The Best Sports Bras for High-Impact Workouts, According to Runners

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, and comfortable 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.

1. Best Overall: SheFit Ultimate Sports Bra
2. Runner-Up: ThirdLove Kinetic Sports Bra
3. Best Budget: Old Navy High Support PowerSoft Convertible Sports Bra
4. Best with Pockets: Brooks 3 Pocket Sports Bra
5. Best Sweat-Wicking: Nike Swoosh High Support Non-Padded Adjustable Sports Bra
6. Most Versatile: Athleta Ultimate Bra
7. Best for Larger Busts: Knix Catalyst Sports Bra
8. Best for Smaller Busts: Lululemon Wundermost Ultra-Soft Nulu Scoop-Neck Bralette
9. Best Longline: Adidas Run Pocket Medium-Support Bra

In this article

• Shop the best running sports bras
• More great options
• Why is it important to wear a supportive sports bra during high-impact activities?
• What to look for when shopping for running sports bras

The best running sports bras

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, then read on for more shopping tips from a personal trainer, a Peloton instructor, and a physical therapist.

Best Overall: 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 they no longer have to layer sports bras in order 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 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.

Product specs

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

Pros

• Very comfortable
• Adjustable, convertible straps

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.

Product specs

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

Best Budget: Old Navy High Support PowerSoft Convertible Sports Bra

Pros

• Under $40
• Soft, sweat-wicking fabric

Cons

• Runs small, according to reviewers

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 Convertible 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 the coverage it provides along the neckline.

Product specs

Sizes: XS to 4XL | Material: Polyester, spandex, nylon

Best with Pockets: Brooks 3 Pocket Sports Bra

Pros

• Lots of storage
• Good coverage

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.

Product specs

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

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 helping you cool down faster.

Product specs

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

Most Versatile: Athleta Ultimate Bra

Pros

• Works for many different activities
• Comfortable pullover racerback style

Cons

• Not adjustable
• Might not feel as supportive for those with larger breasts

Athleta’s Ultimate Bra won an Activewear Award back in 2020 for its supportive feel and well-placed back cutouts—and judging by its near-perfect rating on the brand’s website, it hasn’t lost any of its appeal in the last four years. “Love this bra. Great for running, cycling, my strength training, and yoga. Super versatile,” wrote one reviewer.

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.

Product specs

Sizes: XXS to XL (A-C cups), XXS to 3XL (D-DD+ cups) | Material: Polyester, Lycra; polyester, nylon, spandex (the blend depends on the color you choose)

Best for Larger Busts: Knix Catalyst Sports Bra

Pros

• Extremely supportive and bounce-reducing
• Comfortable, wide band

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.

Product specs

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

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.

Product specs

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

Best Longline: Adidas Run Pocket Medium-Support Bra

Pros

• Versatile length
• Convenient pockets

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).

Product specs

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

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.

Product specs

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

Oiselle Flyout Bra

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.”

Product specs

Sizes: 2 to 14 | Material: Polyester, Lycra

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 or 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 breasts 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 contribute 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 explains. 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.

What to look for when shopping for running sports bras

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

• Fit: Your bra should suit your measurements and cup size. Its fit should also provide 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 specifically look for encapsulation bras, or ones with built-in, structured cups.
• 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.
• Straps: We’ve already mentioned that a high-quality sports bra will help distribute the weight of your breasts—this mostly comes down to the design of its shoulder straps. 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 provide you with the amount of support you need during runs—and, Dr. Nunamacher points out that they can dig into and pull on your shoulders, neck, and traps (ouch).
• Coverage: A little additional coverage can help you feel more secure as you run. Dinkins recommends looking for higher-cut necklines and avoiding scoop neck sports bras.
• 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 firmly under her bust, and Dinkins prioritizes thicker, wider bands—ideally, your bra will check all of these boxes.

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