Finding a sports bra that is compatible with cycling, but still offers enough support, is no easy feat.

Cycling is quite unique in that windchill and long off-season base miles make for a strange mixture of high body temperature (and therefore sweat) plus the tendency to bundle up on layers. Any fabric against the skin needs to wick sweat and be breathable, but a sports bra also needs to be supportive - and supportive fabric is often thick, compressive, and not quick drying.

With the Solidarity High Impact Sports Bra, Maaree has provided a solid option that really does appear to meet both of these needs - though in doing so it has had to use a fairly rigid material and the RRP is much higher than competitors.

Maaree Solidarity High-Impact Sports Bra: construction

Road cycling isn't, of course, a high impact activity. However, according to experts at the Research Group in Breast Health, based at the University of Portsmouth, riders wearing a D+ cup are best served by an encapsulation or combination style sports bra, as opposed to a less supportive compression style often used by cycling specific brands. This bra starts from a 30C so it is designed for those with more breast tissue. There is a Medium Impact version for those who don't want something quite so heavy duty.

This bra is an encapsulation style, meaning it has two cups separated by a central channel. However, Maaree's party-trick is the 'Overband'. This refers to the curved panel along the top of the bra. Its goal is to reduce upward motion when exercising.

The Overband can be adjusted via sliding clasps on either side of the bra. You've got the standard sliders on the main straps, plus a clasp allowing you to turn it into a racerback, too.

Fastening comes from three widely spaced hooks and eyes, and the lower band is made from a stretchy but relatively tough fabric, offering a firm fit.

In terms of fabric make-up, Maaree doesn't give a lot of specifics on its website. The label details (printed on to the fabric to avoid any scratchy additions) states a mix of 85 per cent Polyamide and 15 per cent Elastane (exclusive of trims).

The body fabric feels thick to the touch, it's not soft and has quite a course quality which rustles slightly when scrunched up, but is stretchy. The cups use two layers of fabric. The back panels are constructed from a stretchy mesh whilst the central panel features one layer of the body material and one layer of mesh.

The bra comes shipped with its own washbag, to save you from damaging the hooks in the machine (or transferring colour from your black shorts, which I failed to avid).

Maaree Solidarity High-Impact Sports Bra: the ride

The Maaree Solidarity sports bra is unlike any other sports bra I've ever worn. The key difference is the rather rigid material. This feels compressive on, and certainly offers the support it promises. Initially, it didn't quite mould to my skin in the same way a more flexible fabric might. However, this has improved with washes. Not only that, it stays a lot drier.

Compared to one of my other favourites - the Shock Absorber Multi Sport sports bra, the Solidarity bra offers a similar level of support (which is, plenty, even for running), but with much better drying properties. When I take the Shock Absorber bra off after a session, the front panel is always soaked with sweat, and that's just not the case here. That statement alone should make it an absolute winner. The difference is most keenly felt when stopping for mid-ride coffee/cake breaks (or coaching points during outdoor track sessions) - wearing a wet sports bra beneath multiple layers cools your core temperature dramatically and it was a relief to be free from that.

I did find that the cups didn't sit quite right unless I pulled the strap sliders to their most extreme position, and also engaged the 'racerback'. When paired with the Overband tech, this did push my breasts quite high and create more cleavage than most sports bras. It wasn't uncomfortable but I did have the feeling of wearing my boobs around my chin during turbo sessions. The straps will of course stretch over time, so perhaps Maaree needs to tweak these slightly, I could have done with them being a touch shorter.

I typically wear a 28E or 30DD in standard bras, and opted for the 30DD from Maaree, whereas in brands such as Shock Absorber I up the band size to a 32 for sports. The fit was fairly spot on, with the band offering a close enough fit for good support without being overly restrictive. It doesn't leave marks when removed and nor is there any armpit chafing. Maaree also offers online fitting sessions so you can ensure you've chosen the right size.

Maaree Solidarity High-Impact Sports Bra: value

This is perhaps the Solidarity bra's biggest pitfall: it costs £64. The Multi Sports Sports Bra from Shock Absorber offers a similar level of support (if not, marginally more), but costs £39. However, Maaree's product clearly wins the drying ranks. I've been reaching for it instinctively whenever it's out the wash, I just don't know that I could stomach the cost of lining my 'sports bra drawer' with several of these.

Sports bras and big busts are a tricky combination to navigate, even more so when you're seeking a sports bra for cycling where breathability and sweat wicking under layers are important, too. But happily more brands like Pour Moi are producing ranges with bigger cup and chest sizes.

The Pour Moi Energy Reach is an underwired and lightly padded encapsulation-style sports bra available from a B to H cup. Each cup has a 4 panel construction including side sling which helps support the side of the breast and sits high; this means I didn’t experience any overspill which can then rub against the upper arms.

The padding is minimal and the internal cups feel soft against the skin, though in hot weather the bra can feel a little toasty, and that foam padding soaks up sweat (or rain) like a sponge. It's therefore not ideal for high intensity rides, very hot or very wet days.

As with any bra, getting the size right is crucial, but is made easier by the fact that in my experience this bra sizes up true. I’m a UK18 and take a size 36FF.

The chest band is stretchier than other sports bras I’ve tested. On the upside, this means it doesn’t feel constrictive but on the downside doesn’t give as secure a platform for reducing boob bounce. That said, while I wouldn’t wear this bra for something like kickboxing, running or aerobics, it’s been more than up to the task of road, gravel and mountain biking.

It has a wide chest band with three hook and eye fastenings, which is an essential feature for bigger sizes of sports bra in my opinion. Added padding at the fastening prevents chafing, and the shoulder straps are also comfortably wide, padded, and have an optional hook fastening so the bra can be worn racer-back style.

Finally, while aesthetics never trump comfort and support, it’s nice to have a sports bra that gives a nice shape and doesn’t feel like it’s just squashing the boobs across your upper body.

With an RRP of £28, this bra comes in cheaper than some of the less supportive compression styles offered by cycling specific brands, too.

Triumph might not be the best known brand on the sports bra scene, but the Triaction Extreme Lite should put it on the map. Its combination of great support and quick drying properties make it an excellent option as a sports bra for cycling. 

The bra is a compression and encapsulation combination bra, with non-padded shaped cups that sits closely and supportively around the breasts.

The wide chest band is constructed from elastic with a soft facing on the skin-side. It’s a good blend of just enough stretch to move with you and not feel constrictive while working out, while also providing enough support in conjunction with the rest of the bra design. While it doesn’t have the extreme levels of support as the segment leader Shock Absorber, it’s still plenty supportive enough to handle standing efforts or rough mountain bike descents.

The shoulder straps have two points of adjustability, and can also be worn in a crossover style if you prefer a racer-back fit. The top of the straps is wide and constructed from a sturdy but soft fabric with light padding which doesn’t chafe or add pressure, and also doesn’t slip down when exercising.

One of the big selling points of this bra is how well it handles hot conditions, whether that’s riding in hot weather, hot indoor spin sessions or workouts that work up a sweat. The section of the bra above and between the two cups is constructed from a fine mesh and the fabric to the sides and back is a combination of mesh and lycra which allows sweat to wick away effectively.

Triumph's bra comes in sizes 32-40, B-F. Whilst this offer a fairly wide range, the other two more supportive options we've tested - the Shock Absorber Multi Sport and Pour Moi Energy Reach Sports Bra - continue to an HH and H respectively.

Prices start at £32, with some more colourful options at £32 and £40. Against the competition, this bra stacks up as pretty good value - with many less supportive compression styles costing more.

Le Col’s sports bra is a compression style bra, made from 95% Polyamide and 5% Elastane, to provide stretch for that over-the-head application.

>>> Best sports bras for cycling

According to researchers at the University of Portsmouth, of the three bra styles (compression, encapsulation and combination), this style offers the least support and we would vouch for that (see study: How the characteristics of sports bras affect their performance')

Le Col Women’s Pro Seamless Cycling bra: construction

Le Col has opted for a seam-free garment, with the aim of removing irritation. Details such as the brand name and size are woven in via a white thread, and there are no labels.

Answering the call of breathability, Le Col has used a perforated fabric on the back and straps to provide airflow.

This bra comes with removable cups, providing extra coverage - though I found these surplus to requirement so opted to remove them.

Le Col's bra comes in just four sizes: XS, S/M, L/XL and XXL, and there's no independent sizing for the band vs the cups. This is pretty normal for a compression style. However, since I wear a small band size (28/30) with a larger (DD+) cup I found this to have a negative impact, the XS would have fitted at the underband but risked being restrictive in the cups.

Le Col Women’s Pro Seamless Cycling bra: the ride

The area where this bra excels is in its breathablity and sweat wicking - it performs much better than any other I’ve ever tested in this area. During sweart turbo sessions this is a welcome attribute and I’ve reached for this bra ahead of many indoor workouts. It provided all the support needed for these sessions without becoming clammy or chafing.

Unfortunately, it is still a compression style bra - and therefore it can’t offer the level of support you’d get from an encapsulation or combination bra. The support on offer is ample for most road riding and indoor training but I’d leave it in the drawer for anything higher impact such as gravel or mountain biking. It does not pass the 'jump test' so I wouldn't opt to wear it for cross-training such as a run or plyometrics in the gym.

Value

This is the most expensive sports bra we've ever tested - coming in at £60. It is made in Italy, and the premium brand will always come with a high price tag attached, but it’s hard to overlook the fact that this bra is still a compression style option but comes in near twice the price of other models.

Shock Absorber’s Multi Sports Bra has been my go-to choice ever since I was a runner-turned-triathlete. Designed for any sport from the gym to horse riding, I wear this bra for mountain biking, running, or any sort of jiving about in the gym.

>>> Best sports bras for cycling

This is a bra I would recommend for any female cyclist wearing a C cup size or more, the only downside is that it doesn't dry as quickly as less supportive 'compression' styles and therefore can lead to cooling core temperature, especially when stopping on long rides.

Shock Absorber Multi Sports bra: construction

This is a ‘combination’ bra, meaning it combines compression and encapsulation to offer support. The inner layer uses ‘Simplex’ to encapsulate each breast, and then over the top is a classic crop top style, which provides the added compression. Researchers at the University of Portsmouth found this style reduced breast bounce by 74.7% (see study: 'How the characteristics of sports bras affect their performance').

The Multi Sports bra uses a racer back, with two hook and eye clasps as well as adjustable straps - this future proofs the bra, and I’ve had two of these for well over a year, and they’re still going strong. The only time I’ve had one of these bras fail was when the hook and eye wire became warped - but that was after a good few years’ use and some ill-advised unprotected washing machine use (put your bras in a pillow case to save the wires etc from failing).

The band comes up much tighter than a standard, non-sports bra - it is advised that you go up one band size, but maintain the cup size. I wear a 28E or 30DD (brand dependant) in 'normal' bras and opted for the 32DD here and the fit was spot on.

The sides are made from a power mesh, to aid quick drying.

Shock Absorber Multi Sports bra: the ride

This is one of few sports bras I own that fully passes the 'jump test' - I can jump up and down with no noticeable movement. For that reason it is the only sports bra I own that I would also wear for running when cross training in the off-season, and I always choose it if riding off-road too.

Sizing up in the band is also recommended because the band is quite tight - I still have a misordered 30DD version languishing in the bottom of a wardrobe somewhere (I could just about do it up, but not if breathing was required!). I always find this up-sizing strange, as surely the sizing should simply be adjusted to suit the construction. However, on the plus side, after long term use the band has not stretched making this a durable bra and one that could last you years.

There always has to be a caveat though. In order to provide this level of support, the fabric needs to be relatively dense - and as a result, despite the power mesh sides, the bra doesn’t dry as quickly as a simple compression style bra.

This bra is also not designed specifically for cycling, so not designed to marry up with bib staps - though I’ve never found this makes any difference at all to comfort.

Balancing comfort, breathability, and support is incredibly difficult in a sports bra. The 'would like' list is very personal and priorities differ. The support offered by this sports bra from Oakley won’t tick every rider’s requirements, but if staying cool is high on the agenda then this option may be the best on the market for you.

>>> Best sports bras for cycling

The fit

Ranging from XS to XL, the Ellipse Racerback is one of the few cycling specific performance sports bras that caters for women that have larger boobs—although, its simple compression style means the larger your boobs, the less support it is likely to provide.

To help determine the perfect size for you, the Oakley website has a handy Fit Finder tool which provides a size recommendation based on whether similar sized shoppers returned the item. With a usual bra size of 32C, a height of 177cm and weighing 63kg, this put me at a 58 per cent chance of success with a size medium—whereas a small would be an even more unoptimistic 42 per cent. As I normally sit on the small/medium border, I went for the medium and the (marginally) better than 50/50 chance it would fit.

Stretchy and thin sums up the feel of the material of the sports bra that is made out of 27 per cent lyrca and 73 per cent nylon. Although my boobs do not stretch the medium sized bra they sit comfortably, and it isn’t too roomy. This size would definitely fit a rider with slightly larger boobs. For me the medium works well as the shoulder straps and the fit around the side, under my arms, is spot on—I suspect a size smaller would have caused me some clenching in these areas.

The Ellipse Racerback is available in electric blue, blackout and the one I tested is advertised as burgundy. However the sports bra seems to be less dark red/brown as pictures on the website would suggest, but rather a vivid red and purple blend. It’s not a game changer, but good to be aware of if you aren’t a fan of vibrant colours. Also worth noting, when wearing a slender jersey in a lighter shade, the burgundy sports bra does peek through.

The ride

Several miles and a few long intervals later, there is still no sensation of clamminess, so this bra does deliver excellently on its promises of breathability and is also quick wicking. On the flipside, the thinness of this bra’s material does leave my nipples noticeably visible— even when warm. This did come as a surprise to me as it is not an issue I usually have. While this may be of no concern for many riders, for others this could result in discomfort when unzipping your jersey, for example, in the event of overheating on a club ride.

A few potholes and fiery sprints further along the ride, the bra’s support was put to the test against the roughness of Britain’s roads. While the support felt adequate when cruising along at a moderate pace, in both brief bursts out the saddle and on impacts with potholes, the bra disappointingly did not hold my boobs securely enough in place.

The lower band of the bra is a 47mm elastic strip which made the bra feel secure when I first put it on. But when riding, the wideness of this strip seemed unnecessarily chunky and it felt like it consumed my whole ribcage. That said, one positive of this design feature was that it did ensure there were no pressure points.

Value

For £35 the Oakley Ellipse Racerback Sports Bra is cheaper than other cycling specific sports bra offerings, but more expensive than your standard sports bra you can buy at shops such as Sports Direct. It’s a great value option for the breathability it provides, but is only suitable for low support activities—which would cover a club ride, but not the trusty bra you’d reach for ahead of a race.

With shoulder straps from cycling bib shorts complicating matters, it is not so easy for us female cyclists to find a sports bra that plays nicely while providing sufficient support and breathability.

>>> Best sports bras for cycling

The Rosalie sports bra promises comfort, optimum compression, and to effectively wick sweat away. It’s good to see Café du Cycliste aiming for the holy trinity of sports bras, as anything less would hardly justify the price.

Although not flawless and not for riders with boobs larger than cup size D, it is well-designed and certainly one of the more successful bras out there.

The fit

As well as a sleek black finish, the Rosalie is also available in a lightly tanned ‘papyrus’ option. The sizes small, medium and large all cater for cup sizes A–D. What differentiates the sizes is the under-bust measurement. I’m usually a size 32C and with an under bust of 73.5cm/28.9” I slot into the top end of scale for the small (70-74cm/ 27.6”- 29.1”). Pulling the bra on over my head and a quick rearrange later, first impressions were that this bra held my chest securely in place with its compression style support, although on the slightly tight side of a perfect fit.

>>> Best women's cycling jerseys

The Rosalie’s racer back and broad back and shoulder straps play well with bib shorts. However, the straps are not adjustable – this reduces the chance of annoying pressure points which is a plus, but at the sacrifice of being able to fine tune this bra into a faultless fit.

With a 54 per cent polyamide, 36 per cent polypropylene and 10 per cent elastane blend it doesn’t have a lycra feel and softly sits against the skin. Its largely seamless construction helps with the comfy fit, while irritating scratchiness from labels have also been completely avoided thanks to the washing instructions being detailed on the lower band instead.

This lower band is where the Rosalie sports bra excels. As the band is a seamless transition of the rest of the bra’s material—rather than being a distinct piece of elastic—it does not cut in uncomfortably, nor feel restrictive.

The ride

Although the support is designed for only low impact activities, it performs reassuringly well when paired with a race fit summer jersey across both shorter and longer intervals on a ride. Even when giving it your all out the saddle it was not too tight that it felt restrictive and it seemed to hold everything in place—there was no distraction from the all-important effort. I'd happily wear it to ride off-road, paired with a close fit jersey. That said, there is more play with a relaxed jersey.

Riding in late September’s mini heatwave (which reached highs of 24°C) the double layer design still kept me sufficiently cool and I had no sensations of unpleasant clamminess. Although a touch damp after riding, the fabric dries incredibly quickly.

Once removed, faint red marks are left on the skin of my underarms, which is explained by the slight clenching feeling around the side of my chest when riding. This tightness feels reassuring, and certainly is not to the extent that it’s painful, but a tweak in fit could avoid the chafing.

Off all of the sports bras I've worn in my cycling career (and that's quite a few), this has been my favourite, due to its breathability and treading a good line between compression and comfort.

Value

£44 is quite expensive for a sports bra, though it is inline with what Rapha charges for its Rapha x Outdoor Voices creation. The performance is admittedly better than cheaper options such as the Oakley Ellipse Racerback Sports Bra (£35 - look out for this review soon), with it being more breathable and having a nicer feeling under-bust. But whether that’s worth a 25 per cent hike in the price depends more on your sensitivity to such things and your budget—the performance improvements aren’t so great as to make it a no-brainer.

Sports bras are perhaps the most disappointing category for women who cycle. There are so many brands creating beautiful, lightweight jerseys and winter layers which wick sweat away - but none able to create a sports bra carrying the same properties, meaning the underlayer undermines the effectiveness of the outer in almost all conditions.

>>> Best sports bras for cycling

The disparity is understandable: creating a sports bra is quite a specialist job (which is why we have specialist brands like Shock Absorber) and creating kit for cyclists is a specialist job. As yet, I don't know of any brand that has successfully merged the two.

From a sports bra I'm looking for support, fast wicking, breathability, something that's easy to get on/off and doesn't chafe in the riding position. The Rapha and Outdoor Voices collaboration meets some of these needs, but not all.

>>> Best women's summer cycling jerseys

Rapha + Outdoor Voices Sports Bra: construction

I'm very much a 'Bravissimo customer'; I've got a disproportionally small rib cage which means despite not having particularly big boobs, I wear a 28E/30DD. I tested Rapha's creation in an X-Small to ensure a good, supportive fit at the band and found the fit about right.

This is a 'light support bra'. It's made from a soft, Nylon heavy fabric (72% Nylon, 17% Lycra, 11% Polyester) and looks a lot like the crop tops of pre-teen training bras. At the front, there's a lot of coverage on offer; I could wear it alone without feeling self-conscious over cleavage. The cut swoops in at the edges, this is designed to suit the on-bike position, avoiding the dreaded under-arm chafing.

There's removable padding, which can be useful for covering up those 'smuggling peanuts' moments (particularly prevalent when cresting mountain climbs), though the fabric was thick enough to do the job on its own so I removed these for testing.

The back panel splits into two, creating a nice aesthetic which gives female cyclists a hint of that athleisure fashion sports bra luxe (typically designed for AA-cup wearers sticking to yoga), whilst a strong elasticated band at the bottom keeps it all in place. Towards the neck, the fabric is perforated for additional breathability.

Rapha/Outdoor Voices have gone for an over-the-head option, with no fastenings. Whilst this does mean there's no wire hooks to bend out of shape (or randomly snap open), it also means there's no space for adjustment as the band stretches over time. There's also no adjustability at the straps.

Rapha + Outdoor Voices Sports Bra: the ride

In terms of quick-drying and breathability, I'd place the Rapha + Ourdoor Voices bra in with some of the best. After hot, sweaty rides in a recent heatwave, I wasn't overly aware of a damp layer against my skin.

The bra still doesn't dry as quickly as a lightweight jersey or the base layer you place under a winter jacket. This is a feat I've yet to see a brand achieve, and I can understand why - to be supportive, the fabric has to be compressive and therefore quite dense. I still hold out hope that one day a brand will crack it.

The support is very much 'light'. It works via compression (similar to most sports brand bras from the likes of Nike etc) as opposed to providing a structured cup (see Shock Absorber, Panache, Bravissimo - basically any brand that specialises in bras over leggings). Out on my road bike, I was perfectly happy and didn't have to put up with any bounce. However, I wouldn't choose this bra if I were going mountain biking, planning to do any plyometrics (eg box jumps) at the gym or running for cross-training.

The lack of adjustability at the straps got to me too - I found myself wishing I could shorten them for a better 'uplift', and I also noticed a small amount of chafing around the back of my neck where the straps lean towards a halterneck style as opposed to crossing straight over the shoulder. This worsened over time and washes - which is why this review initially carried an 8/10 score but was downgraded to a 7/10 after around six months of use.

Rapha + Outdoor Voices Sports Bra: value

Coming in at £40, it's more £10 more expensive than Rapha's existing 'light sports bra', but you are getting a better package with the more sturdy band and aesthetic details at the back.

Finding a supportive sports bra, that offers zero irritation is tricky. After saddles, it's probably one of the most personalised pieces of kit to get right, and there's certainly no guarantee that what works for one rider will work for another, so I was really please to find that the Odlo Blackcomb Seamless Sports Bra totally worked for me.

>>> Best sports bras for cycling

Sustainability

Made from a Polyester, Polyamide and Elastane mixed fabric, the first thing to note about the Odlo Blackcomb Seamless Sports Bra is where it comes from. The 70 year old Swiss brand puts a high priority on its sustainable and social responsibility. All of its products are made in Europe, with full traceability of its garments and workers conditions and is a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition. Big ticks in my book.

But better than that, the Blackcomb Seamless Sports Bra also comes with a Standard 100 by OEKOTEX certification, which means that it contains no carcinogenic ingredients, no formaldehyde, free of allergy-causing dyes, skin-friendly pH value. Even more ticks.

Exceptionally wearable

In practical terms, the Blackcomb Seamless Sports Bra is incredibly soft and wearable. Its seamless construction means that there's no possibility for the fabric to skin cause irritation, such as on the ribs, or straps, an area that can be prone to pressure point discomfort, especially when combined with the straps of bib shorts/ tights.

The medium support provided worked really well for me, although I do appreciate that with a B-cup at best, I am on the smaller side of bra requirements. For me, I found the Blackcomb Seamless Sports Bra delivered the perfect balance of compression without restriction ideal, and I loved the ease of being able to remove the bra post hard training session when I was pretty exhausted (something that's been know to require outside assistance when a sports bra provides significantly more support).

The only slight downside is that the Blackcomb Seamless Sports Bra is on the warm side, so for 80/90 percent of UK climate riding, this is of no issue, but when the weather does warm up, you may find yourself reaching for a slightly more open and breathable sports bra.