Nothing sucks harder on a run than an uncomfortable, unsupportive (or too supportive) sports bra that digs, chafes, causes pools of sweat to collect, and generally makes you curse the day you hit puberty. Luckily, we’re looking out for you. Our team was as rigorous with bras as we are with running shoes, treadmills, and other gear as we evaluated them.
We focused chiefly on comfort, breathability, durability, the potential to chafe, bounce control, and ease of laundering. And yes, we look at bras with and without pads, because anyone who has ever wrestled with those flimsy things can tell you that while they may hide the headlights, there are times when you’d rather light them on fire than deal with them before lacing up and hitting your run. The best sports bras for running work with your cup and band size, what level of support you require, and how you like it to fit on your frame.
We chose a range of adjustable high-impact bras, traditional pullover sports bras, bras with pockets, bras that are budget-friendly, and bras made for different size and shape breasts. Our testers span all experience levels, paces, ages, and body types, with sizes ranging from 28 to 40 bands and A to F cups. Over the past year, we’ve tested more than 45 different sports bras to see how they held us and how they held up.
We wore these bras for running plus low- to high-intensity workouts like yoga and HIIT, evaluating each for comfort, breathability, mobility, and—of course—support. We sorted our picks into three categories: adjustable bras (hook-and-eye closures, zip fronts, Velcro, or adjustable straps), pullover bras (no adjusting required, though maybe some contorting), and pocket bras, which we also rank on storage space and how packing affects mobility and support. We update this roundup regularly, but inventory changes fast—some colors and sizes may run low.
There are few bras that you try on and feel comfortable straight out of the bag, but the Run Times Bra manages. It’s a comfortably compressive, encapsulated, adjustable bra that is designed to take you for long miles. It has sweat-wicking fabric that prevents pooling under the breasts, and the mesh panel at the top allows for additional breathability.
On a long run, that extra breeze makes a huge difference in comfort and chafing prevention. Our tester took this out on a 35-mile climbing trail run through the Adirondack Mountains and through the heat and the rain. The bra performed beautifully, even under a long-sleeve tee and tech jacket.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
