Expert shopping: Size-inclusive sports bras

Remember, there isn’t a single bra on the market that works well for all wearers. “The vast array of body types and running gaits means that even ‘5 star’ sports bras have customers who won’t rate it highly because it won’t fit their particular body well,” said Tempesta. When deciding on the final option, keep in mind that a sports bra should feel supportive but not like it is strangling you, added Kaye. “It should feel like a lift, not a squish,” she said.

1. Flow Y Bra Nulu Light Support

This light support sports bra is designed for bra cup sizes A-C. The Flow Y Bra uses a patented Nulu fabric that is breathable, sweat-wicking, and sports lycra fibre to support stretching and maintaining the bra’s shape. It comes in 11 colors, from solids Black, Chambray, Feather Pink, Lunar Rock, Cassis, and White to patterns Diamond Dye Army Green, Diamond Dye Graphic Grey, Camo Deep Coal, and Space Nimbus Battleship. The sports bra also features pockets on the inside for removable cups.

2. Light Support Seamless Racerback Sports Bra for Women

This Old Navy sports bra is designed with a racerback and scoop neck and features a breathable mesh at the shoulder straps. The seamless jersey material helps to prevent chafing, and the brand’s proprietary Go-Dry moisture-wicking technology is meant to keep you dry and comfortable during your workout. There are also removable cups on the inside of the sports bra.

3. Free To Be Serene Bra Light Support

This Lululemon light impact sports bra is meant to be ideal for yoga and is best suited for C or D cup bra sizes. The Free To Be Serene Bra features Luxtreme patented fabric, which is supposed to provide slick and low friction support and feel cool to the touch. It comes in 15 colors including; Highlight Yellow, Regatta Blue, Soft Cranberry, Night Diver, Camo Deep Coal, Grey Sage, Pink Glow, and more.

4. Exhale Bra in Powervita

The Exhale Bra in Powervita from Athleta is designed for A to C cup wearers and sports a mid-rise neckline with a V-strap design on the back. Their Powervita fabric is meant to be breathable, sweat-wicking and quick drying. It also has a UPF rating of 50+ for your outdoor workouts. There are 11 color options available, including Bali Green, Timeless Red, Hearth Rose, Wheat Yellow, Orchid Pink, Voyage Grey and more.

5. Conscious Crop D-DD

Athleta’s Conscious Crop sports bra is best suited for cup sizes D to DD and comes in their highest cut neckline available for maximum coverage. It sports the same Powervita fabric as the above Exhale sports bra, but is made from recycled polyester and lycra. There are five colors available: Black Camo, Black Tie-Dye, Antionette Norweigan Grey, Antoinette Velvety Pink and Supernova.

6. Medium Support Powersoft Sports Bra

This Old Navy sports bra provides medium support for A to C cup sizes and only light support for D or DD sizes. The Powersoft fabric is meant to provide light compression and a smooth feel, with 4-way stretch for ultimate movement. There is also a mesh lining to provide ventilation and breathability during your workout. It comes in nine colors, including All the Waves, Lost in the Woods, Dark Ivy, Painted Desert, Cedarwood, Marble, Black Jack, Olive Camouflage and Iridescent.

7. The Flex Sports Bra

Equipped with Shefit’s signature moisture-wicking material, this sports bra is designed to keep you cool and dry while working out. For those who don’t need maximum support, the Flex is a viable option as the seam-free cups allow you to move freely. Uniquely, the sports bra molds cups to fit all body types with its patented Zip. Cinch. Lift technology. There are five colors available: Black, Blush, Aloud, Buff and Onyx.

8. Medium Support Strappy Sports Bra

Old Navy offers another sports bra that provides medium support for A to C cups. With its wide shoulder straps and cross-back design, it is ideal for spin class and strength sessions. Like other models above, it features moisture-wicking technology to keep you comfortable and dry. The bra is available in 10 colors, including Blue Tonal, Teal Camo, Gray Camo, White Lilies, Desert Camouflage, Electron, Jet Stream, Red Camo, Black Leopard and Black Jack.

9. Medium-Support Racerback Sports Bra

This sports bra offers the same strappy back and stretchy material as the Lululemon Energy bra but at a fraction of the price. The spandex and polyester construction of this racerback bra moves with you but won’t stretch out and lose its shape. Additionally, the banded-elastic hem prevents chafing and instead provides smooth comfort. This bra, available in Black Jack, is in the medium-support range, meaning you can comfortably engage in pilates or yoga, but it may not provide ample support for cardio activities.

10. Energy Bra Medium Support

If you enjoy higher impact activities like running and boxing, this Lululemon sports bra is a good option for B to D cups. The bra comes with light, removable cups designed to provide low-friction support. With its added Lycra fibre for stretch and shape retention, it keeps everything in without constricting. It comes in 11 colors, including Submarine, Tapestry Starlight Multi, Catalyst Multi, White, True Navy, Hype Stripe Black and White, Heritage 365 Camo Deep Coal Multi, Mod Stripe Black White, Black, Intense Teal and Tear It Up Alpine White Black.

11. Molly T Sports Bra

Molly T’s sports bra is customizable to fit your body and workout routine. Rather than pulling the bra over your head, you can create the perfect fit by pulling the adjustable strap across your chest. The fit allows for custom compression directly over your body — you can switch between low and high impact without switching your sports bra. The versatile bra equips classic sports bra features: sweat-wicking and antimicrobial fabric as well as soft cups.

12. Belle High Impact Sports Bra

This criss-cross sports bra from Fabletics has nearly 3,000 ratings and an average 4.5-star rating. Equipped with adjustable straps, reviewers say it’s perfect for high-intensity workouts like running and boxing. The only downside is some buyers find the bra so secure that they have a little difficulty taking it off. The sports bra is available in Black, Persimmon Asper/Black, Navy, Rosy Mauve, Brick/Ochre, and Electric Violet/Sky Purple.

13. High-Support Mesh-Trim Plus-Size Sports Bra

The wide straps on this Old Navy sports bra provide evenly distributed support. Because the straps are made of a polyester-spandex blend, they don’t stretch, keeping you supported in even the most aggressive workouts. With its delicate cut out detail on the back, this bra is not only beautiful but functional.

14. Ultimate Sports Bra

Shefit’s highest impact bra is made to provide maximum support for all shapes and sizes, ranging from cup size A to I. This sports bra is ideal for high-intensity workouts — it has a front zipper for a fully-adjustable, comfortable fit with little to no bouncing as you work out. The 2-way wear step configuration (X-back or H-back) allows for individualized comfort and support. It’s available in Black, White, Sandstorm, Victorious, Fantom, Rose Taupe and Confident.

15. Run Times Bra High Support

The padded straps, soft underband and crossable strap of this Lululemon bra make it ideal for avid runners with cup sizes B to E. With its perforated paneling and sweat-wicking fabric, it is designed to give you support, separation and coverage for all things high-intensity, from running to HIIT and beyond. The high support bra is available in True Navy, Cassis and Black.

16. Advance Bra

Rounding out our list is this high-impact option from Athleta, which goes from 32B up to a size 40DD. Designed for high-impact workouts, the molded cups provide encapsulation support to keep everything in place. The bra also has a hook-and-eye closure to make it easy to slip on and off. While it’s a criss-cross back, the straps are fully adjustable for a customized fit. It’s available in seven colors, including Agate Purple, White, Orchid Pink, Black, Oasis Blue, Black Camo, and Magnolia Purple.

• Chest size doesn’t determine support levels. The idea that smaller chested ladies don’t need high-impact bras and those with large breasts should stay away from low-impact options are completely wrong. All boob sizes will benefit from support fit for various activities. It’s also incorrect because each woman’s body has a different composition of breast tissue, shape, and muscle, which impacts the weight and level of support they need. “I’m fairly small chested but I do a lot of high-impact workout activities that need a more compressive sports bra,” said Ottesen.
• You might be underestimating how much you’re actually moving. According to Julia Breitwieser, the bras and swim design director at Athleta, most women are moving more than they realize in their sports bras. “A bra cup can be quite firm and supportive, but if you are in the wrong size, your breast may be moving inside the cup without the right support,” said Breitwieser. “This isn’t just an aesthetic or modesty concern since breast tissue can stretch and cause pain over time”.
• Don’t overly rely on straps. Another misconception is that a majority of the support in a sports bra comes from the straps. “While straps are an important component, the chest band and cup provide the critical foundation for your bra,” said Breitwieser. “Proper support in these areas will prevent pressure from being held in your shoulders.”
• Sports bras don’t necessarily expire. “Your sports bra’s lifespan depends on how you care for it,” noted Breitwieser. Since heat deteriorates the spandex in your sports bra, she recommended always machine-washing them on cold and hanging them to dry. Tempesta agreed, adding that dryers also make elastics wear out very quickly. “And stay away from any type of fabric softener, “ she said. “They prevent the fabrics from wicking sweat.”
• Sports bras aren’t all expensive. You don’t always have to spend more to get one with a perfect fit. “I’ve some sports bras I spent $45 [on] that I love, and I have some that I got for $9 that I love just as much,” said Ottesen. “Once you find what you like in terms of fit and style, don’t be afraid to look at different brands.”
• Jogging isn’t necessarily low impact and running isn’t necessarily high impact. It’s important to note that jogging is actually one of the highest-impact activities on the breast, even more so than a sprint, noted Brennecke. “And the slower the jog, the more bounce you will need to solve for,” she added. A runner may need a medium support bra — and not always high support. A jogger will likely need additional support in their sports bra.
• Everyday bras and sports bras have different sizes. You can’t assume your usual bra size will translate in the world of sports bras and the sizing even varies within a brand. Differences in the under band fabrics’ stretch contributes to this sizing inconsistency. “For cup volume, there isn’t an industry standard for how much volume cups should hold,” said Tempesta. “This is exacerbated in sports bras because they are generally made with compressed cups and tighter under bands so it makes the likelihood of your usual size fitting you even less likely.”

Catch up on the latest from NBC News Shopping guides and recommendations and download the NBC News app for full coverage of the coronavirus outbreak.

Source: | This article originally belongs to Nbcnews.com