2023 UPDATE* At Alden Customs we think radical transparency is important. Which is why we opted to update this blog post 3 years after our initial posting. With the latest bras on the market and the newest technological advancements, but also to give you full transparency.
How many times have you Googled "Best ________" while shopping for something, and only been bogged down by targeted promoted blog posts? Leaving the site with less purchase clarity than when you began reading the post. Or worse- purchased an item from one of these blogs that TOTALLY let you down when it was not up to the standards the blog owner promised it would be- all because they're getting a kickback? Well, at Alden Customs, we pride ourselves on being a leading source for equestrians, which is why we purchased each and every single one of these bras ourselves and tested them amongst a wide array equestrian athletes in all sizes, and in various seats and disciplines. So when we do get a kickback, we feel like we did an honest review. We did the work so you don't have to.
All our bras ranked below ranked pretty high, why? Well first, we weeded out the ones with bad reviews for you, and secondly we didn't waste putting anything on here that wasn't worth your precious time reading about. So, without further ado- some stood the test of time, and others got knocked out, but all come with our stamp of approval and our readers and their wallets in mind. If you tried one of these bras for your ride, leave a comment below and tell us how it stood up to your sitting trot!
Ever find yourself distracted by "The Girls" during your ride? We've all been there. From the small chested to the well endowed there's bound to be some bounce at a park trot. Yet the bounce and distraction are small issues in the face of discomfort. These bras will make the difference from a "discom-boob-ulated" ride, to a cool, calm and collected one! To shop these bra's click the photo! With Amazon Prime 2 day shipping and easy returns it couldn't be easier to get the support you deserve for a flawless ride!
1. Wacoal Women's Underwire Sport Bra
This bra is an exceptional choice for women gifted with a larger chest! It was designed with maximum support for high impact activities in mind.
Featuring two-ply fabric cups and floating underwire frame keeping breast motion to a minimum, the fabric also mitigates chafing. The wide supportive straps are a huge bonus. We all know the pain of straps digging into our shoulders, but their thick straps relieve weight and help support bounce!
The smooth finish of the bra allows it to sit smoothly under any garment, wether a practice ride of on competition day! The results are outstanding with a true athlete in mind, even down to the mesh back to keep skin cool. With a variety of colors and sizes to chose from, this bra will definitely make for a smoother ride!
Pro: This bra is an exceptional choice for larger chested riders.
Con: Cleaning instruction include hand washing, which we're not wild about! We've got enough barn chores to do.
Our Score: 7/10
2. ZeroBound Women's High Impact Sports Bra
This bra is THE most bang for you buck, and the MAJOR bonus of not having to feel like grandma with a little touch of feminine style.
This medium to high impact sports bra in sizes 32B-42C comes with only a $33 price tag, WITH the option to try before you buy. We were big fans of the wide adjustable straps that didn't dig into your shoulders, and the fashionable patterns and modern criss-cross straps. This bra should be in all equestrian athletes underwear drawer. You simply can't beat the price, all while remaining comfortable to perform the task at hand... controlling a 1,200 lb animal!
We're not wild about the 70% polyester fabric content, which made for a bit of a sweaty ride- but if we're being frank for a price tag this affordable, you're going to get a lower priced synthetic fiber no matter what kind of garment you're shopping for, so it's really about trade off.
What about the impact control? It was pretty darn good. It was a little bit lower cut than some of the others so riders who jump, or ride high stepping park horses- this might not be enough above bust coverage for bounce- but we did also test it paired WITH the Yowband for our riders with the largest bust sizes and it was still one of our favorites with all it's other benefits in mind.
Pro: Exceptional price! Great support! Stylish patterns!
Con: The synthetic fabric content makes for a sweaty exercise, but it's a great trade off for the pros this bra packs to have in your arsenal of over the shoulder boulder holders!
Our Score: 8/10
3. NIKE Women's FE/NOM Flyknit Sports Bra
There should be no surprise that Nike made this list! This is one of the most technologically advanced sports bras on the market with over 600 hours of biometric testing done with female athletes in mind on this one bra alone!
This bra features Nike's famous "Flyknit" fabric, the same woven fabric as featured in their most popular sneakers. This fabric wicks away moisture, allows for impressive breathability, and unparalleled support. The weave allows this bra to have very few seams sitting under clothing, as to not create distracting lines. Available in a few fun colors, and a wide range of sizes any rider would be comfortable with this bra in their wardrobe!
Pro: It's one of the best on the market, but very chesty equestrian athletes may need additional support.
Cons: Not available in nude, or light colors to wear under white.
Our Score: 9/10
*We SO badly want to give this a 10/10 for it's excellence but for Academy riders who may compete in light colored ratcatcher shirts, you may be able to see the bra through the light shirting fabric. We also realize the larger busted riders need most customization, but our testers found added comfort with the addition of the Yowband. Exceptional choice for every day riding, or riders who compete in full jacket or vest.
4. Anita Women's Momentum Sport Bra
The Anita Momentum Sports Bra is made for ALL women of ALL bust sizes! Anita is known for their comprehensive testing prior to hitting the market to guarantee excellent fit and optimum support for all sporting activities, no matter the size of your bust. Their bras feature a temperature regulating fabric to keep your dry, and their non slip wide strap is simply the cherry on top.
Their website says, "Our high-performance sports bras support, shape and encompass the breast so well that it remains stable even when doing strenuous exercises such as horse riding which is particularly important for women with larger busts". They get it, they've got us horse girls.
Pro: It comes in fun colors as well as the traditional nude!
Cons: Tends to run a bit small, keep this in mind when ordering size.
Our Score: 9/10
5. Cheata Women's Equestrian Compression Trotter Bra
This is a wonderful example of a bra created specifically for the equestrian athlete! Ever had to layer two or even three sports bras for the support you need while riding? Well this bra was inspired by exactly that dilemma! Perfect for riders who do a lot of sitting at the trot (hello dressage and western riders, we see you!)
This tank top style bra eliminates the issues of "back fat", with it's racer back straps. This is truly the Spanx meets equestrian bra lovechild, and is as sleek as their name implies. Looking clean under practice or competition show clothes. It ALSO helps support correct form in the saddle with shoulder correction.
Available in an array of fun and neutral colors, and accommodating bust sizes 29"-44" this is an exceptional choice for many equestrian athletes.
Pros: Exceptional design to be smooth under show clothes, and added equitation benefits!
Cons: Does create a bit of a "uni-boob" silhouette, it also may not be ideal for short torso riders. It doesn't offer much under bust support. We also had some testers report difficulty getting it on. Some found it easier to pull it up like a skirt vs. over the head.
Our Score: 6/10
6. Panache Women's Underwire Sports Bra
The Panache brand is another company leading the way in bra technology developing and testing their products using the latest 3-D motion and biomechanical technology. Their bra technology encapsulates "the breasts rather than simply strapping them down, Panache Sport comfortably reduces ‘bounce’ by an amazing 83%".
If those statistics don't impress you, their wide variety of size availability may! Panache is able to accommodate even the largest of chests! Their sleek design doesn't create any Madonna esque cone boobs, or cartoon "uni-boob", and their attention to detail with clean stitching avoids any irritation or chafing.
We're also a big fan of all their color choices, adjustable back straps which are able to be straight or racer back, and the ventilating mesh for those hot summer show days!
Pros: Large size availability, cutting edge breast technology!
Cons: Hand wash, booo! Creates a bit of back fat even on the slimmest of forms!
Our Score: 8/10
7. YOWBAND No-Bounce High-Impact Adjustable Breast Support Band-Extra Sports Bra Alternative
Up next, well this one isn't exactly a bra but it's an inexpensive alternative to have in your wardrobe for any chesty rider!
If you already own a bra or sports bra you're pretty happy with but still tend to have a bit of overflow issues or bounce at the road trot, the addition of the YOWBAND is an excellent solution.
While this garment was originally designed to provide support to post-op breast augmentations, it has been medically studied for the support and stability it provides which is also hugely beneficial for high impact sports!
Pros: Inexpensive addition to anyones wardrobe and quick solution for bounce!
Cons: Well it's not a real bra... and you can't wear it by its self. It also doesn't offer a wide variety for size, but can fit up to dress size 14.
Our Score: 7/10
8. SHEFIT Ultimate Sports Bra for Women, High Impact Sports Bra
We really love this bra, because honestly there's really just so much to love about it.
Accommodating even the largest busts, this bra has thought of every benefit. From its adjustable and wide shoulder straps, to an adjustable under bust band, to a font zipper, and eve zipper covered to limit uncomfortable chafing or pinching, we are BIG fans.
Available in XS to 6XL and in an array of modern and neutral colors! Judging from the rave reviews on Amazon, real users feel the same way!
One pro tip, if you're having trouble zipping this up try lying down on your bed or on your back flat to get it sipped up.
Pros: Extremely comfortable, extremely customizable, and long lasting! Machine washable, wahoo!
Cons: Con for some people, it is made in China and might not have the most flattering silhouette for riders competing without a jacket, but the trade offs are worth the cons, for sure. *Yeah, it's pricey. But yeah, it's worth it.
Our Score: 10/10
9. Yvette Front Closure Sports Bras for Women High Impact Racerback Workout Bra for Running
Designed for high impact sports this bra has it all! This bra is convenient to put on and take off with the front zip closure. Ideal for the Amateur Masters who love the front zips!
Available in sizes for all busts, any rider will be comfortable with the fit, support, and cut of this under garment.
The wide non slip straps, breathable fabric, friction reduction seams, and the racer back cut are just bonuses to this bra's impact control! It also features "Cool-Max Technology" which is just a fancy way of saying the fabric is durable enough to withstand UV exposure, sweat, sunscreen and lotions which would degrade and shorten the lifespan of other bra materials.
Pros: For the price, size availability, and technology this is one of the best high impact sports bras on the market.
Cons: Unfortunately this bra does not come in neutral shades, once again being difficult for riders competing without jackets. For this reason we deducted one point from our score. However, this is an exceptional bra for daily riding or riders who compete in full jackets or vests where the bra won't show through shirting materials.
Our Score: 9/10
10. Freya Women's Active Underwire Molded Sports Bra
Here she is ladies, our top pick The Freya Women's Active Underwire Molded Sports Bra! This bra is different from most of the compression style sport bras on the market as it features Freya's best-selling "spacer mold", which is an ultra-breathable cup that encapsulates the breast for balanced support instead of crushing them! Yay!
The wide strap is padded adding additional comfort for your "over the shoulder boulder holder", and is adjustable to be straight or clipped for racer back style support. Available in band sizes 28-40 and cup sizes B-H this bra is an exceptional option for any size bust, but has rave reviews from women with cup sizes D all the way up to H! These reviewers especially liked the separation, not overwhelming compression, no pain from movement support and no "uni-boob"! Not to mention the fact that it was so easy to get on and off.
Available in fun and neutral shades this bra is one you should have in your wardrobe if you are an equestrian!
Pros: Pretty much everything, and the price is very reasonable for what you're getting!
Cons: Hand wash, boo!
Our Score: 9/10
Did you know when being measured for a custom or off rack jacket, you should always wear the bra you'll be wearing in competition? This helps ensure the most accurate fit!
As always, contact us with any questions! Tata for now.
-Bethea Alden Phelan
Owner at Alden Customs
Comments