Searches are up 316% since the Women’s Euros final – make sure your boobs are getting the right protection.
Making sure you’re wearing one of the best sports bras is important. Protecting your boobs during your workouts is as essential—heck, maybe even more essential—as wearing the right running trainers. That is, if you’re exercising regularly, you really should be doing both.
I’m a health editor, so I’ve tested all of the bras in this round-up myself. As a runner who completes marathons for fun, many of the bras have even lasted the test of a 26.2 with me. Plus, I roped in other MC team members to sweat test them for you – so you know any featured are all supportive, sweat-wicking, easy-to-wash, and long-lasting, too, and they have our personal seal of approval.
Keep scrolling to shop the best sports bras for 2022, and don’t miss our guides to the best workout leggings, sustainable activewear, and home gym equipment, while you’re here. Not sure which sweat session to wear your new bra for? These PT-approved celebrity workouts are seriously fun.
Testing process
Keen to know how team MC test all of the products we include? As above, all of the below products have been personally tested by team MC and are sports bras we all wear and love.
They’ve been sweat tested over runs, walks, gym workouts and more – so you know they are geniuney recommended.
Health Editor Ally Head and Ecommerce Writer Grace Lindsay testing some of the bras in this round up
What did we look for when deciding the best sports leggings?
Aka, what’s the success criteria? Good question. In short, it kind of depends on how big your boobs are and what exercise you’ll be doing. If you’ve got bigger boobs, opt for a more supportive design: if you’re lesser endowed, you can get away with something less functional.
- Is the bra supportive enough?
- Are the straps adjustable?
- Is the material breathable and sweat wicking?
- Does the fabric chafe?
We’ve indicated next to each of our best sports bras who they’d best suit — we know there’s nothing more infuriating than a bra that just really isn’t cutting the mustard for you.
Best sports bras 2022, tried and tested by team MC
Best sports bras for running
Easy-On Running Bra, £55 | Runderwear
High support
In a size C to H, this is a bit of a game changer in high impact bras. It promises zero bounce and it’s easy to take off with a fully opening back. Plus, it’s high neck for extra coverage. Fun fact: the full Runderwear collection caters for 70+ sizes. Not bad.
Health Editor Ally Head says: “This bra is great for runners who cover lots of mileage, or anyone who wants to invest in a bra that will last the long run. It’s got adjustable straps and is high support, so you can wear it for any workout and not have to worry about your boobs moving.”
Active Bra – £55.00 | ON Running
High support
The new Active Bra from ON has some impressive stats: tested by pro athletes over a period of two years, the designers went through six prototypes while testing.
Health Editor Ally Head says: “When I tested over a ten mile long run and two shorter runs, I was impressed. The bra is high support but soft, and it’s comfortable and breathable, too, largely thanks to the mesh back panel. The straps didn’t move, staying put thanks to their responsive elastic which is designed to move with your body.”
Best sports bra for large breasts
Impact Sports Bra, £69 | PeBe Active
High support
This bra has been designed to disrupt the sports bra world. Designed with big-boobed women in mind, it’s one of the smartest bras we’ve ever come across. Did you know that your boobs move in a figure of eight when you exercise? The brand’s patent-pending WRAPA ® technology supports without suppressing your boobs.
Senior Beauty Editor Katie Thomas says: “Before I had my son my breasts were a perky DD. Now they’re a G and I’ve had to completely rethink my brands when it comes to keeping the girls in place. peBe want to make sure you’re wearing the right size, so if you don’t quite nail it the first time, they’ll arrange an online consultation to get the fit just right. I have to be honest, it is a little tricky to put on, but there are handy instructional videos on their Instagram that helped a lot the first time.”
Best sports bra for high impact
Dare Crossback Run Bra, £55 | Brooks
High support
Brooks spent months designing their ‘best running bra ever’, going back to the drawing board again and again until they designed what they think is the best offering on the market.
Health Editor Ally Head says: “They’ve delivered on this one – this bra is a great investment. Super supportive and next level comfy, I really had no complaints when trying. It’s comfortable yet high support, with adjustable straps, too. Plus, I really like the range of colours available.”
Ultimate Run Bra, £50 | Shock Absorber
High support
Padded? Check. Breathable? Check. Moisture-wicking? Check. You could wear this bra for anything—HIIT, tennis, pilates, yoga… you name it.
Health Editor Ally Head says: “On the hunt for a non-wired high support bra for all sports? Then, if you’re anything like me, you’ll like the ltima Run Bra from Shock Absorber. Although slightly less soft material than its other competitiors, I felt seriously supported in this, plus found the adjustable straps to be superior (aka easier to use) than others on the market.”
Best supportive sports bra
Solidarity High-Impact sports bra – £64 | Maaree
High support
Fun fact: MAAREE are the only bras in the world that have an overband, aka a curved panel that runs over the top of the boobs to reduce upward motion. Designed for medium impact exercises, check out their bras if you’re after extra hold.
Health Editor Ally Head says: “There are a lot of bad sports bras out there but this isn’t one of them. I’ve run-tested over short and long distances and it really does support you. I like that slightly-longer-line support under the bust – it offered me both extra comfort and extra confidence, too.”
Best affordable sports bra
UA Infinity Mid Covered Sports Bra, £35 | Under Armour
Medium support
If you’re into cycling, strength training or boxing and want to invest in a bra that offers soft, breathable structure, you’ll like this design from UA. It promises to be supportive but also smooth, and the material wicks sweat away from the skin and dries really fast with mesh panels for added breathability.
Health Editor Ally Head says: “This is my favourite sports bra at current. I was pleasantly surprised – although a cheaper price point than the ther alternatives, this UA design offers just as much support, sweat wicks, and never chafes. It runs true to size and has a myriad of different colour ways. I may or may not have it in three colours..”
Best long-line sports bra
Morisot Bra, £35 | Pocket Sport
Medium support
Unlike their lower support Claude design, the Morisot bra from Pocket Sport is seriously stylish but also offers medium support, too. Ideal for longer runs, HIIT sessions or high-energy yoga flows, it’s also sweat wicking and long line to offer extra coverage around your midsection. Hard not to love.
Health Editor Ally Head says: “You’ll probably have heard me rave about Pocket Sport by now but they’re a dark horse in the athleisurewear industry. While these bras aren’t designed for super high support, they are a great medium-to-high offering, and surprised me with how much support they offered. Plus, the length of the long line under-bust support is pretty unrivalled. A great option for summer runs, gym sessions, or, well, any workout, really.”
Best padded sports bra
Tank Bra – £28 | Adanola
Medium support
Like the sound of a lightweight, comfortable, fashion-forward sports bra? Enter stage right, the Adanola tank, which offers long-line support, spaghetti straps and a rounded high neckline.
Ecommerce Writer Grace Lindsay says: “This sports bra has more of a longline fit, great for those wanting a bit of extra support. I loved the fact that it gave me a bit more coverage, as I felt more confident heading to the gym.”
“What really stood out to be was the compressive fit and sculpting finish. The fabric is super smooth, stretchy and sweat-wicking, which are all the things I look out for.”
“The padding is also removable, so you can customise the fit. I would recommend this for medium support workouts, and will be wearing it all summer long.”
Best yoga sports bra
In Play Sports Bra – £42 | PE Nation
Low support
A lower support design with a racerback detail, this longline scoop neck sports bra is designed for yoga, Pilates and more.
Ecommerce Writer Grace Lindsay says: “I’ve got to be honest, at first this sports bra didn’t look like much. However, after putting it on, I was shocked at how well it fit me. It’s worth noting that I don’t have big boobs, so this sports bra definitely wouldn’t be supportive enough for everybody. It doesn’t come with padding, however it does have an elasticated waistband at the bottom which gave me all the support I needed (without digging in). I probably wouldn’t do super high impact sports in it, but as an everyday sports bra, it’s my new go-to.”
“Apart from the fit, I love how breathable and sweat-wicking it is. It also washes super well, and the shiny fabric and bold pink logo gives it a fashionable touch. I can’t wait to try more sports bras from this brand.”
Why is wearing a good sports bra important?
So, why is wearing the right sports bra so important? New research from Adidas has found that your boobs can move up to a whopping 19cm when you exercise, and with more G Force than an F1 driver’s car. Unsurprisingly, their research also found that working out in the wrong sports bra, in the long term, can cause damage to your breasts. Think chronic breast pain, ligament damage, and, ultimately, side effects like drooping, sagging, and stretch marks.
You wouldn’t go on a 5km run in a pair of Converse (we pray), so we’d like to assume you also wouldn’t whip out your home gym equipment for your next HIIT session, Pilates class or Joe Wicks workout without proper protection for your boobs.
