Read my updated recommendations for D+ Cup Sports Bras (posted January 2016).
Boobs. Breasts. Biscuits. Puppies. Bazookas. Cans. Melons… call them what you will but these babies need to be supported when we’re getting our fit on.
There are so many gorgeous little strappy bras for all the small boobies, right? A myriad of styles, fabrics, colours and cuts. There are even tanks with built in support so you don’t have to wear a bra at all. Heaven.
So if you’re an A, B or C cup you are beautifully spoilt for choice. Lucky you, ladies, lucky you. But what about everyone else? Finding a decent sports bra for a D Cup and above is definitely not easy.
Before I started my fitness journey, all that funk food, wine and lethargy had pumped up my chest to an E Cup. Like a nice big turkey breast fattened up for Christmas.
Not long after I got moving, I was relieved to go back down to my previous 12DD (34DD) and those puppies seemed a bit more manageable again.
Now I’m even more active I seem to have shrunk again to a D Cup. Happy with that, but definitely don’t want to go any smaller. If there is a boobie god, please, spare them 😉
As happy as I am with bigger boobs in general, they do cause drama. As any well-endowed woman will know, trying to find the perfect sports bra is a challenge and a half. If you’re an E+ cup, your choices are even more limited, and I’m afraid I am no longer, umm, ‘equipped’ to give you gals advice.
But I can give a quick run through of my favourite sports bras for the D/DD Cup. So for those of you with medium to largish breasts, this post is for you.
When I say sports bras for big boobs, what comes to mind? Ugly, big, bulky. There’s nothing delicate or remotely sexy about them. And because support is the number one criteria for a sports bra, you just have to swallow the ugliness, haul it on, get the girls in place and go run.
Thankfully the choice has increased significantly over the last few years, which is awesome, although I still feel like I’m searching for all round perfection. Hopefully we’ll get there one day. In the meantime, I choose different sports bras for different activities. Here’s the D-lowdown.
Sports Bras for Bigger Boobs: Running
This is the highest impact activity you are likely to do and you definitely want to limit the bounce of your boobs as much as is humanly possibly. I have two favourite running bras.
One is a racerback, the Juno by Moving Comfort. You definitely feel like it’s all held together in this bra, there’s minimal movement.
There are some handy details on the straps to help get the thing on and off (which if you’ve ever tried it at 5am in the dark or after a really sweaty session, you’ll be thankful for, I’m sure). It is not delicate. It is not pretty. But it’s not the most offensive bra I’ve seen either. And it works.
So aesthetics aside, this could be your new best friend. Not cheap here in Australia, I’m afraid ($90) but worth it if you run a lot. You’l probably end up with more than one. You can buy the Juno in Black from Luxe Fitness or check out their whole range on www.movingcomfort.com.au.
My other fave running bra has regular bra straps – the Booby Bracer by Lululemon.
I’d not seen this in shops, so couldn’t try it on. After reading some glowing (and also some scathing) reports on the US website, I took a risk and ordered online. So pleased I did. It’s an unusual construction – no wires or seams or padding, just a tight bonded fabric that moulds to the shape of your bust as your body heats up. So it’s supposed to be really tight when you first put it on because it loosens a bit as you run.
I loved my first one so much, I quickly ordered two more (one cup size down as I found that as I heated up, it got a touch too loose, still wearable but the D cup ones provide better ongoing support as it stays tighter).
I’ve noticed these are not always on sale on the Lululemon website, argh, so frustrating. So if you don’t have one, check the ‘we made too much’ section on lululemon.com and keep your fingers crossed they bring the Booby back. Or check eBay. Good luck.
(Oh and BTW, since most gym/running tanks are racerback, you have to be happy with straps showing or search high and low for non-racerback tanks. I have a couple that I love – check out viactivewear.com and pilotathletic.com)
Here is a really good review and video for the Lululemon Booby Bracer. Check it out.
Sports Bras for Bigger Boobs: CrossFit
When I’m CrossFit training, I always check tomorrow’s WOD the night before to see how much high impact activity there is, so I can get the right bra out ready for the early early start.
That’s right, I have to plan ahead and work my entire outfit the night before around my bra. WTF?
If there’s a lot of running or double unders (who am I kidding? Skipping, I skip, I do not double under) then I’ll choose a running bra (Juno or Booby Bracer).
If there’s just a little running and it’s mostly strength work, then I’ll opt for my Nike Pro Rival (which you can buy at Stylerunner) or my Lululemon Ta Ta Tamer II.
Both these bras give a really nice shape to the bust (hurray for no mono-boob) and hold you in place well enough for short sprints, airdyne, burpees, snatches, etc.
The Nike Pro Rival is an elasticated racerback that you pull on and off. I have read some reviewers say they find it hard to get off, but I’ve not had that problem at all. I really love this bra actually. I had tried other Nike crops but they just squished me down, not enough space in those crop cups for me.
The Ta Ta Tamer II can be worn as a cross over (for your racerback tanks) or as regular straps. It has light removable padding, and comes in some pretty colourways. It provides moderate support and great coverage in a comfy package with coloured straps you won’t be worried about showing. Definitely worth a go.
I used to run in these bras before I discovered the Booby Bracer and Juno but I wouldn’t recommend it, definitely too much bounce action for running. Check out the colours in your market, here’s the Aussie one.
I wear one of these two bras for lifting weights at the gym too. And for walking or riding my bike.
Sports Bras for Bigger Boobs: Spin
I get up and dressed for spin at 5ish in the morning, so I just pull on a Lorna Jane Comfort Bra because I don’t want to be fiddling with straps and hooks and eyes. Just being awake at that time of the morning is hard enough, right? IT’s my easiest bra to get on in the dark and sleepy wee hours of the morning.
The Comfort Bra comes in white and black, and seasonal colours (I have a gorgeous pale neon pink one). And it is certainly comfy (so I do love it for yoga too) and holds you in place for medium and low impact activities.
I wouldn’t wear this running. I’ve had mine a couple of years and the padding bits have become lumpy and misshapen in the wash, I’ve had to throw most of them out and share the couple I have left between my different colour Comforts. Is it just me?
If I’m doing a later spin class and have a bit more time up my sleeve, I’d probably choose the Nike Pro Rival or the Lululemon Ta Ta Tamer II.
Sports Bras for Bigger Boobs: Watersports
There are some amazing bras out there that double up as bikini tops (hello The Upside, Vie Active, VPL…) Much to my dismay I cannot squeeze myself into them and retain what little dignity I still have 😉
Lucky I tried on the Water Bound Bra by Lululemon recently. I was soooo not expecting it to fit, but it did! It’s not PERFECT, but it’s not far off.
I got to try it out in an ocean pool training session recently, and it kept everything in place, even running through the water, burpees by the side of the pool and water volleyball. Yay!
It can also be worn on dry land and I love how the strappy back looks, really different from usual sports bras for big boobs. I wore it all day once just pottering about, school pick up etc. Felt nice. Looked good. Big tick from me.
Sports Bras for Bigger Boobs: Yoga
Well, you can kind of wear any bra for yoga, so long as it’s comfy, right? And doesn’t let you down when you’re doing the Dog.
I’d love to have the option of all the beautiful teeny weeny strappy bras available from Lululemon, Lorna Jane, The Upside… all so so gorgeous. All so so too small if you have jugs rather than egg cups..
I did find that the Lulu Energy Bra was pretty good for low impact activity, with lots of lovely colours to choose from. The fabric is lovely and soft, and the straps are amazing. Just beautiful. Try it on first, if you can. I have one that is a little on the squishy side and another (same size) that wasn’t, so there’s obviously a bit of disparity going on there.
And the Vie Active Lori Zippered Bra (I got mine from Love Movement) has a bit more coverage, comes in some funky prints and is comfy for yoga. Like the Energy Bra, I could never run in it (I expect you could if you had a smaller bust as it’s made of compression fabric) but it looks great and is super easy to get on because you just zip it up the front.
No more contorting your body and testing out your double jointed elbows. Brilliant when your weekly yoga class is Friday at 6am. Yes, Friday at 6am. That’s not very zen, is it?
Jeeeeez, life would be simpler if one bra would do for everything. But then I guess I’d have less valid reasons to shop 🙂
Good luck with getting the right fit for your shape and size, ladies. And please, if you have a gem of a sports bra that I’ve not yet tried, holler now!
Read my updated recommendations here >> Banish the Bounce: 7 Great Sports Bras for the D+ Cup (posted January 2016).