Looking for a great hiking bra for large breasts? Finding a good bra can be more difficult than snagging an open campsite in Yosemite on a summer weekend.
As a D-cup hiker and backpacker, I’ve tried dozens of bras over the years, looking for a bra that offers enough support while hiking but isn’t overly sweaty, sticky, or smelly. Unlike my smaller-chested friends, I can’t get by with a cute bralette or top with a built-in bra.
Good news: There are hiking bras for larger breasts! Here are a few of my favorite sports bras to carry my Cs, Ds, and higher through the trees for all my fellow busty backpackers.
(Looking for the best hiking bra for smaller breasts? The Patagonia Barely Sports Bra gets great reviews for A, B, and even smaller C cups.)
Should I wear a sports bra while hiking?
Hiking is a low-impact sport, so you don’t need as much compression as running and jumping workouts.
However, because of the fabric, sports bras are still better for hiking than an everyday t-shirt bra. Most sports bras sweat less, are more breathable, and are less likely to chafe than other bras because they are designed for athletic activities.
Of course, you don’t have to wear a bra at all while hiking unless you want to. Many female thru-hikers I’ve met choose to avoid “brablems” altogether by letting the girls hang free! But personally, I like the support and anti-chafing effect of a comfortable bra.
Questions to ask when comparing sports bras for hiking
Will the fabric wick sweat and keep me dry without chafing?
Blends of nylon, polyester and merino wool are best as they are breathable and dry quickly. Avoid cotton blends as they retain moisture the longest.
Additional embellishments like lace or zippers are cute, but can cause chafing on long days of hiking. Simple models made of one fabric are best.
Will it stink if I sweat?
Wool and wool blends smell the least after days of heavy sweating, while polyester and polyester blends tend to accumulate foul odors.
Lingering smells may not be a problem on day hikes, but it’s a good thing to keep in mind on multi-day backpacking trips.
Are the cups molded (encapsulated) to prevent uniboob?
For most larger-chested women, “shelf” sports bras without separate cups mean one thing: boob sweat. The best sports bras for larger breasts are “encapsulated,” meaning each breast is held in its own fabric cup.
Personally, I hate the feeling of my breasts rubbing together or rubbing against my lower chest when I walk, so I choose styles that lift and separate. This also reduces the risk of chafing.
Will the straps or hardware dig into my shoulders, especially if I’m wearing a backpack?
Even a bra that is comfortable all day in the city can cause problems when wearing a backpack because of the extra pressure on the bra straps from above.
If possible, try a bra with seamless, non-adjustable straps. However, if you’re like me and have a small or unusually proportioned figure, you may need to purchase an adjustable model for a good fit.
In this case, adjust the plastic or metal parts of your bra straps so that they rest on your chest or upper back rather than directly on your shoulders, where they are more likely to dig in. Test the bra on a few short trips before taking it on a long hike.
Can I hike or swim shirtless with this style without looking remotely naked?
Pro tip: A colorful or black bra works easily as a swimsuit top for alpine lakes and hot springs, while a fleshy bra looks more like underwear (even though they’re the exact same garment, of course).
A flesh-colored bra might also freak out your neighbors and roommates because from a distance it looks like you’re naked! If this opportunity fascinates or amuses you, you should definitely take advantage of it.
Will it stretch and sag after a long day of wearing?
Stretchy fabrics like spandex are comfortable and easy to put on and take off, but can stretch out and become less supportive over time. This is more common with cheaper bras than with established, high-quality brands like Patagonia.
Best hiking bras for large breasts
The question of hiking bras comes up almost every week in at least one women’s hiking or backpacking Facebook group that I’m a member of, such as Ladies of the JMT.
Every bra brand and bra style has its fans (pun intended), but Brooks and Title Nine are the two that always come up with big-chested women. My favorite are the Brooks. (Not sponsored.)
This bra is a favorite among busty backpackers, and for good reason: The wide straps don’t dig into your shoulders, even with the weight of a backpack, and the fabric is light and breathable.
This woman wore a now-discontinued but similar Brooks model throughout her hike on the Pacific Crest Trail and raved, “It’s still as comfortable as the first day I put it on.”
I wore this bra for three weeks right on my hike on the John Muir Trail and forgot I was even wearing it.
It dries quickly, which is ideal for jumping into alpine lakes every evening and still waking up with a dry bra the next morning. I was also able to adjust the hardware on the back straps low enough so that they wouldn’t chafe against my skin.
What’s your favorite hiking bra for busty backpackers? Questions about my selection? Let me know below!
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