How To Buy A Sports Bra

1. There are three kinds of sports bra so you need to pick one that suits you best Surprise, surprise! Yes ladies there are three kinds of sports bras in the activewear section of your fave store. Compression, encapsulated, and combination.

how to buy a sports bra

4. Look for a bra with proper bands and panels If you are intrigued by the multiple panels and bands that your sports bra has, then let us reveal their purpose to you today. The bottom band supports your breasts while the side and back panels ensure zero spillage. Plus they help you choose a good fit.

6. Invest in both low-impact and high-impact bras No one bra does it all. So, if it is yoga or Pilates day, then you can very well wear a low-impact sports bra. If you are going for weight training and other high-intensity workout sessions then you must wear a high-impact sports bra to save your boobs from all the movement.

Basic and no-frills, this 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.

Featuring encapsulation cups, this ThirdLove sports bra is designed for high-impact, sweaty workouts like HIIT, CrossFit and running. The wide, adjustable straps can cross and uncross in the back for racerback support. There's a hook and eye closure in the back for easy on and off.

With medium compression and removable pads, this versatile Outdoor Voices bra is ideal for a range of low- to high-impact activities. Its thick elastic bottom band offers good lift and support with a mesh racerback for airflow and range of motion. As the bottom band offers a bit more coverage than a traditional sports bra, many testers loved pairing this pick with leggings, choosing from eight stylish shades.

Head into your favorite studio class like Pilates or yoga with confidence in this low-impact style from Athleta. With a longline design and high neck, it can be worn as a crop top or under a shirt, giving you the comfort and support of a sports bra with extra coverage and stability around the torso. It's made with buttery soft fabric and has a built-in bra with removable pads for additional support. Note that this style is for A to C cups, but the brand also offers a D to DD version that runs up to a size 3X.

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.

Running requires a sports bra that'll minimize bounce without chafing, feeling comfortable mile after mile. This sports bra from Brooks is specifically designed for running with a high compression feel and removable cups for additional support. It has pockets on the side and back, but most testers didn't find it comfortable to work out with something in the pockets. GH analysts appreciate the bonded seams and edges to reduce any chafing irritation.

Sometimes when you grab leggings and a sports bra, you aren't actually planning on working out but instead need a casual outfit to lounge in or run errands. This pick from Alo Yoga is the ideal lounging sports bra. It's made with ultra soft, stretchy fabric that has a chic front ruching detail for a stylish touch. The longline silhouette hits right at your waist with a V-neckline, flattering for smaller chests.

Offering an impressive size range from XXS to 6XL, this sports bra from Girlfriend uses recycled plastic water bottles (RPET) and spandex to create the brand's signature comfy, compressive fabric. It has a racerback design that's designed for medium impact exercise.

When underwear startup Knix set about developing their sports bra, called the Catalyst, the retailer apparently tested it against 800 other bras. The bra boasts a well-ventilated, smooth fabric that somehow keeps you supported while also wicking sweat away; I noticed after even the hottest of summer runs, I was less sweaty than usual in the Catalyst.

To land on my list of best sports bras, I ran at least three miles in each option, then judged them on comfort and support. I tested 13 sports bras in total and narrowed it down to these six. Note that my top picks offer the best support for high-impact exercises like jogging, boxing and HIIT.

Some sports bras are made with low-impact workouts in mind, others offer more support for high-impact workouts. If you plan on doing high-impact exercise like running, HIIT or anything that involves jumping, look for sports bras that offer maximum support, like the encapsulation or combination bras mentioned above. If you plan on doing lower-impact workouts like biking, yoga, pilates or barre, lighter weight, less structured sports bras will suit you just fine.

Most sports bras have similar care instructions: machine wash on cold, then skip the dryer and lay flat to dry. If you want convenience, pick sports bras that can go in the washing machine for easy washing versus hand washing.

You can find three main styles of sports bras: those that primarily employ compression, those that primarily employ encapsulation, and those that use a combination of the two. We considered all those styles when looking for bras to test.

Anna Perling is a former staff writer covering kitchen gear at Wirecutter. During her time at Wirecutter, she reported on various topics including sports bras, board games, and light bulbs. Previously she wrote food and lifestyle pieces for Saveur and Kinfolk magazines. Anna is a mentor at Girls Write Now and a member of the Online News Association.

Our mission is to find the perfect fitting sports bra for every active woman, no matter her size or the activity she is taking part in. We provide women with the support they need to tackle their exercise goals without having to worry about their boobs.

We are committed to supporting our community; since our launch over 17 years ago, we have helped over 150,000 women find the perfect fit. Our goal is to see all women and girls participate in a healthy and active lifestyle and so we are dedicated to finding the best sports bras in the world and making them available at a fair price on our website.

Have you been on the eternal search to find a Sports Bra that supports you? We feel your pain, and that why we created our own. Our High-Impact Sports Bra has been engineered by a Sports Bra Tester to offer the support and comfort desired for high-impact sports such as running.

Q: Does this Solidarity Sports Bra have an Underwire?A: No, the Solidarity Sports Bra is a hybrid style, mixing the benefits of encapsulation and compress to provide ultimate support without the necessity of an underwire.Q: Is the Solidarity Sports Bra a racerback style?A: Yes, the Solidarity Sports Bra has a hook and eyelet fastening at the upper back which allows the Sports Bra to be worn either in Racerback or H-Back/Straight style.Q: Does the Solidarity Sports Bra come in Cup and Underband sizing?A: Yes, currently our size range extends across 52 sizes. With underband sizes ranging from 28-38, and cup sizes ranging from C-H. If you need assistance sizing, please refer to our sizing guide or book a free online fitting.Q: What Sports should I use my Solidarity Sports Bra for?A: The Solidarity Sports Bra is engineered for High-Impact Sports such as Running. However it can be used for all activity where support is required. We advise wearing our Medium-Impact Empower Sports Bra where support is of a medium level is required.Q: Is the Solidarity Sports Bra true to size?A: Yes, please use our sizing guide for instructions on how to self-measure for your sports bra, our international conversion chart to compare sizes, our brand comparison page to see the differences between brands and finally, book a free online fitting with us to ensure you get your right size.

You know how to choose running shoes based on your foot shape and running habits, and you know exactly how long those shoes will last. But when is the last time you thought about replacing your sports bras?

New bras will give you the best comfort and support during your runs and workouts. Straps will be stronger, elastic will rebound better, the fabric will breathe easier. But as they age, your sports bras wear out just like your running shoes. When that happens, they quit supporting you the way they're supposed to, and it can quickly turn a good run into a bad run.

While the bra you wear to yoga might feel comfortable, if your sports bra is designed for medium to high impact sports, the chances are it's too tight to be worn all day. Wearing a tight sports bra all day can be dangerous, so it's safer to switch to your regular bra when you're not working out.

These sports bras are designed for high-impact sports like running, boxing, or football. They offer the maximum amount of protection while also being comfortable and sweat-wicking. Here are the best high-impact sports bras on test right now:

If you're looking for a high-support, or running sports bra for a larger cup size, we've found them. These bras come in a wide range of sizes, and are built to offer customizable support, whatever your bra size.

Maaree was started by Mari, a sports product tester, who set out to develop a sports bra that reduced the upward motion of breasts. The Solidarity High Impact Sports Bra is one of the best on the market for women with bigger boobs, and has superior support to prevent movement. 041b061a72