The 10 Best Sports Bras for 2022
Many of us know all too well that new sports bras are hard to find. You're looking for so many seemingly conflicting things—security and comfort, style and function—that often it feels like settling for a less-than-perfect solution is mandatory.
Well, we're here to tell you that's not the case. A sports bra that you truly love to wear, and one you feel your best in, does exist. And while searching for the best sports bras can be an arduous task full of trial and error, the good news is that we've already done the grunt work for you: Meet the 2022 SELF Certified Activewear Awards winners in the sports bra category.
Here you'll find a comprehensive list of the best sports bras for 2022, which span a wide range of intended activities, support levels, and designs. We think you'll find at least one—but probably more—that suit your needs.
What to Look for When Shopping for Sports Bras
The first question you'll need to ask yourself before you shop for a new sports bra is exactly what you hope to use this sports bra for. In fact, you should test out that activity, even if it's just in a dressing room: “Make the fitting room your playground,” Alison Staples, RRCA-certified run coach and physical therapist assistant, tells SELF. “Jump up and down, do a few jumping jacks, twist side to side, run in place.” Pay attention to the bra's neckline (V-neck, high-neck, scoop neck, etc.), strap width and placement (racerback, cross-back, etc.), and hemline (longline, regular bra length, etc.), which will all play into how comfortable, secure, and functional the bra is.
The level of support you'll need will depend upon your body and personal preferences along with the activity you'll be doing. If you're doing yoga, barre, or another low-impact workout, a low-impact style can be enough support to hold you in place while allowing for plenty of flexibility, Sarah Taylor, certified personal trainer, plus-size model, and owner of virtual fitness studio Fitness by Sarah Taylor, tells SELF. If you're going for a run or doing a HIIT workout with lots of plyometric movement, it will take a high-impact style to keep you feeling supported and secure. Medium-impact support bras are great for strength training or other workouts that might contain cardio without inducing lots of breast movement. In a high-impact support bra, you should have almost no breast movement.
In addition to varying levels of impact support, bras also come in a wide range of sizes. Some brands may offer sizing on a scale of small to 3X, for example, while others follow more traditional bra sizing with a band and cup size. No matter how the brand sizes its bras, you'll want to make sure you're wearing the most accurate size for you. There shouldn't be a gap between your breasts and the cup area; at the same time, the bra shouldn't be so tight as to cause pain or discomfort. It should fit, not squish. Take note of where the band sits on your rib cage; you want to make sure you can breathe fully and deeply without restriction, Staples says.
We love to judge sports bras by how easy they are to take off and put on too. It's a sneaky factor that actually plays a big role in how functional the bra is to wear and use regularly, Bianca Vesco, certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor, and fitness model, tells SELF. Does it feel like it's cutting off your circulation when you slide it over your head? Does it have a traditional hook-and-loop closure at the back? Or does it have a convenient zip front? Maybe you dislike zip fronts—that's important to know too!
Moisture management can also be a factor here: There's nothing worse than struggling to take off a super-sweaty sports bra. You can check the fabric of the bra to see how well it might manage sweat. Avoid anything with a high percentage of cotton, which tends to stay damp long after a workout (synthetic fabrics will be the thing to look for instead). If you're looking for a sports bra for your nonsweaty workouts, something soft, stretchy, and made of cotton might be okay—just make sure it's still breathable so you don't run into issues with chafing.
How We Picked the Best Sports Bras
The sports bras considered for the 2022 SELF Certified Activewear Awards had to meet our submission guidelines, which you can read here. In addition to setting parameters around when items launched, we also introduced an inclusive-sizing eligibility requirement. We eliminated products from brands that haven’t displayed a true commitment to size inclusivity, meaning all of our winning products are from companies that carry some or all of their inventory in at least a size 20 or above, with a few exceptions from maternity-wear brands. (This year, we worked to ensure maternity and/or postpartum winners were selected in each category as well.) For specific items that lack a full range of sizes, we’ve provided similar, more inclusive alternatives. We also considered a brand's commitment to size inclusivity via its public messaging, as well as the concrete actions the brand has taken toward having a more inclusive product line.
Brands who met the above criteria were able to submit products for consideration. Of the 500-plus products submitted, our judges—a group of more than 40 people consisting of SELF staffers, fitness professionals, and influencers—tested over 300 products. Each product was tested against its respective SELF Certified criteria, which was summarized above and you can read in greater detail here. Testers wrote extensive reviews and rated each product. Those who came out on top—all listed below—were awarded a SELF Certified seal.
See the 10 best sports bras for 2022 below, and make sure to check out the rest of our 2022 SELF Certified Activewear Awards here.
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.