Sports Bra vs Regular Bra

Both sports bras and regular, everyday bras should offer you superb fit and comfort. Your bra should never cause pain. However, a bra for sports really focuses on minimizing the pain caused by breast movement during physical activity.

Sports bras are specifically designed to wear when exercising. Their design focus is on support, minimizing movement and wicking away sweat. Regular bras are designed for everyday wear. Their design focus is on support, shape / silhouette, and aesthetics.

However, just as athletic gear has made it into our everyday, so the lines dividing sports bras and regular bras have begun to blur. Just as you might wear yoga pants when doing many things apart from yoga, so you may find yourself reaching for your sports bra when there isn’t any physical activity in sight.

Is there anything wrong with wearing a sports bra when not doing sports? Or, can you wear a regular bra instead of a  sports bra when exercising? Let’s take a look...

Advantages of Wearing Sports Bras  Over Everyday Bras

As mentioned, sports bras are designed specifically to be worn when exercising. Most sports bras work by compressing the breasts against the wall of your chest. This means that if you're wearing a sports bra, your breasts cannot move as much when you’re running, jumping, etc.

Many women cite breast movement as a major cause of breast pain and discomfort during exercise. For women with larger breasts, this discomfort can be so severe that it puts them off exercise altogether. So, having a sports bra that keeps your boobs from bouncing, can be a difference-maker for your health and wellbeing.

Besides offering extreme support, sports bras are also good for:

• Confidence: If breast movement makes you feel self-conscious about exercising, a sports bra can give you the support and confidence you need to move without distraction.
• Moisture-wicking: Sports bras are usually made of high-performance athletic materials that have moisture-wicking properties. While boob sweat is a normal and natural by-product of exercise or hotter days, it can also cause irritation. A bra designed for sports can help keep you dry.
• Prevents sagging: Although saggy boobs cannot be wholly prevented by wearing a sports bra (read more about what causes saggy boobs here), high-impact exercise without support definitely won’t help.
• Healing after surgery: Because they minimize movement, sports bras can also be recommended by doctors if you’re recovering from any kind of breast surgery.

Can I Just Wear a Regular Everyday Bra Instead of a Sports Bra? Consider the Impact of Your Exercise...

Some women, especially women with smaller cup sizes, may wonder if a sports bra is necessary. This may especially be the case as everyday bras have become more performance-driven than simply being fanciful “lingerie.”

The answer is, of course, that it’s a personal choice. Some women go entirely braless, some blur the lines, and some observe strict distinctions between everyday bras, sports bras, and “special” lingerie. Your cup size, comfort, confidence will all inform your decision.

One note: Make sure you wash your sports bra more regularly if you’re working up a sweat in it. It’s generally recommended that you wash an everyday bra every three wears, whereas a sports bra should be washed after every workout. Wearing your everyday bra for these activities and washing it more often will likely shorten its lifespan quite significantly.

Our advice? When making a decision, consider the impact level of the activity you’ll be doing to determine the best sports bra for you:

• Low impact exercise includes walking, gentle (street) cycling, hatha yoga, and strength training. These exercises can certainly blur into the category of the everyday bra.
• Moderate impact exercise includes hiking, more aerobic styles of yoga, gentle jogging. These exercises generally call for some added support so a sports bra that offers more coverage is generally preferred. However, some everyday bras (depending on style and cup coverage) may still suffice here. 
• High-impact exercise includes running, most sports and HIIT workouts, dancing, skipping, etc. Generally, this is where we feel like a high-impact sports bra is really necessary, and an everyday bra just won’t cut it from a support, performance, or pain-prevention standpoint.

Overview: Sports Bra Designs

There are lots of compelling reasons for wearing a sports bra, and even if your exercise level is low to moderate, you may prefer to have dedicated bras for activity to prolong the life of your favorite everyday bras.

When it comes to choosing a sports bra, there are three main options of styles:

1. Compression Sports Bras

Compression bras focus on doing precisely that - compressing your boobs against your chest wall, so they lie as flat as possible against your body. By compressing you, they minimize movement and bounce.

However, compression bras do not have cups built-in for each breast and can also cause an appearance of “uni-boob.” Many women won’t be bothered by this, but others will want to preserve their breast shape even when working out.

2. Encapsulation Sports Bras

Encapsulation sports bras do have cups that surround and shape each breast. There is generally no compression with these bras, making them ideal for low-impact activities.

Because each breast is “cupped,” encapsulation bras do a good job preserving your natural body shape.

3. Encapsulation-Compression Sports Bras

Don’t want to choose? You don’t have to. There are bras that do both! These bras usually have an inner layer that provides cupped support and an outer layer or band of material that compresses your boobs against the chest wall.

These sports bras provide the best-of-both-worlds in terms of both appearance and support and can be suitable for high impact levels of exercise and all chest sizes.

Other Sports Bra Features to Consider

In addition to compression or encapsulation as types of bras, there are other features that provide more options for you. Depending on your size, style, and exercise impact level, some of these features may be more important than others.

• Adjustable shoulder straps: Adjustable straps allow you to lengthen or shorten straps depending on your torso size and shape. For larger bust sizes (C cup and above), adjustable straps are more important as more support is required.
• Strap style: As sports bras have become more fashion-forward (and are often worn revealed, or even without tops), different styles of straps have emerged. There’s the traditional tank top style (often a pullover bra). There are also racerback—if you experience slipping shoulder straps a lot, you may love this style. There are also crisscross straps that make a bigger style statement.
• Underwire: As with regular bras, many sports bras come with and without underwires. While underwire is often considered to offer more support, it can also be uncomfortable for many women. Underwire bras are also more likely to require handwashing. With many technical fabrics and designs on the market, the underwire is a personal choice rather than a support necessity.

Should You Wear a Sports Bra Every Day?

When you find a sports bra you love, you may find yourself wanting to wear it more often. We all do it; athleisure gear has definitely infiltrated our weekends, lounge time, even some offices!!

But if you find a sports bra more comfortable, is there anything wrong with wearing it every day? Again, we want to say that it’s a personal choice, but there are some notes worth considering for your skin and breast health.

• Coverage: Sports bras cover more surface area than regular bras — not just the bust but also wider straps on the shoulders and backs. While this may be part of the reason they’re more comfortable, it can also mean that your skin doesn’t get to breathe as much, which can cause irritation and even acne. Even if you don’t mind this, you may not always want as full coverage as a sports bra gives.
• Compression: Compression-style sports bras keep your breasts “smushed” against your chest wall. While this may make you more comfortable while you’re exercising, it can be less comfortable daily. There has been speculation that compression can cut off lymphatic flow. However, no connection between compression and cancer has been established. At the same time, it feels almost intuitive that no body part should be regularly compressed or squished into an unnatural shape. If you want to wear a sports bra every day, then consider an encapsulation-style bra rather than a compression one.
• Breast shape: Sports bras can sometimes create a “uni-boob” appearance which some dislike. Again, if this is a concern, but you still want to wear a sports bra every day, consider an encapsulation-style sports bra.

The Best Knix Sports Bras

Best Overall for High Impact / Running: Catalyst 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!

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

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.

How it fits: 

Front zipper and cross-back design allow for more ease of movement - ideal for anyone with a 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!

Best Low Impact Exercise or Working from Home: LuxeLift Pullover 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.

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!

No Matter What: Sports Bra Fit is Essential

If you’re choosing to wear a sports bra every day because you find them more comfortable than a regular bra, might we suggest that fit might be the problem?

If you’re wearing an ill-fitting bra, you’ll probably be very aware of it because you won’t feel supported, comfortable, or have the shape you want.

Here are some of the telltale signs that your bra is the wrong fit for you:

• Your straps slide off your shoulders, even after you’ve tightened them
• You shift around in your cups
• Your breasts bulge out of your cup or sides
• The band rides up your back
• The underwire hurts your ribcage
• Your bra leaves painful marks on your skin
• You’re plain uncomfortable

At Knix, we really wanted to help more women avoid this experience altogether. As an online retailer, we know it can be especially daunting to make a bra purchase online. That’s why we developed our virtual fit program, which you can try whether you're shopping for a regular everyday bra or a sports bra. Learn more about it today and book your appointment!

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.

Written by Jane Flanagan — Updated on March 1, 2022.

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.