Best Sports Bras
Find your fit for running (and all your other adventures)
No two are built the same (wink!), which means that there’s no single perfect sports bra for everyone. That’s why we picked plenty of options to help you find the right support for your next run. Read on for our favorites or tap the button to shop our whole assortment.
High Impact
It doesn’t matter if we’re hitting the road, trail, or treadmill. If we’re running, we’re wearing a high-impact sports bra. That’s because the figure-8 movement from running can cause soft-tissue damage to skin and ligaments when wearing an unsupportive bra. High-impact bras feature the most compressive fabrics, broader straps and bands, and fit-enhancing tech, such as combination compression and encapsulation styles, to keep you feeling secure.
You may be thinking that downsizing is the best bet for that ultra-secure fit, but a sports bra should be neither too tight nor too loose—chafing and excess movement alike can yoink you right out of your mile-five euphoria. Unfortunately, there’s no universal sizing in the sports bra realm, so we recommend that you take fresh bust and ribcage measurements with a soft tape measure to lock in the right fit for your body. To help you achieve that juuuust right fit, some bras on this list have split band and cup sizing, while others have adjustable straps and bands.
Our Favorite High-Impact Sports Bra
Backcountry Wasatch Adventure Bra
By runners, for runners, this high-neck zip-up sports bra offers added security and easy entry, while plentiful pockets keep everything in place, including snacks, your phone, a sweat rag, and even soft water bottles, depending on your cup size. Unlike regular sports bras, this one has a long-line profile and no under-bust band, relying on a super-compressive moisture-wicking fabric to keep you secure. (Since there’s no band, choose a size based on your bust measurement for the best fit. For cups A–B, choose your regular size. For larger cups, you’ll want to size up. Our Gearhead testers found that this bra was just as supportive as its banded sisters (locked in was one runner's phrasing), and another found it perfect for pairing with a heart rate monitor, no accidental loss of data due to a band adjustment gone wrong.
Backcountry
Wasatch Adventure Hydration Bra - Women's
1 color
On Running
Performance Flex Bra - Women's
3 colors
Brooks
Drive 3-Pocket Sports Bra - Women's
1 color
Brooks
Drive Convertible Sports Bra - Women's
3 colors
Brooks
Dare Crossback Run Bra 2.0 - Women's
2 colors
Medium Impact
Medium-impact sports bras are typically reserved for our more casual hiking days, but if you have a smaller cup size (A–B), a medium impact sports bra may be used for running. For those with bigger cup sizes, these medium-impact sports bras are great options for road cycling, skiing, climbing, and weight training, too.
Backcountry
Destination Racerback Bra - Women's
4 colors
Patagonia
Wild Trails Sports Bra - Women's
2 colors
Under Armour
Crossback Mid Bra - Women's
4 colors
District Vision
Citta Sports Bra - Women's
4 colors
Nike
Swoosh Med Sports Bra - Women's
5 colors
Smartwool
Intraknit Racerback Bra - Women's
4 colors
FP Movement
Every Single Time Bra - Women's
1 color
Out Of Stock
Patagonia
Maipo Mid Impact Bra - Women's
3 colors
Patagonia
Shadowlite Mid Impact Adjustable Bra - Women's
2 colors
Kari Traa
Ness Sports Bra - Women's
3 colors
Low Impact
We do not recommend low-impact sports bras for high-impact activities like running or mountain biking, but we love them for recovery days. We like to wear low-impact bras and crop tops for yoga, dog walking, daily wear, and other more-relaxed adventures. Our favorites blend moisture-wicking fabrics and light compression with stylish details like mesh panels, and fun strappy designs.
Backcountry
Square Neck Bra Top - Women's
3 colors
Patagonia
Maipo Low Impact Adjustable Bra - Women's
3 colors
Kari Traa
Froya Printed Sports Bra - Women's
2 colors
Under Armour
Seamless Low Long Bra - Women's
3 colors
Halfdays
Paradis Seamless Bra Top - Women's
4 colors
Smartwool
Intraknit Strappy Bra - Women's
5 colors
Icebreaker
Siren Bra - Women's
4 colors
L Space
Soren Top - Women's
2 colors
Patagonia
Barely Bra - Women's
1 color
Kari Traa
Var Printed Sports Bra - Women's
2 colors