Finding a nursing sports bra for running can be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. These are the six best nursing sports bras for runners on the market. My favorite is the Jen & Keri Annie nursing and pumping sports bra because it is buttery soft, pretty, and provides easy access for your baby. Read about all the different styles and nursing sports bra options for runners with babies below, including the pros and cons of each.
When you become a mother (runner), everything changes including (if you are nursing), your chest. And you suddenly become involved in two endurance activities—running and breastfeeding. Having the proper equipment (the best nursing sports bra) becomes paramount for you and your baby’s comfort.
After all, why make life harder as a breastfeeding mother runner than it has to be?
Time is often of the essence and comfort is queen. You need ease of access to nurse and squeeze your run in between nursing sessions. You also need ease of access to nurse when your baby is breaking down because they want to nurse ASAP.
I also have the DIY method—how to make your own nursing sports bra.
Related: 8 Genius Breastfeeding Tips for Runners
Table of contents
- 1. Best overall: Jen & Keri Annie Clip-Free Pumping & Nursing Sports Bra ($68)
- 2. Best for all-day wear: Caden Shae Nursing Sports Bra ($60)
- 3. Best for high impact: Lululemon Enlite ($108)
- 4. Best for larger sizes: Cake Maternity Zest ($80)
- 5. Most adjustable: Brooks Dare Racerback Run Bra ($75)
- 6. Best for full coverage: Sweat and Milk Venice High Impact Nursing Sports Bra ($59)
- Honorable mention nursing sports bras
- What else you need to know
- Best nursing sports bras, recapped
It’s been 4 years since I was a breastfeeding mother runner, so I asked other mother runners their opinions and have rounded up the most popular nursing sports bra for runners on the market today.
1. Best overall: Jen & Keri Annie Clip-Free Pumping & Nursing Sports Bra ($68)
I have fallen in love with the Jen & Keri Annie nursing and pumping sports bra. And I’m not even nursing!
It’s the softest running apparel I own. It’s comfortable. I love the high neckline cut. And, what makes it genius is its new Pull-up, Pull-down technology that makes indiscreet nursing so easy.
This design combined with the soft fabric makes it so simple to nurse. I can tell because I have tried putting the sports bra on when wet and it glides on and off.
(Any woman knows that putting a sports bra on when your skin is wet is harder than, I don’t know, giving birth itself. Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but it’s difficult, nonetheless!)
Since we are past the baby phase, I actually like the double layer to stick my phone in if I’m walking around with the kids outside. (It won’t hold for running since there is no bottom, but it does keep in place for just walking around).
The pros of the Jen & Keri Annie Nursing Sports Bra:
- Buttery soft, moisture-wicking, breathable, and recycled fabric that glides on and off
- Beautiful cut with an attractive high neckline and racerback
- Smart Pull-up, Pull-down technology that makes nursing incognito simple. (Just pull-up out layer and pull-down inner layer).
- No zippers, snaps, clips, Velcro, or seams.
- High compression with inner mesh panel for breathability and support.
- Compatible with most pumps for hands-free pumping
The cons of the Jen & Keri Annie Nursing Sports Bra:
- The fabric is so soft and there is no underwire, so if you have a larger chest, it may not provide enough support for running.
Buy the Jen & Keri Annie Nursing Sports Bra »
2. Best for all-day wear: Caden Shae Nursing Sports Bra ($60)
Who better to ask about nursing sports bras for runners than a pro runner? Neely Gracey, who had her second baby earlier this year, loved the Caden Shae Smoothie Crop Bra.
However, the product is no longer available, though we think the brand’s Nursing Sports Bra makes a decent alternative.
Gracey says she loves it because “It has a typical sports bra back while lots of breastfeeding sports bras have clasps in the back which I find a bit annoying. It is sturdy, supportive, and has a cute design.”
The pros of the Caden Shae Nursing Bra:
- Seamless silky soft fabric
- Easy to put on
- True to size
- Can wear in the water or to sleep
- Attractive
- Can be worn with regular clothes
The cons of the Caden Shae Nursing Bra:
- Not as supportive for larger bra sizes
- Not the best sports bra for high impact exercise
Buy the Caden Shae Nursing Bra »
3. Best for high impact: Lululemon Enlite ($108)
Though this bra wasn’t designed for nursing mamas but with its zipper front, it’s perfect for the task.
The Lululemon Enlite sports bra offers a lot of support up to a cup size E and a zip front for easy on/off. Each breast is supported individually, making it ideal for high-impact exercise such as running. Despite being so supportive and durable, the fabric is still soft and breathable.
As one mother runner said, “It’s silky and plush and feels good against the skin. The shaping and fabric in the bust area is somewhat thick, plus the coverage is relatively high, but overall it still breathes well.”
In my experience, Lululemon products are ultra-comfortable and last forever, no matter how many times you wear, sweat, stretch, and wash them.
The Pros of the Lululemon Enlite Sports Bra for nursing:
- Seamless, silky soft fabric that is durable (lasts forever)
- Easy to put on
- Goes up to a size E
- Attractive
- Can be worn with regular clothes
The Cons of the Lululemon Enlite Sports Bra:
- Straps are long and not adjustable
- Pricey
Buy the Lululemon Enlite Bra »
4. Best for larger sizes: Cake Maternity Zest ($80)
The Cake Maternity Zest sports bra is one of the most supportive nursing sports bras on the market. It has a flexible underwire and hook closures in the back to provide maximum support. And it goes up to cup size K.
The supportive cups are structured to support each breast individually to keep them in place and offer a snap clip for easy access for your babe. The sports bra offers spacer fabric in between two layers to allow moisture to evaporate and provides a cooling effect.
One mother runner says, “This bra is incredibly comfortable in addition to being very, very pretty! I am a 12DD so it’s hard to get good lift and separation, but this bra provides both. It’s not quite as supportive as others, however.”
The Pros of the Cake Maternity Zest Sports Bra:
- Supportive for bigger busts
- Breathable and cool
- Can be worn with regular clothes
- Super soft fabric
- Easy access for breastfeeding with flaps
- Durable fabric ready to withstand frequent washing
The Cons of the Cake Maternity Zest Sports Bra:
- Straps are not adjustable
- Underwire isn’t the most comfortable some mother runners say
- Some report that the cup sizes aren’t big enough for larger breasts
- Hooks in the back can be annoying to put on
- Best for moderate-intensity activity, not high impact
Buy the Cake Maternity Zest sports bra »
5. Most adjustable: Brooks Dare Racerback Run Bra ($75)
Breastfeeding mother runners were huge fans of Brooks’ Juno sports bra with its adjustable straps and molded cups. However, Brooks took this model, along with the ever-popular Fiona model, off the market and replaced them with their Dare collection.
The Dare collection is a result of lab-tested research and collaboration with the company Moving Comfort.
And mother runners approve!
The Dare Racerback Run Bra is not a nursing sports bra. But because of its adjustable Velcro straps and clasps in the back, it can grow or shrink with breastfeeding mamas’ chest sizes—making it a fan favorite.
One mother runner says it is “Durable and supportive with velcro that makes it easy to put on and whip them out.” Another mother runner says she loves the lightweight moisture-wicking fabric.
The Pros of the Brooks Dare Racerback Run Bra:
- Soft, seamless, breathable fabric
- Easy to put on
- Adjustable straps
- Durable design
- Molded cups
The Cons of the Brooks Dare Racerback Run Bra:
- No flaps for breastfeeding
- Molded cups
- Clasps can make it difficult to put on
Buy the Brooks Dare Racerback Sports Bra »
6. Best for full coverage: Sweat and Milk Venice High Impact Nursing Sports Bra ($59)
Sweat and Milk specializes in creating sports bras for nursing and pumping mothers (hence the name!).
I added this nursing sports bra after several mother runners reached out to let me know it is top-notch. They wear it even when not exercising, love that it has a supportive wide band and comes in a wide spectrum of sizes and patterns.
Pros of the Sweat and Milk Venice High Impact Nursing Sports Bra:
- Crafted for high impact activities such as running and crossfit
- Full coverage for A-G cups
- Easy one-handed nursing
- Adjustable shoulder straps fits you and your body’s hourly changes, and wide shoulder straps to avoid blisters and provides more comfort
- Stretchy, breathable, wrap your body in buttery soft and supportive fabrics
- Wide chest band for more support
- Wireless design may assist in decreasing mastitis
- XS-XL 5 sizes
Cons of the Sweat and Milk Venice High Impact Nursing Sports Bra:
- It buckles in the back because it runs one size bigger than most other sports bras. Measure yourself!
- Removable foam inserts can get lost in the laundry
Buy the Sweat and Milk Venice High Impact Nursing Sports Bra »
Honorable mention nursing sports bras
Senita Go With the Flow Nursing Sports Bra
The Senita Go With the Flow Nursing Sports Bra, coming in at $424 is a less expensive option for breastfeeding running moms. It boasts flaps, an array of colors, and goes up to a size XXL.
Ingrid & Isabel Maternity and Postpartum Sports Bra
The Ingrid & Isabel Maternity and Postpartum Sports bra ($46) also offers an inexpensive nursing sports bra with support good for medium to low-impact activity. Mother runners find its seamless design comfortable and the fabric stretches with growing breast size. Even so, there are no flaps with its design.
Nike Nursing Bras
Nike now offers a maternity and postpartum line ($80) making pumping and nursing easier with its medium-impact models. That said, mother runners had mixed reviews on the comfort and accessibility of the designs.
The best way to know what works best for you is to try them. All our bodies are different and so it’s key to try a bra, run in place, jump up and down, and return if necessary.
What else you need to know
How to better avoid mastitis
It is important to change out of your sweaty sports bra as soon as possible to avoid mastitis. Don’t come back from a run, nurse your baby, and forget to change!
Why invest in a nursing sports bra?
Nursing sports bras for runners are worth the investment because:
- You don’t have to endure the hassle of removing your sports bra to nurse your baby
- You can feed your baby quicker with easy access flaps and comfortable cups
- Nursing sports bras are more comfortable than underwire bras so you can wear them all the time (not just when running)
- BONUS: Many of these high impact sports bras are cute to wear under tank tops
How do you know if a nursing sports bra fits well?
If you want to find out if a nursing sports bra is going to fit well when running do jumping jacks and run in place when you try it on. If it does not slide, rub, or allow bouncing, then it’s a good candidate. Ensure your purchase has a good return policy (as all these do).
In sum, when trying on a nursing sports bra, you want to ensure 4 things:
1. It is easy to put on and take off.
2. It is easy to whip those puppies out.
3. You don’t bounce and the bra doesn’t slip or rub when running in place and jumping (in a try-on test).
4. It has a good return policy!
Related: How to Start Running Postpartum
How to make a nursing sports bra
When all else fails, you can convert a regular bra into a nursing bra. I had a couple of nursing sports bras but found that simply pulling the bottom of my sports bra up was sufficient for easy access. In my experience, sports bras make wonderful nursing bras for nursing those hungry babies stat.
Best nursing sports bras, recapped
Figuring out the right sports bra for your body takes time, patience, and unfortunately, money. Hopefully this list of recommendations from fellow active mothers will put you on the right path towards finding the best nursing sports bra for you and your baby.
Are you ready to start running postpartum? Let’s work together to get you back on the pavement (or the trail).
If you want a custom plan to fit your race goals with your busy schedule, check out my run coaching services. Also, be sure to check out my free training plans: