sport bras for larger-chested folks – FIT IS A FEMINIST ISSUE

Recently a reader asked us, “What recommendations do you have for sports bras for the larger breasted among us?”

This is a very good question.

Good question! on a blue background with a light bulb graphic — Yes, this is a very good question!

Speaking as someone smack in the middle of this demographic, I have searched long and hard for years to find a sports bra that a) fits me; b) provides the right kind of support for my activity; and c) is comfortable to wear for hours on end. This journey has not been a simple or straightforward one.

the long and winding road towards well-fitting undergarments. Thanks Kees Streefkerk for Unsplash for the pic. — The long and winding road towards well-fitting undergarments. Thanks Kees Streefkerk for Unsplash for the pic.

Part of the problem with finding a good sports bra for D-cups and beyond is getting the right balance of structure and support. I’ve tried on bras that felt like body armor– not my idea of comfort (although YMMV). Also, the ones that are more comfy lack support– the material is flimsy, the straps don’t stay up, and forget about material that breathes. Also they don’t last– they fall apart in the wash within a few months.

Honestly, what I’ve done that’s worked has been to order a half-dozen or more sports or sporty bras in a variety of sizes from a website like the this one, marketing Just My Size bras for a variety of needs.

I’ve had good luck recently with TrueKind sports bras. Again, I ordered a bunch of different styles and sizes, sending back a bunch of them. This racerback sports bra is my current favorite. It fits well and supports (admittedly by compressing my breasts, but that doesn’t bother me; again YMMV). It’s also not expensive, as these things go.

The Truekind bras size up to 4XL, which I wear (as a 44 D-DD). I am kind of in between the 3XL and 4XL, but I prefer a little more roominess. For other bras, Truekind sells bra clasp extenders, which are handy if you have bras that don’t quite fit across the back. I first heard about these from fellow blogger Martha– thanks for the tip, Martha!

Full disclosure: I don’t need a high-impact support sports bra, as I don’t run. For cycling, walking, yoga, etc., medium-ish support is fine. Also, I don’t like underwire bras, so I don’t wear them.

I ran across a brand called Tomboyx that has a larger range of sizes of sports bras. And Glamorise (not a typo) has a wider variety of strong-support bras, some with underwires. Some folks on Reddit sing their praises. For the record, I’ve tried all the Athleta sports bras and been happy with none of them. But good bras, like good jeans, are both elusive and idiosyncratic.

Finding well-fitting jeans and bras can be like getting from where this women is standing to the next volcanic island.

So, dear reader, my advice is: get out there and order a bunch of them, try them on, and plan to return them the same day (I have to do this or I’ll forget).

Hey– other dear readers, do you have any suggestions for s good sports bra for larger breasted folks? We’d welcome any ideas.