Which Is Better for Jogging?: A Running Tank or High Impact Sports Bra

Male and female runners face different challenges in their sport. One issue that women contend with is finding the right breast support when they're running. There's a wide range of supportive tanks and different types of sports bras available, and choosing the right kind is important for running comfort, breast elasticity and avoiding neck, back and shoulder pain. Early models of sports bras eliminated bounce by simply smashing breasts down, but today there are specific bras and support tanks for every shape and size, depending on your unique needs.

  1. Running Tanks

    • Running tanks with a support panel may provide adequate support for smaller-breasted women. A good tank can free women with A- or B-cup breasts from a sports bra altogether. The benefits of running tanks are that they're less restrictive, cooler and often more fashionable than high-impact sports bras. Look for tops that have seamless cups, a wireless support system or cup inserts. When you try on a running tank, jog in place in the fitting room to check for support and comfort.

    Tank Considerations

    • If you decide to buy a running tank, make sure that the top offers actual support, and not just a band of elastic and thin layer of fabric stitched into the top. This type of shelf-bra tank is okay for low-impact activities such as yoga, but even small-breasted women require more support than these tops provide for jogging. Some women wear sports bras underneath shelf-bra tanks to make up for lacking support, but this just creates more chafe lines and sweat.

    Sports Bras

    • There are many different levels of support to be found in sports bras, from simple, spandex half-tops to fully encapsulated, heavy-duty support systems. Women with smaller breasts have more options because their chests don't require the support of their larger-breasted sisters. A- to B-cup wearers can often get away with lightweight, simple bras. Women with C-cups and larger will need a stronger support system, though. The best types for large breasts are encapsulated bras that offer support and control the movement of each breast individually. An encapsulated bra that also provides compression will give breasts extra support without creating an unflattering, smashed "uniboob" look.

    Sports Bra Tips

    • Avoid old-school compression-only sports bras. Not only are these uncomfortable and awkward to put on and take off, but the compression-only support system can cause excessive chafing when runners get sweaty. Only wear as much support as you need. A high-impact sports bra will create unnecessary discomfort for a woman with a small chest. Also, look for bras that have hook-and-eye closure systems and adjustable straps to create a custom fit.