Looking for the best bra for all-day wear? For this update, we researched over 50 of the top options on the market before purchasing the 11 to test side-by-side. We've worn them everywhere, from working around the house, to skiing, running, sleeping, and doing chores, testing each side-by-side in our process. While doing it all, we note important considerations like fit and comfort. We also comparatively assess materials, band construction, cup shape, scratchiness, support, and more, all in the spirit of finding the best options on the market for your needs and wallet.
We've also tested the best sports bras and other women's wear like best yoga pants and the top-rated women's running shorts to help outfit your exercise routine in comfort. If you're just lounging, check out our favorite women's sweatpants, the top-ranked women's slippers, and our favorite women's socks.The 6 Best Bras
We purchased products from Hanes, Calvin Klein, Bali, and more to find the best bra
Credit: Amber King
Our Top Picks
By Amber King ⋅ Review Editor
Thursday May 18, 2023
REASONS TO BUY
Cozy and comfortable for all-day wear
Excellent shape
Cute look and great color choices
True to size
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
The Bali Comfort Revolution Wirefree is the bra we found ourselves reaching for each day. The thicker, ergonomic straps are slip-free, providing comfort all day long, even during exercise. Constructed from synthetic materials and without a wire, it wicks and breathes well, especially in warm weather. We wore it for weeks on end — even while sleeping and running. We can't help but boast its wonderful color options and comfortable nature. It has a nicely shaped cup that doesn't have any nipple show and can easily be worn under tight shirts for a seamless look. It features medium support with true-to-fit sizing.
At retail price, it's a little on the expensive side. After running and skiing with it on for five hours, we noticed one small point of rub on the back of the strap, right where the length adjustments reside. This contender is built for comfort and proves to be a favorite for its wireless design that is supportive, shapely, and best for all-day comfort.
The Bali Comfort Revolution stands out for its seriously soft materials, wireless construction, and relatively supportive fit that hardly feels like you're wearing anything - even at the end of the day.
Credit: Amber King
REASONS TO BUY
Excellent price
Cute lacy features that don't itch
Wireless construction
Very soft and comfortable
REASONS TO AVOID
Rolling cup after heavy use
Some stretch over time
Not super supportive
The Hanes Oh So Light Comfort Flex Fit Wirefree is a t-shirt model that balances everyday functionality with a cute touch. This wireless contender is composed of synthetic and soft materials that provide enough support for casual, all-day wear, and light activity. We love the lacy frontal window between the breasts that gives this functional everyday wear option a sexy, cute look. The cups have minimal padding for a seamless look under a shirt, with no nipple show-through in our testing. While it's not the most supportive, it's best for those who are seeking minimal impact, light padding, and wear-all-day comfort. The price is also quite attractive.
Our only qualms with this product are the noted issues with quality and longevity. While stitching is seamless, it stretched out and compacted in our testing period pretty quickly. Also, the top of the cuff, with stretching, has started to roll, which many of our testers were disappointed by. This is the best high-value option that we've tested, and we recommend it if you don't mind a little compaction after a few months of wear.
The Hanes Oh So Light Comfort Flex Fit Wirefree is a cute, less supportive t-shirt bra with a lacy show-through section. We appreciate the comfortable construction, but it's not very supportive. It is very affordable.
Credit: Amber King
REASONS TO BUY
Excellent support
Three for one deal
Excellent wicking and breathability
No chafing while sweating
REASONS TO AVOID
The band feels tight at first
Loses support when padding is removed
If you seek a great deal on a sports bra, the MIRITY Racerback High Impact is an excellent three-pack deal. It offers full coverage and support for jumping, running, hiking, skiing, and pretty much any outdoor activity. The nylon and spandex blend work together to provide breathability and wicking strength, and help release sweat easily. The materials are soft and seamless, with no chafing in key areas with our team of testers. The cups are removable, allowing you to customize the amount of support offered. Also, three for one? You can't go wrong with that kind of deal.
While we can appreciate the excellent value, it might feel a touch tight around the band if you have a wider torso. Unfortunately, it has no adjustment for this issue, but the band stretches with wear, bouncing back into shape after a wash. The other issue is the removable cups, which, like any removable cup, gets folded up and misshapen with a wash. We ended up removing the cups, which also made this product a little less support and some nipple show. If you're seeking an excellent deal, this high impact option is best for sports and activities with adjustable support.
A sporty option that comes in a glimmering three-pack, designed to meet your support needs while exercising, and your budget.
Credit: Amber King
REASONS TO BUY
Seamless straps and band
Round shape and support
Cute, casual design and style options
REASONS TO AVOID
Thinner straps can fall down
Adjustments are at the back
The Calvin Klein Perfectly Fit Memory Touch T-Shirt Bra is a beautifully crafted, underwire-free option that boasts superiorly soft materials, a stretchy band, and excellent comfort. It offers excellent support under the breast for shapely perfection that looks nice under any tank top or t-shirt. It is one of the only options that utilizes a completely seamless band. The cups almost completely cover the breast, providing a nice shape, with memory foam cups that feel supportive and comfortable.
Albeit comfortable, the straps are thin and tend to fall off the shoulders. During our testing window, we did not encounter any problems with it stretching out, but we suspect that the ultra-thin band may lose elasticity over time. It is the top choice for ladies shopping for a traditional design with great shape, comfort, and super soft memory foam on both the cups and clasp.
Sports an excellent shape, and is one of our favorite t-shirt bras.
Credit: Amber King
REASONS TO BUY
Excellent support between breasts
Large backed band with seamless construction
Thick, front-facing adjustment straps
Helps to avoid pooching or constriction points
REASONS TO AVOID
Pointy shape
Cost
If a wireless option with excellent coverage, support, and quality is what you value, the Vanity Fair Beauty Back Full Coverage Wirefree is one that stands out. It features cups that completely cover the breasts and a full-backed strap that distributes bounce and movement well. We appreciate the front-facing strap adjustments that make length changes easy. The cups are placed at an appropriate distance with extra material between the cups for enhanced support. The cups are also ample, which for our testing team, meant the breast was nestled inside, without pour-over from the sides or top. The wider back strap also helps to prevent pooching or constriction against the skin for a smooth look under any t-shirt.
Our main gripe is with the pointy cup construction. Under a shirt, the cup shape was not as rounded as a traditional bra, which was a dealbreaker for some of our testers. During super sweaty endeavors, we also noticed minor discomfort at the clasp due to the seam. Yet, this wasn't an issue for all-day casual wear. This high-quality full-coverage wireless model is a great choice for individuals who desire a wireless bra offering a high level of support and coverage.
While a little 'pointy' in construction, this is still the most supportive bra tested. The Vanity Fair Beauty Back Full Coverage Wirefree isn't just high quality, but it'll help prevent bounce while offering a nice shapely look under any t-shirt.
Credit: Amber King
REASONS TO BUY
Full coverage with plunge-style neckline
Seamless construction
Very breathable with excellent wicking
Very little padding
REASONS TO AVOID
Chafing points on the strap after exercise
Some pilling and fraying after
Poor support between breasts
If you prefer next to no padding with just a little fabric for full-coverage support, check out the Hanes Comfort Evolution. It has no additional cup support and sports a thin layer of polyester and spandex that makes it feel like it's hardly there. The three-clasp adjustments make the torso diameter adjustable while the material is stretchy, to move easily with the body. If you prefer no padding with low-impact support, this is the best one we've come across so far.
Despite the full coverage design, this model features a plunging neckline, meaning there's less support between the breasts. With no additional padding, nipples can be seen through the material, and the shape of the breast under the shirt is your own. Some of our testers reported a chafing point on one of the straps where a seam bulges out, making it uncomfortable for long-term wear while exercising and sweating. We feel this option is best for those who want full coverage with minimal support that touts a breathable construction.
The Hanes Comfort Evolution has barebones construction with no padding and minimal lift or support. This is the one to buy if you like to wear a bra that hardly feels there.
Credit: Amber King
REASONS TO BUY
High level of support with removable cups
Cute criss-cross style
Mostly seamless construction
Very breathable
REASONS TO AVOID
The elastic closure is non-adjustable
Thicker materials can hold moisture
If you seek a supportive option for sports or running, the RUNNING GIRL Criss-Cross is a super cute go-to. It comes in a variety of colors with a criss-cross back that looks great with any tank top, open-backed shirt, or workout outfit. It features a two-layered design with a wicking interior mesh, and outer nylon construct that stretches, moves, and bounces back with the body. The best feature is its high level of support (when the cups are in) for the smallest and largest of breasts. It's incredibly versatile, performing well while skiing, hiking, running, hitting the gym, and doing pilates. You can also wear it casually around town and under any shirt for nice, shapely support.
The support comes in the form of a tighter elasticized construction that might feel a little too tight for some women with a larger torso and smaller breasts. The cups are removable, which helps with this fit qualm, but the support is lost by removing them. Since the cups are removable, they easily move and can be misshapen or fall out after a wash. We also notice that the materials can hold moisture, especially when sweating underneath many layers. With these specific fit issues aside, it's still the option we go for hitting the gym or heading out on the trail for a run because of the outstanding level of support and stylish criss-cross back pattern.
If you're seeking excellent support, the RUNNING GIRL Criss-Cross is a really cute and very supportive option. It's built for running but can be worn for the gym or casual wear around town.
Credit: Amber King
REASONS TO BUY
Very soft padded cups
Seamless and thicker straps
Fantastic elasticity for a versatile fit
REASONS TO AVOID
Rolling top on the cup
Poor shape
If all-day wireless comfort is what you seek, the Warner's Easy Does It No Bulge Wirefree will surely not disappoint. It's engineered to stretch, with a wider elasticized strap to provide a little more support and to prevent bulges. The straps are comfortable and we experienced no slippage. Perhaps the best comfort feature is the plush and smooth cups, which make it comfortable to wear all day long, even through exercise and casual wear. We also appreciate that there is nice support between the cups.
After two weeks of use, with a few washes in between, we are disappointed that the cups lost their shape and the fabric at the top of the cup began to roll down. Since this contender doesn't boast shapeliness, the cup wouldn't hold a specific shape and has begun to flex laterally. As a result, it has a low level of support. If comfort, wireless, and super soft materials are what you're after, this is an excellent low-impact option to consider.
Breathable, stretchy, and super soft materials make the Warner's Easy Does It No Bulge Wirefree a very comfortable option. Sadly, the cups do squeeze laterally over time.
Credit: Amber King
REASONS TO BUY
Very shapely with nice support
Attractive lacy straps
REASONS TO AVOID
Uncomfortable straps and underwire
Pooching of skin on the back
The Natori Pure Luxe Custom Coverage is a fashionable t-shirt contender with a traditional underwire style. It stands out for its high-quality construction, shapely (almost push-up style) cups, and lacy straps that make for a sexy, yet casual look. The elasticized band has three adjustments with a super light and stretchy band that feels comfortable on the skin. It offers a medium level of support.
Although it looks cute, this bra is not the most comfortable for all-day wear. The cups and band are soft on the skin, but the lacy band and adjustments dug into our skin. We also notice the band feels a touch smaller than many contenders in the same size. For this reason, we often reached for another option for casual everyday wear. That said, for a special evening where a sexy strap and a cute look is required, this is a nice go-to.
A stylish and sexy option with nicely shaped cups. Unfortunately, the Natori Pure Luxe Custom Coverage has straps that are a little itchy and not our favorite for everyday wear.
Credit: Amber King
REASONS TO BUY
Great value with two in one package
Nice shape
REASONS TO AVOID
Poor comfort
Pooching and smaller sizing
The Fruit of the Loom 2-Pack T-Shirt Bra stands out for its bargain prices that'll get you a two-for-one deal. It uses a cotton blend construction that breathes well in hot weather and offers a nice shapely look under any t-shirt. We love the front-facing adjustments, which make it a little easier to use than other traditional underwire bras.
Unfortunately, with a traditional underwire design, it isn't incredibly comfortable, especially in comparison to the numerous wireless and wired options with better comfort features. The straps and clasp feel itchy, the materials hold moisture when you sweat, and the cups and band feel a touch too small for the sizing. This set is only best for those that prefer a cotton construction, underwire, and a nice shape at a great price — but be mindful of its comfort pitfalls.
REASONS TO BUY
Full coverage
Little padding
REASONS TO AVOID
No shape
Very rigid with chafing
Little to no support
The Playtex 18 Hour Ultimate Lift Wirefree is a simple padless option that accomplishes some lift without the use of an underwire. It features a lacy and patterned style that looks nice on its own. It also has an additional side lift with reinforced seams and wider, stretchy bands with a nice variety of size options. This is advertised as a very supportive model, but we beg to differ.
When we first ordered and researched this contender, the marketing led us to believe it would be incredibly supportive, with great lift. The fact that it has no padding and is a cupped design without an underwire is quite surprising and didn't meet our expectations. The materials aren't very comfortable, either. There are many seams throughout with rigid lacy materials that make for chafing hot spots, there's no padding in the cups, and the shape is a bit pointy. While it offers some lift, it's not what we'd call "supportive" or an option with "ultimate lift" as claimed. If you want a little lift in a pad-free construction with a cute design, this option might work for you.
Why You Should Trust Us
Our testing process started with researching the most popular options on the market for three hours. After selecting a wide variety of casual everyday wear options, we ordered and tested each side-by-side. Our main tester ordered a 34B size and found other friends that fit this size, to aid in the testing process. During the fall and winter in Colorado, we wore each product while running, skiing, hiking, climbing, and working from home. We take the time to note the nuances of each product by looking at materials, material thickness, seams, stretch, fit, and overall comfort. After months of testing, we offer our recommendations to take the guesswork out of which are the best.
Senior reviewer editor and content developer, Amber King and her testing team bring you this review. With over 23 years of wearing a bra and experience writing over 30 different categories of gear, she knows what goes into an excellent product. In addition to being a writer, she is a teacher, outdoor adventurer, and athlete. She spends her days teaching outdoors in nature education and exploring the local San Juan mountain range that she calls home in Colorado.
Analysis and Test Results
We've taken the time to assess the most popular contenders that we could find on the market. After wearing them for days and comparing one to the other, we can help you figure out which will be supportive, comfortable, and ready for day to day wear. Focusing on casual options, we rate each based on four important metrics, including comfort, support and fit, shape, and breathability.
A look at our selection tested head-to-head.
Credit: Amber King
Comfort
Your bra should feel comfortable, and even cozy for all-day wear. It isn't meant to feel like a torture device, but we've certainly encountered those that you can't wait to rip off at the end of the day. The market is full of them — cheap, scratchy materials, and basically useless because you can't stand to wear it all day. Wouldn't it be nice, instead, to wear one that you forget is on? As a result, we take comfort seriously. To assess this metric, we gave each option out to our testing team and wore them daily for at least three weeks each. Specifically, we look at construction (wire or wireless?), straps, the elastic, and how the materials feel against the skin. After wearing all day while heading to work, the gym, the store, and up a few mountains, we note which are more comfortable than others.
Alison tests out the Bali Comfort Revolution bra on our home climbing wall. Turns out this bra stretches and moves easily with the body, and hardly feels like its on at all.
Credit: Amber King
In our research, we've noticed that the most comfortable options are those with soft synthetic materials (i.e., nylon or polyester), wireless construction, and a certain level of elasticity that doesn't pinch. We also notice that thicker, padded straps are preferred by those in our testing pool to thin options. Those with a seamless construction also win over those with pinch points or adjustments that dig into the skin. Of our test group, the Hanes Comfort Evolution is hands down the most comfortable.
Seamless construction without chaffing points is a pinnacle to comfort. Here we look at the Bali Comfort Revolution (top), Calvin Klein (middle), and Hanes Comfort (bottom). All are stretchy and made for all-day wear.
Credit: Amber King
This contender uses a super-thin fabric that has any extra padding and is essentially a swatch of soft material, wrapping your bodice with soft fabrics for excellent support. The Bali Comfort Revolution Wirefree and Hanes Oh So Light Comfort Flex Fit Wirefree are two others that also stand out. All three are options that we felt comfortable wearing from the office to the gym. All are wire-free and favorites with wear-all-day comfort. The Vanity Fair Beauty Back Full Coverage Wirefree is another high-quality option that is incredibly comfortable, offering a superior shapeliness to the rest. Of the sports-specific options, we prefer the MIRITY Racerback High Impact (a three-pack option), as it has a little more stretch to the fabrics.
Thicker straps like that found on the Bali Comfort Revolution tend to be more comfortable. These are padded and don't fall down when wearing during the day.
Credit: Amber King
Support and Fit
A supportive bra is one that helps prevent bounce, offers a little lift, and maintains its shape when in use. We also found that a comfortable, stretchy band that supports the cups also offers more in the way of fit. To test support, we put each on, take them for a run and ski, jumped up and down, and wore each throughout the day. Those that offer the least amount of jiggle, with what our testing team thinks is a good fit, score highest in this category.
The Running Girl Criss-cross moves with the body. The criss-cross look is cute and breathes well. In addition, this option is incredibly supportive with an elastic closure.
Credit: Amber King
The top-scoring options in this category are those with extra padding and full coverage for a high-impact level of support. Sports options like the MIRITY Racerback High Impact and RUNNING GIRL Criss-Cross are high-impact options, designed to keep bounce to a minimum.
A bra with a little extra padding and full coverage will provide great support. Especially when the materials don't stretch out and are designed to take on bounce.
Credit: Amber King
Both utilize the elastic band as a closure, meaning you pull it over your head. With included padded cups, these options are very highly supportive, with the MIRITY Racerback having a high cut and more coverage. The only downside of both options is when you remove the cups, support dwindles considerably, even though there is fabric covering the chest throughout; both for a fit that's true to size.
The Vanity Fair Beauty Back Full Coverage Wirefree is the most supportive traditional bra that we tested for its wide band that completely wraps the body and prevents skin pooching.
Credit: Amber King
Of the traditional, everyday wear t-shirt contenders, the Vanity Fair Beauty Back Full Coverage Wirefree is by far our favorite. It boasts a super-wide and stretchy band, with cups that come over the top of the breast, covering it completely. There is a good amount of support between the cups as well, offering bounce-free performance for the women in our testing team. What's surprising is the completely wireless construction that is also very supportive. The Calvin Klein Perfectly Fit Memory Touch T-Shirt is another that isn't full coverage, but a traditional option made from sturdy materials that hold their shape, and thus offer good support. The band isn't as wide as the Vanity Fair Beauty Back and there's a little less support between the breasts.
A look at the bandwidth on some of the most popular bras. From top to bottom the bands are thick to thinner. Look for a thicker band if you want more support and less pooching. These options are all quite supportive, with the Vanity Fair being the most (top), the Natori Pure Luxe (bottom) being second, and the Calvin Klein (middle) being third.
Credit: Amber King
If you prefer an underwire construction, be sure to check out the Natori Pure Luxe Custom Coverage. It has a memory foam cup that offers nice coverage, with a thicker band that also provides more support. However, it's not as supportive as the Vanity Fair Beauty Back, nor is it as comfortable for all-day wear.
Shape
After wear all day, it's important that your bra doesn't pooch, fold, or look misshapen. After all, wouldn't it be nice to have something that is supportive and looks good under any tight top or dress? For this test, we simply put each on and looked at the shape of it under a tight t-shirt. Most in our testing offer a nice profile, while others are pointed at the nipple or make the breast look misshapen.
Those with a little extra padding, high-quality materials, and a cup that doesn't cause boob spillover score the highest in this metric. Three options stand out as our favorite, including the Vanity Fair Beauty Back Full Coverage Wirefree, Calvin Klein Perfectly Fit Memory Touch T-Shirt, and Natori Pure Luxe Custom Coverage. All have a spacious cup that is true to fit, with the Vanity Fair completely covering the breast, unlike the Calvin Klein Perfectly Fit Memory Touch or the Natori Pure Luxe Custom Coverage. All have a medium level of padding with cups that are supportive and shapely. The Calvin Klein has the least amount of coverage, with cups that are a little close together, offering a little 'push up', but still in a nice round look under any t-shirt. The Natori Pure Luxe is similar, with a bit more coverage than Calvin Klein. One thing to mention is the Vanity Fair Beauty Back has a bit of a pointier construction than the other options, which some like and others do not.
The MIRITY Racerback comes with removable pads. Here we see the shape difference when we remove a pad (look at the left) and keep one in the bra (right).
Credit: Amber King
The Fruit of the Loom 2-Pack also offers a really nice shape but has an uncomfortable underwire. The Bali Comfort Revolution Wirefree fits well, allowing the breast to fill the cups without spillover, but the cups aren't as shapely as our highest scorers. Top-rated sports bras like the MIRITY Racerback High Impact and RUNNING GIRL Criss-Cross also offer a really nice shape, with removable cups. However, when the cups are removed, it assumes your natural shape, including nipple show.
Options with super soft or flexible cups that are wire-free typically don't score as well in this category but do the job for most. For example, the Hanes Oh So Light Comfort Flex Fit Wirefree is one of our favorites for its exceptional level of comfort, but the cup itself is soft — still holding its shape, but not as well as those with an underwire or a more rigid memory foam cup construction. The Warner's Easy Does It No Bulge Wirefree claims no bulges; however, we found the cups deformed and squished laterally for many of our testers, deeming it less shapely. If you prefer a shape-less construction, be sure to take a look at the Hanes Comfort Evolution, a supportive option with no padding or cushion.
Breathability
A bra that breathes and keeps you dry is one that'll help to keep you comfortable all day long. Whether you're sweating at the gym, commuting to work, or hanging out at home, breathability is an important factor when considering comfort. For this metric, we ran and backcountry skied in each option to see wick away sweat, dry out quickly, and breathe around the cups and band.
Backcountry skiing is one of the many ways we test our selection of bras. Here we wear the Hanes Comfort Evolution which felt good to wear while skiing up and down this mountain in the winter.
Credit: Amber King
The best are those constructed from polyester, nylon, spandex, and elastane. Luckily, most tested did very well, with thinner materials in the cup and band doing better than those that are thicker. The Bali Comfort Revolution Wirefree (94% nylon, 6% spandex), Hanes Oh So Light Comfort Flex Fit Wirefree (84% nylon, 16% spandex), and Hanes Comfort Evolution (89% polyester, 11% spandex) are the most breathable for their synthetic material construction and thinner materials. All thin contenders that promote excellent wicking and breathability, especially for hot weather. The Comfort Evolution is the thinnest of these three, with the Bali Comfort being the thickest in the cups.
The Running Girl Criss Cross offers excellent breathability while both running and climbing around on our home gym.
Credit: Amber King
Sports bras like the MIRITY Racerback High Impact(90% nylon, 10% spandex) and RUNNING GIRL Criss-Cross (88% nylon, 12% spandex) also do well in this metric, but not as well as the thinner options above. With more support, we still recommend these options for sports. Both have two layers of materials in their construction, with the RUNNING GIRL having a thicker construction that holds a little more moisture than the MIRITY Racerback. Both wick well and dry quickly; they are also suitable for hot weather or any aerobic or non-aerobic activity. While the MIRITY Racerback has more area coverage (making it seem a little warmer), it has many vents to promote water transfer and breathability.
We hope that our in-depth look at the different bra options on the market has helped you decide what to buy in your search.
Credit: Amber King
Conclusion
A bra that you wear all day, every day, shouldn't feel like a torture device. Instead, we want to opt for one that's comfortable, supportive, and looks great under a shirt and on its own. We realize that each person has different shaped and sized breasts, with unique considerations and needs. While we offer recommendations, keep in mind what you need choose accordingly. It's our hope that we've been able to present the best option for your needs and budget.
— Amber King
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