Best Hiking Bras of 2025

A sports bra is a foundational piece of gear that you will take with you every time you are in the mountains. Finding a sports bra that gives you the support you need, doesn’t chafe, is comfortable, and doesn’t break the bank can seem like a daunting task.

Well you’re in luck, because The Adventure Junkies did the hard work for you. We scoured the web to help you find the best sports bras for hiking, ranging in different types of support, size, strap style, and several other features.

When looking for a sports bra, it’s important that you feel comfortable but also secure in the sports bra you choose. A fun design doesn’t hurt either. This list will be an aid in finding the sports bra that works best for you.

For more of our top hiking gear recommendations, check out the Best Hiking Underwear for Women. 

Reviews - The Best Bras for Hiking

Icebreaker Merino Siren

Specs

• Fabric: Majority Merino Wool
• Bra Support: Low Impact
• Support Style: Encapsulation
• Strap Style: Tank Top

Features

• Fabric Resists Odor
• Moisture Wicking and Quick Drying
• Elastic Band Offers Support

BEST FOR: THE COMFORT SEEKER

Icebreakers Siren Bra made with merino wool and nylon blend offers a soft as skin sports bra for outdoor enthusiasts. This bra has a low impact support style, meaning the bra moves with your body while you’re on the go and provides extreme comfort. 

The fabric this bra is made of breathes well during the summer months, but also provides some insulation during the winter months, making it a good option for year-round hikes. This is also a great option for a T-shirt bra, because the sleek design and no-side-seams make it invisible under clothing.

Note that the low impact support style of this bra is not the most supportive option if you are looking for a bra that minimizes bounce while running or hiking.

View at Backcountry

Brooks Fiona

Specs

• Fabric: Majority Polyester
• Bra Support: Medium Impact
• Support Style: Compression/Encapsulation
• Strap Style: Tank Top

Features

• Adjustable Front Straps
• Hook-and-Eye Back Closure
• Molded Cups Maintain Natural Shape

BEST FOR: THE TRAIL RUNNER

You know those bras that you put on, and they fit like a glove and you just know it isn’t going anywhere? That is the Brooks Fiona Sports Bra. If you struggle with bounce control while on the trail or when you’re pounding pavement on your daily run, this bra is a sure thing. 

Brooks didn’t stop there either – this bra even has a hook-and-eye back closure, making the putting on/taking off process as easy as can be. The straps on this bra can also be adjusted in the front so you can customize the bra to your perfect fit.

This bra is a great option for women with medium to large chests who are looking for ease and security with their sports bra.

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Brooks Maia

Specs

• Fabric: Majority Nylon
• Bra Support: Medium Impact
• Support Style: Compression/Encapsulation
• Strap Style: Tank Top

Features

• Extra Support for Breasts in Padded Cups
• Encased Underwire Adds Support and Shaping
• Adjustable Straps
• Gel-in Straps Provide Padding for Shoulders
• Hook-and-Eye Back Closure

BEST FOR: THE BEGINNING HIKER

Brooks Maia Sports Bra’s main goal is to provide support to women who need help with bounce support and are looking for a full coverage bra. 

This bra is supportive but also comfortable. Gel is placed in the straps to provide padding for your shoulders, and adjustable straps and a hook-and-eye back closure ensures a customizable fit. The back closure of this bra also makes taking the bra on and off extremely easy. 

The band at the bottom of the bra allows for flexible movement while still keeping everything in place, so you can rest assured you won’t have any slips while you’re on the go. This bra comes in several fun designs, and tends to run a bit small.

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Brooks FastForward Free

Specs

• Fabric: Majority Polyester
• Bra Support: Low Impact
• Support Style: Compression/Encapsulation
• Strap Style: Crisscross

Features

• Mesh Panels and Stylized Keyhole Provide Ventilation
• Minimal Back Coverage Gives Full Range of Motion
• Removable Cups Allow Customizable Shaping and Coverage

BEST FOR: THE OUTDOOR FASHIONISTA 

Brooks FastForward Free Sports Bra is both fashionable and functional. 

The stylized keyhole in the front of the bra and side mesh panels help ventilate while you’re on your adventure and provide a modern look. A band at the bottom of the bra allows for flexible movement, ensuring the bra will stay put when you’re on the go.

Because this bra’s support style is low impact, it would best be used for shorter day hikes or jogs. The scoop neckline is flattering and helps negate from the uni-boob look. This bra is made of a moisture wicking fabric to help keep you dry and comfortable all day long. This product runs a bit small, and is best when hand washed.

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Nike Pro Classic Swoosh

Specs

• Fabric: Majority Recycled Polyester
• Bra Support: Medium Impact
• Support Style: Compression
• Strap Style: Racerback

Features

• Flat and Clean Finished Seams
• Double Lined Chest Prevents Nipping
• Compression Fit Offers Support

BEST FOR: THE VERSATILE HIKER 

Nike’s Pro Classic Swoosh Sports Bra is a great option for anyone looking for a foundational sports bra for the backcountry. 

The double lined front provides security when it can be very cold outside, and relieves any worry about pads slipping out or getting lost in the wash. Similar to other Nike gear, this bra does run a bit small.

This bra will be comfortable and the compression fit will stay tight to your body all day long. 

This bra is a sure thing for support and security and it honestly sells at a killer price point. Nike designs all of their clothing flawlessly, and this bra is no exception.

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THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A HIKING BRA

BRA SUPPORT

Bra support is determined in three categories, low impact, medium impact and high impact. These different impact categories will determine how your bra fits and whether the bra helps with bounce control. Here are definitions for the different types of impact to help you decide which one is for you:

Low Impact

Bras with low impact support are usually the most comfortable fit. These bras are not tight fitting and are often a great option for women with small breasts or as a T-shirt bra. This level of impact is not the best option if you are looking for a sports bra with excellent bounce control.

Medium Impact

A medium impact bra is a good balance between comfort and support. These bras will help with bounce control, will often fit a bit tighter than a low impact bra (but still be comfortable) and often have a supportive strap at the bottom of the bra. A medium impact bra is a sure thing for all outdoor activities.

High Impact

A high impact bra is a great option for the lady with a large chest looking for guaranteed support. These bras are designed to hold all of your curves in place and control bounce completely. These bras will fit tightly, but can still be comfortable. If this sounds like the level of impact you need, find a fabric that you feel is comfortable and a high impact bra to match.

Learn more here about the different types of sports bra support here.

STRAP STYLE

Sports bras can come in all different kinds of strap styles. There is tank top, crisscross (meaning the straps cross each other in the back of the bra), halter, racerback, hook-and-eye, and countless others. Some strap styles are crazy cute, and can draw you to a sports bra because of the fun design.

Bras with a hook-and-eye clasp are often bras that are tank top style and are more supportive, offering better weight control for women with large chests. Some sports bras can be versatile, allowing the straps to go several different ways, depending on what you like or need to match with your tank top that day. To find a strap style that you prefer, try on different sports bras and see if a particular strap style offers you the support you need.

FABRIC

Different fabrics will ensure the sports bra has different qualities. Merino Wool (a very soft wool that is grown on merino sheep) for example will ensure that your sports bra is very soft. A nylon bra is typically very quick drying. Think about your needs – will you be using your bra on long backpacking trips where you’ll be swimming in lakes and need something that will dry quickly? Or do you prefer a sports bra that is comfortable? Is there a particular fabric that doesn’t work for your body? Make sure to consider all of these things before making your final decision.

SUPPORT STYLE

There are two different support styles your bra can be: encapsulation and compression. This means that the bra has individual cups (encapsulation) or one piece of fabric that comprises the front of the sports bra (compression). Compression sports bras are usually ideal for women with smaller chests, and encapsulation sports bras are great for women with larger chests. The encapsulation support style will give you more cleavage than a compression sports bra.

SIZE

The size of sports bra you need will be determined on the measurements that is around your chest. Cup sizes A and B can usually fit into a small, cup size C can usually fit into a medium, and cup sizes D and above can usually fit into a large or extra large.

Strap style is important here, because if you’re looking for a more supportive bra, a wide strap will help distribute your chest weight. When determining size, also pay attention to the side panels of the bra which will also help you with support. Learn more about how a women’s sports bra should fit here.

PRICE

A good sports bra can cost a pretty penny. How well you care for your sports bra will determine its lifetime. A good sports bra can withstand all of your outdoor adventures for years to come. That being said, there are many affordable options out there and finding your perfect fit at your perfect price IS possible.

FEATURES EXPLAINED

BOUNCE CONTROL

It’s natural for breasts of any size to bounce up and down while we are hiking or trail running. A bra with bounce control offers support targeted at keeping the girls in place while you’re on the go.

UNDER BUST PANEL

This means that the sports bra has a band at the bottom of the bra which helps provide support when keeping the girls up throughout the day. The panel can either be comfortable and supportive, or at times can dig into your skin and cause discomfort. Make sure that you find a sports bra with a secure panel, to ensure comfort throughout your hike or run.

SEAMLESS CONSTRUCTION

When a sports bra has a seamless construction, it means that the bra is one solid piece of fabric, instead of several pieces sewn together. A seamless construction means that there aren’t any fabric edges on the sports bra that can cause chafing and discomfort.

DOUBLE LINED CHEST

A double lined chest on a sports bra means that the front panel of the sports bra has two pieces of fabric instead of just one. This is a great thing because it provides more coverage than a single lined chest, and can help prevent against nipping.

ENCASED UNDERWIRE

This means that the bra has an underwire, to help support and shape the bra correctly to your body, but that the underwire is encased in fabric. Having an underwire that is encased in fabric means that the wire shouldn’t be poking out at you for the lifetime of the bra.