5 New Sports Bras Put to the Test on the Run
We wear-tested five new sports bras you'll find at running stores this spring and summer.
When it comes to running attire and how it fits, Goldilocks comes to mind for me. Especially for sports bras. Too tight? No thank you. Too loose? Better but not ideal. Just right? I mean, yeah, feel good, run good, right?
Honestly, it doesn’t matter how short, tall, big or small you are; there is an ideal fit for all body types, and anything less, in my humble opinion, is not worth it. So, with this in mind, I’ve wear-tested a variety of new sports bras that you’ll find at running stores this spring and summer.
For your reference, I am 5-foot-3, and wear a 34 A/B in most regular bras. A couple of models I tested were out of that range from the start as, despite the fact that they were a size small, both were too big and there was no way I was running in them. I am petite, yes. But no matter if we’re an A, B, C or EE, we all need support.
(We will publish a secondary sports bra review soon for larger cup sizes. If you want insights about finding the right size sports bra for you, visit your local running store and try on several brands and models. Also, check out this Title Nine article or this comprehensive guide.)
I wear-tested these sports bras for both running and walking. I tried them in various weather conditions as well as for different types of workouts including track work, long runs, and recovery days. I washed them all and hung them to dry before each use. And with that, I give you my final roundup below. Keep it tight, my friends.
Price: $55
Support/Sizes: S-XL
Tester’s size: Small
The bra slides on easily but once it’s on the elastic is pretty tight around my chest. It’s not too tight, but I definitely could not go any smaller. The back of this bra has a pocket which I slid my phone into when I ran. Obviously this could be used for anything. Either way, this feature is critical for me as I don’t like carrying anything when I run. This bra comes with pads which I immediately removed. They work for some, not for me.
The fabric is soft and smooth, which is nice. There is a seam on the sides directly under my armpit and on several runs it was noticeable. My arm rubbed against it, and it chafed a bit, though oddly only on my right side. The bra was soaked through after running in hot weather, which is pretty typical. That said, I do believe it absorbed pretty well, as I didn’t notice how wet it was while I was out nor did it get uncomfortable.
Overall it’s comfortable and fits well. The straps are very thin, so I’m guessing the amount of support drops significantly for those with a bigger cup size. I like this bra a lot, especially because of the pocket.
Price: $55
Support/Sizes: Chest 32-40, Cup A/B, C/D, DDE
Tester’s size: 34 A/B
This bra is easy to get on and feels so nice on my skin, which are two of the reasons I’m a big fan of this model. The fabric is silky and soft, almost buttery. The elastic around my chest is fitted, but not too tight. The straps are thick and the neck goes up pretty high, almost more like a crop top than a sports bra. It doesn’t bother me, but given the extra fabric I would most likely be running in it without a shirt more often than not in the summer to avoid getting too hot, and that’s definitely something to keep in mind.
The seams on the side run down the front before the armpit, so there is no chafing on my arms which is wonderful. The fabric wicks away moisture beautifully, better than most others I’ve tried. The straps and the bra itself are pretty substantial, and I’m guessing this would work for most, if not all, cup sizes.
This bra also comes with removable pads. Unlike most, these pads were smaller and not as noticeable so I kept them in which I never do. I suppose it’s worth noting that they tend to be so big that it looks odd for me to wear the bra with them in, but not in this case, which I appreciated.
There are three pockets in this bra; one in the back and two on the sides. I slid my phone in the back and it was secure when I was running, while I also put some gels in the sides to see how that felt on my arms. My phone held securely, and I didn’t notice the gels which I was honestly surprised about.
Price: $75
Support/Sizes: XS-XL
Tester’s size: Small
This bra is very basic, but in a good way. It slides on easily and fits perfectly. It is snug, but it’s not too tight. The fabric is sleek and smooth, a bit more technical than most. The sweat wicked right off my skin, so much so that I found the bra was pretty dry even after a longer run in warm weather. The seams are not under the armpits but diagonally across the front, which I love, as there is no chance for arm chafing with this design. The straps are medium width and I assume the bra would be supportive enough for most cup sizes. This bra does not come with pads which is totally fine with me but might be a deterrent for those who prefer to use them.
There is a pocket in the front of the bra, which is a new one for me. Given that I’m used to having my phone in the back, it was a little odd to have my phone in the front while I was running. And it did stick out a bit through my shirt, which isn’t a big deal, but probably worth noting. That said, I did like how much easier it was to put the phone in and take it out as well as to change volume settings or skip songs given that I didn’t have to reach around my back and fumble for those buttons.
Overall, this bra feels fantastic when it’s on and is barely noticeable during a run, which is a good thing. The only thing working against it is that it’s a bit pricey. I’m not saying it’s not worth it, but it’s definitely a more expensive investment compared to other models.
Price: $55
Support/Sizes: Standard support; XS – 2XL, Plus – 1X-3X
Tester’s size: Small
This bra has double straps in the front that divide up and connect in two different areas in the back. It’s a unique design and makes a little more of a statement in terms of style. There is no pocket in this bra so I’d have to think really hard before purchasing it. It slides on easily and fits nicely — not tight at all — and feels great. In fact, it might be a little loose, though given I have a smaller cup size it still works for me. This bra comes with sewn-in pads which I don’t love. I prefer to have the option to take them out. The bra does fit fine for me with the pads, so I was OK with it.
The fabric of this bra is very soft and smooth and happens to have higher sustainability qualities, which is important for some runners. However, the moisture wicking capability isn’t great and when I finished running not only was the bra soaked through but it took a long time to dry.
I would probably wear this bra for lighter and shorter runs or for other activities like yoga or weight training rather than for high intensity work. It’s the first bra in this test that offers both standard and plus sizing, which is great and likely a big draw for those who need more support. I’m not reaching for it every time, but I do think it’s a great addition to my collection.
Price: $60
Support/Sizes: Light, Medium, High Support; Sizes XS – 2XL
Tester’s size: Small, High Support
This bra itself is very sleek and the fabric is almost rubbery. It’s made out of Nike’s sustainable Dri-FIT fabric and it wicks away moisture very well. While it did get wet with sweat after a run it dried very quickly which I appreciate. It’s easy to slide on and fits like a glove. There is an adjustable chest strap with velcro tabs which is very cool. It makes getting it on a snap and getting it off even easier, which can’t be said for most sports bras. This is definitely the highlight of this bra for me.
This bra does not come with pads but they tell you that specifically in the product description so you know ahead of time. Again, not an issue for me but might be for others who prefer to have them.
As you can see, you can choose both your size and your support level when you purchase the bra so I’m sure this one will work for most shapes and sizes. The straps are mesh in the back which makes it a nice feature for warm weather running. I feel totally supported but not locked in, especially since I can adjust the chest strap. If there was a pocket in this bra, it would be my top choice amongst all five bras.
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