What is the best plus size sports bra available in my price range?

March 16, 2016 7:41 AM

Is there a worthwhile plus size sports bra available in a 3X/4X (clothing size 22/24) for under $30? I tried every one at my local Walmart, to no avail. The two that fit over my head were completely unsupportive and more like something you'd wear to bed. I don't care about uniboob or looking too flat, just being supported when I work out.

I've been professionally sized as a 48D and the non-sports bras I wear are in that size, but I'd rather not buy a bra in a specific band/cup size as I'm expecting that size to change in upcoming months, thus the 3X/4X stipulation. If possible, I'd also prefer one with no hooks/fasteners, but that's optional. I do need wide straps, spaghetti straps are not supportive enough. I need at least medium support.

I own one sports bra right now that I love -- it's 3 years old from Old Navy in a size 2X, and it fits me perfectly, but it's starting to show its age. A year after the initial purchase, I bought the same bra from them again to have a backup and it was too small even after repeated wearings, so I think they must have changed their offerings quite a bit -- has anyone tried their current ones? Should I just try sizing up? Or should I consider a totally different brand?

posted by possibilityleft to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (17 answers total)

I wait for crazy Victoria's Secret deals and buy from the website. They've gotten wise and started limiting what coupons and discounts you can and can't stack, but sometimes you get lucky. If you already know how VS bras fit, this can be an inexpensive way to get really nice bras. I like the front closure two-bras-in-one sports bra thing they have. I have four of them, all bought months apart after hoarding and timing coupons.
posted by domo at 7:55 AM on March 16, 2016 [1 favorite]

I went years without finding a good sports bra to switch to and was relying on my old ones before having luck with Champions Showoff Sports bra. I'm a 36G (XL in this model) and find them to be extremely supportive with adjustable straps. It does have a hook/fastener, but I haven't noticed the feel of that while working out.

They have a variety of bras on their Plus sports bra page. The Spot Comfort Full Support seems to be the most similar to the bra that I like, but it's in band/cup sizing. They also offer a Vented Compression Plus Sports Bra that is available in 3X/4X and it's on sale under $30. (They have frequent sales and I've found the prices to be better on their site than in stores.) They have a satisfaction guarantee, so hopefully easy returns if you order and find that they don't work.
posted by icaicaer at 7:56 AM on March 16, 2016 [2 favorites]

Seconding the Champion Sports Bra linked by icaicaer. I've had 1 in my gym bag for well over a year now (and it gets washed every 2 days in industrial washing machines) and it's not showing significant wear yet. Also it outperforms some much more expensive sports bras that I own.

I don't trust their sizing chart though... I'm pretty sure I wear a medium, and their chart states I should be an XL. (36D) if you're in NYC I've picked up this sports bra on sale at Paragons (currently not on sale, but you could sort out sizing in store)
posted by larthegreat at 8:05 AM on March 16, 2016 [1 favorite]

I meant seconding that champion sports bras are surprisingly robust considering their price, not necessarily that the one we linked too is in your size... I highly recommend checking them out in person if you can.
posted by larthegreat at 8:14 AM on March 16, 2016 [1 favorite]

Glamourise No Bounce. Cheap, wears like iron. Sizing is accurate, and goes up to 50 G. I wear the 46 DD -- comfy, super supportive. Also, No underwire, which I love, because underwires hurt!
posted by Malla at 8:14 AM on March 16, 2016 [1 favorite]

I run half marathons in this Glamorise.. The neck is high, but not too hot to wear. I also have this one which is also excellent support.
posted by 26.2 at 8:27 AM on March 16, 2016 [1 favorite]

Oh, by the way, you actually do need an appropriate band fit for sports level support. Bras are like a suspension bridge - it's the band that provides support. Anything you can pull over your head is very likely going to have crappy support for fuller figures. Sports bras come in two basic styles - encapsulation and compression. At a larger size encapsulation is very important because is isolates the amount of tissue that's shifting around.

Both Glamorise bras I linked about are encapsulation bras.
posted by 26.2 at 8:34 AM on March 16, 2016 [7 favorites]

Victoria's Secret has never even heard of bra sizes like 48D. (I actually suspect that many of their models couldn't even shop there, due to being DDDD or whatever.)

Lane Bryant/Cacique bras are worth a try. For one thing, they're pretty good about wide straps. They have the only supportive sports bra I've ever owned. It closes with hooks in the back, because for me the elastic-only ones make me feel like I'm being squeezed to death, but they do usually have some without hooks.
posted by wintersweet at 8:50 AM on March 16, 2016 [6 favorites]

Seconding that hooks are key, because we need a well-fitted band. I now buy more expensive sports bras, but cheaper things that have worked in the past: Champion brand (I had several that lasted well, maybe from Lane Bryant?), multiple sportsbras layered over each other, or a sports bra over an old underwire bra. Yeah, the inexpensive options often stink. But as long as you find something, anything that enables you to work out for now, you're doing well!
posted by ldthomps at 9:12 AM on March 16, 2016 [1 favorite]

If you liked Old Navy in the past I would definitely try to get to the store and try a few styles and/or size up if necessary. Anecdotally I ordered a sports bra from Old Navy sight unseen in my normal size (honestly I think I was trying to hit a free shipping minimum and it was on sale) and it was so tight that I literally had to cut myself out of it after squeezing it over my head. Something wonky definitely happened with their bra sizing but they could still very well be quality products in whatever size they "think" you are.
posted by telegraph at 9:53 AM on March 16, 2016 [1 favorite]

I recommend looking on eBay for an Enell bra; possibly set up a search if you can't find one immediately. It looks as though you'd wear their size 6. They go up to size 8 which works for up to a 52DD.

There are a few regular eBay sellers who sell Enell factory seconds - slightly under or oversized bands, small snags, etc. These are usually priced around $39 - I know it's over your budget but they are worth every penny.

You might also be able to find an individual seller selling auction-style and snag one for cheaper.

Here's another option. I've checked this site several times and they NEVER seem to have a single item in stock, but I found a 6! It's also $40, though.
posted by peep at 10:56 AM on March 16, 2016 [1 favorite]

Title Nine has practically made a cause of sports bras that fit. It may be the place for you.
posted by bearwife at 11:31 AM on March 16, 2016 [1 favorite]

Oh yeah, I should note that Lane Bryant's sticker price may be high, but they have periodic sales and usually have a clearance rack. (I try to avoid paying retail at LB in particularly because I don't think their quality merits it.) Generally, the salespeople are friendly and will tell you if there's a sale you can wait for.

Title 9 has long been infamous among plus-size women for talking up inclusivity but then cutting out larger women when it comes to actual practice. Their site looks like they've gotten a little better, but they still show only one choice in 48D.
posted by wintersweet at 12:15 PM on March 16, 2016 [2 favorites]

While I don't have a specific brand to recommend for your size request, I find great deals on my unusual cup/band needs on eBay. And yeah, hooks (try racerback, too) are key, sorry!
posted by PaulaSchultz at 2:27 PM on March 16, 2016 [1 favorite]

What really irritates me about Title Nine is that their most supportive bras only come up to a 40 band size even when the manufacturer makes more sizes. T9 is simply rebranding bras that do exist in a full range of sizes - Title Nine just doesn't carry them. For instance T9's 2-in-1 Full-support Adjustable Sports Bra is the Moving Comfort Maia. Moving Comfort makes that bra to a 44D, but T9 only carries it to a 40E.

Women bigger than a 40 band size obviously only do low impact. Right? No.

T9 is a great place to read reviews, but I don't buy there.
posted by 26.2 at 2:47 PM on March 16, 2016 [3 favorites]

Ack, sorry I didn't see that Title 9 isn't marketing supportive bras for women who measure 40 or over. My bad.
posted by bearwife at 4:40 PM on March 16, 2016 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: I ended up buying 15 different bras (no kidding) and ended up with the High Support bra from Old Navy in size 2X (not the same as their XXL, the 2X is a larger bra in their Plus line). Thanks everyone for their suggestions and support!
posted by possibilityleft at 9:45 AM on April 18, 2016