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 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
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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
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3. PATAGONIA ACTIVE MESH BRA
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
4. REI ACTIVE BRALETTE
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
5. BROOKS CROSSBACK BRA
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
6. PANACHE SPORTS BRA
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
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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.
>>> For more tips for staying fresh on the trail, check out our post all about Essential Backpacking Hygiene Tips & Feminine Care in the Outdoors.
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!
Cheers,
Allison - She Dreams of Alpine
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