Running Bra
£55 | runderwear.co.uk
SIZES: 30D-42H | STYLE: Padded bra with double
fastening SUPPORT LEVEL: High
THIS SPECIALIST BRA will go the distance. It features clever design details that make it a top performer, including two fastenings, moulded cups, padded adjustable straps and fabric that feels luxe. The cups provide individualised support for each breast and testers with bigger breasts raved about it.
Maaree Solidarity High-Impact Sports Bra
£64 | maaree.com
SIZES: 30C-38G | STYLE: Hook-and-eye back with
adjustable straps SUPPORT LEVEL: High
THIS INNOVATIVE BRA all but ensures a bounce-free fit. It’s not just the straps that are adjustable – the design features an ‘overband’ that sits across the top of your breasts and can be altered to achieve the support you need. It fits true to size and is comfortable for even your longest run.