Trainers Say These Zip-Front Sports Bras Are Extra Supportive And Stylish

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Post-workout endorphins have you riding the ultimate high. You’re feeling proud, strong and accomplished. It’s all love and positivity until it’s time to wrangle off your sweaty sports bra. The act of stripping it off or even putting it on can feel like a workout on its own that none of us signed up for. Whether you’re getting dressed to go for a run or contouring your body to take it off after a hot yoga class, while sports bras are universally necessary for women that workout, they are not the easiest garment to wear. Lucky for you, front zip sports bras exist (and are extremely underrated if you ask me).

The best front zip sports bras are supportive, comfortable, and have an easy breezy system of slipping it on and off. Thanks to a handy zipper right between the boobs, these are easy-on, easy-off no matter how sweaty you get, says Rebecca Stewart, CPT, a certified personal trainer, mobility coach, and pain-free performance specialist. “Front zip sports bras are an accessible alternative to traditional sports bras, and if you have limited mobility or trouble getting your hands behind your back or over your head, front zips tend to eliminate that barrier,” she says. Not to mention, another amazing thing about this type of bra is that it can offer even more support than the over-your-head types. It’ll protect your boobs during even the most strenuous movement. Whether you’re just looking for compression bras, seamless bras, or high-impact sports bras, the selects ahead are our top nine favorites.

Best Zip Front Sports Bras

What to look for

Fit

The best front zip sports bras are extremely supportive, comfortable, fit nicely, and are easy to wear. They should also be moisture-wicking to soak up sweat fast and have a lock system to keep the zipper zipped. When you’re shopping for a sports bra, be sure to follow the two finger rule to find the perfect fit. If you place two fingers under the band of your bra and have extra room, it’s too big. You want this band to be snug here, but not too tight. Your bra gets bonus points if it comes in specific cup and band sizing rather than small, medium, large. The best sports bras will lift and support you during motion, not smoosh your chest in. All the picks on this list has been vetted by our testers for having secure-but-comfortable fits across a variety of body types.

Material

When it comes to fabric, manmade fibers are best. "You want a wicking material that will pull any sweat away from your skin," says Kristen Hislop, CPT, head coach at Hislop Training. The band should also be smooth and you shouldn't feel any elastic directly on your skin. If you’re a particularly sweaty person, we recommend opting for a zip-front bra with mesh inserts to aid in breathability and ventilation.

How we selected

We've been testing sports bras since 2020. Our Women’s Health editors, including fitness editor Jennifer Nied, reviewed the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated zip-front sports bras. Our team consulted a running coach and certified personal trainer, and then evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best nine zip-front sports bras for a wide range of preferences, sizes, and budgets. We also considered key features like material, durability, and fit. Vanessa Powell is a seasoned fashion stylist with more than a decade's worth of experience. She regularly uses most of the bras on this.

Scroll on to shop the best front-zip sports bras. We’ve tested a ton, scoured the internet for reviews, and have considered price, style, and activity type in choosing the following.

TLRD Impact Luxe High-Support Zip Bra

It's not likely you see a sports bra offered in 38 different sizes. And on top of that, it's moisture-wicking, breezy, adjustable, and feels weightless. Before this, I never thought a sports bra for high impact activity (let alone a front zip sports bra) could be so comfortable and lightweight. I love how the molded cups lifts and separates my boobs without smashing them in, and that the sewn-in pads never fall out in the wash.

The design creates a flattering shape without digging into my torso (even in a B cup). Adidas strikes the perfect balance of comfort, support, and—in a variety of colors, style preference too. From my high intensity sprints at a Barry's class to a lower impact Solidcore class, this bra does it all. It's always the first one I grab when I'm heading to a workout.

PS—it comes with matching leggings!

Read more: Best Moisture-wicking Underwear

Lounge Bra

If you still want the ease of the front-zip bra without needing all of that support, this sports bra is for you. Consider it perfect for your yoga flow, stretch routine, or just lounging. It adds a light lift and supports you without the high intensity hold in a creamy compressive soft knit. We love that it goes up to plus size, which is great for bigger-busted women. One tester called Shefit the Swiss Army Knives of sports bras, and after taking this Lounge Bra out for a spin, we have to agree.

Knockout Front-Close Sports Bra

Victoria's Secret was so confident in this bra that the brand put a patent on it. It's made with a luxe four-way stretch, quick-dry material that feels like butter on the skin. It provides great support for high impact activities like boxing and running, secured in with a semi auto locking system. The cushioned underwire cups ensure even more lift and support without the dig, while the cushioned adjustable straps give you a custom fit without irritating your skin.

"I struggle when it comes to trusting sports bras to be both supportive and comfortable," says Sabrina Talbert, an editorial assistant at Women's Health. "This is my favorite for long runs. It's not too tight but still fitting enough so that I don't have to worry about chaffing because of an ill-fitting bra.

Catalyst Sports Bra

This front-zip bra has a simple design that is perfect for those new to this type. It's Knix's take on the classic sports bra, just easier to put on. Not only does the bra feature adjustable cross-straps, but the back closure is adaptable too, which helps make things a little more comfortable, especially when your boob size fluctuates throughout your cycle. Our testers say this fit is great for strength training and it doesn’t give you that dreaded uni-boob. With high-impact support and adjustable features, it'll make you fall in love with front-zip sports bras.

Energy Bra High Support Zip-Front

While the price does pack quite a punch, know that this isn't just any sports bra. It's the ultimate high impact companion, especially for larger busts. If you're a Lululemon girlie, you know that the brand's fabrics feel superior to most. This nylon blend has a buttery-soft finish that's moisture wicking and sturdy but won't weigh you down. You'll feel locked in but not suffocated, even if you're a DD. Like most Lulu pieces, this bra will last through multiple washes, making the investment worth it.

High-Support Padded Zip-Front Sports Bra

The second you slip into this bra, you'll be motivated to go for a run, hit some jumping jacks and maybe smash a few burpies. It's made for high intensity movement, hugging and lifting your chest in all the right places to give you a flattering and feminine shape. Plus, Nike’s Dri-Fit technology, a proprietary mesh fabric, is among the most moisture-wicking material we've tested. It's made to evaporate your sweat quickly and keep you as dry and comfortable as possible. No matter how sweaty you get, this bra will continue to hold its shape.

Strappy Sports Bra

If you like wearing your sports bra as a top, you'll love showing this full-coverage one off, thanks to its ultra-cute strappy criss-cross design in the back and textured front. If you're prone to boob sweat, you'll also love the mesh paneling below the breasts for more breathability. The fit is super supportive by distributing breast volume to keep them close to the chest for minimal motion. It compresses instead of lifts, which is lower profile and easier to style.

High Support Mesh Zip Front Sports Bra

While the back design might look trendy, it's meant to provide more support than your typical sports bra. The double layer provides extra support without suffocating in your sweat. You get cut outs for breathability and two forms of 360 degrees lift, which in layman's terms will keep your breasts supported and secured through all sorts of exercises. If your boobs give you back pain, this is a great sports bra to try. The high neck and dual strap reduce movement, prevents sagging, and stabilizes the chest.

Go All Out Zip Front Sports Bra

This sports bra from Calia was designed to cater to the needs of bigger boobs. It provides full coverage support with a locked in zipper, adjustable straps, and a cutout back detail for breathability. The circular design helps distribute boob weight evenly so it's not all riding on your shoulders. Plus, you can get as sweaty as possible without fear because it's made with a synthetic fabric that pulls moisture away from the skin with a rapid evaporation time. It also inhibits odor-causing bacteria thanks to an added fabric topical. In our testing, we found that we smelled fresh even after a sweaty lifting session.

What else to consider

Ultimately, you should go with what feels best for you, but Hislop and Stewart say there are some things you should consider.

Zipper

You want to ensure your zipper will hold up so that you're not throwing your precious dollars down the drain. "You want a quality zipper so that it stays up! The best zippers are labeled YKK (for the Japanese company Yoshida Kōgyō Kabushiki gaisha, the largest zipper manufacturer). A cheap zipper can become unzipped as you workout which isn't only annoying, but can irritate your skin, says Hislop. It’s also best to look for bras with a “zipper garage,” or the little triangle piece of fabric that encases the zipper, to prevent skin chafing and add extra security, adds Stewart.

Type Of Workout

You really do need different bras for your different workouts, Hislop says. For example, you may need a less supportive bra for yoga than you would for running and high intensity workouts. But the more adjustable the bra is (in its straps for example), the more workout versatility it has, too.

Style

Some zip-front sports bras have more material across the back and others have a more strappy design, says Stewart. “Strappy bras can provide greater mobility, while tank and closed back style designs can have more support but feel more constrictive,” she explains. Remember that different zip-front sports bras may be better for certain activities depending on the intensity, so find a style suitable for your training plan.

Features

Underwire isn’t always found in sports bras, but some zip-front options specifically designed for larger chests do include it, says Stewart. If you can’t stand underwire, molded cups are another bonus feature which add extra support, she explains. Just be mindful that molded cups tend to have less compression.

Meet the experts

• Kristen Hislop, CPT, is the head coach at Hislop Training.

• Rebecca Stewart, CPT, is a certified personal trainer, mobility coach, and pain-free performance specialist.

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