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Feeling supported whilst running is vital, and this means every single part of your body. An essential piece of clothing that will help to ensure that is a sports bra. As important as getting the right trainers or socks, a good sports bra will fit perfectly and offer just the right amount of support. For running, this is even more necessary due to the high-intensity, high-impact nature of this form of exercise.
Whether you've just started running or you take part in marathons, everyone needs to feel comfortable and supported by their sports bra. Whatever your size, the increasing range for both smaller and larger busts as well plus-size women means no one has to be excluded. Read on to discover our recommendations on Amazon, ASOS and eBay from Nike, Reebok and more.
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Table of Contents
The range of styles, straps and fastening on sports bras is huge, each having a different way of keeping everything in place. These varying styles will suit different women depending on their shape or what they're looking for, so we've broken down some key things to look at.
These two different styles aren't wildly different, and there is some overlap as bras are often a bit of both, but it is definitely worth knowing what each style has to offer.
Encapsulation bras resemble normal bras, with two cups, but have extra support and strong straps so they can be secure enough for doing rigorous exercise.
This style is a good choice if you like the feel and fit of a normal bra and, because they often have adjustable straps and an adjustable back, they tend to be better for women with bigger busts.
The other style is called a compression bra. These look like crop tops but also have a lot more support. They push your bust into your chest to stop it from bouncing when you run.
They are normally less adjustable – and sometimes less supportive – which is why this style works well for women with a smaller chest.
Thankfully, most sports bra designs and and brands recognise the importance of having a large range of cup sizes. In fact, if you have larger bust, it is extra important that you get a good sports bra for running to avoid soreness or chafing.
Usually, sports bra sizes are measured in the traditional cup sizing such as A, B or C, but some of the compression options that are more like crop tops are given the sizes small, medium and large.
The issue you might find with having bras that sizing is done in small, medium and large is that the cup size and the band size go up with each other. If your bust is smaller but your band measurement larger, or vice versa, a crop top style is unlikely to work.
You should be able to fit one finger under the strap but not much more than that. This ensures that it is tight but doesn't stop you from breathing. You will get more flexibility if you choose a bra that has a band measured in inches, like normal bras are.
There are two main parts of a running sports bra that can be adjusted. The first is the straps. Adjustable straps will give you more support and mean that you can let them out if they feel too tight. In a similar way to the the chest band, straps that are too tight will be uncomfortable.
The other area that can be changed on some bras is the chest band. They often have a hook mechanism that is used on everyday bras, but this is often not possible with crop top design that has a set size and shape.
If you have a larger bust, an underwire bra can help relieve some of the strain. This is even more true of sports bras for running when your chest might be put under extra pressure thanks to the movement.
However, underwire bras can be uncomfortable and dig in, particularly if you're not used to them whilst running. To help reduce the chances of this, you should be very sure that the fit is right.
Most running sports bras have some level of cushioning to help absorb some of the bounce, but on some it is used far more than on others. Padding can help to make you feel more cushioned and protected.
On the flip side, it can make your sports bra warmer and retain more heat. If you get hot and sweaty when you run, you might want to consider this as it is crucial that your sports bra can breathe, and this is made harder with padding. If you're unsure, look for bras with removable pads which give you the option of both.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Shock Absorber Women's Ultimate Run Sports Bra | £34.99 Mid | You'll Feel No Bounce With This Bestselling Bra | ||
2 | Yvette High Impact Sports Bra | £22.99 Low Mid | This Bra Combines the Best of Both Styles | ||
3 | Syrokan Full Support Plus Size Sports Bra | £18.00 Low Mid | A Plus Size Bra That Can Be Tailored to You | ||
4 | Panache Underwire Sports Bra | £39.95 High Mid | Perfect for Runners With a Larger Bust | ||
5 | Under Armour Training Infinity High Impact Bra | £50.00 High Mid | A Fashion Accessory and Running Bra Rolled Into One | ||
6 | Freya Sonic Sports Underwired Moulded Crop Top Bra | £40.00 High Mid | A Supportive Bra With a Burst of Colour | ||
7 | Nike Training Fe/Nom High Support Flyknit Bra | £69.95 High | A Good Option for Smaller Busts | ||
8 | Fittin Racerback Sports Bra | £14.99 Low Mid | A White Seamless Bra With Removable Padding | ||
9 | Reebok PureMove Bra | £31.45 Mid | Let Your Body Breathe With This Sweat-Wicking Bra | ||
10 | Sacrifice Now Full Coverage Flexible Sports Bra | £15.99 Low Mid | A Simple Crop Top Style That Does the Job |
This option from sports bra specialists Shock Absorber is great for all shapes and sizes. It comes in a huge range of cup and chest sizes so you'll definitely be able to find one that fits you.
It's specifically designed to prevent the figure-of-eight movement your breasts make when you run and the straps are wide and well-spread to help disperse weight and pressure. Everything has been thought of when it comes to running with this sports bra, and it's so comfortable you'll forget you're wearing it!
Although this bra does fall more on the side of a compression bra, it has elements of an encapsulation bra which help to elevate it and make it more adjustable to you.
The clever criss-cross design more evenly distributes weight and the back fastening makes it easier to take on and off, reducing pressure and making your running a simpler activity. It is also incredibly good value by not carrying the price tag that some more well-known brands have.
Anybody of any size should be able to feel they can go running and know that they will feel supported whilst doing so, and this sports bra helps to ensure that. It has wide straps that will more than adequately support larger busts and the bands go up to a 42, meaning no one has to be left out.
The mesh at the top adds extra support but doesn't add too much extra material, keeping you cool on sweaty runs.
If you have a smaller body shape in other areas but have a larger bust, then this running bra offers large cups sizes with small bands. The underwire can take some weight off your shoulders if that is something you are used to and appreciate.
The back has the option of being two standard straps or joining to make a racer back, so you can choose which you prefer. On the downside, the choice of cup sizes and band sizes doesn't go as high as some bras and it is a more expensive option.
The drawback of encapsulation bras is that they can look very functional and not as stylish. With this compression bra, style is taken into consideration to make something so fashionable you'll want to show it off. You could easily just wear this bra as a top on the treadmill.
Being a compression bra means that it only comes in basic sizes and doesn't allow you to tailor your cup and band size to you. However, this problem is alleviated by the adjustable straps, a feature not found on most compression bras.
If you don't like the idea of going for a dull black bra but still want the supportiveness of an encapsulated design for running, then look no further than this option. The structured shape of this bra means it offers full coverage but doesn't have to go overboard on material.
The size range of this bra does go up to a 36G, though the band-to-cup ratio is a little more limited than other designs which serve a similar purpose. Also, the heavily-wired shaping might suit some people, but it might also be uncomfortable for others.
This bra is an popular choice for runners with a small chest. It is made from a lightweight knitted material that is stretchy but also secure once on so it will support you. The material is super-soft too and will feel lovely on your skin.
It is a shame it doesn't come in more sizes and that it isn't a little more adjustable, although this is less necessary with the high percentage of elastane in the bra which allows it to stretch to your size perfectly. This being said, it probably won't work well on larger busts as it lacks structure.
The cross-back design on this sports bra not only looks good, but it also helps to add more structure and eases pressure on your shoulders. Despite the fact that this bra does come with padding, it is removable, so you can decide which way you prefer it. It's seamless too so it sits nicely under your sports kit and won't chafe.
Like lots of compression bras, this product does lack adjustability. In addition to this, it only provides medium support which might be a problem for running, particularly if you have a bigger bust.
Even though this bra has quite a bit of padding, it still manages to be cool and feel light on your skin thanks to its sweat-wicking properties. And that's not the only thing that's cool; the colour-block design is extremely fashionable so you can look good whilst you run.
The moulded cups will help to keep your breasts in place, but without specific band and cup sizes – and no way of adjusting them – you might find it is difficult to find the right fit with this bra. It risks being a bit too loose and therefore not stopping uncomfortable bounce.
This sports bra doesn't offer anything out of the ordinary, but it is a reliable sports bra at a good price. To make up for the lack of an underwire, the strong under-bust band helps to keep the bra in place. The material is quick-drying and anti-chafing, so you don't have to worry about your bra slowing you down.
Apart from the band, this bra has next to no structure. This will definitely be an issue if your chest is larger, so it is probably only worth running in this bra if that isn't an issue for you.
Whether you prefer the treadmill or the trails, you still need the right gear to feel comfortable and ready to take on whatever tomorrow's run (and the ones after that) decide to throw at you. Find our recommendations for tops, leggings and trainers below.
Be ready to pound the pavements with the sports bra that works for you. Everyone has slightly different needs and preferences when it comes to buying sports bras, particularly for such a high-intensity activity like running. With the right support, you'll be unstoppable.
Author: Emma Cramp
No. 1: Shock Absorber|Women's Ultimate Run Sports Bra
No. 2: Yvette|High Impact Sports Bra
No. 3: Syrokan |Full Support Plus Size Sports Bra
No. 4: Panache|Underwire Sports Bra
No. 5: Under Armour|Training Infinity High Impact Bra
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