Sports Bras for Large Breasts – Guide to Buy the Best One

Women with bigger breast sizes often face the problem of finding the right type of sports bras with the right fit. Though a tight bra will hold the breasts firmly, if used continuously, they can cause discomfort and pain. A plus size sports bra helps to reduce bounce and helps to keep the breasts from sagging. For plus-size women, this will help to enjoy and engage in outdoor activities more.

Prices of Plus Size Sports Bras

One of the mistakes that most women make is going for a cheap brand when it comes to sports wear. Especially when it comes to plus size sports bras, always go for the best fit and the comfort rather than the cheapest price. For a good quality sports bra, you should expect to pay around $45-$60 depending on the brand. Higher-end branded ones can cost up to $75.

Brands of Best Plus Size Sports Bras

Here are some of the most popular brands for women’s sports underwear. Most of them are available to purchase online or through many lingerie and women’s wear stores.

  • Enell
  • New Balance
  • Campion USA
  • Natori Sport
  • Bendon Sport
  • Victoria’s Secret (Sports Bra Range)
  • Nike, Puma, Adidas

How to Select the Best Bra for Large Breasts

  1. Know the correct cup size
    To find your cup size, you need to measure the circumference of the chest just under the breasts. Then add 5 inches to it. If you end up with an odd number, then add another inch. Then measure the size at the widest point around the breasts. By subtracting the latter number from the previous number, you can find the cup size. Then match that with the corresponding letter. As an example, a difference of 6 inches would mean ‘F’ cup size.
  2. Get the right fit
    The fitness bra selection process for plus-sized women is slightly different from selecting a bra for a slim woman. Especially when you have large cup sizes, select bras that have a 2-3 piece cup construction as they will have a firm hold. Wide non-elastic shoulder straps are ideal because they will be able to hold the weight.
  3. Get the right type
    Sports bras can be either encapsulation or compression type. While encapsulation style has cups for each of the breasts, the compression type presses the breasts against the body. For medium sized breasts, the compression style will work best as it will not put a lot of pressure on the back. But for much larger breasts it is best to go with the encapsulation type. They are usually available for C cup and above and come with features such as underwires and adjustable straps.

    Most manufacturers categorize the sports bras for low-impact and high-impact bras. Activities such as yoga, walking and Pilates are considered to be of lower impact, while jogging and cardio exercises such as Zumba are considered higher impact.
  4. Think about the fabric
    Select a fabric or a blend that can ‘breath’ and provide a good airflow. This will help you to stay cool and comfortable during training.
  5. Try out the bra
    Because of the contours of the body, each woman will find have different fitting needs. The best way to find out if a bra will work for you is to try it out. Jump up and down few times, try bending towards your knees and move around to see if the bra can hold the breasts firmly. If you feel even a bit of discomfort, it’s best to look for an alternative design.
  6. Hygiene matters
    Some retail and online stores do not accept returns on underwear products due to hygienic reasons. So if you’re going to buy few of them to try at home, make sure to check the store’s return and exchange policy before the purchase.

What if you still can’t find the right size?

For very large cup sizes, it can be hard to find the perfectly fitting bra. Then consider wearing multiple bras.
Another option is to wear a combination of a camisole tank top or a sports tank with a bra.