These Are the Best Sports Bras for Big Busts, According to Experts

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In the world of fashion, there are garments for every activity and occasion under the sun, whether it’s workwear, loungewear, or workout clothes. The same goes for sports bras. While many sports bras exist for various activities, finding the best sports bras for large breasts can feel like a challenge. That’s why we chatted with two pros: "The Bra Expert" and bestselling author of The Bra Book, Jené Luciani Sena, and NYC-based stylist Audree Kate López, who regularly shares tips on dressing large busts.

According to Sena, there are two main sports bra styles: compression and encapsulation. “Compression is the common style that women often think of,” she says. “It comes in one piece, gets pulled over your head, or zips up the front. The idea behind this is that it ‘compresses’ breasts together and to your chest to prevent them from moving.” Then there’s encapsulation. “This style of sports bra is similar to a regular bra in that it has somewhat separated cups and often a band with a clasp in the back,” Sena says. “It ‘encapsulates’ both breasts separately but helps hold them firm to your chest so they don’t move. Sometimes, they even have an underwire for additional support.” Overall, encapsulation tends to be the most popular but it ultimately boils down to personal preference.

To help you find your perfect style and fit, we rounded up the most supportive sports bras for large breasts, whether you're looking for a high-impact, low-impact, underwire, or adjustable option.

For more great workout gear, check out our stories on the best workout tops for women, the best workout clothes on Amazon, and the best cheap workout clothes.

Ultimate Sports Bra®

With over 41,000 glowing reviews, the SheFit Ultimate Sports Bra is the heavyweight champion of the clothing category.

“The Ultimate Bra from SHEFIT—created by a mom-of-four—is the first fully adjustable sports bra with its ‘zip cinch lift’ patented technology, which allows you to customize the fit of the bra on your body, thereby reducing ‘bounce’ by 50 percent,” exclaims Sena. “It’s suitable for the highest impact activities, plus it comes in many pretty colors and doesn’t need to be covered up. They have their own unique sizing system, but its extended range accommodates up to 55-inch busts.”

Review: "Love these bras! The one and only that will give me the support I need for my large chest." — Joelle W.

Sizing: XS-6 Luxe | Style: Encapsulation | Material: Poly-nylon-spandex blend | Closure: Zip | Care: Hand-wash, lay flat to dry

High Impact Sports Bra

The Wingslove High Impact Sports Bra has earned over 6,000 5-star ratings thanks to its moisture-wicking fabric and supportive high neckline and adjustable straps. Plus, it's sold in 10 colors, including neutrals and pastels.

Review: "As a 65+ year old, it is difficult to find a comfortable bra for exercising that will hold the girls up. this one is fine for me! It is snug but still fits smoothly, holds well, with no puckering or uniboob. The only negatives are personal preferences - I want higher sides and higher cleavage cover but it does look exactly like the photos so I didnt deduct any stars." — Amazon Customer

Sizing: 34B-48G | Style: Encapsulation | Material: Nylon-spandex blend | Closure: Hook and eye | Care: Hand-wash, lay flat to dry

Simone Sport Underwire Bra

López swears by Wacoal across the board. “Wacoal is one of my favorite bra brands for large breasts because they really do focus on fit, support, and breast shape,” she says.

“The Simone bra is an underwire sports bra with full coverage cups and adjustable straps that can be converted to crisscross.”

Review: "Excellent fit and support without mashing into a uniboob like most sports bras. I like that it clasps instead of having to struggle overhead while sweaty, especially changing in a small tent when camping or backpacking. More than I'd like to spend on a bra, but this one was worth it." — SVP

Sizing: 32C-42DDD | Style: Encapsulation | Material: Nylon-spandex blend | Closure: Hook and eye | Care: Hand-wash, lay flat to dry

High Support Energy Bra

López says that the Lululemon Energy Bra with High Support is the ideal fit for running and HIIT workouts. Sold in four colors, the bra features a smooth, seamless front with a quadruple-strap racerback that’s adjustable from top and bottom, ensuring the perfect fit.

Review: "I purchased this bra last year on WMTM to try as it’s quite expensive full price. I play soccer and always have trouble finding a bra that is both comfortable and supportive for my larger chest. I finally found that bra; I love it! I just came across the dew pink colour on markdown and immediately scooped it up to have a second. I read the reviews before purchasing and sized up from my usual 34DDD to 36DDD and it fits perfect. After over a year of regular wear it has held up great!" — cclulu

Sizing: 36C-38D | Style: Encapsulation | Material: Nylon, poly, elastane blend | Closure: Hook and eye | Care: Machine wash cold, hang to dry

TLRD Impact Training High-Support Bra (Plus Size)

The Adidas TLRD Impact Training High-Support Bra is sold in standard and plus sizes. The plus-size version features a hook and eye closure, while the standard size is pull-on.

Review: "I NEVER write reviews on products however the world needs to know how amazing this bra is. Here are the 3 reasons why it’s amazing 1) a company finally made a sports bra where the cups are NOT removable. They’re sewn in. They stay in place. They don’t crumple weirdly in the wash and you don’t have to try and slide them back in. Thank you! 2) A high-impact sports bra in plus size. Amazing! I’m postpartum and this has let me go back to the gym while still having a large chest. 3) adjustable straps: normal straight straps or criss-cross straps. Thank you for some options. Also, it washes extremely well and it’s affordable. Do yourself a favor and buy this bra, don’t look at any others, and enjoy exercising again with a large bust. I ran for the first time in 18 months, and this bra was military-grade in keeping the girls in check. This isn’t a sponsored ad, ADIDAS didn’t pay me for this review, this is just how happy I am with this piece." — Kate101

Sizing: 1X-4X | Style: Encapsulation | Material: Polyester-elastane blend | Closure: Hook and eye | Care: Machine wash cold on delicate, lay flat to dry

Black Paloma Racerback Bra

If you love longline silhouettes, look no further than the cult-favorite Girlfriend Collective Paloma Racerback Bra.

“The Girlfriend Collective Paloma Racerback bra is my go-to low to medium impact bra,” López reveals, noting that it goes up to a 60.5-inch bust. “I love the simplicity of the design, racerback, that it provides coverage, and has a built-in support band.” And since it's on the longer side, it doubles as a crop top for running errands and lounging around, too. No wonder it touts reviews from over 14,000 satisfied customers.

Review: "I wear this bra any time I can get! I love wearing it out, and to workout in. The cut is flattering, I don't experience any digging or gaping, and I can comfortably move in any of my yoga classes without the worry of falling out." — Rachelle H.

Sizing: XXS-6XL | Style: Compression | Material: RPET-spandex blend | Closure: Pull-on | Care: Machine wash cold, line dry

Catalyst Front Zip Sports Bra

If you hate struggling with putting sports bras on, you'll swoon over the ergonomically designed Knix Catalyst Front Zip Sports Bra. Simply slip your arms through the armholes, adjust the straps if need be, and zip 'er up. The best part? It won't give you uniboob thanks to the zip compression placement.

Review: "I'll start this review with saying my bra size is a 38H. I used to work at a bra store that did sizing and the works so I'm pretty familiar with whether or not a bra fits well. I have a very difficult time finding bras that I like and that are comfortable. This bra has changed my world. I took a chance on this company and ordering bras online. It absolutely paid off. I bought this with the intention of doing many hikes. It works fantastic as a sports bra while also being able to wear it during the day as a regular bra. I love a versatile bra. It's very comfortable and very supportive! It's a front closure while also being able to adjust the band at the back. This is unheard of in the bra world!" — Delaney H.

Sizing: 28A-42H | Style: Encapsulation | Material: Nylon-spandex blend | Closure: Hook and eye | Care: Machine wash cold on delicate; lay flat to dry

Women's Indy Light-Support Padded V-Neck Sports Bra

While this bra may not look like a bra for large breasts at first glance, Sena assures us it's one of the best for low-impact workouts. It's available in straight and plus sizes and features front adjustable straps, which many sports bras don't feature, she points out. “Plus, Nike has always made a decent sports bra, which is under $50—a great price point for medium support activities and Nike quality,” she adds.

Review: "I’ve kept this bra in frequent rotation. Although the straps are thin (for heavier set women) … the overall support is so real! Being “blessed” with bigger boobs myself (2x), I’ve struggled with finding a supportive bra (that even covers the “side boobs”) that was also comfortable for extended periods. With this bra, everything just stayed … in place AND it didn’t spare comfort." — Shan305

Sizing: XS-2XL | Style: Compression | Material: Recycled polyester | Closure: Pull-on | Care: Machine wash cold on delicate; lay flat to dry

Energise Full Figure Sports Bra

Looking for a posh sports bra that doesn't come with a boutique price tag? The Elomi Energise Full Figure Sports Bra is it! The underwire sports bra is sold in black, white, nude, and this fun navy-neon combo, and they also look almost silky, while still being breathable enough for low, medium, and high-impact workouts.

Review: "I wear a 38J. This is hands down the best exercise bra out there for a J cup. It sits perfectly—no riding up, no wires poking your underarm, no elastic binding your rib cage, no straps digging into your shoulders, etc. It has a high top—like a tank. Securely firm fit, so you are not distracted by bounce. Yes, it has seams, but I do not find them an issue at all. Believe me... Comfort is worth every dime!" — Tedibear

Sizing: 32GG-46DD | Style: Encapsulation | Material: Nylon-elastane blend | Closure: Hook and eye | Care: Hand wash, dry flat

Soft Cup Full Figure Sports Bra

The Goddess Soft Cup Full Figure Sports Bra looks like a classic, high-neck sports bra from the front but features classic adjustable bra straps and a quadruple hook-and-eye closure in the back for optimal support.

Review: "Comfortable sports bra for the well-endowed. I love it!" — Mary

Sizing: 34C-48I | Style: Encapsulation | Material: Polyester, nylon, elastane blend | Closure: Hook and eye | Care: Hand wash, line dry

What to look for when shopping for sports bras for large breasts

When shopping for a sports bra for large breasts, there are a few key characteristics you’ll want to prioritize.

✔️ Molded cups: You want to look for a design that’s comfortable to wear, offers adequate lift, and works well to minimize bounce, López says. Generally, this means you want molded cups. “Typically when you think of a sports bra, you think compression that pushes your breasts against your body to minimize movement,” López explains. “This works well for smaller cup sizes but with larger chests, you need additional support rather than just compression because that will cause spillage and not correct support.”

✔️ Thick, adjustable straps: Typically, the thicker the strap and ribcage band, the more supportive the bra,” López says. And those that are adjustable are most supportive of all. With this in mind, she suggests looking for straps that can be H-straps or racerback, and bands that have zip or hook-and-eye closures. “I personally love a bra that zips and clasps in the front so I don’t have to struggle clasping anything in the back or shimmying out of a damp tight sports bra,” she shares.

✔️ The bounce test: You might feel silly, but Sena says to jump around while trying on new sports bras. “I always recommend doing the ‘bounce test’ when you get the bra on for the first time,” she exclaims. “This simply entails jumping up and down in front of a mirror to see whether or not your breasts are moving or staying firm to your chest.”

✔️ Consider the activity: There are different sports bras for different activities so think about the level of support you need. If you regularly do yoga and barre, a lower-impact bra will work; if you do HIIT classes or run, you’ll want a high-impact bra. “Often, if you look at the bra’s tag or online description, it will tell you what it’s designed for,” Sena says.

FAQ

• Which sports bra style is best for large breasts?
  While personal preference does play a role, Sena says that encapsulation is typically the go-to pick for larger breasts. “The compression style can still have movement when the fabric offers too much stretch,” she explains, noting that encapsulation bras tend to be more supportive overall.

• Which type of sports bra is best for large breasts?
  Just like everyday underwire bras are known to be more supportive than bralettes, the same is true of sports bras. “For large breasts, you will find the most support in an underwire or soft cup molded bra, [with] racerback adjustable straps so you can lift your breasts up, and a thicker, even adjustable band so you have additional support,” López says. “I find adjustable sports bras (straps and band) offer the most support because you can adjust the bra to fit your body the best.”

• How tight should a sports bra be?
  According to Sena, regardless of your bust size, you want a sports bra that’s snug enough to hold your breasts in place, without being too tight and constrictive. “You also want to make sure straps, [bands, and/or cups] aren’t digging in.”

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