Support and Style: Discover the Best Sports Bras for Large Busts
High impact exercise can be a challenge for those who have a larger bust. Breasts can move about too much, making them feel self-conscious. Worse still, excess movement can cause neck, shoulder or back pain or even injury.
Even with low impact exercises, breasts can sometimes get in the way… ever done a yoga pose and found your breasts were spilling out and getting in the way? Yep, been there, done that.
A good sports bra helps. It reduces movement so that you can really enjoy your activity, whether it’s gentle stretching or performance athletics.
But what features should you look for in a great sports bra? Let’s take a look!
6 Features to Look for in the Best Sports Bras for Large Breasts
No matter what brand you’re shopping from, if you’re on the hunt for the best sports bras for large breasts, here’s what you should focus on:
1. High Support
The main job of a sports bra is to offer support so that your breasts don’t move about uncomfortably while you exercise. You should feel snugly contained in a sports bra, not spilling out. While there are sports bras that show some cleavage, for the maximum support look for a full coverage cup.
Other sports bra features that will give support include the thickness of the material (and its elasticity), wide and adjustable shoulder straps and thick, adjustable back strap and closures.
2. Moisture-Wicking Material
We all sweat when we work out and sweat is the most natural thing in the world. But when sweat collects around the delicate skin of the breasts, it can contribute to chafing. Many women with large breasts are susceptible to chafing beneath their breasts for this reason.
To counteract this, look for a sports bra made of moisture-wicking materials (or sweat-wicking fabric). They will draw the sweat away from your skin so you stay dryer, for longer.
3. Comfort
There’s a difference between strong support and discomfort. Your sports bra should contain but not constrict. It’s okay to feel your breasts are snugly contained in a ‘they won’t budge’ kind of way. But you shouldn’t feel like they’re squashed against your torso to the point of discomfort or not being able to breathe or move properly.
If you wear lighter bras for an everyday bra, a sports bra may feel more “full on” when you try it on. But make sure that it’s still comfortable; that it fits correctly, won’t dig into your skin or leave red marks, that you can move in it and relax. Once you get used to any bra — including a sports bra — you should be able to forget it’s there.
4. Easy to Put on & Remove
Most sports bras tend to be a pain to remove, especially after a sweaty workout. It can seem like the material is so thick that you really have to do contortions to wiggle in and out of them. Obviously, that’s not an ideal situation in the gym changing room!
If you find the ‘pullover’ style of bra awkward, look for a more traditional bra with hook and eye closures. Indeed, these bras generally offer better support as they have adjustable straps whereas pullover styles often don’t. If you prefer, you can look for a sports bra with a front zip closure. These are also great as underwear-as-outerwear sports bras.
5. Bounce Reduction
A sports bra can fit you and offer good support and shape but still leave you with bounce. This is often because of cup coverage. While it has become more fashionable for sports bras to come in demi-cup styles, they really won’t do a lot to minimize bounce.
When you try on your sports bra, do some jumping jacks to make sure bounce is reduced. The goal here should not be bounce elimination; our bodies do bounce when we jump — it’s just how our bodies are designed to move! But you can minimize the bounce so that it doesn’t make you feel self-conscious or cause strain.
6. Underwire Sports Bra
Underwire bras have a bad rap for digging into your skin and leaving nasty red marks. But the support of an underwire sports bra is undeniable — with extra stability and lift, these bras are beloved by those who have fuller cup sizes, especially when getting sweaty.
The underwire runs along the underside of the cups, contouring the breasts and offering a secure fit. Choose an underwire sports bra with well-padded wires and flexible construction to minimize any potential irritation during your workout.
Discover the Best Sports Bras for Fuller Chests
Now that you know what you’re looking for, let’s look at the best sports bras for large breasts:
Most Supportive Sports Bra Overall for High Impact: Knix Catalyst Sports Bra
The Catalyst Sports Bra is the most supportive high impact 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:
“Who here hates when you are running and there's that extra bounce coming off your chest? Well, this bra is for you! Such a great addition to my exercising wardrobe! I loved it so much, I ordered a second one two weeks later to have a backup for when the first one was getting ready for the wash.”
“I love this bra. It fits snugly but once worn for a while, you don’t notice it’s there. No wires cutting in, no tight spots that irritate. I love how it feels and looks under clothes.”
Size options:
32A to 42G — and everything in between!
Best Sports Bra 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 sports bra, the 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 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 bought this bra because I had a shoulder injury and was looking for something that was easy for me to put on. What a game changer! Ever since I started wearing this bra, I haven't missed any of my other bras. It is the most comfortable bra ever and I can wear it all day without the want/need to take it off.”
“I have worn this for high impact exercise as well as 8 hours riding an ATV on trails. This bra kept my breasts where they were supposed to be (DD) and was great for all day wear. I did not have any marks on my neck or shoulders. Hands down most comfortable sports bra. Easy off at the end of a sweaty dusty day was the icing on the cake.”
Size options:
32A to 42G — and everything in between!
Low Impact Exercise or Working from Home: Longevity Bra
Flattering and functional, the Longevity Bra can be worn under any workout gear or on its own. With sizes 28 A to 40 DDD, this sports bra fits perfectly under everyday clothes or looks chic on its own.
How it fits:
Easy to pull on and off, with a v-neck, no padding, and a seamless design 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:
“This was for my daughter who wanted a bra that was easy to wear and had a large band at the bottom. This was just right. We wish it came in other colors. Be aware that, if you are wide breasted, you stick out on sides a bit (inside the bra... No spill over).”
“I have always hated wearing a bra because i find them so uncomfortable, but a friend of mine told me about Knix and how she likes the bra that they make. So I gave it a shot! The fitting is so well, comfortable and i don't have any pinching anywhere or any unflattering fat squeezed out caused by the bra. I absolutely love it.”
Size options:
28A to 44G — and everything in between!
Don’t Compromise on Fit — Get a Virtual Fitting!
It’s often the case that an uncomfortable bra is simply the wrong size.
That’s why finding the right style is as important as the right size. Do you need full coverage, lightly lined, convertible straps, wide straps, soft cup or padded cup? The choices can be overwhelming! Buying sports bras for large breasts can be tricky, so get some help...
You can schedule a virtual fitting with Knix to find the best wireless bras for your body!
What to Expect from a Knix Wireless Bra Virtual Fitting:
- Book your virtual fitting for a wireless bra 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 wirefree 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.
Caring for Your Sports Bra
In general, sports bras work a lot harder than regular ones, so they need more immediate and dedicated care.
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. Sweat (and the salts it contains) can be ruinous to the elastic of your bra. So the sooner you rinse your sweaty sports bra out, the better. Some women go so far as to bring their bra into the shower at the gym and give it a rinse.
Wash Your Sports Bra Often
It is generally recommended that you wash your everyday bra every 3 wears or so. With a sports bra, the recommendation is much more aggressive: You should aim to wash your sports bra after every workout (assuming a more intensive workout level). Again, this is because sweat can be so damaging to the bra’s elasticity and appearance.
Don’t Use Softener
Most sports bras can safely go in the machine. However, fabric softener is an absolute no-no for any workout clothes. 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.
Skip the Dryer
While you can safely toss most sports bras in the washing machine (following the guidelines outlined further down), 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 lay your bra flat to air dry.
Other Tips for Sports Bras
If you’re moderately or vigorously active, your sports bras will take a beating. So here are some other tips to prolong them:
Keep a Number of Sports Bras in Rotation
If you exercise daily, one sports bra won’t cut it. If you do a variety of styles of exercise, you might also want to explore different sports bras that offer different degrees of support. For example, the sports bra you need for hatha yoga will not be the same one you might want for long distance running. Whatever your range and frequency of activity, keep a few bras in rotation so you have a clean one for every workout and let your bras “rest” between wears.
Recognize When It’s Time to Replace
The telltale signs a sports bra needs to be replaced are obvious; damaged hooks, fabric pilling, elastic showing visible breakages, a general sense that the bra is no longer supportive (loosened steps etc.)
Try to stagger your bra purchases so you don’t have to replace your entire underwear drawer at once (an expensive undertaking). Instead, add new sports bras on a semi-regular basis (quarterly or bi-annually) and phase out the older ones.
With a little care, your new favorite sports bra will serve you a long time!
FAQs
Which type of sports bra is best for large breasts?
Large breasts don't have to get in the way of your favorite HIIT class if you have the right sports bra. Look for bras with adjustable straps and underwire for additional support. Opt for bras labeled as "high-impact" for activities like running, and choose moisture-wicking fabrics to stay dry during workouts.
Choose a wide band with a hook and eye closure for a secure fit, bonus points for breathable panels enhance ventilation. It's crucial to wear the correct cup size, as sports bras can vary between brands. Ultimately, trying on different styles is key to finding the most comfortable and supportive option.
Do sports bras work for large breasts?
Sports bras are great for larger breasts since they are highly supportive and contain breasts snuggly. Whether lounging around or going on a run, sports bras come in a variety of styles for your life. High-impact sports bras are specifically designed to control bounce during activities like running or intense workouts.
Supportive sports bras have moisture-wicking material to prevent chafing and may include adjustable, padded thick straps to help reduce breast bounce. It's essential to choose the right size, as well as a style that suits your preferences and activities.
What is the best sports bra for plus size?
The ultimate sports bra for plus-size folks should provide excellent support and minimize bounce during high-impact activities. Look for encapsulation support, adjustable straps, and moisture-wicking fabric to ensure comfort and function.
Accurate sizing is crucial, and trying different styles allows you to find the sports bra that best suits your needs and preferences. Ultimately, these brands are recognized for providing quality options that cater specifically to the support requirements of plus-size individuals during physical activities.