Best Sports Bras for the Boobalicious
The fit life is hard for us busty girls. When you combine the physical challenge of a #blessed chest with the incompetent sports bras on the market, you have a recipe for disaster. Luckily, the world of activewear has heard our prayers and finally started to crank out some truly supportive (and even flattering!) sports bras to help the girls out.
Some of the sports bras on this list come at a high price, but before you balk and dub me a lunatic, remember that you get what you pay for. Sure, you can head down to Target to get their version of a “high impact” sports bra, but don’t be surprised if it’s uncomfortable and unable to keep up with your workout. I’ve tried all of the more affordable options, and I promise it’s worth it to pay a little more for a sports bra designed to keep larger breasts contained, supported, and accurately shaped.
Say buh-bye to that smooshed uni-boob look. Now you can run, cycle, yoga, HIIT, and whatever else (because you’re a bad-ass bitch who kills it in the gym, amiright?) without the painful and embarrassing bouncing you’ve come to tolerate. Hey, you can actually use your arms to do something other than hold your boobs in place for once!
Lolë Luma Bra
$59.95, available on Amazon
The Lolë Luma bra is made for high impact exercises. If you like to do HIIT, run, or jump rope, then its adjustable wide straps and back closure will really come in handy. It doesn’t look like it on the outside, but there’s a molded inner bra so you won’t be shapeless while you sweat. It comes in three solid colors and two bright patterns to pair with any top and bottom you’ve got.
The sizes are only done in the traditional extra small through extra large unfortunately, but as long as you go by the size chart you should be able to easily choose the right size for you.
Shock Absorber Ultimate Run Bra
$29.93-$79.98, available at Amazon.
Any company named Shock Absorber is one to trust. The Ultimate Run Bra comes in real bra sizes, so you won’t have to play the guessing game with a size chart or get in a bra that’s too tight up top but too loose at the band. Instead, you get to choose your exact cup size and even adjust it further thanks to Shock Absorber’s Infinity-8 Support System. In fact, you won’t find another sports bra out there with adjustable straps like these.
The back is open, clips behind your neck and at the bottom of the band, and adjusts at two separate spots. The band has the traditional bra clip with three hooks to tighten and loosen as you need, but then the straps across your shoulders are also adjustable. Rather than the usual slide adjuster that can slowly loosen, the Ultimate Run Bra has 8 hook slots for you to tighten it without the risk of it loosening. The straps have a hook that you just slide into whichever slot feels best. This combined with the band adjustment and actual bra sizes helps you get as close to custom as possible.
The Ultimate Run Bra is typically sold for $79, but is currently on sale at Carbon38 for $40. It can also be found at Amazon in a wider range of colors and at various price points.
Nike Pro Rival Sports Bra
$49.97, available at Amazon.
I too was a little skeptical about Nike’s ability to make a sports bra for larger chests, but they’ve done the damn thing. Of course, it doesn’t have those “bra” features of some of the others on this list. However, the Pro Rival makes an excellent replacement for the standard pullover bras the flat chested can wear.
The Pro Rival comes in specific cup sizes, and in a wide range. Even women with very small ribcages and very large breasts can find their size. Wear a 30 DD or 30 E? There’s one for you. There’s also a 38 E. The straps and back aren’t adjustable, which is unfortunate, but doesn’t discount the fact it has molded cups, breathable fabric, and contoured seams. Essentially, it’s a great bra for things like yoga, pilates, and general weight lifting.
Panache Underwire Sports Bra
$59.99, available at Amazon.
If you need a bra size not sold at Victoria’s Secret, Panache has your back. (Or should I say your front and back?) The Underwire Sports Bra from Panache is sold in UK sizing, but essentially they have everything from a U.S. triple D to eight D/K. Yas, honey. There’s finally a sports bra made to fit the extra #blessed.
It comes in four colors (pink, gray, black, and white) and has both an adjustable band and adjustable straps. The straps can be tightened and worn normally, or even hooked together to form a racerback on the days you need a little extra support. The straps are also padded for extra comfort, and there’s a mesh insert in the center to help keep you cool. With this bra, you can tackle any high-impact exercise in comfort and with your natural body shape (instead of the dreaded uniboob).
Moving Comfort Juno Bra
$60.00, available at Nordstrom.
The Juno Bra by Moving Comfort doesn’t look like it offers much in terms of adjustability, but that’s because the adjustable straps are hidden. Yep, there won’t be an unsightly slider sticking out from under your tank top. This bra is also sold by the cup size, so you’re sure to get a good fit as long as you follow the directions to go up a band size and down a cup size.
With two keyholes and mesh, the back of the bra is extra breathable to help you keep cool through your workout. If you need something designed to control bounce and prevent pain, this is a good place to start.
Incredible by Victoria’s Secret Sport Bra
$35.00, available at Victoria’s Secret.
Victoria’s Secret has come out with several sports bras in the last few years, but of them all, this is my personal favorite. I actually own two and wear them frequently. The Incredible (NOT the one that closes in the front) is the most comfortable in my opinion, and the easiest to get on and off. The one that zips is a nightmare to close when you’re trying to keep your boobs in their separate corners. The Incredible is also very affordable at only $35. If you’re on a budget and need more than one sports bra, I suggest buying two of these to rotate.