Sports Bras for D+ Cups

Women with large breasts (DD cups and above) need a heavy-duty sports bra that separates, supports and compresses the breasts to prevent bouncing and pain. For these women, experts recommend an encapsulation bra that houses each breast in a separate cup and compresses the breasts against the body. These bras typically have wide straps and high necklines to evenly distribute the weight of the breasts, and front or back closures that make it easier for large-breasted women to get the bra on and off.

The Enell Sports Bra (*Est. $65) is recommended more than any other bra for women with large breasts. The bra uses both encapsulation and compression to prevent breast movement; wide straps and a high neckline help evenly distribute the weight of large breasts. Unlike many encapsulation bras, the Enell Sports Bra does not include underwires. It has a front hook-and-eye closure, and the nylon and spandex material includes a moisture-wicking treatment to keep sweat away from the body. The Enell Sports Bra comes in six colors, including white, beige, black, baby turquoise, pink and ecru. Standard sizes start at 32C and end at 50DDD, but custom sizes are also available for $15 plus the cost of the bra.

A number of experts recommend the Enell Sports Bra, including reviewers at About.com, Self magazine, Running Times and Salon.com. O, The Oprah Magazine, also features the Enell Sports Bra as a "perennial favorite among well-endowed women." All of these reviewers rave about the bra's support for large-breasted women. "The Enell sports bra has allowed me to become active again without shame, pain or Ace bandages. It's not only a miracle in terms of bounce control; it's also the most durable bra I've ever owned," says one writer at Salon.com.

The Enell Sports Bra also enjoys glowing reviews from large-breasted and plus-size women at user-review sites. In nearly 75 reviews at Amazon.com, owners give the bra an overall rating of 4.5 out of five stars, praising it for both high- and low-impact activities. It also earns above-average ratings in more than 100 reviews compiled by Buzzillions.com. Even those with cup sizes of DDD and E (and larger) say the Enell Sports Bra reduces bouncing and provides maximum support for their breasts. "I'm a 38DDD and this is the best sports bra I have ever owned," raves one woman at Amazon.com. Even during high-impact exercise like running, users -- including a runner with G-cup breasts -- say it supports breasts while staying in place and not shifting. Durability is another plus, as a number of women report that their Enell Sports Bra looks and feels as good as new even after years of use (although experts recommend you should replace your sports bra after six to 12 months).

While most reviewers say the Enell Sports Bra does a good job of wicking moisture away from the skin, some owners at Amazon.com complain it's not that breathable, especially in hot weather. Others wish for adjustable straps and some say the front clasps (there are 10 of them) can be time-consuming to do up. However, the biggest complaint noted in reviews is the bra's style. With shiny material and full coverage, most owners say the Enell Sports Bra is just plain ugly, but they're willing to forgo some style points for the bra's excellent support. In addition, in a test of the Enell Sports Bra at Running Times magazine, C-cup runners thought the bra was overkill, so it's best suited for women with D cups or larger.

According to reviews, the Enell Sports Bra is by far the best choice for large-breasted women or as a plus-size sports bra. Although they earn far fewer recommendations, there are several other sports bras designed for women with DD-cup or larger breasts.

Moving Comfort makes the Grace Bra (*Est. $30) in a DD version that is designed for medium-impact exercise. This zip-front bra comes in racerback style, where the back straps curve inward, in sizes from 32DD to 38DD. Nearly 50 users review the Grace bra at SierraTradingPost.com, where it earns an overall rating of four stars out of five. These women say the Moving Comfort Grace bra provides "decent" support, but some DD-sized reviewers say their breasts still bounce and move around during exercise. Users also complain that the zipper refuses to stay completely zipped. 

Another option for the well endowed is the Shock Absorber Level 4 Max (*Est. $55), which is designed for women with cup sizes ranging from D to H. It's specifically designed for high-impact activities, with internal molded cups and wide straps. The microfiber Shock Absorber Level 4 Max bra features adjustable straps and a rear hook-and-eye closure.

Christine Luff, the About.com guide to running, picks the Shock Absorber bra as one of the best sport bras for well-endowed runners, saying it provides "supreme support" for large breasts. Lisa Sorrento at RunThePlanet.com also has a positive impression after a personal test of the bra. "This style provides wonderful shaping without giving up a thing in support," she says, although she notes that the bra tends to run small. Users reviews at LessBounce.com, a bra retailer, are also positive. In over 30 reviews, the Shock Absorber Level 4 Bra gets 4.5 stars out of five. However, some women report tightness and chafing under their arms. Shock Absorber is a British company, so their bras can be harder to find in the United States, but they are currently available at BareNecessities.com and FigLeaves.com.