Finally, Sports Bras for Big Boobs That Don’t Pinch, Squeeze, or Chafe

There’s nothing more uncomfortable than feeling your boobs bounce up and down the second you break into a jog—I’ve been known to wear two sports bras just to avoid it. But surely there are some options out there that are so supportive, you don’t need to layer them…right?

I asked the SELF team to help me find the best sports bras for big boobs by testing a ton of options from top activewear brands like Lululemon, Athleta, and more. We put them through their paces on hikes, bike rides, runs, workout classes and lots of other activities. After two months, we’re excited to (finally) share the winners with you—check them out below.

Our top picks

1. Best Overall: Nike Swoosh High Support Sports Bra
2. Best for High-Impact Workouts: CW-X Xtra Support High Impact Sports Bra
3. Best for Medium-Impact Workouts: Lululemon Energy Longline Bra
4. Best for Low-Impact Workouts: Athleta Transcend Square Neck Crop Bra
5. Best for Running: Lululemon Run Times Bra
6. Best for Yoga: Athleta Purpose Crop Bra
7. Most Compressive: SHEFIT Ultimate Sports Bra
8. Most Stylish: OFFLINE By Aerie Real Me Low Key Longline Sports Bra

How we tested the best sports bras for big boobs

We tested more than a dozen sports bras for months to learn which activities they work best for. During our runs, workout classes, and daily routines, we assessed how well they supported our chests. (Were our boobs bouncing at the first sign of cardio? Were we showing sideboob at the gym? Did we feel confident while wearing them?)

While some bras completely missed the mark, we did find a few holy grails that surprised us.

Shop the best sports bras for big boobs

Say goodbye to bouncing for good.

Best Overall: Nike Swoosh High Support Sports Bra

Pros

• Adjustable band for a precise fit
• No removable or sewn-in pads
• Higher scoop neckline provides more coverage
• Easy to take on and off
• Wider straps don’t dig in

Cons

• Straps aren’t adjustable

Without feeling like a straitjacket, this Nike bra holds one SELF tester’s D-cups in place through all of her Peloton classes. It has an adjustable band around the ribcage with Velcro for a close fit that’s more precise than your standard hook-and-eye design.

“It accommodates folks who have larger chests and smaller rib cages,” our tester says. “Loosening the straps also makes it much easier to remove the bra after a workout—if you’ve ever felt stuck in your sports bra before, you know it’s the worst!”

And if you’re not a fan of the awkward foam padding that often comes in sports bras, you’re in luck: “It’s a huge plus for me that this bra provides support without any pads (either removable or sewn-in),” our tester says. “This is my new go-to for high-impact workouts.”

Best for High-Impact Workouts: CW-X Xtra Support High Impact Sports Bra

Pros

• Adjustable band
• Very compressive
• Comes in cup and band sizes

Cons

• Straps aren’t adjustable
• A little tricky to put on at first

It took our tester a minute to get the hang of slipping into this sports bra, but it was worth the challenge. “This is one of the better high-impact, cross-back sports bras I’ve tried,” she says.

The straps aren’t adjustable, which initially made our tester worry about how well it could hold her in, but it’s quickly become her go-to for running. “The adjustable band under the bust and the compressive fabric that flattens the chest work together to provide a lot of support,” she says.

One thing to note: The neckline is pretty high and peeked out above some of our tester’s tank tops. “It worked okay with some of my shirts, but I could see it not looking great with all of them,” she says.

Best for Medium-Impact Workouts: Lululemon Energy Longline Bra

Pros

• Comfortable for a variety of activities
• Cute design
• Stretchy
• Easy to put on

Cons

• Limited size range

This sports bra fits my 34E chest like a glove and provides enough compression for most low-to-medium-impact exercises (think: squats, deadlifts, brisk walks). On the other hand, one of our testers with a 34D chest needs less support and can go harder in this bra—she’s worn it for runs, CrossFit, and rec volleyball.

Something we can definitely agree on: It’s stretchy, easy to put on, and durable—we’ll be reaching for this bra for years. Also, the criss-cross design in the back is really cute (normalize pretty and functional bras!).

Best for Low-Impact Workouts: Athleta Transcend Square Neck Crop Bra

Pros

• Very soft
• Stretchy
• Can be worn as a top

Cons

• Straps and band aren’t adjustable

I loved this Athleta bra as soon as I put it on; it’s soft, lightly compressive, and has enough surface area to cover my chest (no sideboob or underboob here). But the best part is that I feel comfortable wearing it without a tank top or T-shirt over it, unlike a lot of other sports bras I’ve tried.

It has a built-in shelf bra, so I’m not relying on compression alone to hold me in. Plus, it’s supportive enough that I can bend over for a deadlift without worrying about my boobs falling out, and snug enough that I can do upper body movements without the straps falling down or the band riding up.

Bonus: I definitely see myself wearing this in place of a white tank top in the summer to avoid wearing a regular bra (because sometimes, it’s just too hot for that).

Best for Running: Lululemon Run Times Bra

Pros

• Adjustable band and straps
• Cushioned shoulder straps
• Wide range of sizes
• Molded cups to prevent uniboob

Cons

• Not comfortable for long periods of time, according to our tester

Lululemon specifically designed this bra for running, which tracks with our tester: “This is the most sturdy and secure sports bra I own,” she says. “It’s tight in a way that feels like it’s been spray-painted onto my body, and I love to wear it when doing a high-impact workout.”

It has lots of details you’d find on a regular bra, like a hook-and-eye clasp on the band, adjustable straps, and molded cups that lift and separate your boobs without feeling bulky or annoying (like foam pads can). It even comes in traditional cup and band sizes—so if you’ve had trouble finding a great fit in the past, you might win with this one.

Every aspect feels well thought-out, down to the ability to unhook and criss-cross the straps to hide them underneath a racerback top—not to mention, the straps are cushioned for extra comfort.

Best for Yoga: Athleta Purpose Crop Bra

Pros

• Washes well and holds up over time
• High neckline provides plenty of coverage
• Built-in shelf bra

Cons

• No adjustability
• High-neck design traps sweat

I’ve had this bra for about six years, and it’s still going strong—even after countless washes, runs, hikes, spin classes, strength training workouts, and yoga flows. While Athleta says it’s designed for low-impact workouts, I’ve found that it’s compressive enough to keep my boobs in place through light cardio and other medium-impact activities.

Aside from a friend’s glowing recommendation of it, what sold me on this bra years ago was the high neckline. I tend to get self-conscious when I have cleavage showing, and I love that I don’t have to worry about spilling out of the top. If I’m wearing this, I know I’m going to feel confident at the gym—full stop.

Most Compressive: SHEFIT Ultimate Sports Bra

I lovingly refer to this sports bra as “boob jail.” Hear me out: If you need extreme support for running, sports, or HIIT workouts, this bra will come through for you. It has thick, adjustable straps that hold my E-cup boobs up and an adjustable, Velcro band that I can tighten around my rib cage, so it’ll sit exactly where I want it to.

Though it’s slightly overkill for my exercise routine, which mostly involves weightlifting and walking, I really appreciated how supportive it was when I was doing squats, lunges, and pull-ups.

Best for Boob Sweat: OFFLINE By Aerie Real Me Low Key Longline Sports Bra

Pros

• Comfy enough to lounge in
• Very soft and stretchy
• Can be worn as a top

Cons

• Neckline might be too low for some

“This is one of the best sports bra tops I’ve ever had on!” our tester says. Its deeper, V-shaped neckline and scoop back let your chest breathe, which can be helpful if you tend to break out after being trapped in a sweaty bra (I speak from experience).

“I wore this to a Lagree class that’s higher intensity, and it didn’t budge at all,” our tester says. “It’s so soft and comfortable, and I like that it doesn’t push my boobs too far up or let them move around. It has the perfect amount of support.”

More great options

While we didn’t test these sports bras ourselves, they all come highly recommended by Alysha Flynn, a marathoner, running coach, and founder of the female running community What Runs You, who’s a size 32DD. Here are the styles she wears day in and day out.

Endurance Bra by On Running

Pros

• Adjustable straps
• Higher neckline
• Breathable for hot workouts

Cons

• V-shaped band may not be for everyone

“This is my personal top choice,” Flynn says. It has a higher neckline, in case you don’t want to show too much cleavage, and straps that can be tightened to give you more support.

Flynn reaches for it for high-impact workouts and says it really comes in handy during the summer because the “breathable fabric stays comfortable during long runs in the heat.”

Adidas TLRD Impact Luxe High Support Zip Bra

Pros

• Easy to put on and take off
• Soft inner lining
• Feels very secure
• Adjustable straps

Cons

• Band isn’t adjustable
• Sells out fast

Once you zipper this baby up, you shouldn’t have to worry about your boobs for your entire workout. “I love the front-zip closure for easy on and off, plus it feels more secure during runs,” Flynn says. “It has breathable fabric and a soft inner lining that prevents chafing.”

Brooks 3 Pocket Sports Bra

Pros

• Extended size range
• Has hidden pockets for essentials
• Cups are removable

Cons

• Straps and band aren’t adjustable
• Some Brooks reviewers say the elastic in the band wears out over time

For low-to-medium impact activities, Flynn reaches for this comfy Brooks bra. It has one pocket right at the base of the neck that’s large enough to hold your phone and two on the sides to store your keys or energy gels. She also likes that it has thick, adjustable straps for a secure fit and soft fabric that doesn’t scratch her skin.

Which features should you look for in a sports bra for big boobs?

Here’s how to shop for a bra that’ll (really) get the job done.

How should a sports bra fit?

Your sports bra should be snug enough around your ribcage, bust, and shoulders that you don’t need to adjust the band or straps to keep it from riding up or falling down. Ideally, you’ll barely notice it: “When you’re wearing a great sports bra, you don’t think about it at all. It frees you up to focus on your body’s needs like fueling, hydrating, and pacing without any distractions,” Flynn says.

Related:

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• 7 Excellent Cross Training Shoes Editors Love for Lifting, HIIT, and More
• These Extra-Grippy Mats Are Perfect for Hot Yoga, According to Instructors

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