The Best Sports Bras for Triathlon, Tested by Real-World Triathletes

Fun fact: Breast tissue can weigh anywhere from between half a pound to four pounds, depending on a person’s cup size. That’s a lot of weight to have bouncing around during exercise, which is why finding a quality sports bra is such a critical element of deciding what to wear for a triathlon. But finding the best sports bra for triathlon is more nuanced than a Google search, because what works for an athlete who wears size 34A will not have the same needs as one who wears size 38DDD. Even those who wear the same bra size will have different preferences, because breasts come in a variety of shapes, which affects how they move when you swim, bike, or run (for more on the science of sports bras, check out this article).

Testing sports bras to find your best fit can be a real pain – literally. To save you from discomfort, we asked real-world triathletes from FastChix, a triathlon team of over 600 women who stepped up to test dozens of sports bras over multiple swim, bike, and run workouts. Our testers not only put in the miles to assess sports bras for triathlon performance, but also practical details – things like padding, ease of wear, or placement of chafe-tastic seams, zippers, and hooks. We also asked them to test how well the bras held up after multiple trips through the washing machine – studies show that a sports bra’s effectiveness in providing breast support decreases after multiple washings, so finding one that can go the distance (in all ways) is important.

Ready to find the perfect fit for your next race? Here’s what our testers had to say about the best sports bras for triathlon.

Triathlete‘s Sports Bra Reviews: The Ratings, Explained

The Best Sports Bras for Triathlon & Running

Oiselle Hi Twenty Sports Bra

$58, oiselle.com

Testers liked how easy it was to put this bra on and take it off. They declared the bra as “comfortable” and noted the mesh fabric in the back panel was ideal for breathability on hot runs. The bra’s support when running was described as “moderate” with “a tiny bit of bounce, but not enough to be uncomfortable.”

However, some testers disliked the shoulder straps, saying they “could be a little more robust” and that they crossed over in the back a little too high for their liking; better options for customization would have been appreciated. Some also found the sizing process to be confusing, as Oiselle uses number sizing that does not align with traditional bra sizing. The biggest criticism for this sports bra was the padding, which moved around during wear and bunched up when laundered. As one tester put it: “Removable foam cups from a company by women and for women? Seriously? Is there a single woman on the planet that likes these things?”

SheFit Ultimate Sports Bra

$69, shefit.com

Testers with large cup sizes (36DD and up) loved this sports bra, saying there was “minimal bounce” when running, thanks to a variety of customization options in the straps and band to, as one tester put it, “lock things down.” These customization options also make it easier to put the bra on and take it off, as it does not require the bra to be slipped on over the head.

However, C cups and smaller shared they felt the bra was “too much coverage” and though the customization features were nice, they also felt like overkill. More than one small-cup tester compared the bra to an “armored vest” and said the velcro and hooks made the bra scratchy and/or caused chafing.

Multiple testers also noted the bra would need to be “dialed in” prior to a race, as the various fasteners require time to get “just right” with each wear and would be less than ideal for a full kit change in an Ironman transition tent.

Lululemon Envital Sports Bra

$48, lululemon.com

Testers raved about the fabric of this sports bra, which is light, breathable, and quick-drying after a swim or during sweaty bike and run efforts; chafe prevention was also ideal, thanks to the supple fabric used. Though testers liked the thicker straps of the bra, it did not translate to support, especially for D cups and larger. The v-neck style made for increased drag resistance when swimming, and one tester also noted they would have appreciated a higher neckline on the bra during the run for more coverage. Consistently, testers recommended this bra for cycling or non-impact training, like weightlifting.

Several testers marked the sports bra lower for the use of removable cups, which did not stay put when wearing and lost structural integrity after washing (two testers noted they threw the cup padding away after attempting to put them back in place).

Kiwami Sports Bra

$48, kiwamisports.com

Triathletes loved the look of this sports bra, saying the design was “stylish” and “looked great alone or under a kit.” It was easy to put on and take off, and performed extremely well during swim drag testing.

However, multiple testers noted the fit runs small, both in the band size and in coverage (“the entire bottom band did not lay flat on my ribcage, and half of it was on the underside of my breasts”) so sizing up is warranted, as the straps or band cannot be adjusted. The majority of testers also noted some degree of skin irritation at the seams, with one tester saying they were “scratchy, but didn’t chafe” and another noting the bra “became scratchier the sweatier I got.”

2XU Aero Tri Crop Sports Bra

$70, 2xu.com

“I didn’t think I would like this bra, but I did,” wrote one tester. Described as more “crop top” than “sports bra,” this garment took some getting used to but was ultimately a winner. The pros: Lots of mesh for breathability, a high-cut design to reduce drag in the swim, and secure, sewn-in padding. Testers described the fit as “flattering,” but there were concerns about the neckline being a little too high for their liking, extending out above the top of a tri kit or run singlet. Testers also noted the hook-and-eye closure in the back seemed unnecessary and made the bra harder to put on and take off.

Under Armour Crossback Mid Sports Bra

$35, underarmour.com

“Secure” was the word testers used to describe this bra, saying the thicker band and sturdy straps made this bra a solid pick for bounce prevention. This was true for both small- and large-cup testers, with both camps saying the bra was comfortable and provided ample coverage. They also enjoyed the soft fabric of the bra and the way it dissipated heat during hard rides and runs.

However, some cautioned against wearing the bra when swimming, saying the fabric lost its supportive strength when saturated and the pads moved around, allowing nipples to show through.

Brooks Dare Racerback 2.0 Sports Bra

$75, brooksrunning.com

A variety of customization configurations led to high marks for this sports bra, as testers loved the simplicity of the hook-and-eye system for adjusting the straps and band. The thoughtful, streamlined design of the bra, which includes sewn-in cup pads, was a hit with small- and large-cup wearers, who felt “supported” and “secure” when running.

But when it comes to actually wearing the bra, the process is not so streamlined. Multiple testers noted the bra was hard to get into, and though some said it was worth the trade-off, others said it was too cumbersome and frustrating. The hook-and-eye systems used for customization also caused chafing for some when running.

Coeur Little Black Pocket Sports Bra

$45, coeursports.com

Pockets? This sports bra’s got ’em. Testers liked the added storage of the bra, saying they used it to stash everything from gels to ice during workouts and races. They also noted the pockets were secure, holding a phone during a pre-race port-o-potty visit as well as keys during a 15-mile run.

Testers noted the bra did not add drag during the swim, thanks to a higher neck cut, and provided “good bounce coverage” for testers up to DD cups. Part of the bra’s supportive nature comes from a second-skin fit, which some testers said made the bra hard to put on and take off, especially when wet or sweaty.

Forme Power Bra

$178, forme.science

Advertised as a sports bra designed to “develop muscle memory and biofeedback that allows you to run, sit, stand, travel, and sleep with great posture and to recover quickly without conscious effort,” this posture-correcting sports bra received high marks for its form-correcting purposes but low marks for bounce prevention and comfort. Though testers noted they felt the benefits of improved body alignment while wearing the bra, the bra itself was uncomfortable to wear. Multiple chafe points were noted on the front of the chest and under the arms, and a few would have liked to see a streamlined design that reduced those chafe points.

Though testers did not endorse this sports bra for workouts or racing, some did share they would continue to wear the bra under their work clothes in hopes of developing better posture, especially while sitting at a computer.