Since the Covid pandemic began, women have refused to put up with sports bras that dig in, ride up or chafe. And thankfully, brands have listened. The new generation of breast support means that you’ll feel reinforced and comfortable – from every step of that long run to the end of that umpteenth burpee rep.
Staying home during the pandemic had more Australians dressing for comfort than ever before, and many of us still do (no judgement here as I, too, have found it hard to swap my leggings and tracksuit sets for jeans and a blazer).
This collective need for our clothes to feel – as opposed to look – good has affected the design of the one item in a woman’s closet that has historically always put function over comfort: the sports bra.
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Kate Minin, bra fitting specialist for lingerie brand Triumph, tells Body+Soul that this consumer demand resulted in the creation of a new line of underwire-free sports bras.
“Since the beginning of the pandemic, we noticed that our customer’s preferences began to shift,” she says. “With athleisure being worn all day and comfort being the key focus, we’ve evolved our Triaction designs to include wire-free styles.” Other key changes feature cushioned, ergonomic straps, fewer seams and “spacer”cups that feel lighter to wear.
Technology is enabling this new generation of sports bras to provide the same levels of support but with more comfort – a vital factor to ensuring women don appropriate breast support when exercising since there are real health risks if you don’t.
Dr Sam Saling, a GP specialising in women’s health, tells Body+Soul that sports medicine associations recommend that women have adequate breast-tissue support while working out to minimise movement.
“Breasts can be heavy, so this extra weight can pull the torso forward, affecting one’s posture and therefore exercise tolerance and technique,” she explains. “This is especially important for women experiencing cyclical breast pain associated with that time of the month, post-pregnancy breast changes including mastalgia, and longstanding conditions like fibrocystic breasts.”
Regardless the type of activity, “the stress of movement on the breast is what causes the fatty tissue and ligaments to stretch and sag overtime, irrespective of your size,” Minin says. It’s worth it, she advises, to get fitted by a professional “to make sure you’re wearing the best bra for your shape and lifestyle”.
“Surprisingly,” she adds, “there are many women still wearing ill-fitting or uncomfortable sports bras.”
Hopefully this fact will soon change, given the plethora of high-tech sports bras now on the market that prioritise comfort – just as much as support.
How to find your perfect fit
Triumph’s Kate Minin shares what to look for when you’re in the market for a new sports bra and need to find something that feels as good as the support it provides you.
First up
Start by finding the best sports bras for the level of movement your sport requires.
Undercover ease
An underwire bra should lay flat against the rib cage below your breasts, and not pinch or poke in. If the centre of the bra pokes out at the front and doesn’t sit flat against your chest, then [it’s] probably too small.
Look behind you
Look for a comfortable and adjustable back strap that isn’t riding up. A wider strap will usually disperse weight better and provide more support.
Strapped in
Wide and adjustable straps will last longer and provide more support. Straps that cross over can be more secure but [are] often less adjustable. The straps [should] not dig into your skin or slip off your shoulders.
The bounce test
You’re buying a sports bra to move in it, so give it a test! Jump up and down to get a feel for the support the bra will provide.
Don’t forget
Other key features to consider are breathable fabric properties, quick-drying fabrications and comfort attributes, lightweight designs, padded and adjustable straps, and added hook and eye clasps.
Glamorise No-bounce sports bra, $67.95, curvy.com.au
This cute and underwire-free bra gives full support, and caters up to a size 28J.
Puma Mid Impact fit bra, $50, au.puma.com
The Eversculpt warp knit fabric will keep you cool while providing moulded support.
Adidas FastImpact Luxe Run bra, $110, adidas.com.au
This wrap-style bra has a unique front-fastening system that makes it highly adjustable, and crazy comfortable.
Berlei Shift underwire bra, $69.95, berlei.com.au
With “support factor 4”, this breathable bra has your back (or front, rather).
Lululemon Enlight bra,$119, lululemon.com.au
The bonded under band means no underwires to dig in, and four-way stretch will ensure it moves with you.
Sweaty Betty All Train sports bra, $105, sweatybetty.com/au
Bonded seams and a high compression means this is the perfect HIIT partner in crime.
Bendon SportsSport U/W bra, $59.95, bendonlingerie.com.au
Mesh inserts will keep you cool while working up a sweat.
Under Armour Infinity sports bra, $85, underarmour.com.au
PU (polyurethane) injected, one-piece padding means a more aerodynamic fit but max support for high-impact training.
Adidas by Stella McCartney moulded sports bra, $116, matchesfashion.com/au
This moulded bra gives extra support, but just where it’s needed.
Triumph Triaction Cardio Cloud bra, $74.95, au.triumph.com
Quick drying, “cloud construction” fabric equates to fewer seams and a feather-light feel.
Nike Fe/Nom Flyknit sports bra,$184, net-a-porter.com
600 hours of biometric testing went into this fabric, meaning this almost-seamless style won’t chafe.
