Running
Tried and tested: The best sports bras for 2020
Unsure which sports bra to buy? Then have a read of what these experienced runners, ranging in sizes from a 34B to a 30GG, thought of the latest bras on the market.
When it comes to running, there are numerous gadgets and garments you can easily do without. But for women, there's one item you simply shouldn't overlook. A decent sports bra is an absolute necessity to ensure a run is comfortable and enjoyable. Without one, chest bounce can become an annoying and painful distraction, and can even prevent some women from exercising.
A supportive sports bra will reduce shoulder, back and boob pain, and will allow you to focus on enjoying your run without any wobble worries. There are numerous types on the market so it is important to find out which works best for you, based on your size and personal preference.
Word to the wise: Red Bull Race The Moon is launching on June 21 – a Strava challenge encouraging participants to run 1.5 million collective miles in 28 days to beat the Moon around the Earth. Are you up for the challenge?
A sports bra should be fitted in the same way as a standard bra, but they do fit tighter in order to keep you more supported
Choose between a compression or an encapsulation sports bra
Firstly, consider if you want a “compression” or an “encapsulation” bra. As their name suggests, compression bras are designed to compress the breasts, pinning them down to prevent bounce.
These type of bras look more like crop tops or boob tubes as they don't have separate cups for each breast. They tend to be favoured by those with a smaller bust and for lower intensity running.
“Encapsulation” bras individually cup each breast, some with added under-wiring. This can reduce the movement of the breast in all directions and many find it more comfortable and flattering as it feels more like a traditional bra. They tend to be more suited to larger busts.
Can't decide which one you prefer? Then you can also get bras which combine the two elements – a good option for high intensity running, whatever your size.
Choose the fit that's right for you
When it comes to the fit, independent bra fitter Chloe Mabey says: "A sports bra should be fitted in the same way as a standard bra but they do fit tighter in order to keep you more supported. A bra should be snug on the band. All breast tissue should be scooped into the cups of the bra. If you are wearing a wired sports bra they need to be sitting flush against your skin and not touching any breast tissue.”
Chafing can be an issue when it comes to running in a sports bra, so beware of any rough seams and being too tight under the arms. If you are doing a long distance run or a race like a marathon, it's better to be safe than sorry and apply anti-chafing gel under all the chest band and straps.
With so many brands and styles to chose from, it can be confusing to decide which bra to wear. So, here are a number of experienced runners, ranging in sizes from a 34B to a 40D and 30GG, who have tried out some of the latest on the market and which they liked best.
Meet the testers...
Julia Buckley, size 34B
Julia Buckley is a personal trainer who has helped thousands of people get into shape with her home workout videos on her website.
Running plays a key part in her exercise regime. She regularly does interval sessions with sprint efforts or hill reps and steady runs of 4-6 miles. She's run marathons, a 50-mile ultra, and was once the editor of Running Free magazine.
She's also the admin/founder of the UK Marathon & Ultra Runners Facebook group, which has 11.5k members.
Laura Murray, size 30D
Laura ran her first 5k in 2008 but only started running and racing more consistently in 2013. She ventured into marathon running in 2015, and completed her sixth marathon this December in Valencia. She runs five to six times a week, while working as a lawyer, and documents her training on Instagram.
Tess Agnew, size 34D
Tess has had a “love-hate” relationship with running for seven years. She admits it has “been a bumpy ride of three marvellous, endorphin-fuelled, painful, life-affirming marathons and multiple half marathons, park runs and a few 10k races in between, each with varying levels of comfort and flow.”
She adds: “Running doesn’t come easily to my short, stocky frame but at the moment I’m just starting to rekindle my running fling for winter training in the lead-up to Brighton Half in February.”
She shares her fitness adventures on her blog and on Instagram.
Charlie Watson, size 32DD
Charlie believes she's not a natural runner but with hard work and plenty of enthusiasm, she's completed 13 marathons, lowering her PB to 3:34.
She's passionate about helping others lead a healthy, active lifestyle and recently qualified as a dietitian. Her recipe book Cook, Eat, Run is published this month (December).
Samantha Collier, size 40D
Samantha has been running for more than two years to boost her physical and mental health. She started off following a Couch to 5k plan and has gone on to race a 10k and half marathon.
She also enjoys weightlifting and yoga classes at her local gym and, in 2020, she'll be taking on a 100k ultra, Race to the Stones, to raise money for Cancer Research.
Linda Powell, size 32F
Linda Powell
© Richard Underwood
Linda has been running since her youth but started taking it more seriously in 2007 when she started running with a group at work in her lunch breaks.
She then joined her local running club, St Albans Striders, and hasn't looked back, regularly competing for them in cross country and road races. She's run marathons including London and New York.
Philippa Walton, size 30GG
Philippa Walton (right)
© Philippa Walton
Having avoided exercise since childhood, Philippa joined St Albans Striders in 2015 in an attempt to get fit and has been running ever since.
She regularly takes part in cross country and road races, with one highlight her first (very hilly) half marathon in Berkhamsted. She also often buggy runs with her toddler who loves to “encourage” her by shouting: “Speed up mummy, you are so slow!”
The bras put to the test...
Panache Wired and Non-wired Sports Bras, £40-42
The Panache Sports Bra is perfect for both high and low impact exercise
© Panache
Lingerie brand Panache promise 83% less bounce with their range of sports bras, which are available in a variety of colours and sizes.
Our testers tried both wired and non-wired versions of the latest designs, which come in striking colours and prints. Both versions can be converted to a racer back and are available in band sizes 28-40 and up to J cup.
The non-wired style got high praise from Tess.
She said: "This was my favourite, I loved the fit and support of this bra. When I had it on I didn’t have to adjust it or think about it again for any of my runs. There was no chafing at all, in fact I forgot I had it on, which is what you want from a good-fitting sports bra."
She adds: "The back was sturdy with three clips and easy to do up, with the straps just tight enough on the shoulders to keep everything in place – something I’ve struggled with in the past due to having a small frame. The straps also had additional clips to turn the fit into a racer back which was great for different vests. I live in sports bras and activewear so this also doubled up nicely as an everyday bra."
It was also Julia's favourite style-wise. She said: "I love the design. I’m big fan of black and white exercise gear. The perforated fabric is a nice sporty detail. It's also very comfy. Stretchy, yet supportive. No issues with comfort at all."
Laura agreed saying: "I love the look and shape of this bra. The colours were brilliant and I liked the detailing."
All felt it offered great support and excellent value for money. The only drawbacks were that both Julia and Sam both found cups to be a little roomy, while Laura wasn't keen on it being hand wash only.
Under-wired version
Even without wires the Panache Sport Bra offers amazing support and control
© Panache
Both Philippa and Samantha admitted they were apprehensive about running in an under-wired sports bra but both were pleasantly surprised by Panache's.
Samantha said: "All under-wired bras I have run in previously have rubbed and been painful, but not at all with this one. The fit was lovely – supportive and comfortable. I liked having the option to make this a racer back. Not only was the under-wire fantastic for running, a running buddy even commented on how nice I looked, as it gave two nice shaped breasts and not the normal sports bra "uni-boob". It's worth the price as an investment in yourself for a well-fitted bra."
Philippa also found the bra to be "very supportive".
She said: "The wide shoulder straps were comfortable and distributed weight evenly and the under-wiring provided great control. I’ve always been a bit wary of under-wiring in a sports bra but I'm now a convert and will be wearing nothing else! For the excellent support, £42 seems a reasonable price to pay."
Tess added that the comfort this bra provided, coupled with how the under-wiring gave good shape, made it an excellent choice for all day wear, and not just for working out.
Shock Absorber Ultimate Run Bra, padded, £48
The Shock Absorber is soft and seamless, therefore reducing friction
© Shock Absorber
This Shock Absorber bra, designed specifically for runners, uses compression, encapsulation and construction techniques to reduce breast movements.
It is available from A-G cup in a variety of colours and has a soft, seamless inner to prevent chafing (they also have a max support version from D-H cup). It has full back opening so it can be taken on and off easily and has a RRP of £48, stocked by Boobydoo.co.uk
Julia loved this bra. "For me, it has the perfect combination of compression and encapsulation support,” she said. “I’d feel confident wearing this for any run and even for jump training. It fits me a like a second skin! The fabric is super-stretchy, so even though it’s a close-fitting bra, it’s still very comfy. As a running bra this is my pick of the bunch. I’d trust this bra for running any distance in any conditions.”
Charlie agreed that it did “a fantastic job of keeping everything in place”. She added: “I was struck by how soft, flexible and form-fitting their updated Run Bra has become, and with a range of sizes available, this is definitely a great option for those with larger chests.”
Linda also liked the comfort the bra provided, but felt it needed more “uplift” for her larger cup size. She said: “It has good shape structure and good weight distribution across shoulders but a bit more uplift would help. I like the adjustability and racer back.”
Both Charlie and Linda found the bra a little tricky to get on, but all were happy with the price. “Considering the support this bra provides, and the longevity and durability that comes from Shock Absorber, I do think this bra is good value for money,” Charlie said.
Runderbra Easy-On Support, £50
The Runderbra is easy to get on and off due to adjustable hook-eye closures
© Runderwear
The Easy-On Support has recently been added to Runderwear's collection of underwear, which has been designed to give runners a chafe-free, comfortable run.
The Easy-On Support starts at a D cup (their 'Original Support' bra covers all sizes), and has moulded cups to encapsulate and compartmentalise each breast. This controls the movement across the three planes of the body (up and down, in and out and side to side). It has two sets of fasteners in an open back style and is £50.
This was both Samantha's and Charlie's favourite bra.
Samantha loved it not just for the comfort and support it gave her, but for the flattering look. “I wore this bra all day and not once did it feel restrictive or uncomfortable,” she said. “It felt amazing in all activities I wore it for from running to weights workouts. The way it looks is lovely, I didn't get any side boob and the look was smooth and non bulky. I feel it's even made me look slimmer, so that's a win! I wasn't left with any marks as it didn't dig into my shoulders as the weight was very well distributed and the bra has wide padded straps.”
She added: “I would have thought this bra was very expensive, but having worn it for every occasion, it is worth every penny, this bra is an investment in yourself and your performance. I plan on wearing it in my next ultra.”
Charlie was similarly impressed. She said: “I found the material to be very comfortable, and overall it fit really well. I was very much supported for the 5k run, speed workout and gym session I tried it on. The wide chest band and padded straps made this wearable even when not working out. I was really impressed that the bra was offered in sizing including 28E up to 40H! At £50 it's not cheap, however, I think it is good value for the support provided and the quality of the product.”
Laura could see why Charlie and Samantha was such fans.
She said: “This is definitely fit for purpose and is a very supportive bra. I wore the bra in my regular bra size and it was spot on size-wise. The straps were wide and felt supportive, and they were adjustable which helped (they cannot be transformed into a racer back though). No chafing, moisture-wicking and good support from a sports bra is a win.”
Philippa was also impressed with the style and comfort of the bra, but found it didn't offer quite enough support for her large cup size when she put it through its paces in a track session.
Anita Air Control Delta Pad Maximum Support Sports Bra, £56
The Anita Bra's ultra-light mesh fabric allows for optimal air circulation
© Anita
Lingerie brand Anita have a number of sports bras in their collection ranging in levels of support. Our testers tried their Air Control Delta Pad Maximum Support Sports Bra, designed for high-impact activity like running.
It is an encapsulation-style bra with ultra-light mesh fabric to make it extra breathable. It's available in various colours from a cup size AA to H from Figleaves.com, or visit anita.com to find local stockists.
Our testers were all delighted with the comfort and support the Anita bra provided, and were especially impressed by the mesh fabric for breathabilty.
Samantha said: "This bra had the best air flow of the bras I tested. As some of the bra fabric is meshed, it allows the skin to breathe. It looks good too, I would feel comfortable wearing the bra on its own."
Linda thought it was the best of the bunch. She said: "This was my favourite without a doubt. It's a very supportive bra which lifted and made by boobs feel secure whilst exercising. The straps are wide and easy to adjust and the bra is so light, I could hardly feel I had it on. It's expensive compared to some others but as it fits so well and is so comfortable, I think you can justify the price."
Contur Block-rocker crop, £57
Double-lined, The Contur Bra is breathable and fast-drying
© Contur
Contur is an “eco-luxe, urban-chic activewear” brand launched by entrepreneur and fitness instructor Claire Turpin in 2019. She came up with the idea of creating flattering, practical sportswear for women when she faced low body confidence after becoming a mum.
The Block-rocker crop, available for £57 from conturuk.com, is a crop-top style bra with a supportive underband and wide shoulder straps. It comes in bold colours with metallic detailing in sweat-wicking fabric. The crop is available in sizes XS-XL, which is the equivalent of an A-E cup, so this wasn't tested by our F+ women.
Tess was impressed with elements of the style and fit. “I’ve always wanted to be able to pull off a crop top!” she begins. “First impressions for the Contur Block Rocker Crop had me questioning whether it would be supportive enough for my 34D size during high intensity workouts and runs, but the double-lining holds everything in place really well. The crop supports by holding the breasts down – but doesn’t sag or lose shape like some crops can do. The bra held up well for HIIT workouts and weights sessions but personally I would’ve liked more support during a run.”
Charlie and Julia agreed that they thought it was better suited to gym wear than running and was a little too pricey.
Charlie said: “The bra is pretty, with gold detailed straps and certainly would look cute in your post-workout selfie, although I’d suggest that workout be more of a yoga class/pilates than a HIIT session. The fabric was comfortable on the chest and it provides plenty of coverage which I really appreciated – that's not something all too easy to find in a lower impact bra with a large chest. But the support didn’t feel right for running.”
Maaree Solidarity High-Impact Sports Bra, £59
The Solidarity High-Impact Sports Bra can also be worn as a racerback
© Maaree
Maaree was launched in 2018 by Mari Thomas, an experienced runner and former sports bra performance lab tester. She wanted to design a bra to reduce upward motion and so developed her sports bras with a curved panel that runs over the top of the breasts.
The Solidarity High-Impact Sports Bra, available from maaree.com in a C-G cup, has padded shoulder straps which can be worn racer style.
Linda loved the look and colour of this bra, which she wore for a five-mile race. She also found it to be supportive, but would have liked a little more uplift.
She explains: "The size was good for me and the straps could be easily adjusted. It was good in that my boobs didn't move much while running, but they did feel a little squashed in, and needed a bit more up-lifting. If it wasn't for that and a little chafing under the arms, it would be perfect."
The Limitless Bra, £30
The Limitless Bra is designed to grow with you
© The Limitless Bra
Launched in 2019, The Limitless Bra has been designed with teenage girls in mind to address the worrying trend of young females dropping out of sport. According to their research, teenage girls said they found many sports bras too “complicated” to fit and too expensive.
As a result, The Limitless compression style bra doesn't come in cup sizes but is fitted via one over-chest measurement (up to an F cup maximum but is best suited to smaller cup sizes). It can be adjusted horizontally using hooks along the chest band, and tightened vertically via a T-Band strap that sits up the back.
Additional “comfort cups” can then be inserted if required for more support and padding. It has a zip front to make it easier to take on and off and, at £30 (available here), is the cheapest bra our testers tried.
Our testers were impressed with the look, feel and price of The Limitless Bra but none of them found it to be supportive enough for running (it is worth pointing out none of our testers are the brand's target market of teenagers).
Julia thinks it is the perfect choice for a gym workout instead.
She said: “The fit felt good and I love the soft stretch fabric. I’ve often experienced chafing under my arms from sports bras but I can’t see that happening with this one because the fabric there is so soft. I also really like the front zip fastening – always nice not to have to dislocate my shoulders to get in/out of a sports bra!”
She added: “This one is my favourite for comfort and it looks great. It has the look of a crop so I’ll be able to wear it without a vest over on hot days. The grainy grey colour goes with almost anything so it should co-ordinate well with my activewear bottoms. I felt the support was a bit too light for running. That said, the quality is excellent. I really like it as a supportive gym top.”
The best according to our testers...
Best for A-C cup
Shock Absorber: “Excellent quality, fit and performance – if you’re only buying one running bra I’d go for this one,” Julia said.
Best for D-F cup
Runderbra: “Simply amazing! The size was perfect and the fit was just what you want,” Samantha said.
Charlie said: “I liked the different style with semi-racer back straps and plenty of back support.”
And...
Panache Sport Non-wired: “It was so comfortable I barely noticed it when on, and it was the perfect level of support,” Laura said.
Best for F+ cup
Panache Sport Wired: “Excellent support. I’ve always been a bit wary of under-wiring in a sports bra but I'm now a convert and will be wearing nothing else!” Philippa said.
And...
Anita: “Extremely lightweight and very comfortable. I could hardly feel I had it on. It was very supportive and made by boobs feel secure,” Linda said.
