best sports bras for big boobs, sorted by activity
I used to wear a regular bra and a sports bra on top of it during high school when we had to do P.E., running, or any other sort of non-swimming activity (finding competitive swimsuits that covered my boobs and looked cute was a whole other story).
That was before I discovered that a single supports bra could (and was supposed to) provide you with coverage and support, no matter how big your boobs are.
But not all sports bras are created equal.
As a fitness instructor and overall workout enthusiast, I’ve tried a lot of sports bras in a lot of different activities.
There are some where I was like, WHOOPS, should NOT have worn this and I hope I don’t have a nip slip YIKES!! and some where I’m like, THANK YOU NANCY FOR BUYING THIS, YOU GENIUS GODDESS, every time I wear it.
(That is actually how my internal monologue goes.)
I recently got a few questions on what sports bras I recommend for my larger chested lady friends, and that inspired this post.
These bras will keep your girls in, so you can avoid wasting money and worrying about wardrobe malfunctions.
Based on the type of activity you do, here are my favorite sports bras — keep reading to find out.
Note: This post is NOT sponsored; all these links go directly to the store’s site.
This is hands down the most comfortable full support sports bra I’ve ever worn.
It feels so light — almost like you’re not wearing anything — and works through long runs, sprints, and high-impact workout classes.
The straps do stretch out over time, so I recommend getting a size down if you’re in between sizes (example — I’m usually a Medium but I got the Small/Medium size).
I wear size S/M.
Hylete Altium Sports Bra ($48)
This CA-based brand is a lesser known one, but they make super high quality sports bras.
I wore this one during my half marathon and my marathon training runs, and it’s comfortable and supportive.
The straps are thicker so they don’t stretch out, but after awhile, it does create pressure on my shoulders.
I wear size Medium.
Bootcamp / Lifting / Spin
Medium Support, Medium-Full Coverage
I was in disbelief when I saw these bras were one size fits all, but by some magic, they actually do work.
They dry quickly and are pretty full coverage; they also are comfy to wear all day.
I wouldn’t wear them to run, but they’re good for pretty much any other type of workout.
It’s one size fits all, and it’s true!
Lululemon Energy Bra ($52)
The Lulu Energy Bra has gone through some different variations throughout the years, but it’s a flattering staple.
The straps are thick enough to provide support while still being cute.
One note: some of the newer variations are lower cut, so it shows a good amount of cleavage (more than the other bras mentioned above).
I think this is a really awesome, versatile, and flattering bra!
I wear a size 8.
Yoga / Pilates / Everyday Wear
Light Support, Light-Medium Coverage
This strappy Lulu bra is great for everyday wear and for yoga, but it doesn’t provide much support.
The straps are non adjustable, so it can be kind of loose (as you can see in this pic).
I wear a size 8.
This is a super comfy bra at a good price point.
Athleta actually has a wide variety of sports bras for the D-DDD range, so I’d recommend trying a couple on.
I’ve worn it for higher impact activities as well and it’s held up, but not as well as the ones above.
I wear a size M.
The material for this is so comfy. More of a cottony feel than a typical “athletic-wear” feel.
It actually provides a decent amount of support and coverage too.
I wear a size S/M.
This is the same material as the higher coverage Croco Skin sports bra above, but shows (clearly) way more cleavage.
It actually does stay in place throughout activities, but I’d recommend it for yoga at the most because I wouldn’t do a ton of bouncing around in it without a shirt on (personally).
One size fits all.