Sports bras

Quick Guide: A sports bra is technical equipment, not an afterthought. It limits breast movement during exercise, protects the Cooper's ligaments, and prevents back and shoulder pain. The three factors that matter most: the right support level for your activity, a fit that holds without compressing, and breathable fabrics that actively manage sweat.

The best sports bra is the one that matches your activity level, fits your body correctly, and stays comfortable from the first to the final kilometer. No single model wins for everyone — but there are clear technical markers that separate a high-quality sports bra from one that just looks the part.

Look for a high elastane content for stretch and shape retention, seamless construction to eliminate friction zones, and mesh inserts for targeted ventilation where heat builds up most. Odlo's seamless expertise comes directly from our base layer heritage, the same seamless knitting expertise that makes our base layers notoriously comfortable is applied to some of our sports bra too. Adjustable straps allow fine-tuning beyond your base size, and removable padding lets you adapt the fit to your preference. Every model in the Odlo range is underwire-free — a deliberate choice for maximum comfort and unrestricted movement, regardless of support level.

Support level is the primary selection criterion before colour, before price, before anything else. It determines how much your bra limits breast movement under impact. Odlo structures its range across three clearly defined levels.

Soft Support — for low-impact activities

Choose this level for yoga, walking (cup sizes A–B), Pilates, or light hiking and for cross-country skiing if you wear a cup A. From cup C upwards, even low-impact activities like walking are better supported at Medium level. Odlo's Soft support bras are lightweight, flexible, and pull on easily over the head no clasps, no fuss. This is the only level where you'll find a 100% Merino wool model offering natural thermoregulation and an exceptionally soft next-to-skin feel, and reversible designs that give you two styles in one product.

Medium Support — for moderate-impact activities

This is the right level for cycling and skiing for smaller cup sizes (A to C), hiking with a loaded pack, or lighter gym training. The fabric construction is denser and more structured than Soft, wrapping the chest more firmly without restricting breathing. Odlo's Medium support range includes seamless options for all-day comfort and a Performance Wool model — a technical blend of Merino and polyester that combines natural temperature regulation with fast drying.

High Support — for high-impact activities

Running, trail running, HIIT, cross-country skiing from cup D upwards, alpine skiing from cup C upwards, and cycling from cup D upwards all demand High support. Odlo's High support bras feature wide, reinforced straps that stay flat under load and an individually adjustable underbust band to prevent the bra from riding up at pace. Two of the three High support models are available in cup sizes from 70A to 95E, delivering a precision fit that standard S/M/L sizing simply cannot match. One model also features a front closure for easy on and off after intense sessions.

If you have a larger chest, support level and cup sizing become even more critical. For high-impact sports, High support is non-negotiable — the wide reinforced straps and adjustable underbust band are specifically designed to keep everything stable under load. For moderate impact activities provide sufficient compression to eliminate discomfort.

Odlo offers two High support models in cup sizes ranging from 70A to 95E. A 95E is already considered a large cup size by many women, so the range covers a meaningful proportion of larger bust sizes with precision cup-and-band sizing. Check that the underbust band lies flat and horizontal when you raise your arms — if it rides up, go up a band size. Ensure the cups fully enclose the breast without any spillage at the top or sides.

It depends on what "every day" means. During any form of exercise — yes, absolutely, and without exception. A sports bra is the only appropriate choice for physical activity: the Cooper's ligaments that support breast tissue do not regenerate once overstretched, and a regular bra provides no meaningful protection against repetitive impact.

For extended daily wear outside of exercise, a Soft support sports bra is fine but Medium to High support bras are less ideal. The compressive structure and performance fabrics are engineered for effort, not for eight hours at a desk. A non-wired everyday bra will generally be more comfortable for sedentary use over long periods. The practical answer: own both, use each for its purpose, and never compromise on the sports bra when you're actually training.

Not necessarily — and this is one of the most common sizing mistakes. Sports bras use different construction and different fabric tensions than everyday lingerie, which means your regular bra size is a starting point, not a guarantee.

Some of our models are known to run small. When this is the case, a fit advisory note is displayed directly on the product page next to the size selector — always check for this message before ordering. If you are between two sizes, size up. For most of the range, XS to XL sizing applies; for High support models with cup sizing, measure both your bust and underbust and cross-reference with the size guide available on every product page. Your sports measurement may differ from your lingerie measurement, particularly if you have been wearing an incorrectly fitted everyday bra.

Neither extreme is right. A sports bra that is too tight compresses the ribcage, restricts breathing, and causes skin irritation on longer sessions. One that is too loose defeats its purpose entirely — the breast moves freely and the underbust band rides up.

The correct fit sits between the two: snug, stable, and comfortable. Run through this checklist when trying on or sizing online. The underbust band must lie horizontally against the skin and stay there when you raise both arms. The cups or coverage panel must fully enclose the breast with no spillage over the top or sides. The straps must sit flat on the shoulders without digging in or slipping off. Try the two-finger test on the underbust band: if you cannot slide two fingers underneath, it is too tight; if the band hangs away from your body, go up a size. For Odlo cup-sized models, remember that band size and cup size are independent — adjusting one does not require changing the other.

You can find more information in our sports bra guide.