The ULTIMATE Crowdsourced Sports Bra Guide
When it comes to the best sports bra for running, no two boobs are the same (pun intended). Some women opt for a little more bounce if it means they can breathe easier. Others prefer their boobs be held down like a straight jacket!
But what works for one woman may not work for another and when it comes to sports bras, there's a lot of noise out there which ones actually work and which ones will leave you bloody and bruised....like this.
If you're new to She Can & She Did, that's me, Kelly. In 2016, I started the #SportsBraSquad; A movement that encourages women to ditch their shirts, along with their insecurities and redefine the way the world sees strength. Finding a sports bra that you can actually trust is almost as hard as finding a life partner. That's why we're on a mission to create the ULTIMATE crowdsourced #SportsBraSquad guide! If you've found a sports bra that you love and trust, LET US KNOW!
Here's the information we need:
1. THE NAME OF YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS BRA (WHO MAKES IT, A LINK TO IT, AND PRICE)
2. YOUR BRA SIZE & SIZE OF SPORTS BRA IF NOT THE SAME (EXAMPLE: YOU'RE A 36D BUT WEAR A SIZE L IN THE SPORTS BRA.)
3. WHAT YOU LOVE ABOUT THE SPORTS BRA.
4. THE SPORTS BRA'S SHORTCOMINGS. (BE HONEST, YOU CAN LOVE A SPORTS BRA AND STILL WISH IT DIDN'T [INSERT SHORTCOMING HERE]).
5. HOW LONG YOU'VE BEEN WEARING YOUR SPORTS BRA.
6. BOUNCE RATING 1-10. (1-ALL THE BOUNCE 10-MY BOOBS DO NOT MOVE.)
7. CAN YOU BREATHE OR DOES IT FEEL LIKE A STRAIGHT JACKET?
8. CHAFING LEVEL 1-10. (1-NEVER BLEEDS 10-KELLY'S BLOODY SHIRT LEVEL CHAFING.)
***Sports bra MUST be available for purchase. CANNOT be a discontinued model.**
Can you submit your rating of more than 1 sports bra? YES!
Will we share multiple opinions on the same sports bra? YES!
Can I still share my sports bra? YES, this list will get updated whenever submissions are received.
The objective is to show real women sharing their real experiences. No sponsors, no bs, just real opinions you can trust.
On behalf of everyone in the #SportsBraSquad, our boobs thank you.
Kick ass. Take names. Enjoy the list.
H CUP
G CUP
F CUP
E CUP
DDD CUP
DD CUP
SUZANNE.
1. THE NAME OF YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS BRA.
Juno by Brooks (Blue) $39-$65, Fiona by Brooks (Pink) $30-$50, Enell (Black), $70
2. YOUR BRA SIZE & SIZE OF SPORTS BRA IF NOT THE SAME (EXAMPLE: YOU'RE A 36D BUT WEAR A SIZE L IN THE SPORTS BRA.)
Brooks Juno 34DD, Brooks Fiona 34DD, Enell 1
3. WHAT YOU LOVE ABOUT THE SPORTS BRA.
Brooks Juno: my go-to running bra, love the look of this bra, they updated the fabric somehow to make taking it off when one is soaked in sweat pretty easy, fit is good, holds the girls exactly like I prefer-locked & loaded, very minimal movement, color choices great.
Brooks Fiona, my second choice when reaching for a sports bra, good price, love the look of this bra, perfect for when I do not want a racerback, the fit is good, holds the girls very close to locked & loaded, minimal movement, color choices great, no chaffing on long runs.
Enell, love the front closure, easy to get into, love that there is minimal back fat under my arms (wings) smoothing the back, holds the girls exactly like I prefer-locked & loaded, very minimal to no movement.
4. THE SPORTS BRA'S SHORTCOMINGS. (BE HONEST)
Brooks Juno, pricey, tricky to get on, difficult to find my size in colors I prefer, still need to wear two, back fat under the arms (wings, so not flattering), chaffing near hooks on long runs (ouch).
Brooks Fiona, difficult to find my size in colors I prefer, tricky to get on, still need to wear two, back fat underarms (yuck).
Enell, pricey, UGLY!!!!, hate the shiny fabric, hate the color choices, still need to wear two, chaffing on long runs near hooks, have never seen these in running/sports stores.
5. HOW LONG YOU'VE BEEN WEARING YOUR SPORTS BRA.
Brooks Juno, have worn this brand for about 7yrs.
Brooks Fiona, have worn this brand for about 4yrs.
Enell, have worn this brand for about 10yrs.
6. BOUNCE RATING 1-10. (1-ALL THE BOUNCE 10-MY BOOBS DO NOT MOVE.)
Brooks Juno, wearing 2 - 9 for hardly any bounce.
Brooks Fiona, wearing 2 - 7/8 for a slight bounce.
Enell, wearing 2 - 9 hardly any bounce.
7. CAN YOU BREATHE OR DOES IT FEEL LIKE A STRAIGHT JACKET?
I can breathe in all 3 mentioned bras and for me, neither feel like a straight jacket, that said, I prefer locked & loaded feel.
8. CHAFING LEVEL 1-10. (1-NEVER BLEEDS 10-KELLY'S BLOODY SHIRT LEVEL CHAFING.)
Brooks Juno, 6 for chaffing - ran all 4 of my halves in this brand/style and had chaffing every half....chaffing was worse on the hotter races.
Brooks Fiona, 1 for chaffing, a tiny bit of red front center under band.
Enell, 5 for chaffing, front center under hooks, long or short runs but mostly on the hotter runs.
SARAH W.
1. THE NAME OF YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS BRA.
Enell Sport or Enell Racer, $66-72 if purchased on their website but you can get them in some Fleet Feet stores and Amazon.
2. YOUR BRA SIZE & SIZE OF SPORTS BRA IF NOT THE SAME (EXAMPLE: YOU'RE A 36D BUT WEAR A SIZE L IN THE SPORTS BRA.)
Regular Bra Size 36 DD and I haven't worn other sports bras in years, but the last I believe was a Large. In Enell I’m a 2! (This goes to show how many options there are for ladies with larger busts)
3. WHAT YOU LOVE ABOUT THE SPORTS BRA.
Regular Bra Size 36 DD and I haven't worn other sports bras in years, but the last I believe was a Large. In Enell I’m a 2! (This goes to show how many options there are for ladies with larger busts)
4. THE SPORTS BRA'S SHORTCOMINGS. (BE HONEST)
If you fit it properly, you barely bounce. Even when I was nursing, I had no pain while running. The compression is so good I don't really get nip issues through my shirts. I have only chaffed the tiniest amount in a half marathon. Less than a dime size and it didn't bleed, it was just tender. It healed in a day. The BEST part, when sweaty it comes right off. It's front closure so you don't have to wiggle, squeeze and roll your way out of it when it's wet.
5. HOW LONG YOU'VE BEEN WEARING YOUR SPORTS BRA.
Two years (and I still have my initial purchase as well as several other styles and colors now. They last!)
6. BOUNCE RATING 1-10. (1-ALL THE BOUNCE 10-MY BOOBS DO NOT MOVE.)
Bounce rating 9, the rib band doesn't move which is the most important part
7. CAN YOU BREATHE OR DOES IT FEEL LIKE A STRAIGHT JACKET?
It took 5-7 runs to get used to it, but I wear then now even when I'm not running. It is an adjustment, but nothing terrible.
8. CHAFING LEVEL 1-10. (1-NEVER BLEEDS 10-KELLY'S BLOODY SHIRT LEVEL CHAFING.)
1 - only one minor chafing day and I think it was because the fabric that covers the last hook was flipped, but normally there is never any chaffing AT ALL.