Best Sports Bra for Large Breasts

JANE FLANAGAN / STYLE WELLNESS

High impact exercise can sometimes be a challenge for those with large breasts. Movement and bouncing can cause embarrassment, discomfort, even pain. Over time, a lack of support may cause strain and injury in extreme cases.

This leads some women to avoid certain exercises, like running. But, of course, that simply isn’t fair. Everybody should feel the freedom to move and exert their bodies without pain or self-consciousness.

Thankfully, there are many amazing sports bras that offer the support and security women with larger breasts want. Let’s take a look…

5 Things to Look for in a Great Sports Bra for Large Breasts

When it comes to shopping for a sports bra, especially one for large breasts, there are some things to look for no matter what brand you’re shopping from.

1. The Support You Need

First and foremost, women with larger breasts need more support. In a sports bra, this usually comes from thicker material, wider (adjustable) shoulder and back straps and full coverage cups.

While there are sports bras that show cleavage, if you have a large chest and want the best support for high impact training, look for a full coverage cup. The material of your sports bra should feel thicker than your everyday bra and hold you snugly (without feeling too tight). 

And to ensure the fit is snug, adjustable shoulder and back straps will ensure you can maintain a snug fit even as the bra wears and loses some of its initial elasticity.

2. Comfort No Matter How Much Movement

Sometimes, it can be a fine line between “support” and “discomfort”. Too tight and your sports bra can cause pain, dig into your skin and leave red marks, even make it difficult to move or breathe. Make sure you’re not compromising on comfort. If you do, odds are you just won’t wear the sports bra or enjoy your workout.

Ensuring your sports bra is comfortable is 99% about making sure you are wearing the right size. Beyond that, make sure you adjust the straps to fit snugly but not tightly. Pick materials that don’t compress you to the point of discomfort. 

3. Sweat Wicking or Moisture Wicking

Sweat is a natural and healthy by-product of exercise. But sweat can sometimes irritate the skin or even exacerbate chafing. Look for a sports bra made of moisture and sweat wicking fabric that will help keep you dry so that you can exercise for as long as you want to without discomfort.

4. A Sports Bra That Won’t Chafe

If you’re very active or repeat certain movements, chafing can happen. It is often exacerbated by heat and sweat. Chafing can be painful and can lead to further skin irritation, even infection. 

To avoid chafing, again correct fit is essential. In addition to that, make sure straps are wide and clasps, zips etc are all covered with fabric so they don’t dig into your body.

5. Ease to Put on or Remove

A lot of sports bras can be notoriously difficult to get on. This is often because they’re designed with a pullover style. That combined with the thicker material and full coverage for large cup sizes can mean that you feel like a contortionist getting in and out of your sports bra.

Look for styles with openings and closures that will make it easier to get dressed and undressed.

The Best Sports Bras for Large Breasts…

With the criteria above in mind, let’s look at the best Knix sports bra for women with larger chest sizes:

Best Overall for High Impact / Running: Catalyst Sports Bra

Woman in sports bra

The Catalyst Sports Bra is the most supportive high impact, wireless sports bra you’ll ever put on. Designed to drastically reduce breast movement, the Catalyst outperformed over 800 bras it was tested against. And taking it off after a long workout is a snap!

BUY HERE 

How it Fits: 

Performance molded cups separate and encapsulate your breasts to reduce movement. It may feel a little snug when you first get it, that’s normal. It’s designed to relax and adapt to your shape as you wear it. It’s comfortable, supportive, and easy to take on and off.

What Reviewers Say:

“As a fitness instructor with curves I HATE all the sports bras out there as they always make me look like my chest is pushed in and tube shaped. Not the catalyst, Best support and shape I have ever had. I'm in LOVE. (tight at the beginning but stretches to perfection very quickly)”

“I love this bra. I have a large chest and it holds up to HIIT workouts and is really soft and comfortable.”

Size Options:

32A to 42G - and everything in between!

Best for Ease Putting On/Getting Off: Catalyst Front Zip Sports Bra

Woman in sports bra

The most supportive sports bra ever and even easier to put on and take off. The front closure, cross-back high-impact Catalyst Front Zip Sports Bra gives you the wireless support, comfort, and adjustability you want...without the painful struggle.

BUY HERE 

How it Fits: 

Front zipper and cross-back design allow for more ease of movement - ideal for anyone with limited range of motion or those who prefer front closures. Adjustable back straps are made from flexible, but supportive elastic that won't budge.

It may feel a little snug when you first get it, that’s normal. It’s designed to relax and adapt to your shape as you wear it.

What Reviewers Say:

I have been endlessly looking for a cute but comfortable and supportive sports bra for years. I have tried (what feels like) every option under the sun and the Knix Catalyst and Knix Catalyst front zip sports bras are hands down the winners! Pricey but absolutely worth the investment in my opinion. I workout 5x a week - a combination of HIIT, spin, and strength workouts - so a bra that keeps my chest supported is so critical. These bras are definitely it and provide the support I need to feel secure during my workouts... I LOVE THEM!”

“I ordered this bra for riding and skiing. It's solidly built and comfortable. I love the fact that it closes in the front and the back. It's pretty enough that I might even wear it in summer, as a top for biking.”

Size Options:

32A to 42G - and everything in between!

Low Impact Exercise or Working from Home: LuxeLift Pullover Bra 

Woman in sports bra

With sizes 28A to 44G, enjoy the unbelievable support and feel of LuxeLift Technology in the super versatile and easy-fitting LuxeLift Pullover Bra that feels like you're wearing nothing at all. Sure to be your new go-to option and everyday low impact sports bra.

BUY HERE 

How it Fits: 

Easy to pull on and off, with a scoop neck and backline, removable cups, and seamless and smooth silhouette that can be worn under anything. It may feel a little snug at first, that’s normal - it’s designed to relax and adapt to your shape as you wear it.

What Reviewers Say:

“Super comfortable, supportive, easy to get in and off, and I didn't need a "break-in period".

“It’s the most comfortable and supportive bra I’ve ever owned!”

Size Options:

28A to 44G - and everything in between!

Finding The Right Size Is Key

A lot of women have a dislike for certain bra styles or brands based on their comfort. But it often turns out that the issue isn’t the bra design, it’s the size. So, whatever style you decide is “for you” make sure you find your right size.

While you can measure your bra size yourself, we really recommend getting a professional fitting. Good news! You can schedule a virtual fitting with Knix from the comfort of your own home! 

What to Expect from a Knix Virtual Fitting:

  • Book your virtual fitting here
  • We’ll connect you with one of our expert Knix team members for a 1-on-1 fitting session over video chat. 
  • For your bra fitting, we recommend you wear a bra with little or no padding and a fitted t-shirt to make sure we get an accurate measurement. You’ll also need either a) a soft measuring tape or b) a piece of string or cord and a tape measure or ruler.
  • With different styles and sizes for 30A to 42G in the world’s most comfortable and supportive wireless bras, our fit experts can help you get into something that you will love to wear every single day.

Once You Find the Best Bra, Maintain it: 5 Rules of Caring for Your Sports Bra

In general, sports bras work a lot harder than regular ones, so they need more immediate and dedicated care. 

1. Wash Your Sports Bra Immediately

If you work up a real sweat during a workout, it’s recommended that you wash the bra immediately after you work out. If you’re going from gym to work, don’t let it sit there damp with sweat all day. Some women go so far as to bring their bra into the shower at the gym and give it a rinse. 

Why this seemingly overzealous reaction? It’s because sweat (and the salts it contains) can be ruinous to the elastic of your bra. Secondly, sweat usually doesn’t smell when it’s wet but when it dries and becomes stale, it can be more difficult to shift that smell. So the sooner you rinse all that sweat out, the better.

2. Wash Your Sports Bra Often

It is generally recommended that you wash your everyday bra every 3 wears or so. This is assuming a low-to-moderate level of activity (sitting at a desk, walking etc.) Obviously, this recommendation changes on, for example, very hot days when you might sweat more.

With a sports bra, the recommendation is much more aggressive: You should aim to wash your sports bra after every workout. Again, this is because sweat can be so damaging to the bra’s elasticity and appearance.

That said, you know the intensity of your own workouts. If you’re donning a sports bra to do some gentle stretching at home, you may not need to wash it. But if you’re working up any kind of sweat, err on the side of washing after every wear.

3. Don’t Use Softener

Most sports bras can safely go in the machine. We recommend a mesh bag to stop it getting tangled with other items. However, fabric softener is an absolute no-no for any workout clothes. Softener is really designed for natural fabrics (cotton, linen etc) so is good for towels and bed linen.

Fabric softener is not designed for synthetic fabrics that are used in sportswear clothes. It can leave a residue on synthetic fabrics that compromises its moisture-wicking properties. So, it’s a hard “no” for softener when washing sportsgear; including clothes like leggings, sports bras, moisture-wicking tops etc.

Either skip softener altogether or separate your laundry so that your synthetic load has no softener.

4. Skip the Dryer

While you can safely toss most sports bras in the washing machine, the dryer should be seen as an enemy of the bra.

The hot temperatures of the dryer can cause elastic to snap and break. Remember the whole point of a sports bra is that extra support, so you definitely want to preserve their elasticity. Skip the dryer and either:

  • Lay your bra flat to air dry
  • Hang it over a hanger just as you’d wear it (shoulder straps over the hanger shoulders, clasped at the back).

With proper care, your sports bra’s lifespan will be prolonged!

5. Other Notes to Prolong Your Bra’s Lifespan

  • Keep a few in rotation: Let your bas rest between each wear by keeping a few in rotation.
  • Get measured regularly: Just as with regular bras, you’ll want to make sure you’re wearing the right size. If your body undergoes changes, such as weight or muscle gain or loss, get measured again.
  • Replace when it's time: Look out for any sign that it's time to replace your bra, such as stretched straps or tears in the elastic.

We hope you found this post informative — but remember: we’re not doctors and this post is not medical advice! While all posts are fact-checked and well researched, we always recommend you chat with your doctor about any questions or concerns you might have regarding a medical condition. We’re here to support and educate, but never with the aim of disregarding professional medical advice you’ve been given. Phew, now that that’s out of the way, you can go on living unapologetically free.