Sports bras come in two main constructions: **compression** (flattens the breasts against the chest wall, common in low-impact sports) and **encapsulation** (each breast has its own cup with support, common in high-impact). High-end sports bras combine both.
The defining external feature is always: thick, wide shoulder straps; a broad, reinforced underband; and athletic fabric (power mesh, spandex blend, moisture- wicking synthetic).
How to Identify
- Wide, thick straps (often racerback or crossback)
- Broad, thick underband
- Athletic fabric, usually synthetic and stretchy
- Often no traditional hook-and-eye closure (pull-over style)
- Compression style has no defined cups; encapsulation has seamed cups
