Running and other high impact sports are a great workout—but they're also a potential pain in the boob if we skip out on adding a supportive bra to our workout routine. Title Nine has curated a collection of the best sports bras for running to keep us bounce-free and perky, no matter our pace.
Which type of sports bra is best for running?
Running is a high impact sport—which means you need a high impact sports bra, especially if you're bigger-busted. Here are a few features to look for in a running bra:
- Encapsulation-style support or molded cups give us extra support for a no-bounce workout, no matter our cup size. Encapsulation style bras give independent support to each breast and better support from underneath; these bras also avoid the uni-boob look that many compression-style bras sport.
- Adjustable back or
front closure bras and adjustable shoulder straps let you dial in your fit.
- Cup and band sizing give us a more customizable fit, instead of size ranges like S/M/L.
- Wider straps and bottom bands give heavier-duty, more comfortable support to
D-DD cup sizes and up.
- Sweat-wicking high-performance material can help keep you dry and prevent chafing, no matter how much you sweat.
What is the best sports bra for running if you have large breasts?
Run bras for bigger-busted women might feel impossible to find, but a few key features can help even
DDD+ cup sizes find maximum support. Now's not the time to go for strappy light-support—heavy duty options give us the no-bounce workout of our dreams.
- Adjustable straps can help dial in the support, even on the fly. Many popular
racerback bras have incorporated adjustability so you can get just the right fit.
- Underwire support gives an extra boost of support for D-DD+ cup sizes. And forget those uncomfortable underwires of your past—
underwire sports bras are made to move.
- Combination bras give you all the best parts of both a compression-style and an encapsulation-style bra by supporting each breast, while also hugging them to your chest.
- Front-close or zip-front give us big-time easy-on support without the required acrobatics some
pullover bras require.
Can I just wear a regular sports bra for running?
Would you believe us if we told you there's no such thing as a "regular sports bra"? Sure you might be able to get some quick pull-over compression bras from a big box store, but every high-quality sports bra is designed with a specific impact level in mind.
Running is a high impact workout, which means it requires extra support to keep your boobs (and the ligaments and muscles surrounding them) supported and pain-free. A
low impact bra or
medium-impact bra simply won't do the trick for most women. (
A-B cup sizes may be able to get away with a medium-support running bra, but
C cup and up should shoot for high impact.)
Wondering how to tell the difference between all these sports bras to find the best running bra for you? Title Nine's barbell support rating system shows you the impact level of every bra, so you can easily find
high impact bras for all your running needs. Check out the barbell support rating info provided on all our bra product pages.
What's the difference between a compression bra and an encapsulation bra?
Sports bras sometimes say that they offer compression or encapsulation. Here are some basic definitions:
- Compression-style bras have a firm yet stretchy fabric that presses the breasts against the body, kind of like a hug while you run, jump, or hike. Compression bras usually don't have individual cups and are often pull-over styles.
- Encapsulation-style bras support each breast individually and give you better support from underneath. They provide a more natural breast shape, instead of the uni-boob look you get from most compression bras.
- Bras that offer both encapsulation and compression are often used by high-impact activity lovers and those with larger breasts. Many sports bras offered by Title Nine use both, some using more compression, others relying more on encapsulation.
Want more tips on finding your perfect sports bra fit? Check out our
How to Choose the Best Sports Bra Guide to get all the info you need to grab the best sports for your boobs and your workout.
