We love a soft, strappy bralette when we’re lounging at home—but 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 styles 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.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: SheFit Ultimate Sports Bra, $69
- Runner-Up: Lululemon Energy Bra, $58
- Best with Pockets: Brooks 3 Pocket Sports Bra, $55
- Best Sweat-Wicking: Nike Swoosh High Support Non-Padded Adjustable Sports Bra, $60
- Best Racerback: Athleta Interval Bra, $49
- Best for Larger Busts: Lululemon Run Times Bra, $68
- Best for Smaller Busts: Lululemon Wundermost Ultra-Soft Nulu Scoop-Neck Bralette, $38
- Best Longline: Adidas Run Pocket Medium-Support Bra, $55
- Best Compression: FP Movement Win Win Sports Bra, $38
In this article
Shop the best sports bras for running
Whether you’re a daily jogger or a budding marathoner, you deserve a good support system.
Best Overall: SheFit Ultimate Sports Bra
SheFit
Ultimate Sports Bra
Talk about staying power: SheFit’s viral Ultimate Sports Bra has won multiple SELF Activewear Awards, including a 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 that after this bra entered their life, they no longer had to layer sports bras 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 a 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.
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: Lululemon Energy Bra
A scooped neckline and a strappy back provide plenty of ventilation while you work up a sweat in this bra. It lends medium support, with a thick, sturdy band and medium (but not too tight) compression.
“I wore this for my last half marathon—absolutely no chafing and just a great overall sports bra,” SELF’s director of fitness and food, Christa Sgobba, says. “I love that it’s a pullover style and there’s no need to futz with any clasps or hooks.”
SELF’s associate social media manager, Katie Gunderman, agrees. “There’s nothing worse than worrying about a gear malfunction while working out, and because the Energy bra is longline and has fuller coverage, this has never been an issue!” she says. “It has the perfect compression that makes me feel secure while running.”
Sizes: XXS to XL | Material: Nylon, elastane, polyester
Best with Pockets: Brooks 3 Pocket Sports Bra
Brooks
3 Pocket Sports Bra
“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 style has a decent amount of compression and comes with removable cups for extra coverage, if you need it.
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
Nike
Swoosh High Support Non-Padded Adjustable Sports Bra
Another SELF staffer considers Nike’s Swoosh line of sports bras a “classic” for anyone, including those with large breasts. This supportive, non-padded, 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 helps you cool down faster.
Sizes: XS (A to C cups) to 3XL (F to G cups) | Material: Polyester, spandex
Best Racerback: Athleta Interval Bra
Athleta’s Interval Bra is cherished by reviewers (it has a near perfect rating on the brand’s website) for its supportive feel and well-placed back cutouts. Available in a range of sizes in two different cuts (one designed for A to C cups and one for D-DD cups), it’s made from fabric that’s rated UPF 40+, meaning it’ll help protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays when you go for a jog outside.
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, even when your mileage starts to hit double digits.
Sizes: XS to XL (A to C cups), XS to 3XL (D-DD+ cups) | Material: Polyester, elastane
Best for Larger Busts: Lululemon Run Times Bra
All of the little design details—adjustable, cushioned straps; a hook-and-eye clasp on the band; and molded cups that separate your boobs—add up to make this bra feel super supportive. Just ask Gunderman: “This is the most sturdy and secure sports bra I own,” she says. “It’s tight in a way that feels like it’s been spray-painted onto my body, and I love to wear it when doing a high-impact workout.”
Finding your perfect fit is also easier because this bra comes in traditional cup and band sizes, unlike some others on our list.
Size: 32B to 42G | Material: Nylon, elastane, polyester, polyurethane foam
Best for Smaller Busts: Lululemon Wundermost Ultra-Soft Nulu Scoop-Neck Bralette
Lululemon
Wundermost Ultra-Soft Nulu Scoop-Neck Bralette
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.
Sizes: 2 to 14 (A to D cups) | Material: Nylon, Lycra
Best Longline: Adidas Run Pocket Medium-Support Bra
Adidas
Run Pocket Medium-Support Bra
This longline sports bra from Adidas is another staffer favorite for its 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).
Sizes: XXS to XXL (A/C to D/DD cups) | Material: Polyester, elastane
Best Compression: FP Movement Win Win Sports Bra
FP Movement
Win Win Sports Bra
Built for high-impact workouts, this FP Movement bra holds you in using compression alone—no zippers, Velcro, or toggles to deal with. Its longline silhouette also lends extra coverage and support.
“It’s one of my go-tos when I’m running,” Gunderman says. “The slightly higher neck and thicker design holds everything down while I work out, and the thick straps and overall surface area prevent any pinching or digging in.”
Sizes: XS to XL | Material: Nylon, elastane
How we chose the best sports bras for running
First, we asked physical therapists and personal trainers which qualities a sports bra should have if you’re wearing it for a high-impact activity like running. After they shared their tips on how to find supportive options that’ll keep you comfortable, we asked SELF staffers which bras they reach for to train for marathons or go for casual jogs. Plus, we added previous SELF Activewear Award winners that impressed both us and our testers.
What to look for in a sports bra for running
Your bra should suit your measurements and cup size while providing 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 look for encapsulation bras that have built-in, structured cups for a better fit.
Running bras should be made 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 styles are less likely to cause irritation, Dr. Nunamacher says.
The right shoulder straps will help distribute the weight of your breasts. 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 offer the support you need during runs—and Dr. Nunamacher points out that they can dig into and pull on your shoulders, neck, and traps (ouch).
Some extra coverage can help you feel more secure as you run. Dinkins recommends looking for higher-cut necklines and avoiding scoop neck sports bras.
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 right under her bust, and Dinkins prioritizes thicker, wider bands—ideally, your bra will check all of these boxes. Some bands are even adjustable using a hook-and-eye or Velcro system.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it important to wear a supportive sports bra during high-impact activities?
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 chest 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 lead 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 says. And slouching isn’t just bad for these areas—as SELF has previously reported, it can create aches throughout your entire body.
TL;DR: 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.
Is it okay to wear a sports bra all day?
Wearing a sports bra all day long is fine, as long as you feel comfortable. If the band is too tight and you feel restricted, take it off and keep searching for a better fitting bra. If you notice your bra is messing with your posture, restricting your normal breathing, or causing any skin irritation or breakouts, that’s also a sign to try a different style (or none at all) and see how you feel.
How tight should a running sports bra be?
A running sports bra should fit snugly, but it shouldn’t be so tight that you feel like it’s hard to breathe, and the straps shouldn’t cause pain and discomfort by digging into your shoulders. A general rule of thumb: You should be able to fit two fingers under your straps. If the fabric around the cups is wrinkled, that’s a sign the bra is too big or doesn’t fit properly.
With additional reporting by Kristin Canning
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