In Search of the Perfect Sports Bra
by Eileen Portz-Shovlin

We wanted breathability, comfort and support. Here's what we found

Whether a woman runner is small, medium or large breasted, a sports bra is her most important piece of apparel, and it must be right for her. The breasts are suspended by very weak ligaments that stretch easily.

During running, breasts bounce with each footstrike, and this repeated action accelerates permanent stretching of the skin and sagging. Though small-breasted women don't experience as much bouncing as large-breasted women during vigorous exercise such as running, experts agree that all women runners should wear a sports bra.

But finding the right bra isn't easy. Besides providing enough support, a sports bra should feel comfortable mile after mile. A good sports bra doesn't chafe around the armholes or ribcage. The straps don't dig into the shoulders. The band beneath the breasts shouldn't bind or abrade. And a good sports bra wicks moisture from your skin so your breasts don't feel like they're baking.

Fit is crucial, too. "Most women don't even know their size," says Effraim Nathan, president of the Lontex Corporation, who's been in the intimate apparel business for 26 years. "Fitting a sports bra is as important as fitting a shoe."

A sports bra that fits well will feel snug but not tight. "Clap your hands over your head, and if the elastic band of the bra moves up, it doesn't fit properly," says Nathan. "Also, the best running bras should have at least 25 percent Lycra for a comfortable horizontal stretch. Anything less than that won't compress the breasts sufficiently."

There are two types of sports bras: compression and encapsulation. The compression design presses both breasts against the chest wall in a single mass. While the compression sports bra works well for small- to medium-breasted women, large-breasted women often find that their breasts bounce too much. These women do better with an encapsulation sports bra, the kind that supports and holds each breast separately in a sturdy cup.

No matter how supportive or breathable the bra, you'll never want to wear it again if it isn't comfortable. That means you've got to try them on and use them.