Give me a good sports bra, a comfy pair of shorts, and my favorite running shoes, and I’m good to go for a summer run!
As with most running gear, I’ve tried a lot of sports bras over the years, and I have definitely found my favorites. They are cute + practical, which is a huge perk in my book. They are high quality, don’t lose their stretch and support, and withstand many washes.
#1. . . . . the lululemon Energy Bra
I have two lululemon Energy bras and want a dozen more. They are suitable for a relatively large range of cup sizes, and I’ve never had any problems with this sports bra chafing on me.
The back is cute with the double straps and looks especially cute with an open-back shirt. I’ve never had a problem with the removable cup pads falling out in the wash or folding over on themselves in this new Energy Bra, but it happens every single time on my older one. (Not sure if they changed something over the years??)
#2. . . . Brooks Dare Crossback Run Bra
I love the seamless construction of this Brook Dare Crossback Run Bra. The material is really soft and smooth, and I’ve never had any issues with it chafing on me. I also featured this sports bra in my Supportive Postpartum Running Sports Bras blog post, so it is also great for those with a larger cup size too. There is some light padding in the cups, which is permanent, so there is nothing to fall out in the wash.
#3. . . .New Balance Hero Bra 3.0
I love this New Balance Hero Bra for its cute double-strap back, comfortable fit, and the medium-level of padding it provides because we all know the damage breastfeeding does, so the extra padding is appreciated.
This one is a little lower cut than other sports bras I have worn, which may be a drawback for some, but otherwise I love it and have worn it many times since I purchased it.
Other runner-ups:
Oiselle Back It Up Bra (I haven’t personally tried this one as it is a new style, but I think it is really cute.)
I’ve been told that you are to replace your sports bra every six months, but I’ve found if I pay around $50/$60 for a good sports bra, they last much longer. As with any running gear, your sports bra should be very comfortable, support you and hold you in, but not cause you to feel like you are being squeezed by a boa constrictor. Most running specialty stores have employees who have been trained in properly fitting women for sports bras, so be sure to stop in and have them measure you and find a sports bra suitable for you and your activity level.
