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When it comes to running, you can train wearing pretty much anything you want. But there are three key pieces of kit we wouldn't recommend scrimping on: a good pair of running shoes, padded running socks and a well-fitting, comfortable sports bra.
The latter is vital if you want to minimise distractions on the run. And while a good sports bra for running might feel tight in the changing room, keeping you chest secure and reducing bounce helps to alleviate back and chest pain.
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Not to mention, it also protects your Cooper’s ligaments – the connective tissue in the breasts that helps support the bulk of the breast tissue, preventing them from sagging.
But how should a sports bra fit and how can you ensure you find the best one for you? Keep scrolling for everything you need to know about running bras, as well as our round-up of the best sports bras for running on the market. Here are our winners, at a glance.
The best sports bras, at a glance
If you're looking for high-impact support, we've also reviewed the best sports bras for bigger busts, as well as the best zip-front sports bras and the best sports bras with a phone pocket.
What are the different types of sports bras for running?
There are three main types of sports bras, depending on the level of support you require.
How should a sports bra fit?
If you’ve never worn a sports bra before, start with your usual bra size. It should fit snugly, without being so tight that you can’t breathe. Adjust the strap and ensure the back band is at the same level all the way around your body – if the back band rides up, the bra is too big. You should be able to get no more than one finger under the band, and the material shouldn’t pucker.
As with shoes, sizes and measurements vary across brands, so it’s a good idea to try a few and find the one that fits you best. Find more information on how your sports bra should fit, how often you need to change it and why your sports bra is chafing in our guide.
How we test
We've tested over 60 sports bras from the best brands on the market – both on the road and in the lab. Our panel of women – aged between 18 to 55 and with bra sizes ranging from an A to a K cup – put the bras through their paces, trying them out on the road and during 16 other activities, collectively.
The bras, which ranged in support from low to high, were all triple-tested and judged according to their design, comfort, fit and overall performance. In the lab, we then conducted multiple wash tests to analyse shrinkage and colour changes and gave scores for both. Those that scored the highest collective marks were included in our round-up below.
Additional input was provided by the women editors and contributors on our team. Over the years, we’ve tried and tested our fair share of running bras and, as technology has evolved, so have our expectations when it comes to comfort levels, bounce control and fabric quality.
Why trust us?
Runner’s World UK has been vetting and reviewing running gear and tech since 1983. Our essential recommendations are selected based on data and insights gathered by our editors and wider testing team, who put the latest and greatest running shoes and gear through their paces day in and day out. Every sports bra we test meets the same criteria before it ends up in one of our reviews and nobody else contributes to our decision-making process, especially not the brands we’ve picked.
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Pros
- Brilliantly supportive
- Wide, adjustable straps
- Smooth, sweat-wicking material
Cons
- May cause some gaping for smaller busts
| Sizes | 30B - 38F |
|---|---|
| Style | Hook and eye fastening |
| Support | High |
Sweaty Betty's high-support bra is a trusty choice for runners with bigger busts. Wide adjustable straps with a hook-and-eye closure at the underband and quick-release top clasp provide a secure and supportive fit, while an anti-bounce design ensures breasts stay firmly in place without feeling squished.
The sweat-wicking fabric is soft and smooth, and resembles the fabric used in the brand’s ultra-comfy Power leggings. Our smaller busted testers both found that the fabric didn’t fit flush across the top of the chest, resulting in a some unwanted gaping; however, testers with larger cup sizes reported no issues.
Gymshark Lightweight High Support Sports Bra
Pros
- Affordable
- Wide, comfortable straps and moulded cups
Cons
- Not high-impact enough for larger busts
| Sizes | XS - XL |
|---|---|
| Style | Pull over compression style |
| Support | High |
This high-support bra from Gymshark is designed to keep everything in place during high-impact training. While it's not specifically designed for running, our tester, who is a 34C, found it offered ample support when clocking up the miles. There are no adjustable straps and the bra is available in XS-XL sizing, rather than your normal bra size, which is a tad annoying. That said, for a high-street brand, it's a solid – and very affordable – option.
Pros
- Doesn't ride up
- Fabric feels super soft against the skin
- Sits well under a top
Cons
- A bit fiddly to get on
| Sizes | 32B - 40D |
|---|---|
| Style | Hook and eye closure |
| Support | High |
This bra's sturdy and stretchy double-cross back straps, coupled with its wide comfy back band, featuring a three-step hook-and-eye closure, make it an excellent choice for women with larger cup sizes. Designed specifically for running, it offers the high support and bounce control you would expect from a high-impact from Lululemon, but what really sets it apart is how comfy it is to run in. 'It's the comfiest bra I've ever had,' said our tester, who is a 36C. 'It doesn't ride up and the adjustable straps across the back mean you can get the fit exactly right. The fabric is so soft against the skin and it doesn't dig in – you honestly don't know you're wearing it. It also looks gorgeous on – I would happily wear it without a vest over the top when running on holiday.'
Pros
- Luxuriously soft fabric
- Breathable and not restrictive
Cons
- Not high-impact enough for D-cups+
| Sizes | XS-L |
|---|---|
| Style | Compression/racerback |
| Support | Medium |
Tracksmith’s subtly styled, heritage racerback bra keeps everything in place when you need to pick up the pace and it’s too hot to run in anything more. Twin layers of compressive nylon offer medium-impact support for AA to C cups and low-impact for C+ busts. The elasticated wool band hugs and holds without clamping your ribcage and stifling your breathing.
Adidas Run Pocket Medium-Support Bra
Pros
- Pockets are brilliant for racing
- Easy to get on/off
- No chafing
Cons
- Not high-impact enough for larger busts
| Sizes | 2XS A-C to XL D-DD |
|---|---|
| Style | Pullover |
| Support | Medium |
Adidas' long-line running sports bra is one of our favourites for staying cool while running. Why? Not only is the material moisture-absorbing, it comes with these handy elasticated bungee cords on the back – which means you can whip off your T-shirt and thread it through the back (without having to wrap anything around your waist). There are also several handy pockets, big enough to fit your phone, keys and gels.
Pros
- Wide, adjustable straps
- Holds chest firmly in place
- Soft underband minimises chafing
Cons
- Only available up to D-cup
- Front mesh panel can gape slightly
| Sizes | 30-40 A-D |
|---|---|
| Style | Hook-and-eye back with adjustable straps |
| Support | High |
As its name suggests, Asics' Road Bra is a combination style sports bra, combining the qualities of compression and encapsulation into one high-support piece. Moulded cups sit comfortably against your chest, with adjustable elasticated straps and a hook-and-eye back closure. The support strikes that excellent balance between minimising bounce without feeling too tight or restrictive. The soft lower underband also sits comfortably against the skin, with our tester having no issues with chafing in that area. We have found it runs a little small, though, so would recommend going up a cup size.
Pros
- Soft, lycra-style fabric
- Fully adjustable
- Secure fit
Cons
- A little pricey
| Sizes | 28B-44E |
|---|---|
| Style | Scoop neck with removable padding |
| Support | High |
Whether you’re running, lifting weights or tackling burpees, there’s no activity too vigorous for this sports bra. It proved highly effective at eliminating bounce, keeping testers’ boobs locked firmly in place as they put in the work. Despite the high level of compression, the smooth, sweat-wicking fabric also kept them cool and comfortable all workout long.
Stellar performance aside, the innovative design is what makes this bra really stand out. Instead of a bog-standard hook-eye closure at the back, it has swan hooks around the chest and adjustable shoulder straps at the front so you can scale up the support easily. The fastening system is a tad fiddly to begin with, but you'll get there after a couple of wears. Overall, a seriously impressive bit of kit.
Note: the sizing runs small, so it’s worth sizing up for maximum comfort.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Super supportive
Cons
- All-in-one sizing can be tricky to find right fit
| Sizes | XXS - XXL |
|---|---|
| Style | Lighty padded cups with a hook-eye fastening |
| Support | High |
This fuss-free design from high street heavyweight H&M exceeded our expectations. It has thick straps that don’t dig in or rub (hoorah!) and it’s totally seamless, providing a chafe-free running experience.
Though comfy, it effectively restricted breast motion during runs and energetic HIIT sessions, and it did a stellar job of wicking away moisture when things got hot and sweaty. Other plus points include adjustable straps and a hook-eye closure to help you find the perfect fit, and moulded cups for a flattering silhouette.
At just over £30, it’s a reliable bargain.
Pros
- Very supportive
- Easy to get on and off
- No chafing
Cons
- A little bulky
| Sizes | XS - XXL |
|---|---|
| Style | Compression |
| Support | High |
There’s nothing more irritating than having to adjust your bra while you’re dodging traffic and pounding the pavement. Fortunately, there’s no such problem with this clever Under Armour design.
Unlike most bras, which are adjusted from the back, this one has hooks at the front of the bra, which you can easily reach during exercise. In terms of support, it ticks the box for all our high-impact workouts from interval training to burpee-filled circuits. There are mesh panels on the back and sides for breathability and the HeatGear tech prevents any unpleasant stickiness.
Despite the pull-over style, the flexible fabric meant it was a doddle to get in and out of and many testers appreciated the high neckline to prevent any awkward boob spillages. In short, an excellent all-rounder.
Pros
- Secure coverage on all sides
- Comfortable encapsulation pockets
- Unique back detailing
Cons
- More expensive than your typical sports bra
| Sizes | XXS-XL, A-C or D-DD |
|---|---|
| Style | Compression with adjustable straps |
| Support | Medium to high |
On makes some of our favourite running apparel, and their Performance Flex Bra nails it again. With a soft brushed lining and moulded cups, this is as comfortable as it gets for a high-impact bra. You can wear this on long runs as well as high-impact workouts, and we love the open back detailing paired with the racerback straps that make it easy to wear under a narrow-strapped tank top.
With 25% elastane, this bra has a lot of support in both compression and encapsulation, so be prepared for it to feel less like a daily-wear bra and more like a workout-specific bra. For the level of compression and support this bra provides, the large fit better. This bra is notably expensive, but in our experience, On is worth the money and lasts for multiple seasons of heavy use.
Pros
- Plenty of size options
- Adjustable straps
- Very supportive
Cons
- Size comes up small
| Sizes | 32G-40K |
|---|---|
| Style | Hook-and-eye back with adjustable straps |
| Support | High |
If you wear cup sizes G to K, it’s likely that finding a well-fitting compression bra is a bit of a challenge. This is a supportive solution that helped testers go the extra mile with no discomfort. The adjustable straps can be worn normally or as a racerback – although the clip’s a little fiddly. The sports bra comes up small, so sizing up is recommended but overall this is well-designed and looks good, too.
Pros
- Very supportive
- Huge range of sizes
Cons
- Design is a bit dated
| Sizes | 30A-38G |
|---|---|
| Style | Non-padded racerback |
| Support | High |
From speed sessions to marathons, this technical sports bra is built to give you maximum support by counteracting the figure-of-eight motion your boobs naturally make on the run. What it lacks in style – it’s not a design to wear on its own – the compression bra makes up for in comfort, thanks to adjustable straps and a nifty clasp that combine for a secure fit, banishing unwelcome and uncomfortable movement to the past.
Pros
- Fantastic value
- Lots of size options
- Great level of support
Cons
- You don't like underwire bras
| Sizes | 32A – 42F |
|---|---|
| Style | Wired |
| Support | High |
M&S may not be the first brand that springs to mind when you think of sports bras, but this high-impact number was a big hit with our panel. The support comes from an underwire that keeps your breasts in place as you pound the pavement, and the moisture-wicking fabric ensures you stay cool and dry, even on lengthier runs. The straps are adjustable, which is handy, and the classic bra fastening makes it easy to get on and off.
Testers reported the sizing was hit and miss, so we’d recommend trying before you buy. When the fit is right though, this bra is a dream to run in and, best of all, it comes in at under £30. Affordable activewear at its finest.
Pros
- Huge range of size options
- Smooth, comfortable, padded straps
- Choose between straight/racerback style
Cons
- Hand wash only
| Sizes | 28B-40GG |
|---|---|
| Style | Wired |
| Support | High |
This underwired bra is designed to keep large breasts tamed during exercise, and it doesn’t disappoint. According to our testers, it’s extremely supportive thanks to separate moulded cups and wide straps that convert between straight and racerback styles.
If you’re concerned about the underwire digging in or poking you mid-run, you needn’t worry. Our runners confirmed the bra was a delight to wear, with one saying: ‘I felt comfortable after running for over two hours.' They also rated it highly for sweat-wicking and said the soft fabric was breathable and didn’t cling to the skin unpleasantly.
The only downside is that the bra needs to be washed by hand, which could be irritating if you’re running most days.
FAQs
How can you stop chafing with a sports bra?
The main reason for chafing is wearing the wrong size, says Mari Thomas-Welland, founder and director of Maaree. ‘According to studies, 80% of women are wearing their wrong size every day,’ she says. ‘It's vital to get this checked on a regular basis, especially if you experience chafing. Secondly, it's also important to ensure you're wearing bras that use sweat-wicking and breathable fabrics.’
Is a medium-support bra good for running?
A medium-impact sports bra can be sufficient for many people for running, says Thomas-Welland, especially if you are smaller-busted
‘No matter your size, it's important that everyone gets sufficient support for them and their activity. Just be sure you're regularly reviewing your kit and support to avoid accidentally ignoring your own needs.
‘It's important to remember that anyone can call a sports bra 'medium-impact', without it having to meet any sort of performance criteria. So it's important to be a savvy shopper and be sure the bra is delivering the performance aspects you need from it, whatever it's labelled as.’
Which type of sports bra is best for running?
There isn't one style of sports bra that best suits everyone, so be sure to be aware of your list of non-negotiables when you're shopping for one. However, if you need further help on where to begin, Thomas-Welland says that the most supportive sports bras are usually those who are a hybrid design between encapsulation and compression design, capturing the best elements from both.
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Yanar was our former health and wellness tester.
