Bounce Be Gone: Here Are Our Top Sports Bras for 2024 (2024)

This encapsulation-style bra has a seamless design, supportive cups that don’t pinch or create pressure around the chest, and light compression below the bustline. You can sweat all day in this and not notice thanks to Brooks’ DriLayer HorsePower fabric, which wicks moisture without retaining any heaviness in the material. The body-mapped perforation allows airflow without compromising material durability, and even though it doesn’t have adjustments on the straps or chest band, it doesn’t get stretched or saggy and retains its shape really well over the course of dozens of wears.

I wore this sports bra for a 500-mile backpacking trip, and it never lost its shape or support. The odor resistance is also top-notch, with antimicrobial properties that work in conjunction with the sweat-wicking to keep you comfortable, cool, and stink-free. This bra is comfortable for all-day wear, but it can also hold up to high-impact workouts like bouncy runs. It’s just an excellent all-around pick that I recommend for people with a wide range of chest sizes and shapes.

The Details: 63 percent nylon, 37 percent elastane | 30-40 band, A-E cups | Moderate-to-high impact | Five colors

I'm a longtime fan of Smartwool’s Intraknit manufacturing method, which eliminates waste from cuttings of different sections and means each item has body-mapped reinforcements and extra support without seams. The sports bra from the Intraknit line has all of the above, with soft, fine-knit merino next-to-skin paired with a supportive outer layer that keeps everything in place without too much pressure or compression. The lining combines merino with Tencel, which adds to the softness and enhances the moisture management. This is a slightly longer design that can be worn as a crop top or just a comfortable all-day bra. It does have removable pads, and if you want to get rid of all the extra material, the bra still provides enough coverage without them.

The Details: 44 percent nylon/polyester, 20 percent merino, 20 percent lyocell, 15 percent elastane | XS-L | Low impact | Six colors

This small company makes one of the lightest sports bras out there, with minimal material and top-notch wicking. LumeSix uses an airy polyester blend with a unique reinforcement in the diamond-shaped structure, and their band lies flat even during periods of high movement. It’s more of a minimal design than others on this list, but still feels supportive and provides ample coverage despite the thin fabric. We’re big fans of the sizing options with extended sizes in the chest and band, and the option to create your perfect combo of band and cup. This works well for bodies of many shapes and sizes, but we have found the vertical coverage to be a bit too minimal for larger breasts, and we’d consider sizing up next time to ensure the best fit.

The Details: 80 percent polyester, 20 percent elastane | XS-XXXL plus mixed band and cup sizing | Moderate-to-high impact | Six colors

Panache’s dual closures offer more precise fit and support, and while this bra looks complicated, it’s really just a racerback with some extra closure options. We like encapsulation styles for high-impact bras (especially for larger breasts) as compression designs can put too much pressure around our chests and make workouts harder. The molded cups here offer enough support for HIIT-style workouts without painful bounce, but they have just enough compression through the bands to complement the encapsulation. The shoulder straps are nicely cushioned and the closures can be adjusted throughout the day based on how much support you want.

The Details: 49 percent nylon, 36 percent polyester, 15 percent elastane | 32B-40GG | High impact | 35 colors

This luxurious-feeling material is part of Prana’s new super soft Heavana line, with a silky-smooth heathered fabric that doesn’t feel slick but also doesn’t grab or catch like a knit or terry. With enough support for low-to-moderate workouts and a slightly padded material, this shelf bra with removable cups is great for people with small breasts who don’t need true encapsulation or molded cups, but want something more than basic flattening. The bra features Prana’s fun, strappy design that looks cute on its own or under a racerback tank, and it comes in a range of muted earth tones. Pro tip: get the matching yoga pants. You won't be sorry.

The Details: 87 percent polyester, 13 percent elastane | XS-L | Moderate impact | Five colors

This is one of the most supportive bras I’ve ever tested. It’s comfortable in a wide range of sizes for high-impact activities. Along with a lot of support through the back, the Enlite’s wide straps lie flat against your skin, and the cross-back design adds more support for people with larger chests. This bra combines molded cups with compression for a cross between a typical compression bra and an encapsulation model, helping nail the high-impact comfort without feeling too constricting. The front zip is a total game changer when it comes to trying to wrestle a sweaty bra off after a workout. No more peeling and wiggling … just unzip the sturdy front zipper and be done. This is another wicking, breathable bra with a high level of elastane for support and shape retention.

The Details: 56 percent nylon, 44 percent elastane | 30C-40E | High impact | One color

This is one of Under Armor’s most supportive high-impact sports bras. The tradeoff is that you have a lot of material around your chest, but for athletes looking for a high level of compression, this is a reliable and secure option. It does have some variation in compression levels from the adjustability through the cross-strap length and back clasps, so you can tighten or loosen depending on needs, but this is a high-volume compression model, so it’s built to fit tightly against your body. The majority of the materials use Under Armour’s HeatGear technology, which is temperature regulating and wicking, and the padding is PU injected for smooth one-piece molding.

The Details: 87 percent polyester, 13 percent elastane | XS-3XL | High impact | 13 colors

In the past year we’ve seen a delightful development with a range of bras that come with pockets, either along the racerback or in the actual sides of the bra. Since plenty of us are already using sports bras to hold our phones and other small items, this seemed like a natural next step. This version from Tracksmith comes with a pocket between the outer material and the bra lining, which I’ve used for a phone, a car key, and two energy gels, all without being bothered by the extra gear and still being able to do my workouts and walk around town without hassle. This is a compression-style bra that resists stretching and becoming misshapen, and it dries well and provides plenty of support for runs and hikes.

The Details: 57 percent nylon, 43 percent elastane | XS-L | Moderate impact | Four colors

While we love our bras from high-end brands, there’s a lot to be said for apparel categories where the affordable version works just as well … and sports bras are one of those categories. This bra has a smooth construction without itching or chafing, and moderate support that feels comfortable for hiking trips and jogging but also isn’t miserable to wear all day sitting around. This is a pullover style, which a lot of people prefer for the ease and reduced material for potential itching, and it has a low level of elastane that makes it comfortable for wearing all day, plus perforated mesh lining for more ventilation.

The Details: 96 percent nylon, 4 percent elastane | XS-XL | Moderate impact | Five colors

Paired with the matching tights in a slew of 2024’s updated colorways, this sleek sports bra looks as cute walking around town as it does while lifting weights or considering your life choices in Reformer Pilates. Without any of the bulk and extra adjustments of a more techy bra, this bra is streamlined and soft to the touch, with an updated lining blend with 11 percent elastane — right in the mid-range of compression and comfort. Like other moderate-support bras, this can be worn for running and hiking, though people with larger breasts might want more support.

The Details: 70 percent nylon, 30 percent elastane | XS-XL | Moderate impact | Two colors

With molded cups, stretchy face and lining fabric, and top-notch wicking ability, this is our choice for runs of all lengths and efforts, from the dreaded tempo run to leisurely jogs on your local trails. On calls this a “medium-impact” model, but from my testing, it holds up quite well during high-impact workouts, keeping everything tight against my body and with enough top-to-bottom coverage that nothing is spilling out of the top thanks to the high neckline. My only gripe with this bra is the cutout in the back, which can have an unflattering effect if the bra is tight.

The Details: 65 percent nylon, 35 percent elastane | XS-XL | Moderate-to-high impact | Eight colors

This long-line sports bra fits like a longer crop top with a built-in shelf bra and sturdy elastic that holds its shape well and provides enough support and coverage for wearing on its own or during light workouts. It’s smooth and flattering, with a full back and soft straps that pair nicely under wide-strap tank tops. The bra wicks sweat and resists odor buildup, and it has enough lining without extra padding for coverage without bulk. This is also a bra you can feel good about — TenTree manufactures their gear in a closed-loop process that helps divert waste from landfills, and they also plant ten trees (hence the name) for every purchase.

The Details: 79 percent polyester, 21 percent elastane | XS-XL | Low impact | 10 colors

Frequently Asked Questions

• How should a sports bra fit?

  The goal is to find a supportive bra that moves with you, but minimally enough that it doesn’t rub and create friction … all without the suffocation of a tight band or pinch points. You should be able to fit two fingers flat beneath the bands on your shoulders and around your chest, and the cups or front panels should fit smoothly against your breasts without spilling over the top and sides.

  “Purchasing the wrong fitting bra leads to a higher likelihood you will experience chafing and overall discomfort," says Moloznik. “It’s also important to find the right style sports bra for your body and needs.”

  Finding the right size does take some measuring and often a bit of trial and error with different models. Moloznik recommends going to your local running store to be fit for the right size sports bra, which may differ from your daily bra size because sizing can be inconsistent among brands and styles.

  She also recommends getting sized every few years because weight loss/gain, pregnancy, fluctuations in hormones, and muscle loss/gain can all make a difference in your bra size.
  

• How should I store my sports bra?

  You can store your sports bras in your underwear drawer, just make sure they’re clean and dry before folding and stashing them. Avoid crumpling and stuffing them into corners like you (maybe) do with socks. Keep them folded or rolled nicely to avoid creasing the bands, and make sure any clasps are laid flat and clasped shut before storing.

• How should I wash my sports bra?

  While you can throw your sports bras in with your laundry, we recommend a gentle cycle and cold water to avoid negative effects on the elastane and structure. If you’re doing a load of underwear on its own, that’s a good time to throw the sports bras in. If you want to go the extra mile and hand wash them, soak the bras in soapy water for 30 minutes and then scrub the fabric with your hands and nothing abrasive. Rinse with cold water until the water runs clear and hang to dry.

• Can you wear a sports bra every day?

  “While there isn't anything wrong with wearing a sports bra every day, it is important to change out of your sports bras after exercising or sweating,” says Moloznik. “Bacteria can build up in the fabric, which may lead to odor, discomfort and other unwanted effects.”

  Additionally, people with sensitive skin may want to avoid wearing sports bras outside of exercise, as the tight fabric may irritate the skin.

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