Chest Protectors: the Importance of Sports Bras

There’s no evidence that running damages breasts. Still, almost all women runners, regardless of breast size, prefer to run in a sports bra. It is a must-have piece of apparel for women runners.
What you wear over your sports bra depends on the weather and your modesty. During the hottest parts of the year, some women have no qualms about heading out for a run with nothing on top but their sports bra. Sports bras aren’t revealing like other bras, and you’re going to stay more comfortable in the heat the less that you have on. After all, those men you see running without shirts are doing so to stay cooler, not to improve their social lives. Understandably, some women aren’t going to feel comfortable being seen like that in public. If that’s you, go with a lightweight singlet over your sports bra. A few companies even make combination tops, with the bra built into the singlet. Because your sports bra is going to fit snugly against your skin, you want it to have some wicking properties. Try a cotton/polyester blend. The polyester will move sweat to the surface and will provide more durability than cotton alone. If you need extra support, look for a bra that has Lycra in it as well.
Keep these fitting tips, offered by the American Running & Fitness Association’s executive director, Susan Kalish, in mind when choosing a sports bra:

• A sports bra shouldn’t have exposed seams inside, because these can chafe you.
• The shoulder straps should be about ½ to ¾ of an inch wide. Straps that are narrower than that might dig into your shoulders.
• Don’t buy a sports bra with clasps; these can dig into your skin. Get a sports bra that slips over your head.
• The bra should have a wide elastic chest band to keep it from riding up.
• Get a bra as close as possible to your usual size. If you can’t fit your thumb under the shoulder straps and elastic chest band, it’s too small. If a bra slips off your shoulders, it’s too large.

Unlike you might do with regular lingerie, don’t buy a sports bra off the rack because it’s your size. Always try it on before you buy it. In the dressing room, run in place, swing your arms around, and so forth to make sure that it will move with you.