5 Things to Keep In Mind When Picking Out a Sports Bra
May 25, 2023
Picking the right sports bra can be difficult as every body is different. Learn more about what features in a sports bra match with your activities.
Sports bras are a crucial part of many women’s sports wardrobe. Having the right sports bra can minimize discomfort during sports, prevent soreness, and help you perform your favorite activities comfortably. While there are many designs to choose from, finding the perfect sports bra for you doesn’t have to be complicated. At ASICS, our team is dedicated to designing the perfect apparel for every environment.
When choosing a sports bra, considering factors such as exercise type, bust size, and material preference can help you find the right design for you. To help minimize confusion during your search, consider the following:
Type of activity
Depending on your activity, different levels of breast support may be better suited to your needs. Sports bras typically have three levels of support: low, medium, and high. To determine the right support level for you, you should consider the type of activity you will be doing and the size of your bust. For low-impact activities, such as walking, pilates, or strength training, low support sports bras are usually adequate. These sports bras are often pullover style with narrower straps and lighter weight fabric. Most designs have moderate compression to hold the breasts in place. If you have a larger bust, choosing a medium support sports bra may still be preferential for low impact activities.
For higher impact activities, such as running, skiing, or mountain biking, higher levels of support may be more comfortable. These sports bras have wider straps and typically compress the breasts against the chest to minimize movements.
In many cases, low and medium will provide adequate support during activities. There are ASICS sports bra collections that offer both low and medium support sports bras in several designs and fabrics so you can find the perfect match for your needs. For low support, check out the SEAMLESS collection . For medium support , the STRONG, ACCELERATE, and LYTE collections are great choices.
Band and cup size
When choosing a sports bra, knowing your band and cup size can help you find the right fit. To find these measurements, you can go to a professional fitting or use a soft tape measure at home.
To find your band size, measure around your rib cage directly under your bust. If you are between inches, round to the nearest inch. Using a sports bra band size chart will help you convert your rib cage measurement to band size. Next, finding your cup size is a two stage process. First, you will measure around the fullest part of your bust, rounding to the nearest whole number. You then subtract your rib cage measurement to calculate the difference. Using a sports bra cup size chart, you can convert this difference into a cup size. In general, a 3” difference is an AA cup size, a 4” difference is an A cup size, a 5” difference is a B cup size, and so on.
While trying on sports bras is usually the best way to find your perfect fit, knowing your band and cup size can help you determine the appropriate size online. Different cuts and designs for sports bras can fit differently, so following the size chart and reading reviews are great tools to determine the appropriate size in different models.
Material
Depending on the environment and activity, different features may be more or less desirable. For example, if you are planning on wearing your sports bra in a hot or moist environment, choosing one that is made of sweat repellent material or moisture-wicking fabric can help to keep you dry and cool. If you are in cool environments, having a thicker material can help to keep you warm. There are several ASICS collections available with different materials, including the quick-drying CIRCUIT, GRAPHIC, and STRONG collections.
Features
In addition to material, features such as adjustable straps, back closures, and underwire can be desirable to adjust the fit of the bra. Depending on your cup and band size, you may find different designs more comfortable or suited to your body type. Taking the time to try on different designs can help you find the right bra for you.
Sports bra construction
There are several types of sports bra constructions that are suitable for different activities. The most common are encapsulation, compression, and combination designs. Encapsulation sports bras typically take on a natural shape and are designed to comfortably support each breast individually. Many have cups built into the design. These types of sports bras are generally thought of as more comfortable to wear during everyday, low-impact activities.
While comfortable, encapsulation bra designs do little to “hold breast in place” during more vigorous activities. For higher impact activities, compression sports bras can be preferable because they compress breasts toward the chest and restrict movement. Most do not have cups built into the design. Low support compression sports bras are usually adequate for A-B cup sized breasts, while medium support may be sought after for C-DD size breasts or larger.
In some cases, sports bras are designed for both compression and encapsulation. These sports bras hold the breasts in place while offering natural shaping and individual cup support. Many have adjustable straps and bands and can be used during both low and high impact activities.