17 Holy Grail Supportive Sports Bras That SELF Editors Swear By

I prefer to wear high-coverage bras when I teach cycling classes, and the Dylan from Girlfriend Collective is the best one I’ve found. The fabric is soft and gently compressive for my 36D chest, and I love the longer length that pairs well with leggings. It’s also supremely versatile, beyond the gym—I’ve worn it to shoot a SELF workout video and on a dinner date. —Sarah Madaus, commerce writer

Available in sizes XXS to 6X.

When I’m going for a longer run (over the hour mark), I look for sports bras with a little more support, and I keep coming back to this one from Under Armour. A back clasp and adjustable straps ensure a personalized fit, and while this bra has padding, which I’m usually not a fan of, it’s injected in a cored-out, figure-eight pattern, which cuts down on bulk and feels more natural. The back hook also means you don’t have to add in a gymnastics routine to wrangle out of it once it’s drenched in sweat. —Christa Sgobba, CPT, associate fitness and food director

Available in sizes XS to XXL.

As a bigger girl in the chest department (38DD), I’m on a mission to find a sports bra that is supportive and also affordable. And given how I train in martial arts, any bra I wear needs to be able to withstand punches, kicks, and the occasional takedown. This one from Playtex doesn’t break the bank, and it checks all of my sports bra boxes. Its fuller cups and extra back support really make a difference in alleviating back and shoulder pain, and it somehow never rides up my back. What’s more, I find the bra cute enough to wear when not working out. —Adrianna Freeman, associate social media manager

Available in sizes 36B to 46DDD.

This ultrasoft sports bra was a quarantine discovery for me, and I’ve never looked back. It’s unbelievably comfortable, more so than most other cropped bras, because of its built-in shelf bra that keeps things in place. And it has enough support for most of my activities, including yoga, Pilates, hiking, and indoor cycling. I especially love that it comes in versions for both A- to C-cup sizes and D to DD+, which allows for an even more secure fit. —Sarah Jacoby, associate news director

Available in sizes XXS to 3X (D to DD+), and XXS to XL (A to C).

Calling all large-chested individuals who still want to crush their HIIT workouts: This bra might just be the one for you. Want to do 50 burpees? Great! No jiggling or bouncing here, and all without underwire. It’s a testament to the supportive design—and possibly some magic. The best part? It fits sizes up to 42G. —Allison Tsai, associate health director

Available in sizes 32A to 42G.

My boobs grew to two times their normal size when I started breastfeeding, and this was the only sports bra that passed my makeshift jumping jack test. (Hint: A fail is when your boobs are still up in the air by the time your feet are back on the ground.) This bra is equal parts supportive and comfortable, and though it’s made for running, it really moves with you through any kind of high-impact workout. I also find that an adjustable band is helpful for those with a larger chest—a close-fitting bra like this is much easier to wear when you don’t have to squirm your way in and out. —Shanna Shipin, commerce managing editor

Available in sizes 32B to 42E.

This bra is labeled “medium support,” but as a small-chested person, I feel that it’s supportive enough for high-impact routines, and I’ve happily worn it for runs up to an hour long. I get annoyed by bulky cups, especially during hot, sweaty runs, so I love the sleek, pull-on style. The strappy back adds a little more fun to the bra, too. Bonus: These bras are affordable enough that you can pick a whole host of colors and patterns. —C.S.

Available in sizes XS to XXL (and 2X to 4X here). 

Once I got over the fear of a zip-up bra popping mid-workout, my eyes were opened up to a whole new world of sports bras. The Outdoor Voices Powerhouse bra is one of the first I reach for when I’m taking on a cardio workout like barre or cycling. The straps are thick and adjustable, and the band is snug so there isn’t a lot of shifting. My favorite feature is the mesh back, which not only looks cool but provides extra ventilation. And there is a hidden hook behind the zipper, so in case my free-the-nipple fear comes true, there’s still some backup. —S.M.

Available in sizes B to DD.

For a luxe feel and high-impact support, this bra from Lululemon has become my latest go-to. The fabric is smooth and soft, with a seamless design that means there’s zero chance of chafing. The criss-crossed double straps at the back and muted colors (like teal, rose, and light gray), make this bra easy to wear under a tank or on its own. The bra isn’t cheap, but if you’re serious about running and other high-impact activities, and have yet to find decent support, this will be the solution you’ve been looking for. —A.E.

Available in sizes 32C to 40D. 

With all the straps, pulleys, and Velcro, you might think this bra is more akin to a back brace than workout apparel. But that’s just what makes this one of the best supportive sports bras on the market. What it lacks in a traditional sports bra appearance, it more than makes up for in performance. All that extra hardware just means you can adjust the bra to your body for a better fit. —A.T.

Available in sizes XS to 6Luxe.

This is an excellent high-coverage sports bra. As a Certified Sweaty Person, I appreciate the lightweight moisture-wicking fabric. Since I have a larger chest, I don’t reach for this bra for high-impact workouts, but it’s ideal for barre, walking, and Pilates. It also has removable cups for added support and coverage (but I always take them out). —S.M.

Available in sizes XS to XXXL.

As someone with a larger chest, I find it hard to locate a longline bra that fits well, let alone one that makes me feel a little sexy! But this one does all that and more. The Athleta Cinch is genuinely one of the softest and most comfortable items of clothing I own. As a sports bra, it’s on the lower-support side, but it does have some, thanks to built-in elastic under the cups and the cinch detail, which helps keep everything in place. With the adjustable straps, I’m able to customize the fit to my body, plus it has a decent amount of coverage. —S.J.

Available in sizes XS to 3X.

Another holy grail to those with ample busts, this bra will lock you in like a bear hug so you can get to work. The underwire makes for a more rigid feel, but padded shoulder straps and an optional racerback hook add extra comfort and support. —A.T.

Available in sizes 28A to 40KK.

The Enlite Bra is my pick for high-impact workouts. So much so that I own it in three different colors. While I would love to be the kind of girl who wears slinky, strappy little sports bras, my 36D breasts say, “Nah.” The Enlite bra is functional without being matronly, and the thick diagonal straps keep pressure off my shoulders. The sewed-in cups offer noncompressive support and absorb a solid amount of shock from jumping. I’ll repurchase this bra forever, I think. —S.M.

Available in sizes 34A to 40E. 

It feels as though pretty much everyone owns this top, and at first that was a turnoff for me. But after trying Beyond Yoga’s supersoft and comfy biker shorts last year, I decided to give this top (which has a built-in shelf bra) a try. It quickly became my go-to top. The fabric is buttery soft but surprisingly lightweight and fast-wicking. It doesn’t have enough support for high-impact activities, but I do love it as a comfy top for deep-stretch-style yoga, Pilates, and walks around the park. It looks especially cute with matching leggings or biker shorts. I have to stop myself every day from buying it in new colors! —S.J.

Available in sizes XXS to XXL.