Finding a sports bra that’s equal parts stylish, comfortable and offers the exact support you need is no mean feat. In fact, I’d go as far as to say a great sports bra is the trickiest activewear piece to shop for.
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had to head back to the changing rooms to adjust the straps so that I could skip or sprint comfortably, or had to change my workout entirely as the sports bra I was wearing didn’t suffice.
Enough is enough. Our Eliza team are an active bunch, with bra sizes ranging from 32B to 34E, so I tasked them with doing the hard work so you don’t have to. Nine of us have offered up the hero style of the tons we’ve all tried over the years, and this is our definitive list of the best sports bras, all under £60…
Vuori’s Daily Bra
Reviewed by: Fashion Editor Krissy Turner
Bra size: 34DD-E (I take a Medium in this style)
Exercise: Low impact strength training
My thoughts: US brand Vuori is reasonably new to the UK, so I was excited to try its much-hyped Daily Bra, which comes in five stylish shades.
It definitely lives up to its name – this is by far the most comfortable sports bra I’ve ever worn. It’s the sort that you could wear under a cardi around the house without feeling any underlying pressure to go to the gym and actually work out. Dream, right?
In the gym however, my go-to workout is a 45 minute strength training session, and this bra was as supportive as I’d need for that particular workout. If I was to swap to a higher impact session, I’d need a more supportive bra, though this one does say it’s ideal for low-medium activities.
The size medium fitted perfectly: after removing the cups, it offered complete coverage with no cleavage (a niche requirement for me but I go to a male-dominated gym), and felt smooth with no annoying bulges. The colour is super chic, too.
PE Nation’s Stadium Sports Bra
Reviewed by: Fashion Content Creator Lottie Franklin
Bra size: 32DD (I take a Medium in this style)
Exercise: Barrecore on ClassPass
My thoughts: I often wonder – if I invest in really good gym-wear, maybe, just maybe I’ll then get myself to the gym more. But then shortly after I check myself and think – no, my trusty H&M and M&S sports bras on rotation will do just fine.
I don’t need a fancy sports bra (I just secretly want one). Needless to say, this was my opportunity to trial one such sports bra. And I’m not ashamed to say, it didn’t disappoint.
P.E.NATION is a brand that’s seen the shift in lifestyle trends, towards people wearing active wear all day long and actually embraced it, creating “fashion-active wear”.
Personally, I love the sporty feel to P.E Nation and I think they’ve got the balance right between performance and technicality, functionality and lifestyle. This activewear hasn’t just been designed for the logo alone.
This sports bra was a good option for a Barre class as it felt secure, without being claustrophobic. The elastic under bust wasn’t budging and I was able to adjust the shoulder straps for a good fit.
I don’t know how I’d feel if I was doing endless burpees or put through my paces in a HIIT session because of the slim racer back straps and my cup size, but for Pilates or a Barre class it was perfect.
Would it persuade me to book another gym class? Yes! And I like the fact it’s comfy enough for wearing over a longer period of time too.
H&M’s Seamless Sports Bra
Reviewed by: Beauty Content Creator Hannah Thompson
Bra size: 34B
Exercise: Tennis
My thoughts: Sportswear is the only area of fashion for which I’m not willing to part with an excessive amount of money. Firstly, because I don’t do enough sports for an item to have a price per wear I can rationalise, but also because I’ve never found a noticeable enough difference in the quality of high street activewear vs high end activewear that has made me think “god damn those leggings were worth £100.”
Case in point, this sports bra from H&M. The main thing I feel I should point out is I’ve got small boobs and even I found this to be pretty snug, so I would go up a size. However, it does the job of keeping things in place when running across a tennis court, looks flattering and is so comfortable that I’d probably just wear it as an everyday bra.
For £12.99, it’s a purchase that even me, with my stingy sportswear attitude, was happy to make (so much so I’ve stocked up on another couple).
Natal Active’s Nursing Sports Bra
Reviewed by: Editor Joanna Bridger
Bra size: 34C (pre pregnancy size, I wear a Medium in this bra)
Exercise: Jogging
My thoughts: For me, sports bras always conjure up changing room nightmares of getting stuck trying to get in (or out of) an unnecessarily tight contraption. Throw pregnancy into the mix, and it’s enough to steer me away from exercise for the whole nine months.
It’s why, pre-pregnancy, I relied on my old faithful M&S sports bra. However with my expanding waist line, I needed one that would sit above my bump without cutting into my skin and this Natal Active one does just that.
Designed to see you through pregnancy and beyond, this comes with a removable back extension you can use to widen the band as your bump grows. Post-birth, the easy-access clips allow for the front (slightly padded) layer to drop down for breastfeeding.
The highlight for me are the wide, elasticated straps which can be worn straight or cross-backed for extra support. While jogging, I found the bra snug enough to support my C-cup boobs with the straps straight, which means it fastens like a normal bra. No more getting stuck while trying to yank it over your head, hurrah!
As for support – the medium holds everything in place without being too restrictive. It’s surprisingly comfortable and I can see why some women say they wear it for daily use, not just exercise.
It’s available in sizes up to a G cup and can be thrown in a normal wash, so all round it’s a win-win. I’ll be wearing mine long after pregnancy.
Nimble’s Double Down Tank
Reviewed by: Beauty Editor Rebecca Fearn
Bra size: 34C (I take a size small in this style)
Exercise: Spin
My thoughts: In a sports bra, I require several things. First (which likely goes without saying), I need a good level of support, particularly because my go-to workout is spin at Psycle, which is relatively high impact.
Next up is the way it looks; of course, I want the design to look cute, but I also need it to feel and look practical to me, which is why I prefer longer-line designs to hide any of the bits I’m not as confident about.
Nimble bras serve me well for all requirements, especially this Double Down design, which I have in black. The Aussie brand is a go-to of mine for spin, barre, and pole. My only advice would be to check its’ sizing guide – I usually take a medium in most sports bras, but in Nimble I am a small.
Pocket Sport’s Plein Air Bra
Reviewed by: Editorial Assistant Laren Tayyip
Bra size: 32DD
Exercise: Running
My thoughts: For larger breast sizes, this bra from Pocket Sport is the dream. It provides the right amount of support without being too tight. I went for a size small and it fit perfectly. During my run I only had to adjust it once as it did ride up a little. The only downside is that the material is quite thick which can leave you a bit sweaty.
My two favourite features are the adjustable straps and bra clasp at the back. It’s like putting on a normal bra with the added benefits for exercising. The crisscross straps at the back and open triangle looks great and keeps you a bit cooler. I also love the neutral colours and feel of the soft material.
Although £45 would typically be more than I would spend on a sports bra, it is definitely worth the money!
Gymshark’s Speed Sports Bra
Reviewed by: Picture Editor Tivina Elliot-James
Bra size: 32DD (I took a size Medium in this style)
Exercise: HIIT
My thoughts: When looking for a sports bra for me it’s all about support and attention to detail and I was left thoroughly impressed by this bra by Gym Shark.
First impressions I could tell that this bra was made with big boobs in mind. The thick straps the high neck made feel well assured that I was in good hands.
I trialled this bra doing HIT workout and never have I felt so secure doing burpees ever! There was no over spill of cleverage trying to leap out of the bra due to the high neckline which was great.
Throughout the work out I felt held in without feeling suffocated and key moments of supportive joy were during jumping jacks and mountain climbers.
Another great thing about this bra, which was a first for me was having the fastening at the front. Something I have struggled with (quite literally) with sports bras getting them off after a sweaty workout.
Unfastening at the front was a definite win for me and the little cover over the zip fasting made sure that no irritating rubbing happened whist working out which is just the attention to detail that you need. Could it look cuter…? Well maybe just a bit, but really it ticked so many boxes for me that it has defiantly become my new fave.
Lululemon’s Energy Longline Bra
Reviewed by: Social Lead Georgia Shepheard
Bra size: 32B/C
Exercise: CrossFit
My thoughts: If you’re not familiar with CrossFit, a typical WOD combines a number of different training methodologies. This means that during a CrossFit class you might scale a rope, run a mile or even max out your back squat. While that is great news for your #gains, it’s bad news if you find yourself in a traditional sports shop weighing up whether you need a tight, taught running bra or a supple, stretchy fit.
Fortunately, Lululemon have several sports bras suited for those that fall into the all-encompassing ‘training’ category.
I tried Lululemon’s Energy Longline Bra which has quickly become my most-worn sports bra. The crossover straps to the back not only look good but provide four-way stretch that the gymnastic element of CrossFit requires. The only difficulty I had was getting it off over my head post-workout!
Would I run a marathon in it? No, but then that’s not what it’s designed for and it’s perfectly “good enough” for wear during short sprint intervals during a CrossFit class.
Pour Moi’s Energy Infinite Double Strap Bra
Reviewed by: Creative Director Annie Wells
Bra size: 34DD
Exercise: Yoga
My thoughts: Throughout my (admittedly very sporadic) workout journey, sports bras have always given me the absolute fear. Having larger boobs it’s always been a case of either wearing a more comfortable, non-oxygen constricting sports bra and risking having a boob fly out mid workout, or wearing one that’s so tight to stop the former happening that I basically need to remove a rib to fit in it.
However, I think I may have finally found ‘the one’ in this Pour Moi sports bra. For the first time during my yoga class, I wasn’t worried that I was going to get charged with indecent exposure whilst in downward dog as my boobs were firmly and comfortably strapped in with no risk of falling out (it’s a miracle!).
The double straps means this bra is so supportive and the mesh overlay gives it a stylish feel which is super rare when it comes to bras for larger busts. I would even be tempted to wear it on its own with nothing over the top just to show it off!
The adjustable straps allow you to adjust the bra so it’s the perfect level of comfort for you and you don’t feel like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders.
Varley’s Always Irena Bra
Reviewed by: Publisher Natasha McNamara
Bra size: 34B
Exercise: Cycling
My thoughts: Not only have I never been blessed with a large (or even medium) sized bosom but I have breastfed three children so this tried and tested has been introduced me to what could be my NBF in underwear – I’m absolutely loving all this support guys!
This jazzy number comes in stylish leopard print with criss-crossed straps at the back and offers lightweight support which is perfect for my lightweight exercise needs (love a bike ride and a brisk dog walk). I would happily wear this out and about with shorts in the summer.
It’s easy to throw on (although the sizing feels on the small side) and keeps everything in place – the fact it doubles up as beach wear means I’m happy with the £48 price tag.
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