6 Best Bras for Hiking (For A Range of Sizes & Support)

When you’re getting dressed for hiking, you might have your layers down – base layer, fleece, puffy, water resistant jacket, pants, etc. But have you found your perfect hiking bra?

The best bras for hiking offer the right level of support in a comfortable design with breathable, moisture-wicking fabric – basically, you don’t want to even notice it’s there!

BEST BRAS FOR HIKING

Of course, we all have different preferences when it comes to size, support, style, and price so the perfect hiking bra will vary based on our bodies and our budgets.

Here are 6 of the best bras for hiking in a range of sizes and support, so you can find the one that’s right for you.

And if you’re on the hunt for the ideal underwear to pair with your hiking bra, we’ve got a whole post full of trail-tested recommendations for hiking underwear for women, too.

(Note: This post may contain affiliate links.)

1. BRANWYN BRALETTE/BUSTY BRA

BRANWYN has become a go-to for hiking underwear for women, and they make bras for hiking, too! The BRANWYN Bralette is designed for smaller chests, while the Busty Bra is better for bigger cups. Both offer low-impact support with convertible straps.

BRANWYN bras are made from merino wool, which is temperature regulating, breathable, and moisture-wicking. The wool fabric and seamless construction is especially comfortable – almost like wearing nothing.

BRANWYN

Pros:

• Seamless merino wool

• Convertible straps

• Quick-drying & odor-resistant

Cons:

• Not super supportive

Buy BRANWYN Hiking Bras Here

>>> She Dreams of Alpine readers get $10 off your first BRANWYN purchase using the code SHEDREAMS10

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2. TERA KAIA BASEWEAR

Tera Kaia Basewear is designed specifically for outdoor women, and it’s a hiking bra and swimwear all in one. The fit is flattering (with low cut and high cut styles in fun colors) and comfortably cut with your muscle movement in mind.

Tera Kaia Basewear is breathable and dries quickly, so you can wear it on any adventure, like hiking to – and jumping in! – an alpine lake.

Tera Kaia

Pros:

• High & low cut styles

• Flat straps are comfortable under a pack

• Swim friendly

Cons:

• Pricey

• Limited stock

Buy Tera Kaia Basewear Here

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3. PATAGONIA ACTIVE MESH BRA

Patagonia is one of my favorite outdoor brands, so it makes sense that they make a great hiking bra, too. The Patagonia Active Mesh Bra fits cup sizes up to DD, and it offers low to medium impact support.

The Patagonia Active Mesh Bra is made from soft, stretchy synthetic fabric that is moisture-wicking and controls odor. The seamless construction features a straight neckline and a V-back style.

PATAGONIA

Pros:

• Seamless construction

• Moisture-wicking

• Odor control

Cons:

• Runs small

Buy the Patagonia Active Mesh Bra Here

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4. REI ACTIVE BRALETTE

Just like the popular REI Active hiking underwear, the REI Active Bralette is made out of a comfortable stretchy polyester mesh. The fabric is also moisture-wicking and quick-drying, which is great when you get sweaty on the trail.

The REI Active bralette offers the best fit for cup sizes C and lower and provides low impact support. It’s cheaper than a lot of other hiking bras, especially if you have an REI membership and get a dividend from your purchase.

REI ACTIVE

Pros:

• Moisture-wicking

• Quick drying

• Relatively inexpensive

Cons:

• Not designed for larger cup sizes

• Some people don’t like the updated design

Buy the REI Active Bralette Here

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5. BROOKS CROSSBACK BRA

If you’re looking for a little more support for larger chests, the Brooks Crossback Bra makes an excellent hiking bra. Molded cups encapsulate comfortably and provide motion reduction during movement.

The design is practically seamless to avoid irritation, and the fabric is sweat-wicking so you stay dry. This bra is also easy to take off or put on in a tent since it’s a simple pull-on style without hooks or clasps.

BROOKS

Pros:

• Size range runs from A-E cups

• Molded cups provide more support

• Sweat-wicking fabric with strategic perforations for ventilation

Cons:

• Tends to stretch out with wear

• Straps are not adjustable

• Fairly expensive

Buy the Brooks Crossback Bra Here

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6. PANACHE SPORTS BRA

The Panache Sports Bra gets rave reviews as the best hiking bra for women with bigger boobs. It provides high impact support while avoiding the dreaded uniboob with molded, encapsulated cups.

The adjustable and convertible straps help you find the perfect fit, and the breathable fabric keeps you dry on the trail. Plus, the Panache hiking bra can handle more high impact activities, like trail running.

PANACHE

Pros:

• Excellent for large cups sizes

• Designed for high impact activities

• Molded encapsulated cups prevent uniboob

• Adjustable and convertible straps

Cons:

• UK sizing can be confusing

• Pretty pricey

Buy the Panache Sports Bra Here

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So that you can hit the trails with peace of mind knowing that you didn’t leave anything essential behind!

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HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST BRA FOR HIKING

When searching for bras for hiking, you have to consider many factors. Here’s what to pay attention to when choosing a hiking bra.

Cup size

Obviously, cup size is one of the most important things to consider when picking your perfect hiking bra. Some hiking bras are only designed for small cup sizes, so if your cups are overflowing, you’ll need a hiking bra made to fit larger chests.

Here’s some great info from REI on how to measure your chest to find your correct cup and band size.

Support level

Sports bras are generally constructed for either encapsulation, which surrounds and separates each breast, or compression, which limits movement. Encapsulation is designed for low impact support, while compression offers high impact support, and many hiking bras will combine both.

Hiking is generally low to medium impact, so you might not need a hiking bra with high impact support, unless you’re also trail running. However, If you have larger breasts, the support level is more important, and you’ll often want adjustable bands and straps to help find the perfect fit.

WHAT ELSE TO LOOK FOR IN HIKING BRAS

Beyond the most important considerations of cup size and support level, here are a few other things to look for in the best bras for hiking.

You’re going to get sweaty in your hiking bra, so you want a breathable fabric that is also moisture-wicking and quick-drying. Trust me, nothing feels worse than getting to camp (or back home) in a wet, sweaty bra. Some hiking bras even have perforations in extra sweaty areas to ventilate better.

The two main fabric options for hiking bras are merino wool and synthetic. Both are good choices for breathability, moisture-wicking, and quick drying. Merino wool is naturally odor-resistant, so synthetic fabrics can get a little stinkier. However, you can mitigate this with proper care.

CARING FOR YOUR HIKING BRA

Taking good care of your hiking bra will help it last longer and smell better. Wash your hiking bras regularly, and check the care instructions of your specific bra. Usually you can either hand wash or use the washing machine on a gentle cycle.

Avoid using the dryer, since heat can break down the elastic and eventually make your hiking bra less supportive. You can air dry your bra by hanging it or laying it flat.

Ideally, you’ll wash your hiking bra after each use, but we all know that isn’t always possible, especially if you’re backpacking on the trail. Having a few favorite hiking bras allows you to rotate through them, so one doesn’t get extra sweaty and gross.

She Dreams of Alpine Content Manager Kate swears by HEX Deodorizing Spray when she doesn’t have a chance to wash her hiking bras between wearings. It’s specifically designed to eliminate odors in sweaty activewear, not just cover up the smell.

>>> For more tips for staying fresh on the trail, check out our post all about Essential Backpacking Hygiene Tips & Feminine Care in the Outdoors.

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Hope this post helps you find the perfect hiking bra to support you on the trail! And if you already have a favorite hiking bra, share your recommendation in the comments!

LOOKING FOR MORE OUTDOOR GEAR GUIDES?

Check out these other hiking and backpacking gear posts!

• The Best Hiking Underwear for Women

• Essential Backpacking Hygiene Tips & Feminine Care in the Outdoors

• The Essential Hiking Gear List

• The Ultimate 3-5 Day Backpacking Packing List

• The Best Gifts for Hikers

• The Best Gifts for Backpackers

• 15 Rookie Mistakes To Avoid Your First Time Backpacking

Cheers,

Allison - She Dreams of Alpine

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