Sorry to be dramatic, but there is something diabolical about an uncomfortable sports bra. Seriously! In addition to ruining your workout, it can ruin your entire day. On the other hand, there’s something truly magical about a sports bra that feels Good— that gives you confidence at the gym, lets you sink deep into your nap, or keeps your chest from getting too happy (literally) during a 30-minute jog.
Finding a sports bra that’s up to the job can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. Enter SELF’s annual Activewear Awards, the culmination of our ultimate search for the best sports bras and leggings on the market. This year, we’re crowning eight bras we think deserve your shopping cart—including one that receives the inaugural Reader’s Choice Award. For more on how we choose our winners and why we love each one, keep reading.
How we picked the best sports bras
For the 2024 Activewear Awards, we asked SELF editors and a hand-picked panel of expert judges (read more about them below!) to name their favorite sports bras of all time. The only rule? The piece must still be available for purchase.
At the same time, we reviewed the most impressive new releases of the past year. We combed through these, along with submissions from the editor and expert judges, keeping an eye out for pieces that were nominated more than once. We also did some additional research: Is the product well-reviewed online? Is it available in a wide range of sizes? Does it fit many body types? Is it a reasonable price?
As we did this, we set out to find our first Reader Award winner. We sent out a survey to SELF readers and followers, asking them to name their picks. Then we dug through thousands of responses—the most common bra submitted by our readers is the Reader’s Choice Award—which you’ll see below.
Now, let’s talk shopping: There are a number of factors to consider when trying on a sports bra, and we wanted to make sure our winners scored high on each. When nominating sports bras, we asked our editors, reviewers and readers to consider:
Support
- Low-impact bras should be stretchy and comfortable but less supportive. you would usually want to wear them for walking, yoga, pilates or relaxing. For people with larger breasts, low-impact bras may not be enough for even gentle movements – choosing something with more support is down to personal preference.
- Medium impact bras should ensure minimal breast movement when jumping or running. You might want to wear them for lifting, strength training, or workouts where you’ll be doing some cardio.
- High resistance bras should offer enough coverage (think: little to no show) and limit all breast movement during activity. You usually wear them for running, HIIT workouts, or something like a dance cardio class. they should fit snugly but still comfortably!
Fit, Cut and Style
- A sports bra is a must always be comfortable (yes, really), especially in the band/cage area, shoulders and bust/cup area. Consider whether it’s good to wear not only during your workout, but also before and after.
- Consider the style of the sports bra (racerback, crosscross, wide straps, etc.), the thickness and features of the strap (are they adjustable?), and where the band sits on your torso. You should like the way it looks and also feel unrestricted in your movements (such as twisting, reaching, pushing and pulling) and when breathing heavily or taking deep breaths.
- Is the bra easy to put on and take off? A zipper or hook and eye fastener can help with this. You don’t have to fight!
Moisture management and fabric
- How wet does the bra get during a sweaty workout? How long does it take to dry afterwards?
- You’ll also want the bra to be soft and comfortable—it should never feel scratchy or too stiff.
How do you feel
- Perhaps the most important factor of all, a great sports bra should feel good on the body – and make you feel good on the inside, too. That might mean the design is too cute, or maybe the bra is so secure that you forget your deepest fear of a slip during Barry’s class.
- So think about it all: At the end of the day, does the bra make you feel confident and excited to move?
