The Best Hiking Sports Bras
We asked Treeline Review writers about their go-to sports bras for hiking and backpacking. Here's what they found.
Tera Kaia’s TOURA Basewear Top is one of our favorite hiking and backpacking sports bras, as seen here on a trip in the Sierra. Photo by Shawnté Salabert.
We've spent years in search of the perfect sports bra for hiking and backpacking. A good sports bra for hiking is comfortable for days, odor resistant, and reasonably supportive–things you don't often find in the padded, wired, and extra fabric-filled sports bras for higher impact activities.
Hiking sports bras need to be comfortable enough to be worn all day for multiple days without washing. It's got to be breathable for all days in the sun and wick away sweat. We sometimes use sports bras for swimming, so it needs to be quick drying, too Most importantly, a hiking sports bra can't rub or chafe when paired with a backpack. We don't want bulk or extra padding for a hiking sports bra.
We asked Treeline Review writers about their go-to sports bras for hiking and backpacking. Here's what they shared.
Related: Best Sports Bras for AA to D Cups
Read More: Best Sports Bras for D+ Cup and Up
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Tera Kaia TOURA Basewear Top
I’ll admit—social media influenced me to purchase my very first Tera Kaia “bra,” the TOURA Basewear Top. But it was the form, fit, and function that inspired me to purchase a second.
I’d seen photos online of a handful of climbers and outdoorsy friends wearing flattering and colorful sports bras that they swore held up to all sorts of active shenanigans for days on end without accumulating stink. So when I drove past the brand’s Bishop, California storefront while en route to a backpacking trip, I decided to stop in. The second I slipped on the TOURA, I knew I was walking out with one: because it was comfortable. The straps didn’t dig, the bottom band stayed put without slicing into my ribcage, and a pair of style options—low and high cut—allowed me to find a fit that best contained the girls without creating a dreaded uniboob.
I’ve worn my TOURA for yoga, weightlifting, hiking, backpacking, climbing, general lounging, and beyond. As a C-cup, I prefer a bit more compression for running, but the TOURA has truly become my go-to for all other sports. I’ve taken it on multi-week thru-hikes; worn it nine days in a row without washing, with nary a whiff of body odor to be smelled; and used it as a swimming top more times than I can count. Neither one shows any sign of wear or tear after several years of frequent use—no snags, no fading, no stretching. . These aren’t the cheapest items in my sports bra drawer. But at the end of the day, supporting a small, women-run brand that supports my medium, woman-owned boobs feels just as good as wearing a TOURA.
- Shawnté Salabert, Contributing Writer
Tera Kaia TOURA Basewear Top
When the threadbare bra I'd been wearing backpacking and hiking for the last 5+ years finally progressed to having full-on holes in the back, I started panicking. I've had my eye out for my next hiking bra for years. Still, nothing ever seemed to check all of my boxes: supportive enough, acceptable as a bathing suit, minimal enough to dry quickly, no poorly placed hooks or snaps that dig under a pack strap, and no removable padding that just rolls up into little hotdogs after every wash.
I was so relieved to find the Branwyn Essential Bralette! Its seamless, single-layer fabric design is super comfortable but still supportive enough for low-impact activities (I'm a 34B). I was skeptical that a merino bra would retain its shape and support for more than a few hours, but I've been pleasantly surprised to find that the fit is quite consistent for days on end. It also breathes incredibly well, something I didn't even realize was a fault of my previous bras until I started wearing the Branwyn. At the end of a long, hot climb, only the back of the bra (which is sandwiched beneath my pack) is sweaty.
I have pretty sensitive skin and was concerned about the comfort of the wool fabric. I did find the bra to be slightly scratchy when I first put it on, but after an hour or two of wear, I no longer noticed any irritation. I find the Essential Bralette to be reasonably priced, especially for merino wool.
If you're unsure about this bra, Branwyn also has an amazing "first pair guarantee." It allows you to try out sizes and styles on your first order with the ability to return after wearing. That's pretty rare in the outdoor industry, so it is worth it just to see if this bra works for you. I like them so much that I own five!
-Kate Hoch, Contributing Writer
Branwyn Essential Bralette Sports Bra
I am a diehard merino wool wearer, whether it’s a sun shirt while backpacking or baselayers when ski touring. The same goes for my sports bra. For backpacking specifically, when I’m wearing a heavier pack and the same bra for days on end, I like something simple, extremely comfortable, odor resistant, and reasonably supportive. (I save high-impact bras for trail runs and opt for medium impact support when hiking in favor of comfort, and that works well for my D-cup size.)
The Smartwool Racerback hits all those marks on the nose. The wool blend fabric means I can wear it for an entire trip and not worry about smell, but the added nylon and polyester give the bra a little more support.
I like the seamless design of this bra, which means you basically forget about it under your backpack straps. I also appreciate the coverage: While many other merino bras I’ve tried are often too low cut, this hits just right without going overboard with extra fabric. I still have the same older version of this bra that I used for years of backpacking and mountaineering guiding, and it remains in my rotation after nearly a decade of use. That’s good durability for a sports bra!
-Stasia Stockwell, Contributing Writer
Smartwool Intraknit Racerback Bra
I’m a little bit endowed in the boob department, which means that finding a proper sports bra is always an operation for me. I need it to be supportive, secure, and comfortable for long days of use…something like the Janji Long Bra. This bra hugs me in all the right places without pinching my skin. It’s lightly padded for extra comfort (but the padding is also removable, which is nice). The power mesh lining is lightweight and breathable, allowing droplets of sweat to easily evaporate rather than getting trapped and causing chafing.
One feature that I really love on this bra is the phone-carrying pocket. Through the years, I’ve used belts and running vests to secure my phone during long hikes, but they’re usually floppy and difficult to adjust. Being able to slip my phone between my shoulder blades is usually the reason why this bra is my first pick for all of my activities. It entirely removes that floppy phone factor, allowing me to focus on the hike or adventure at hand. Another note: this bra is long enough to wear as a crop top and provides more coverage than most, which can be a nice option in extra warm environments.
-Mary Beth Skylis, Contributing Writer
Janji The Long Bra
Lume Six’s founder was working as a mountain bike gear designer when she realized something was missing. A capable, durable sports bra that could keep up with her…like climbing a million vertical feet on a mountain bike in one year (which she did in 2020). I wasn’t about to recreate that feat to test this sports bra, but I did make sure it was up to snuff for commuting, trail running, hiking, backpacking, alpine climbing, and a lot of daily activity.
I’ve worn, tried (and cursed) a lot of bras. In my opinion, most “sports bras” seem to be manufactured for outward appearance, rather than hard, frequent use on the trail by really active people. Immediately, I noticed this bra is different. The materials feel different, and most importantly, achieve a bra miracle of being thin, lightweight, comfortable, and breathable, and also supportive. There aren’t zippers or adjustable straps or any bells and whistles — it’s really just a simple, well-made gem of a bra. There are two models: the “high impact” Cirra model is one I own. Not only that, the band size is customizable — you can get one size for the bra and a different size for the band for a better fit. Finally, Lume Six put the seams on the band on the outside — eliminating itching/chafing and perfect for those with sensory issues. Like another tester, I’m also bigger-chested , and while this bra is light, it’s still supportive, especially while running. It’s not like a traditional, bulky, padded bra. It’s wildly better. After two years, I now own two of these Lume Six bras that I rotate, and I swear by them.
-Mary Murphy, Contributing Writer & Editor
Lume Six Cirra High Impact Sports Bra
Patagonia Barely Raceback Bra (not to be confused with the “barely everyday bra”)
I am a B-cup and a maximally sweaty human, so I am all about the barely-there bra life (honestly mostly a no-bra-at-all life, though that doesn’t work for active pursuits). I’ll wear a properly supportive sports bra to work out, but for hiking or backpacking I prefer to trade super-supportiveness (less crucial) for light weight, breathability, and that elusive “doesn’t make me want to rip my skin off as soon as I get sweaty” quality. I’ve tried a few lightweight sports bras/bralettes, but I keep coming back to the Patagonia sports bra I’ve been wearing since like 2006 (no not the same EXACT one, ew).
The Patagonia Barely Racerback Bra is supportive without holding my ribs in a death grip, dries overnight on backpacking trips, has a racerback so straps aren’t falling down my shoulders, and is lightweight enough that, although obviously I know it’s there, I don’t resent it every step of the trip. For everything more active than walking my elderly poodle, but less active than running, this is my time-tested favorite!
- Katie Hawkes, Contributing Writer
Patagonia Barely Raceback Bra
This bra hits all my needs, adjustable substantial straps, merino wool fabric and it is comfortable enough to sleep in. The first thing I look for in a bra for hiking and especially backpacking is where the straps hit my shoulders and adjustability. I am sure that I am not the only person who can fluctuate between cup sizes depending on my current activity levels, even a short backpacking trip can make me drop a cup size. This bra has easily adjustable straps that aren’t too skinny and don’t dig into my shoulders. I appreciate the crossback style which allows for some flexibility of strap placement on my shoulders, so that they aren’t hitting in the same place as my backpack or creating sores from rubbing in the same spot.
The merino wool is not itchy and keeps smelling clean for days on trail. In the frontcountry I can wear this bra for several days in a row without washing it. This Ortovox bra is soft enough for sleeping and I can always loosen the straps a bit to make it more comfortable. If you want a little more support in your bra this is a great choice, especially if you hover around a C-cup size and need some adjustability.
Don’t be afraid of merino wool in summer: it isn’t hot, and this merino sports bra regulates temperature really well. It does take a little longer to dry out after a swim than some synthetic bras, but that is really the only downside to this one. I would rather spend a little longer waiting for it to dry out in the sun, than have an uncomfortable stinky bra. This bra has just the right amount of coverage and support without lots of unnecessary extra fabric or length.
-Sara “Socks” Kruglinski, Operations Coordinator
Ortovox Essential 150 Sports Bra
