Looking for the best sports bras for larger breasts? Believe it or not, we've got you covered. If you've got larger-than-average size boobs, you'll know that finding a sports bra that fits - let alone offers decent support and looks good - is a near-impossible task.
While many sportswear brands have become more inclusive over the years, adding tall, petite, and plus-size ranges to their standard collections, the sports bra department seems to have been missed off the list. Whether it's because it's harder to mass-produce high-support, larger sports bras, or there's just not as much of a market for them as smaller and average-sized ones, I'm not sure. As a 34J (UK 34GG) myself, I find browsing the rails of the biggest sports brands often leaves me empty-handed and feeling frustrated.
It's often the smaller, specialist companies that have the monopoly on the best sports bras for bigger boobs as a result. To find the best one for you, whether you want the best sports bras for light workouts or something to pair with your pick of the best running shoes for a marathon, we've got you covered with our tried and tested selection.
The best sports bras for larger breasts
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When it comes to the best sports bras for bigger boobs, the overall must-buy has got to be Shock Absorber's D+ Max Support Bra. I bought the first one in my late teens when I started going to the gym and I haven't looked back since. While I've had more than one in that time, this Shock Absorber sports bra was the perfect supporter through hundreds of gym sessions, runs, and all kinds of other activities like week-long hiking holidays without a spare to swap in.
It's just next level in terms of support, so as well as being a great all-rounder, this bra is an essential addition in my running kit. This is definitely a bra for those who like to jump about during their workouts. The D+ Max Support Bra is a full-coverage bra, with contoured, blanket-like strapping support across your chest so you avoid the dreaded mono-boob look without them actually being separated by underwire. The thick shoulder straps offer a long range of length, unlike many of the other cross-back sports bras I tried, so you can tighten or loosen them to your desired pull without them digging into you. Meanwhile, the thick back strap has a triple hook and clasp system that straps your boobs to your chest, with zero jiggle in sight.
This sports bra may not come in all the exciting colors of the others, but it's so worth buying. That first one I bought I still have today, years later. While it's stretched at the back and the elastic has made its way out of the back strap somewhat, it's still a great sports bra. I use it when my other favorites are in the wash and I need something suitable for medium to low-impact exercise.
When it comes to the best sports bras for bigger boobs, I didn't necessarily think that one with pads would make the list (after all, the goal isn't normally to make them look bigger). So I was pleasantly surprised when I tried this Runderwear Easy On Running Bra, having never tried a sports bra with padded cups before, and found it to be one of the best high impact sports bras I've ever worn.
I tried out the bra both during a heavy weights session and for a 10k trail running race. With two bands rather than one, I felt completely supported at the back during my workouts and the several hooks pulled everything together. The straps are relatively thin and I felt like I wanted them a little tighter, but they offer great support and didn't dig into my shoulders. The pads also, I found, have another unexpected benefit as they're an extra layer of protection between nipple and anything that might brush against them - like a running vest.
In terms of materials, the Runderwear Easy On is softer than the Shock Absorber that made the top of the list and wicks away sweat very well, so it may be the one for you if your skin is a little more sensitive or you're prone to chafing.
Medium-impact exercise is workouts that require a lot of energy and movement, without much jumping. Spinning, cycling, elliptical work, power walking and hiking all come to mind when I think of this type of sport. And they're all perfect activities to wear the Pour Moi Energy Strive Non-Wired Full Cup Sports Bra for.
As well as being one of the most colorful sports bras for bigger boobs, a welcome addition in the sea of black and white, it's supportive in the sense that it straps your boobs to your chest with strong nylon and elastic materials, has a triple clasp hook at the back, and thick shoulder straps. It was also one of the most breathable sports bras I tried, thanks to the double layer of material across the front.
Pour Moi lists this colorful sports bra as suitable for high-impact exercise, however, after the taking the bra through a sweaty gym session that involved the 12-3-30 workout to finish, I was skeptical about its ability to handle a run. While it faired incredibly well during the gym workout, making it the perfect go-to for someone who weightlifts or does resistance training of any kind as well, I gave up just over 5k into my treadmill running as I felt my boobs bouncing around more than I would've liked and nipple chafing start to kick in.
Shock Absorber's Active Multi Sports Bra is undoubtedly one of the most comfortable non-wired bras in general, and certainly one of the top low-impact sports bras around, thanks to its lack of underwire and the soft, padded underband and shoulder straps. While I found it's not really suitable for any kind of high-impact activity for those with larger boobs, despite what the brand says, it's perfect for any lightweight exercise like walking, yoga, stretching, Pilates, or even just wearing around the house.
I found that as well as being super comfortable, it was still supportive, with the double band on the racerback offering a medium level of hold towards my chest. This style also allowed for a wider range of shoulder and back movements than some of the other styles on our list as there weren't any double straps in the way.
In terms of breathability, the Shock Absorber Multi Active Sports Bra is made from high-performance fabrics and there are two power mesh panels on either side of your boobs to prevent your chest from getting too warm. If I was headed off to a hot country and planning a workout, I'd sacrifice the higher level of support for the great sweat-wicking capabilities of this sports bra.
When it comes to choosing a size for the bra, I found that my regular size was perfect but the brand warns, "This style can come up small. We find it best to try a band size up from your normal size. This means if you normally wear a 34D, we recommend trying a 36D."
Panache is another staple in the list of best bra brands generally but when it comes to sports bras for bigger boobs, they're easily one of the top three. This non-wired sports bra is very similar to the Shock Absorber D+ Support Sports Bra in the sense that it offers similar support with a single band, triple hook and eye system on the back with padded straps that don't dig in as you move.
This bra is slightly better suited when it comes to running specifically though as you can choose to have the straps in racerback form, which I find just offers that additional level of support by pulling your boobs tighter into your chest without additional pressure on your shoulders, or in the traditional two-band system.
If you're looking for a brightly colored sports bra, the Panache Sport Non Wired Sports Bra is also the one to go for as it comes in a wide variety of colours from simple black and white to this bold and bright floral pattern. Something to be aware of with this bra, however, is that the brand recommends hand-wash only. While I find that any sports bra can be put in the washing machine with a specialist activewear wash at a lower temperature, it's always better to be safe than sorry.
A good sports bra for bigger boobs under $30 / £20 seems like an impossible ask, with most boutique shops that cater for bigger sizes sticking to a higher price mark, but we have one.
Decathlon is one of my favorite brands for low-cost, high-quality sportwear generally but the Classic Running Bra is certainly a highlight in their collection. Available in several colors, it offers a good level of support with an adjustable double shoulder strap system that you can pull together to create racer straps.
As it's sold as a high-impact bra, suitable for running, we tested it out both in the gym and on a 10k canal-side run. However as the sizes only go up to an F, I had to outsource my testing. My tester for this bra was a 34F and she said a great element of this sports bra was the mesh panel at the front of the bra.
"I loved the breathability of this bra. I get very sweaty when I work out and often end up sticky and uncomfortable by the end of my workout. When it comes to running, I had limited expectations and although I still wouldn't tackle any long runs in this, it held up really well, especially with the additional support of a racerback."
However, it's important to be aware that you get what you pay for when it comes to the best sports bras for larger breasts. While our luxury pick wouldn't be suitable for everyone's budget, if possible, it's worth stretching to something a little more well-made if you want your bra to stand the test of many washes. At $59 / £24, the Pour Moi Energy Strive bra would be a good alternative.
This is the most expensive of our best sports bras for larger breasts - but it made it onto our list for good reason. The MAARE Solidarity High Impact Sports bra is different to every other one on the list as it features additional technology that supports boobs to a whole new level.
The specialist Overband Technology comprises of an adjustable band that sits along the top of your boobs, giving compression support from the top as well as support from the underband beneath. While this had the chance to create a mono-boob look on a whole new level, the contored breast panels prevent this from happening. Given the sizing limitations, I had to outsource testing for this one too.
"I found the MAARE Solidarity High Impact Sports Bra faired with no problems during my regular gym workout, where I just used the standard double straps. It also supported my boobs well with limited bounce during the run. I found that the double strap was perfectly fine, if you wanted even more support, you can link the straps together to create a racerback," says our tester, who is a 32FF. "It's also comfortable and secure, and it was one of the only bras I tested that didn't leave small indents in my skin when I took it off.
This isn't a bra to buy on a whim though. While you can just 'quick buy', as the style is so different to others on the market, you're advised to follow up your interest with an online bra fitting which can be booked pre-purchase via the website.
If you're looking for one of the best sports bra for larger breasts on a time limit, then the Freya Active Sonic Moulded Sports Bra is a good bet. It's available from Amazon in over 107 different sizes, the biggest selection we've seen, and in a whole range of colors so you're bound to find one you like - even if the neon options are a little garish.
I tested this sports bra at the gym and it held up perfectly. It's designed almost with bigger boobs in mind as unlike many of the other styles on our list, it actually separates your boobs into two cups like a normal bra would. While I didn't find it made much of a difference compared to other styles as the underwire is the biggest support system, the Freya Active Sonic Moulded Sports Bra has four hooks at the back rather than the standard two or three.
This sports bra could easily have been out pick for the best medium-impact sports bra as it was a great all-rounder, ideal for resistance training and some light walking on the treadmill. I also wore it under a normal t-shirt during one of my spin workouts and barely noticed a difference to my non-sports bras, so it's been added to my rotation of workout gear generally. While it could fair relatively well on a light run, any activity where you need a lot of support and limited bounce would need a more stable, strapping-like support system.
How we tested the best sports bras for larger breasts
As someone with 34J / 34GG boobs myself, finding a good quality sports bra has been a struggle ever since I graduated from mainstream bra shopping in my teens, so I tested a hoard of sports bras in larger sizes from some of the biggest brands around.
And as someone who regularly works out, having a sports bra that fits well and supports my boobs through everything from strength training to 10k distance running is the most important thing. Each of the bras I tried was put through its paces both in the gym and on a run if it claimed to be a high-impact sports bra, or just in the gym if it was a medium-impact sports bra. The low-impact sports bras were worn during twice-weekly stretching sessions, to mimic the pressure on boobs during exercises like yoga and Pilates.
To find the best sports bras for bigger boobs, we assessed a number of different factors including:
- Support: As the most important element to a sports bra for bigger boobs, this was the most important factor. Did the sports bra offer enough support to actually work out in? My threshold for inclusion was none-to-limited jiggling, without feeling like I was wearing a corset.
- Size range: Having big boobs doesn't really correspond to a set size but anyone larger than a DD will struggle to buy a good sports bra in many mainstream stores so this was my minimum size.
- Clasp system: The best sports bras for bigger boobs come with a minimum of two clasps on the back of the bra either together in one strap or two straps separately. As there's more to keep supported, it's important that the back of the bra can hold up.
- Availability: Fewer brands and stores, both online and off, sell good sports bras for bigger boobs so I assessed each retailer on how easy it was to buy each of the bras in terms of sizes they had available, along with delivery times and cost.
- Cost: As anyone looking at this guide knows, buying bras for bigger boobs is often an expensive endeavor. Add in the pricier materials and systems included in a sports bra and you could very easily spend upwards of $50 / £50 on your kit upgrade, so we tried to find ones that were in a reasonable price range, with a budget option.
How to choose the best sports bra for bigger boobs
- How much support do you need? "For a fuller bust, it’s worth going for a wider shoulder strap to protect the shoulders from any digging in. I’d also highly recommend a racer or wide strap cross-back style to help your back support the weight as you move, and to reduce any restriction to shoulder movement," says Danielle Wood, head of buying at Know The Origin, an eco-friendly sportswear brand.
- Does it dig in? "If your bra is well-fitting it will hold you comfortably but not dig in," she suggests.
- Neckline: "A high neckline is best if you have larger breasts as the fabric will help to prevent the upward bounce."
- Consider the fabric: "Double-layer fabric at the front of the sports bra will improve the support of the bra," she says. "Compression fabric will also help with this."
- Can you cut the labels out? "Printed label information instead of labels will reduce rubbing and flat seams are best for the same reason. Otherwise, make sure that you can cut the labels from the bra without damaging the material in any way."
- Secured elastic: "The band elastic should be secured in the seam of the bra," she says. "So elastic won't turn into the channel and become twisted or uncomfortable."
- Try it on - properly: "It might seem obvious, but make sure when you try on that you do some stretching and jumping up and down in the bra to check how it performs in movement, not just that it fits well when standing still."
How should a sports bra fit?
A sports bra should fit comfortably while offering support to your breasts, either with compression over the top or encapsulation. It should be tight enough that you can just squeeze two fingers between the strap and your shoulders, without being so tight that it restricts your movement - or breathing.
If the bra is underwired, the wire should fit flat against your ribs without moving too much during exercise, and it shouldn't pinch or feel uncomfortable. The band at the back should also sit comfortably and in a straight line across your back, rather than pulled up by the shoulder straps.
