Find the right sports bra with these tips

Sport is good for you, keeps you healthy and fit and ensures a toned body. Only our breasts should not be forgotten. Since the tissue is very sensitive, we need to protect it with the right sports bra. We reveal what is important in a good sports bra and give tips on buying one.

It supports, protects and holds the breast tissue in place. We reveal what is important in a good sports bra, what fits are available and why it is so important in the first place! Our editors have also tested various models for you!

Why is a sports bra important?

During sports, the breast tissue is stressed and stressed with every jump and every movement. Without a sports bra, breasts begin to wobble, which can cause pain. In the long run, the skin is stretched too much, causing it to lose its elasticity. The result is sagging breasts. A well-fitting sports bra also reduces the risk of postural problems, since the weight of the breasts is distributed over the shoulders by the straps, so that the back is relieved. A sports bra is particularly recommended for jogging, but also for other sports.

Who needs a sports bra?

Women with large breasts in particular need a sports bra. But even an A-cup needs adequate protection, since the breasts can rotate by up to eight centimeters under heavy loads, which can be very painful. In the ideal case, a well-fitting sports bra reduces this rotation to around a quarter.

What do I need to pay attention to when purchasing?

Das Material

cotton
  • Advantages : Is characterized by a pleasant wearing comfort, since the natural fibers do not chafe and have good thermal insulation. Cotton sports bras start at around 20 euros.
  • Cons : The material is not very breathable and retains moisture. Sweat takes longer to evaporate, making the sports bra wet and heavy and possibly uncomfortable against the skin.
merino wool
  • Pros : Merino wool has a short drying time and wicks moisture well. The fabric also has an odor-inhibiting effect and is resource-saving. Sports bras made from meriono wool are available from as little as 20 euros.
  • Cons : The natural material may cause some people to feel itchy.
Elasthan
  • Pros : The synthetic fabric is stretchy and feels very comfortable against the skin. It insulates very well and quickly wicks sweat away from the body. The material is thin, tear-resistant and therefore particularly designed for high loads.
  • Disadvantages : If the sports bra has a high proportion of elastane, it can happen that the bra gets out of shape more quickly. Therefore, it is better to wash by hand or in the hand wash program.​
Polyester & Polyamid
  • Advantages : The synthetic fibers wick perspiration to the outside. The material also dries quite quickly.
  • Cons : The material doesn’t wick sweat. It remains on the skin, allowing bacteria to grow and odor to develop. Therefore, the bra should be cleaned well after exercise.
Our recommendation
A combination of materials such as nylon, polyester and elastane works best. The microfiber mixture is tear-resistant, does not chafe, withstands high loads, dries quickly, is breathable and transports sweat away from the body quickly. Depending on the strength, sports bras made of these materials are available from as little as 20 euros, with models with light support often being cheaper than models with strong support. It is also worth paying attention to the quality so that you can enjoy your sports bra for a long time.

The size

Often the sports bra size is not the size of the everyday bra. The sizes vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, which is why it is worth trying several sizes and doing the so-called jump test. Just jump up and down a few times. If your breasts shake too much or hurt, then this is not the right bra for you. If you are unsure, ask a salesperson for advice.

The fit

A sports bra should fit snugly and like compression, but not pinch or feel uncomfortable. Wide straps also distribute the weight of the breasts better over the shoulders and do not dig in.

The closure

  • Crossed clasp : This clasp is mainly used on bras made for low-intensity sports. They are usually dressed like a bustier and have no closure with necks and eyelets. They are more suitable for smaller breasts.
  • Racerback : The sports bra with a racerback closure has a regular closure with wide straps that come together on the back between the shoulder blades. This closure offers high security and strong support, especially for large breasts.
  • Regular Fastening : Regular fastening is like an everyday bra. Depending on the breast size, you should pay attention to the strap width.

Which model for which sport?

Low Impact – easy hold

  • low, light support for yoga and Pilates; suitable for cup size B

Medium Impact – medium hold

  • medium support, suitable for zumba, hiking, cycling, kickboxing, etc.; recommended up to cup size C

High Impact – strong hold

  • strong support, suitable for fitness, crossfit, trail running, jogging, martial arts; suitable from cup size D

care tips

To prevent bacteria from settling in the material, you should wash your sports bra after each wear. This works best by hand or in the hand wash program at 30-40° (depending on the label). Higher washing levels may also be indicated on some labels. To keep it in shape and function, wash it without using chlorine-based detergents or fabric softeners. This could damage the material. After washing, dry the bra on the clothesline. Heating and drying air can also deform the material. With regular use of the bra and proper care, the sports bra usually lasts between six months and a year.

Tested at:

Sport : Crossfit & Running/Jumping

Cup size : 75E

Appearance & Material

The sports bra is lighter than I thought and feels pleasantly soft. It is very well made and makes a stable impression. There is a certain amount of stretch in it so that it hugs the body well.

comfort

During sports, the bra keeps everything in place. It has strong compression so nothing wobbles or falls out. Thanks to its ringer clasp, it also sits firmly on the body and transfers the weight to the shoulders. The bra does not cut in or leave marks or the straps do not dig into the shoulders. Incidentally, these can be set individually. After a strenuous workout, the bra is naturally sweaty, but it dries quite quickly. After the second wash in the normal program, it has not lost its shape.

sizes

The Shock Absorber Run Bra Padded is available in sizes 75B  to 90E . 

Price & Conclusion

The bra costs around 50 euros and you can buy it online . The material, the support, especially for larger breasts, and the look definitely justify this price. I suspect that I will enjoy the bra for a long time.

Tested at:

Type of sport : cardio/cross trainer

Cup size : 75B

Appearance & Material

The sports bra is light and has a nice soft material. It’s kept rather simple, which I personally like. In contrast to many other sports bras, it has no preformed cups and is easy to pull over the head thanks to the elastane.

comfort

The bra definitely ensures that nothing slips and everything stays in place. However, since the bra does not have preformed cups, the chest area is very flat compared to other bras. That bothers me a little. The elastane content is also not very high, since the bra is not very stretchy and fits very tightly to the skin. The advantage, however, is that nothing wobbles or falls out, especially during endurance sports.

sizes

The Adidas Design 2 Move bra is available in sizes XXS to XL.

Price & Conclusion

The price-performance ratio is right in this case. At 22.95 euros, the bra is still in the affordable price range and is therefore fully worthy of its performance. Everything stays in place and for those who aren’t a fan of molded cups, this bra is definitely a great snap!

Tested at:

Sport : Skipping, weight training in the gym

Roundabout : 75E

Appearance & Material

The material is quite thin and the bra is not preformed. At first glance, it looks like a kind of band or bustier. On the other hand, with the second impression and also when wearing it, it shows what it’s made of.

comfort

Although the material is quite thin, you can’t see or feel anything through it. It sits firmly and does not rub or cut in. It’s probably because of the ringer clasp on the back that keeps the breasts in check very well. With the right size, it has a strong compression and prevents excessive rotation of the breasts under heavy loads. After exercising, the bra feels wet, but not uncomfortable, rather clammy. It passed the washing machine test with flying colors. I would put it in a laundry bag just to be on the safe side so its hooks don’t get caught in other clothes.

sizes

The Shock Absorber Ultimate Run is available in many different colors in sizes 70A – 85G . 

Price & Conclusion

The bra costs around 35-45 euros and is available online . Due to its thin fabric and the lack of padding, it does not enlarge the breasts. It supports and protects easily and is comfortable to wear.

Tested at:

Sport : Cross trainer, skipping, weight training, handstand

Cup size : 75E

Appearance & Material

When I unpack the bra, I am immediately pleasantly surprised. The fabric is pleasantly soft and reminds me a bit of silk. Unlike conventional bras, it has a zipper closure. The straps run centrally on the back.

comfort

Putting the bra on is a weird feeling. You first put it on your shoulders and then pull up the zipper at the front. But easier said than done. I try to get the fabric under my breasts and tuck the zipper into the counterpart of the zipper and close it at the same time. Not that easy, because the material is under tension. After trying once or twice it works. I reach into the bra again from above to fix everything and that’s when it happens: the zipper opens again. I would have liked a little more stability. When it comes to sports, however, he cuts a fine figure. Especially when it comes to strength training, it serves its purpose. On the cross trainer, however, I notice that it leaves some room for improvement.

sizes

The Hunkemöller HKMX The Pro Sports Bra, Level 3 is available in sizes 70B to 95F .

Price & Conclusion

Overall, I’m quite satisfied with the model, but I would use a different bra for heavy loads, for example when jogging or jumping. The color, on the other hand, is unbeatably beautiful and the fabric feels great even after exercise. The sports bra is available for around 36 euros .

Tested at:

Type of sport : weight training, skipping, handstand

Cup size : 75E

Appearance & Material

The material is pleasantly soft and opaque even in all black. I like that it is cut high on the sides so nothing can fall out. In general, it makes a very well-made impression.

comfort

I tested the bra in size M. Even with slightly larger breasts, size M was completely sufficient, as it then also has the necessary compression. Although it only slips on like a bustier and you can’t adjust the straps, it keeps everything in place without digging in. After a workout, it’s just a bit tiring to take off your bra because it’s even tighter when you sweat.

sizes

The Kay Sports Bra by Röhnisch is available in sizes XS to XL .

Price & Conclusion

Overall, the bra does a good job and holds even larger breasts securely together. However, I wouldn’t recommend it for jogging or movements that involve a lot of jumping, as it just doesn’t provide the necessary stability. At around 50 euros, the bra is in the middle and is definitely worth the price!

Crystal Waston MD

Crystal Waston has a degree in Cross Media Production and Publishing. At vital.de she gives everyday tips and deals with topics related to women's health, sport, and nutrition.

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