Best Bras for Active Women

We are all busy moms and after taking care of our spouses, kids, house, pets and jobs, we don’t spend nearly enough time caring for ourselves! As moms, we really do need a little extra support (in every way imaginable)! Most of us hate bra shopping, but a good bra really can make or break your whole day. From chasing your kids, to heading out on a hike, to being the boss-lady at work; wearing an uncomfortable or unsupportive bra can really make you miserable.

Title Nine to the rescue! Title Nine was founded on sports bras by Missy Park, almost 30 years ago. She got sick of companies “shrinking and pinking” men’s gear, so she set out to find the best support and sports gear for women. Today, Title Nine test drives hundreds of bras and hand picks the very best. If you are chasing your kids all day, hitting your favorite trail, nursing a baby, hitting the gym or headed to the office; Title Nine most likely has a bra that will fit your body and your life!

Below you’ll see the personal, honest reviews of a few women on our team. These bras for active women have been tested for months now and we are so thrilled to bring you this comprehensive round- up!

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, if you purchase something through one of these links and use the discount codes provided, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you.

All products and brands recommended are hand selected by our team, so thank you for supporting us by clicking through!

Full disclosure: Ginny (who initially wrote up these fabulous tips) is a former employee of Title Nine, professional boob-whisperer, and has helped thousands of women, of every shape and size, find their perfect bra.

Title Nine Bras 101: How to Pick and Care For A New Bra

Think about your primary use for the bra you are buying. Are you training for a marathon? Are you wearing it to work? Are you traveling somewhere hot and humid? Do you primarily ride a bike, or are you hiking, skiing or running? The use will be a big part of finding the perfect style for you!
What bra styles do you prefer? Do you like an underwire, or can you not stand one? Do you hate boob sweat and need total separation? Do you like the secure feeling of compression, or do you prefer more shape? Do you want a lined bra for headlight control? Do you wear mostly racerback tanks? Are you ok with pulling a bra on over your head? There are lots of style options to consider!
Bust out your measuring tape. 8 out of 10 women are wearing the wrong size bra, so it’s important to measure! You’ll need 3 measurements to figure out your bra size. Check out this link for help measuring.

Title Nine has tons of bra resources, including fixes for common “Brablems” and tons of fit tips to help you get in the right size.

Once your shiny, new bra shows up in the mail, it’s important to make sure it’s fitting right and you break it in properly!

When you try it on the first time, make sure you hook the band on the loosest set of hooks. The bra should be SNUG there. It should not be painfully tight, but you should just be able to fit 2 fingers under the band. Your band will stretch out, so by starting on the furthest hooks out, you’ll be able to tighten the bra and it will last much longer. Once the band is set, lift your “girls” into each cup. You shouldn’t have any boob spillage over the top, sides or under the band. Breast tissue should be contained in each cup. If you have some wrinkles/pudge around the armpits, don’t panic! That is totally normal for a good-fitting bra. It’s just skin, which we all have! Lastly, adjust the straps so they are not digging into your shoulders, but provide adequate support.

Now that it fits great…. JUMP in your bra. No, really. Jump around! Jog a few laps around the house. Your band should stay still. If it’s moving, or not providing enough support, then you might need to trade up for a firmer bra style or a different fit. Title Nine carries many different brands and the fit is NOT the same between bras. They do a good job of listing fit information on the website, but don’t panic if it’s not right the first time!

Once you find the perfect fit, it’s time to break in your bra. Any bra, especially the higher support styles, have a break-in period just like a pair of new hiking boots. Don’t expect to wear your bra for 14 hours straight the first time you put it on, because you will probably hate your life. High support bras use stiffer materials that will relax slightly after you wear it for a week or two, so plan on just wearing your new bra for a few hours at a time at first.

A good bra isn’t cheap, so take proper care of your bra to get the longest life out of it. Wash your bra in cold water, with the hooks all done up. Hooking the bra keeps it from snagging on something and stretching the band. If you have a lingerie bag, those always work best! DO NOT PUT YOUR BRAS IN THE DRYER. The high heat of a dryer will damage the elastic material, causing it to lose support and stretch out quickly. Always hang your bras to dry.

Expect your bra to last about a year. If you wear it frequently (3+ times a week), it shouldn’t celebrate a first birthday. You will really notice a difference in support if you hang on to that old bra for too long. If you only wear it for workouts, you may get two years out of your bra!

The Team’s Favorite T9 Bras

The bras below are roughly in order of support, though definitely pay attention to the tester’s sizes noted in each review. We added T9’s Barbell Rating next to the title in number form (ie 2/5).

Barbell graphic from TitleNine for bras for active women.

Lume Six Alta Sports Bra 2/5

This lightweight bra is best for A-B cups. This bra aims to be one of the most breathable in your drawer.

Lume Six Tester Size Medium:

I wore the bra for backpacking and waterfall swimming! First of all, it’s cute! I like the way it fits and the material and colors are really pretty. I wear bras on their own a lot so that’s important to me.

It’s lightweight and comfortable, though it did rub under my arms for the first day or so until it stretched out a bit. I like the material a lot, it dries quickly and works great as a swimsuit top too. It’s just the right amount of padding, I don’t like a lot of thick padding but want enough I can wear it on its own.

Sizing was a bit off, I ended up exchanging for a larger size and it’s still pretty tight. I think it’s designed this way for high impact activity like running, but for backpacking and climbing I don’t need that much support.

I don’t like the cut in the back, it’s tight right where my upper back fat sits so it’s less than ideal there. Lume Six’s website has ways to customize band size and cup size, so I think I could’ve ended up with a better fit if that had been an option (like bigger band size and smaller cup).

Woman sitting on rocks next to a river looking over the view. She is wearing a sports bra and pants, and facing away from the camera.

Handful 2/5

This bra provides mid to high impact support for A-B cups and low to mid-impact support for C cups.

Handful Tester:

Our tester is using the Handful Bra while she through-hikes on the Appalachian Trail and she really loves the quick dry factor.

Boobyah 3/5

Good enough support for medium (C-D cups) or low (D-DD cups) impact activities in a bra that is stylish enough (and full coverage enough) to wear swimming for an impromptu dip.

Model in Boobyah bra, seen from the back.

Boobyah Tester Size Small:

I am typically a 34B/36A, or size small. I have the Boobyah in a size small. The descriptions lists it being a good option for cups sizes C+, but I feel good with the fit, very snug and supportive for high impact activities for my size. I think the fit is perfect, and there is definitely more coverage than I require, but the support is good and is comfy.

Downside – I am not a huge fan of double straps because they never seem to sit even or one stretches more than the other. Also… I HATE removable cups (which this bra has), however, the cups are very nice and come with a little diagram on them to show you which way they need to go back in and actually go back easily. When I wash in a mesh bag, they actually stay in place a little better because they are not flimsy cups. The removable cups are very well made. I would consider this bra again, but would probably lean to something that has sewn in cups instead.

It has stood up to several days of bike racing and didn’t irritate me in any way. It has also made the cut in my travel bags for many adventures so far this summer. The wider band on the bottom also keeps the bra in place over my heart rate strap which is a plus.

Racing with the Boobyah bra for support.

Run it All 2.0 3/5

The Run it All is great for medium impact (C-D) and low impact (D-DD) activities, easy to put on, and very adjustable.

Run it All Tester Size 38C:

I have this one and find it incredibly comfortable, even around my bra line and great support. It is a new favorite for me and perfect for biking, hiking, and weight lifting.

Soothe Underwire Bra 3/5

This bra is comfortable, wicks well, and stylish, so you can wear it all day. It provides medium (C-D) to low (DD-DDD) impact support.

Soothe Tester Size 38C:

Here’s my secret – I wear this bra every single day. Yes, it’s meant to be more of a sports bra, but for someone who is hiking/snowshoeing/skiing daily and never knows when that will happen, it’s perfect. It is THE only sports bra I have ever owned that I could truly wear every day and be comfortable. All day. I am supported without sporting a uniboob, feel like it has good shape and looks good under shirts and is dreamy comfortable. After weeks of testing I (finally) bought a second one. Note: occasionally the straps do disconnect from the bra, but only when I’m getting ready to put it on, never mid-wear.

AC Sports Bra 4/5

This bra will keep you cool in the hottest weather while still providing high (C-D) to medium (DD/E) impact support. Great for those summer workouts!

AC Tester Size 38D:

This bra has become my go-to, do-everything, absolute-favorite bra. It’s medium support for my size-D girls, which is perfect for all day, everyday wear. I’ve tested this thing walking, hiking, working, moving boxes, chasing my toddler around, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, yoga and even during one frantic grocery store run before the holiday. In fact, I almost never take it off!

The AC Sports Bra has a sturdy band for great support and a mesh overlay for extra breathability when you are sweating it up. It has a thicker, lined cup for extra headlight control (handy when skiing) and padded straps for comfort. The best part? I get all this support and two-boob shape without an underwire!! Can I get an AMEN!? It really is the perfect bra!

AC Tester Size 36C:

The sports bra is a clasp-style (not over the head), with mesh as the main construction fabric. It has delta shaped pads over the breasts so that theoretically you could wear it without a shirt and not be streaking the world. The clasp is 3 hook, so the band is relatively wide.

First impressions: it goes on easily and is fairly comfortable. The first time I put it on, I got it too tight and thought it was going to be a problem, but I just loosened the hooks and it was fine. No more bulging inside the band area. Phew! It immediately felt supportive enough that I was confident to go running in it.

I’ve run in it a few times since then: 2 track workouts and a longer slow weekend run. It’s clearly in the category of “running bra” rather than climbing, hiking, or cycling for me, so I haven’t worn it for those uses. I tend to use less supportive bras for those activities because I really like things tight for running.

Pros: no bouncing, no uni-boob, easy on-off. It would be nice and cool in warm weather, but it’s a rethink of winter in Ohio right now, so I haven’t used it in warm weather. The supportive pad is soft and comfortable. It didn’t pill in the wash (and dryer, since I don’t hang dry sports bras).

Cons: The straps feel like they are going to fall off. They haven’t, but I feel a little like I’m scrunching my shoulders up. There is no adjustability in the straps, which is good for not chafing, but bad for the straps feeling loose. I think my struggle with the bra really comes down to the insecurity of the strap.

They do come together some in the back, but not nearly as securely as a racer back bra would have. I also found the delta shaped pad to be a little weird and maybe quasi sexy in a way I don’t love. That being said, I don’t run around without a shirt on often, and generally not for longer than it takes to change my shirt.

In summary, the bra has some great features – supportive, easy to put on, likely isn’t hot, no uniboob action, but the straps not being racer back style was a deal breaker for me. If it’s not for you, this is a highly recommended bra.

AC Tester Size 38C:

I have this one and find it less comfortable than the Run it All though still very supportive and soft. For some reason it makes noise when I move which I don’t love!

3 Reasons 4/5

This bra really shines for high impact activities for those with C-D cups. It has an adjustable band and adjustable straps, making it a winner with our team.

3 Reasons Tester Size 38D:

I tried it in my typical bra size (36C) without using the T9 bra calculator. It was much too tight. So I went back and used the calculator. It told me I was a 38DD. I’ve never been a DD so went with 38D instead. This one felt better fit-wise but decidedly unsupportive. The material is beautiful and soft, feels very durable. I like the Velcro straps. I was worried they would come loose or scratch me since they loop and connect under the shoulder strap but it was comfortable and felt secure.

Believer Sports Bra 4/5

This is a seriously supportive, lightweight racer-back bra. It provides high (C-D) to medium (DD) impact support in a comfortable package.

Believer Tester Size – 34D:

This bra was was surprisingly lightweight and the fabric was very comfortable against my skin. I like that it’s quick and easy to put on, since you don’t pull it over your head. It has easy-to-adjust shoulder straps in front and a wide hook-and-eye closure in the back, providing plenty of ways to dial in a great fit. “Uniboob” is a thing of the past with this bra, and I love the racer back design too.

It was supportive enough during during my runs as well as during my gym classes with circuit training. I didn’t have a chance to test it on a hike, but I imagine this would be a great choice for hiking, especially since the fabric is so breathable for a long day on a trail. The only thing I wish it had was a bit more padding in the cups, simply for aesthetic purposes. As long as I wear a loose fitting top with it though, it didn’t bother me a bit. All in all, this was my favorite of the two bras I tried!

Believer Tester Size – 38E (DD):

Even before children I was on a seemingly futile quest to find a bra that would support and separate my DD’s, all while wicking, and being wickedly comfortable, the whole day long. This bra is it – the Believer. Admittedly, its hard not to sing the Blues Traveler’s classic “Sweet Pain” while struggling to get this miracle bra on. Pain, because the over the head + hook and eye back closure is not easy for tight shoulders, but it’s oh-so-sweet once it’s on.

The compression panel and x-back configuration work seamlessly to provide exceptional support for anything the day can throw at me (and believe me, after the struggle to get it on, I leave it on all day). It dries quickly, both post workout (and post washing & line drying), it looks great under a t-shirt, and supports like a dream on and off the trail.

Believer Tester Size – 36C:

I got this as a replacement for the AC Sports Bra because that one wasn’t a true racerback bra, and I am very opinionated about racerback bras. I am used to the over the head plus hook and eye back closure, so that was something I expected in a high support bra. I am kind of in team “squash it all down”, so I was a little skeptical about how supportive this bra would be.

Although it is quite thin (wonderful since it doesn’t get really hot), it is super supportive. It does a really good job at preventing the uniboob (which, to be honest, doesn’t bother me that much as long as there is SOME separation… my go to weekend bra is a cheapo Amazon over the head yoga sports bra). I love how supportive this bra is for running, which is the category I put it into. It’s a little too much compression for me to be comfortable with for cycling, hiking, and climbing, although it would work fine for those as well.

Cuz She Says So Sports Bra 4/5

All day workout to work and back again comfort in an underwire bra that provides high (C-D) to medium (DD-DDD) impact support.

Cuz She Says So Tester 38D:

The bra is good, but not my all time favorite. It’s supportive enough to run, bike and hike in, but gets uncomfortable after a few hours. That could be because I rarely use under wire bras, so I’m not used to them. I like that the strap fits nice and low across my back. I think that adds support, and the separation up front is a nice alternative to the uniboob that most sports bras give me. It feels awkward to wear it without a shirt, so it’s not that kind of sports bra.

Tech Athena Sports Bra 4/5

This bra has great support and great wicking for larger-busted women. It provides high (C-D) to medium (DD) impact support in an easy on-off style.

Tech Athena Tester Size 38D:

This bra is ahhmazing! It was comfortable from the first time I wore it and stayed comfortable throughout a tough HIIT workout, supporting the “girls” without any bounce and jiggle, but not sooo tight that you feel like you can’t breathe or move. Several hook adjustment options in the back for the perfect fit. No underwire but the support felt as secure as if I was wearing underwire and kept those ta-ta’s separate, which if you have larger breasts is a requirement!

I’m still breastfeeding and while I am not able to nurse in this bra, it was super comfortable to wear and it did not cause any issues with milk ducts, pressure, etc that I have dealt with wearing other sports bras. The band is nice and wide so it doesn’t ride up or move around. The wicking fabric = fantastic! My favorite part? It didn’t stink after sweating in it A LOT so I was able to wear it several times before washing. Love less laundry AND no stink!

This bra has been tested during normal kid chasing, gym workouts, hiking, high impact workouts and running. Have an awesome chest with gorgeous “girls” and need support? This bra is for you!!

Tech Athena Tester:

I have the tech Athena. Band size definitely runs small so if in-between size up for sure. I like mine BUT I typically like a lower support bra. I really like the adjustable straps and how they velcro underneath instead of on top of the shoulder straps. I thought they would rub and feel uncomfortable but they are not noticeable at all when I run. I like having a clasp in the back opposed to pulling it over my head especially when it’s sweaty.

Trade Up Bra 5/5

This bra is the best choice if you need high impact support for D-E (DD) cups. The mesh for cooling is an added bonus.

Trade Up Tester Size 38C:

I was super skeptical about this one. It isn’t padded and felt too flimsy to provide much support. It also took me a couple tries to figure out the clasp in the back. I *may* have had to ask some help the first time or two (I thought I was way more of a seasoned bra-wearer than that). But, despite all that, once I got the clasp down I fell in love with this one.

It’s supportive without being too bulky and restricting, is fairly easy to get on, especially for a racer-back and is just comfortable. I now choose it over all the other (10+) sports bras in my drawer.

Find Your Best Bra!

Bras are as individual as you are! It may take some time to find the one you love, be patient! Following the tips in the beginning with proper measuring, using the T9 bra size calculator or heading to a T9 store to get fitted will get you in the right bra quicker.

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