Encapsulation bra
The right sports bra can make all the difference in your fitness routine. Whether you’re walking, running or exercising in a gym or studio, you’ll need a sports bra that’s comfortable, supportive and easy to get on and off. Not to mention, it should be durable and good-looking if you’re hoping to check all the boxes.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab regularly tests to find the best bras for people with small breasts, large breasts and everything in between, along with workout clothing like exercise leggings, running shoes and more. When it comes to sports bra, we combine in-Lab testing (with our specialized equipment) and consumer testing (with real-world workouts) to get a comprehensive analysis on each style. Our picks are either winners from our tests, newer styles with unique features and rave reviews or personal favorites from our fitness and product experts. You can learn more about how we test sports bras — as well as how to shop for your perfect style — at the end of this article, but first, here are the best sports bras you can buy for every type of exercise.
Encapsulation bra
The right sports bra can make all the difference in your fitness routine. Whether you’re walking, running or exercising in a gym or studio, you’ll need a sports bra that’s comfortable, supportive and easy to get on and off. Not to mention, it should be durable and good-looking if you’re hoping to check all the boxes.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab regularly tests to find the best bras for people with small breasts, large breasts and everything in between, along with workout clothing like exercise leggings, running shoes and more. When it comes to sports bra, we combine in-Lab testing (with our specialized equipment) and consumer testing (with real-world workouts) to get a comprehensive analysis on each style. Our picks are either winners from our tests, newer styles with unique features and rave reviews or personal favorites from our fitness and product experts. You can learn more about how we test sports bras — as well as how to shop for your perfect style — at the end of this article, but first, here are the best sports bras you can buy for every type of exercise.
Nike Pro Swish Sports Bra
This basic, no-frills sports bra earns our top spot because it was rated the most comfortable sports bra by our testers and has medium-impact support for a wide range of workouts. Its compressive fit holds you in to prevent bounce, while the racerback provides a good range of motion.
On top of its comfort and design features, the bra aced our Textile Lab’s durability and moisture evaluations, meaning it’s built to last and can wick away sweat to keep you dry. Our panel also said it fit well and felt supportive throughout their workouts. A tester who wore it while running said, “It was comfortable, supportive and nice quality. It was also easy to take on and off and stayed dry.” A different user noted, “it’s not to heavy or bulky,” while another one said it was “not too tight or not too loose.”
Fittin Racerback Sports Bra (3-Pack)
Sports bras can get pricey, but this three-pack costs less than many individual bras. Like the Nike style, it has medium support and a racerback design, but this one also comes with removable pads. Each pack includes assorted colors, and the bra is also sold individually and as a four-pack.The downside is that the brand recommends you hand wash it, which won’t clean sweat as well as a machine wash cycle. It also doesn’t have as much support for larger sizes or intense workouts. Still, it’s incredibly soft while offering good shape and support. Plus, it’s an Amazon best-seller with rave reviews from users ranging from A to DD cup sizes.
Wacoal Underwire Sports Bra
Ideal for bigger chests, this supportive yet comfortable sports bra has a built-in underwire and padded cups for encapsulation — i.e. it offers separate support for each breast to prevent movement in every direction, not just up and down. The wide straps also increase support without digging into your shoulders.
Our product experts were impressed with how well it wicked moisture, meaning you don’t have to worry about staying wet with sweat. Meanwhile, our fitness testers were wowed with its comfort and how well it stayed in place throughout exercise. One told us, “I loved the fit — it was surprisingly comfortable for an underwire bra, and it stayed put, no strap slipping or sliding around. Very supportive.” Their only call out was that the hook-eye closure is a bit trickier to put on than other sports bras.
Freya Active Underwire Molded Sports Bra
This one has the key features for giving larger bust sizes the necessary support, plus it has the added benefit of a hook on the straps that convert it into a racerback The straps are adjustable, thick and supportive. On top of that, the bra has an underwire and molded cups for separate support along with breathable and moisture-wicking fabric for comfort.This sports bra was a fan favorite from our panel of testers, especially for people with cup sizes D through H. They liked the flattering design and the encapsulation and gave it feedback like, “There was no pain from breasts moving up and down while running, which often happens, even with tight sports bras. I like that it has separate cups (instead of one massive uni-boob).” The downside was that some testers experienced fit issues, including spillage and feeling a bit tight, so you may need to size up.
Calvin Klein Performance Reversible Sports Bra
For smaller bust sizes that don’t need an underwire or padding, this super comfortable sports bra offers medium support. The smooth, seamless fabric stood up to all of our Lab’s durability tests, and it was a panel favorite, especially for B-cup testers. We received feedback like “it gave me the support that I need without feeling tight” and “it didn’t feel like I was even wearing anything when working out, like second skin.”
The seamless design means there are no threads or raised seams to cause friction or irritation during workouts. It’s a basic racerback design, which is ideal for upper body movement. And as a bonus, it’s reversible so you get two looks for the price of one.
Under Armour Infinity High Sports Bra
Whether you prefer CrossFit, HIIT, field sports or other high-intensity exercise, you’ll need a high-support sports bra that can keep up with your routine. Under Armour’s style has built-in molded cups, a firm band underneath and wide straps with a criss-cross back to give you an ideal balance of support, comfort and range of motion.It also has mesh components for breathability and moisture-wicking materials to keep you dry during sweat sessions. Plus, you get the benefit of adjustable straps and a hook-eye closure for a personalized fit. We’ve tested a range of Under Armour sports bras over the years, and they are consistently among the most durable styles with high performance ratings in areas like breathability and support.
Lululemon Flow Y Bra
Perfect for low-impact exercise like yoga or cycling where you won’t need as much support, this Lululemon style has a smooth, stretchy fabric with thin straps and a Y-back — i.e. even more minimal than a racerback — so you can comfortably move between poses. There’s no wire, so it’ll feel less restricting, but it has removable cups that you can keep in if you want the extra shaping benefits.It’s made with Lululemon’s signature Nulu fabric that’s often used in the brand’s yoga leggings and feels both lightweight and buttery smooth. This fabric has stood up to our performance evaluations, especially for its opacity and sweat-wicking capabilities. It’s designed for A to C cups, but reviewers ranging from A to DD all say it’s a favorite (though some recommend sizing up).
Who says sports bras can’t be stylish? This one stands out for its wide variety of fun prints to match any design preference. Perfect for wearing alone or underneath a top, it’s a personal favorite among staffers in our Lab. “I find myself reaching for this bra more than most of my others,” says Senior Textiles Analyst Emma Seymour.
Our analysts also appreciate how it’s super smooth, comfortable and flattering with a high-coverage fit. Plus, it offers light to medium support for most studio and gym workouts. The downside is that it doesn’t wick moisture as well as some others, so it’s not the best choice for extra sweaty exercise.