The Ultimate Lululemon Sports Bra Guide

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Lululemon sports bras! We’ve meticulously tested an extensive range of Lululemon’s most popular sports bras, ideal for both intense workouts and comfortable everyday wear. Our mission? To help you navigate the vast collection and find your perfect fit, support, and style. We believe in providing honest, real-world reviews from women with diverse body types and needs.

Dive in to discover our top 3 Lululemon sports bra picks, why they consistently earn our highest recommendations, and the specific features that make them an invaluable addition to any wardrobe. We’ve also included a selection of honorable mentions that deserve your attention for their exceptional performance and comfort. Get ready to find your next favorite Lululemon bra!

This post was extensively updated on October 31, 2024, to feature Lululemon’s latest sports bra innovations and most popular styles, ensuring you have the most current information.

We are incredibly excited to share our comprehensive reviews of our favorite Lululemon sports bras! This highly anticipated review comes directly from your requests, and we couldn’t be happier to deliver. Just like you, we appreciate seeing activewear modeled on “real life” bodies, providing an honest perspective on how these garments truly fit and perform.

Each bra featured in this review has been rigorously workout-approved and personally selected for its exceptional quality, comfort, and support. These aren’t just bras we recommend; they are bras we genuinely love and wear daily, whether we’re crushing a high-intensity workout or simply navigating our busy lives. It’s truly a rare occasion that you’ll find any of us without a Lululemon bra providing the perfect foundation for our day.

Our Top 3 Picks: The Best Lululemon Sports Bras You Need to Try

Lululemon thoughtfully categorizes its sports bras to match your activity level, offering options for low, medium, and high-impact use. Their sizing also varies, with some styles available in traditional number sizes (2, 4, 6, 8) and others in specific cup sizes (34A, 34B, 34C). This tailored approach allows you to find a bra perfectly suited to your needs.

After extensive testing and unanimous agreement amongst our three reviewers, we’ve narrowed down our absolute favorites. These are the Lululemon bras that consistently deliver on performance, comfort, and style, alongside a few additional must-haves we couldn’t resist sharing.

1. Energy Bra – Our All-Time Favorite Medium-Support Bra
2. Bend This Scoop and Square – The Ultimate Everyday & T-Shirt Bra
3. Like a Cloud D/DD – Unmatched Softness for Low-Impact & Postpartum Support
4. Plus, a few more honorable mentions that truly shine 🤩

1. The Energy Bra: Our Unrivaled Favorite for Versatile Support

Between the three of us, the Energy Bra holds a special place in our hearts – it’s our one true love in the world of sports bras. This iconic style is what initially made us fall head over heels for Lululemon’s sports bra collection, and it remains our top recommendation for anyone looking to try a Lululemon sports bra for the very first time. Its versatile performance and reliable support make it an outstanding introduction to the brand’s quality.

The Energy Bra is designed to provide medium-impact support, making it suitable for B-D cups. Its classic racerback design not only offers excellent support but also allows for a full range of motion, crucial for dynamic activities. Available in a variety of styles and cuts, it’s exceptionally well-suited for high-intensity interval training (HIIT), running, CrossFit, and any activity where you need a secure and supportive bra that moves with you, not against you.

Linley, with her 32C/D cup size, consistently reaches for the longline Energy Bra in a size 6. We were incredibly excited when Lululemon introduced the longline version a few years ago. The extended band provides additional coverage and a touch more compression around the torso, which is a fantastic benefit for those of us who appreciate extra security and a bit more fabric, especially if you’re blessed with a fuller chest. This bra has been Linley’s go-to workout companion for years, confidently holding everything in place through everything from challenging yoga flows to vigorous running sessions.

2. Bend This Scoop and Square: Your New Go-To for Everyday Comfort and Style

Our absolute new favorite for an everyday “t-shirt bra” is the incredibly versatile ​Bend This Scoop and Square​. Crafted from a silky-soft fabric, this bra combines gentle support with unparalleled comfort, making it truly perfect for daily wear. It’s the kind of bra you forget you’re wearing, which is the ultimate compliment for an everyday staple.

Linley, wearing a size small/medium, finds that this bra offers fantastic coverage for her C/D cup size. A standout feature is its impressive stretch, which allows for a customizable fit and provides fuller coverage precisely where and when you need it. This adaptability makes it suitable for a wider range of activities and preferences.

Beyond its comfort, this bra boasts incredible versatility. It’s an ideal choice for low-impact activities like walking the dogs, commuting, or simply lounging at home. Its smooth finish makes it virtually undetectable under t-shirts, eliminating any distracting lines. What truly sets it apart is its dual functionality: it effortlessly doubles as a stylish swimsuit top, making it a fantastic travel essential. The bra also features removable pads, offering an extra layer of cushion and modesty. These can be easily unclipped and removed if you prefer a more natural feel or streamlined look.

3. Like a Cloud D/DD: The Ultimate in Softness and Gentle Support

The ​Like a Cloud Bra​ lives up to its name with an incredibly soft, weightless feel. Designed with virtually no harsh seams and a smooth, minimalist construction, it truly feels like a second skin. This bra is available in a wide range of sizes, ensuring many women can experience its exceptional comfort.

Both Emily and Lee absolutely adore the D/DD version for its incredible coverage and its dual purpose as an excellent postpartum and nursing bra. The buttery-soft fabric and seamless design were gentle enough for incredibly sensitive nipples immediately after giving birth – and as any new mother knows, finding that level of comfort during such a tender time is exceptionally rare and highly valued. Its lack of clasps and minimal seams further contribute to its comfort, preventing any digging or irritation.

While not designed for high-impact activities like running, the Like a Cloud D/DD provides sufficient support for low-impact workouts such as cycling on a Peloton, yoga, Pilates, or simply as an incredibly comfortable everyday bra. Emily, a 36DD, comfortably wears a size 10 in the D/DD version, experiencing excellent support without sacrificing comfort. This bra is truly a lifesaver for anyone seeking gentle, cloud-like support for their daily life or lighter movements.

Lululemon Sports Bras: Honorable Mentions That Deserve Your Attention

While our top three picks truly stand out, we would be remiss not to highlight a few other exceptional Lululemon sports bras that are staples in our activewear rotation. When we’re not sporting one of our absolute favorites listed above, you’ll undoubtedly find us comfortably supported by one of these fantastic alternatives. These bras prove that Lululemon’s innovation extends across a wide array of styles and support levels, catering to diverse needs and preferences 🤩.

Envital Bra D/DD: Light Support with Generous Coverage for Fuller Busts

The Envital D/DD bra is an outstanding choice when you’re seeking light-to-medium support without compromising on full coverage – a combination that is notoriously challenging to find for those with a D cup or larger! Lee, with her 36H cup, particularly appreciates that this bra strikes the perfect balance, offering adequate support for her fuller bust while still feeling lightweight and comfortable. She has put this bra through its paces in various workouts, finding it ideal for anything that doesn’t involve high-impact jumping or intense running. The comprehensive coverage ensures comfort and confidence, making it a reliable choice for many activities.

However, one feature Lee would love to see is a V-neckline. As D/DD girlies understand, adequate coverage in the cleavage area is often a top priority for both comfort and aesthetics. Lee wears a size 10 in this bra, highlighting its true-to-size fit for larger busts within Lululemon’s specific sizing conventions.

Align Bra V-Neck DDD/G: Buttery Soft Comfort for Larger Chests

The beloved Align Bra, previously only available in A/B and C/D versions, has long been a favorite for its unparalleled softness. We were absolutely thrilled when Lululemon expanded the line to include a DDD/G version, finally offering that signature “buttery soft” Nulu fabric experience to those with larger chests. This new iteration features the same luxurious fabric found in the popular Align leggings, now with a flattering V-neckline and a comfortable longline band, providing enhanced coverage and support.

This design ensures ample coverage and support, preventing Emily’s DDs from spilling out the top, a common concern for women with fuller busts. She comfortably wears a size medium in this style. The Align Bra V-Neck DDD/G is an exceptional everyday bra, offering supreme comfort for larger-chested individuals. It’s also perfectly suited for low-impact workouts such as yoga, Pilates, or barre, where flexibility and comfort are paramount. It’s truly a game-changer for those who thought they couldn’t enjoy the Align fabric in a supportive bra.

Ultralu Bra D/DD: Adjustable Support and Full Coverage for Active Lifestyles

The Ultralu Bra D/DD has quickly become a new favorite for Lee, especially appreciating its thoughtful design for varying needs. Wearing a size 10, Lee loves that this bra features a back clasp, offering crucial adjustability. This is particularly beneficial as breast size can fluctuate throughout the monthly cycle, allowing for a consistently perfect and comfortable fit. The scoop neck design is also perfectly crafted to provide ample coverage without feeling restrictive, a key feature for larger busts.

The Ultralu fabric is renowned for being super soft and incredibly stretchy, which greatly aids in providing full coverage and comfortable support for the chest. This combination of thick, yet flexible fabric ensures that “the gals” are securely held in place without discomfort. This bra is remarkably versatile, making it an excellent choice for a wide range of workouts, including high-intensity interval training (HIIT), strength training, and other dynamic activities. Its robust construction and adaptable fit make it a reliable partner for even the most demanding fitness routines.

How to Choose Your Perfect Lululemon Sports Bra: A Comprehensive Guide

Selecting the right sports bra is crucial for both comfort and performance. With Lululemon’s diverse range, finding your ideal match involves considering several key factors:

Understanding Impact Levels

• Low Impact: Best for activities like yoga, Pilates, walking, or everyday wear. These bras offer gentle support, maximum comfort, and often feature softer fabrics like Nulu (Align collection) or seamless designs (Like a Cloud).
• Medium Impact: Ideal for cycling, brisk walking, strength training, or hiking. These bras provide more compressive support to minimize bounce while still allowing for a good range of motion. Many of Lululemon’s popular racerback styles, like the Energy Bra, fall into this category.
• High Impact: Designed for running, HIIT, CrossFit, or any activity involving significant bouncing. These bras offer maximum support, often with encapsulated cups, adjustable straps, and highly compressive fabrics to keep everything securely in place.

Consider Your Activity and Preferred Support

Think about the primary activities you’ll be doing. A running bra will prioritize maximum bounce control, while a yoga bra will focus on flexibility and softness. Do you prefer a feeling of gentle compression or a more restrictive, “locked-in” feel? Lululemon offers both, so identify what makes you feel most confident and comfortable.

Fit and Coverage Preferences

• Cup Size vs. Number Size: Some Lululemon bras come in traditional cup sizes (e.g., 34C), offering a more precise fit, particularly for fuller busts. Others use numerical sizing (e.g., 6, 8), which can be more flexible across different cup sizes but might require going up a size for bras compared to tops, as noted in our sizing tip.
• Straps: Racerback designs offer excellent support and freedom of movement for the shoulders, while straight straps can be more comfortable for some or offer a more traditional look. Adjustable straps provide customizable support.
• Band: The band around your ribcage provides most of the bra’s support. Ensure it fits snugly but comfortably, without digging in or riding up. Longline versions offer extended coverage and often extra stability.

Lululemon’s Innovative Fabrics: A Quick Guide

Lululemon is renowned for its proprietary fabrics, each designed with specific benefits:

• Nulu™: “Buttery soft” and lightweight, offering a naked sensation. Perfect for yoga, low-impact activities, and everyday comfort (e.g., Align Bra).
• Luxtreme™: Smooth, cool-to-the-touch, and highly supportive. Excellent for medium-to-high impact workouts due to its sweat-wicking properties and shape retention (e.g., Energy Bra).
• Everlux™: Fastest-drying Lululemon fabric, soft on the outside, cool and sleek on the inside. Great for hot and sweaty workouts (e.g., some Envital styles).
• Ultralu™: Incredibly soft with exceptional stretch, offering full coverage and comfortable support, especially for D/DD cups (e.g., Ultralu Bra).

Caring for Your Lululemon Sports Bras: Extend Their Lifespan

To ensure your Lululemon sports bras maintain their shape, support, and luxurious feel for years to come, proper care is essential. Following these simple guidelines will help preserve their quality:

• Wash Cold, Gentle Cycle: Always wash your sports bras in cold water on a gentle cycle. Hot water can break down the elastic fibers, reducing the bra’s support and lifespan.
• Use a Mesh Laundry Bag: To protect your bras from snagging on other items in the wash, and to prevent strap tangling or deformation, place them in a mesh laundry bag.
• Avoid Fabric Softener: Fabric softener can clog the technical fibers of performance fabrics, hindering their sweat-wicking abilities and potentially trapping odor. Skip it entirely for your activewear.
• Air Dry Flat: Tumble drying, especially on high heat, can damage elastic and cause shrinkage. Always air dry your Lululemon bras by laying them flat on a clean surface or hanging them by the band (not the straps, which can stretch out). This helps them retain their original shape and support.
• Wash with Like Colors: To prevent dye transfer, especially with vibrant colors, wash your bras with similar hues.

By investing a little extra care, you’ll ensure your Lululemon sports bras continue to provide the comfort and support you rely on for every workout and every day.

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Lululemon. We were compensated for our time and honest reviews, but all opinions expressed are entirely our own and reflect our genuine experiences with these products. Thank you for supporting Fit Foodie Finds!