Under Armour Eclipse High Impact Front Zip Sports Bra

Sport bras have certainly come a long way since Lisa Lindahl invented the first one back in 1977—a makeshift design that simply featured two jock straps sewn together. In the past few years, big brands from Reebok to Brooks to Lululemon, and smaller ones like Knix, have made building better high-impact sports bras a top priority. These companies focus not only on construction that cuts back on bounce, but a design that keeps you comfy (no too-tight-can’t-move constriction!) and lets your skin breathe. And they’ve found some seriously innovative ways to make it happen.

“It’s interesting, because if you think about the bra and history of the bra, for a long time, there hadn’t been any real innovation in the way companies construct the bra,” says Barbara Ebersberger, Reebok’s vice president of performance apparel. “It’s always the same principle—the idea that in order to create a higher support sports bra, you need to create more layers, with additional bindings and additional hardware.” That’s why Reebok decided to re-think the fabric with their PureMove bra, featuring a fluid that provides motion-sense technology, created by University of Delaware researchers. “When moving slowly in yoga, the fabric moves with you in every direction, but during high-impact or rigid movement, the fabrics start to stick and react like a seatbelt,” says Ebersberger.

Companies have also taken into account the direction of your boob bounce. They don’t just go up and down when you jog, jump, or twist. They move in a sort of figure eight, often bumping into each other. “We’ve discovered that you not only need support underneath your breasts, but around the sides and in between,” says Joanna Griffiths, founder of Knix, who says the separation and support combo is key to keeping your girls from getting in the way of your workout. In fact, your boobs can move up to eight inches in any direction during high-intensity activities like cardio or HIIT. Wild, right? Well, when the designers are Under Armour discovered this, they set out to eliminate the issue by creating the new Infinity Bra (which you’ll see below).

Because you can’t just have a bra that holds your boobs in place and then rubs you the wrong way or just feels harsh against the skin, brands also put an emphasis on feel with soft fabrics, moisture-wicking materials, and smart spots for more air flow. “[Sports bras] are looking less like body armor and more comfort-driven and sleek,” says Griffiths. For example, one of the reasons Knix has a full opening and closing in the back for their Catalyst sports bra is so it not only offers customization, but easier ability to get on and off. Translation: it offers a smoother transition post-sweat when slipping a sports bra off feels about as tough as the workout itself.

How to Pick the Right High-Impact Sports Bras

So with all the technology and new designs, how do you choose the best high-impact sports bras? Well, for starters, put ‘em on and test ‘em out. But here are a few key attributes to look for.

1. Encapsulation and compression, as Griffiths mentioned, a.k.a. that separate-and-support power duo, which is your best bet for keeping everything in one place through any type of workout, even if you’re moving in all directions—because your boobs will be too!
2. Adjustability, so you can find a proper fit, according to both bra experts. While companies have been working on expanding sizes, sometimes you still need a little customization through the shoulder straps or in the bottom band to make it mold to your body.
3. Wide straps, because those thin, wispy ones just won’t do when you’re turning up the burn, says Ebersberger. It’s probably best to go with those that cross in the back, too, for more support, she suggests.
4. Comfort, like you’re wearing a second skin, says Griffiths. Look for ventilation, moisture-wicking or quick-dry materials, and one that simples feels nice when you touch it.

These highly reviewed options are a great place to start.