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I personally tested these nontoxic, organic, and sustainable sports bras. Here are my notes on fit, performance, and durability.
I’ve been testing, reviewing, and wearing nontoxic and organic clothing brands for over a decade. But you know what has been seemingly impossible to find? Organic sports bras that offer enough support for high-intensity workouts. More specifically: Organic sports bras that offer support and fit my D+ cups, saggy postpartum boobs (ty, breastfeeding).
In the past, my go-to for sports bras has been popular name brands like Nike, Reebok, etc. Shameful, I know. But also: They work. These bras, albeit made with questionable materials and even more questionable production methods, offer superior support to organic cotton bras. They also offer coverage, sweat-wicking fabrics, and keep everything in place, whether I’m doing a box jump or plank.
I’m going to be entirely upfront: The organic sports bras below don’t compare to those designed exclusively for high-intensity workouts and running, especially if you have a larger bust or are fighting gravity. When I go for a long run or am headed to a HIIT class, I still reach for my polyester/spandex sports bra. I haven’t found an option yet that truly provides the support and coverage I need and is made with entirely organic, natural materials.
That said, the sports bras below are perfect for lower-intensity workouts, including strength and weight training, pilates, and yoga. They are made with entirely natural fabrics like cotton and wool, unless otherwise noted, and are the best of the best in the organic sports bra game. I tested each one to compare fit, support, coverage, and comfort.
Why wear an organic sports bra vs a polyester sports bra?
Fun fact: The first sports bra was made by sewing two jockstraps together in 1977, called “the Jogbra.” (That’s right. Women competed in the Olympics for 77 years before a sports bra existed.) As polyester became the preferred fabric for athleticwear in the ’80s because of its durability, stretch, and moisture-wicking capability, it also became the popular choice for sports bras. Today, most sports bras are made with polyester, nylon, and/or spandex for optimal performance.
While many athletic brands have transitioned to recycled polyester (rPET) and nylon for sustainability, there are still concerns and trade-offs. Polyester is known to shed microplastics into our water every time it’s washed. A study conducted by the Microplastic Research Group at Çukurova University even suggests that recycled polyester can shed more fibers than virgin polyester under the same conditions; the study found that recycled polyester released, on average, about 55 % more microplastic fibers per gram of fabric. The study also noted that the fibers shed from recycled polyester are smaller than those from virgin polyester, making them more mobile and more difficult to filter out in wastewater systems.
As for chemical exposure and PFAS (forever chemicals and endocrine disruptors), they can still be present in recycled fabrics since PFAS don’t break down and can be carried over when virgin polyester is recycled to create new fabrics. Since sports bras come into direct contact with our skin and are worn while we sweat, there is growing concern that our skin is absorbing these chemicals, and recent studies are finding this to be true. Essentially, “environmentally friendly” or “recycled” bras may be more harmful to our health than we think.
“PFAS (forever chemicals and endocrine disruptors), they can still be present in recycled fabrics since PFAS don’t break down and can be carried over when virgin polyester is recycled to create new fabrics.”
Alternatively, organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides or herbicides, and the fibers are untreated, making them safe for the environment and human health, especially when we sweat. Cotton is also softer and far more breathable than conventional synthetics (though not as moisture-wicking). Still, this means less friction and irritation, which has been so nice during the postpartum period, as I’ve noticed my skin is way more sensitive.
Organic cotton is also biodegradable and much kinder to the environment. I actually visited a regenerative organic cotton farm a few years ago, and it was so inspiring to see how it is grown and harvested.
Other natural materials used in sports bras include merino wool, which is popular for its temperature-regulating properties and moisture-wicking ability. “Each strand is naturally crimped, creating tiny air pockets that help regulate temperature in both directions,” according to BRANWYN, one of the brands I reviewed.
Of course, wool is great for the environment, too, because it’s a renewable fiber (sheep need to be sheared yearly, and their wool grows back!), though it’s just as important to find brands that are certified organic and ethical.
“Wool can absorb vapor before sweat ever turns clothing damp, pulling it away from the skin deep into the core of the fiber so that it still feels dry to the touch…Thanks to its natural structure, wool discourages the growth of odor-causing bacteria, allowing garments to be worn repeatedly between washes.”
Can sustainable sports bras actually be supportive?
I’ll be the first to admit it is difficult to find organic cotton sports bras that are actually supportive — but there are a few on this list, and it’s what I prefer to wear when possible. A lot of activewear is made with synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon because they’re durable, stretchy, and good at wicking sweat, but they can also release microplastics and may not always be great for sensitive skin. If organic cotton options are out of the question, I look to products made from recycled fabrics — they still have the performance benefits of synthetics but with a smaller environmental footprint. To make sure they’re safe for my health, I look for certifications like OEKO-TEX, which guarantee they’re free of harmful chemicals. I also use these non-organic/natural-material bras only for high-impact exercise and change them as soon as I’m done working out to minimize contact. I’ve included my favorite ones at the end of this list.
New friends on Reddit:
I also consulted the /moderatelygranolamoms reddit thread to hear from other postpartum women about what they are specifically looking for with nontoxic bras. Here were the top concerns and questions that I hope to answer in the review below!
- Support for larger cup sizes: Several commenters specifically asked which bras work for larger busts, since many natural-fiber bras feel loose/unsupported for larger cup sizes.
- Nursing‑friendly features: Some users were curious whether these bras could be pulled down for nursing or were otherwise nursing‑accessible.
- Padding options: Some comments asked if any of the bras tested had removable pads or built‑in padding (one does!).
- High‑impact support (e.g., for running): Users were curious which natural bras, if any, were supportive enough for running or more intense workouts, especially in larger cup sizes. (Spoiler: I did not find a natural fiber bra that fit this criteria, but scroll to #6 for my D+cup running bra rec.)
- Fabric sensitivity and irritation: Skin sensitivity was a major concern, especially in postpartum bodies that may be more irritated by certain fabrics (such as wool or textured seams).
- Budget‑friendly options: Some asked for lower‑cost alternatives that still use natural fibers (e.g., cotton) since many organic or nontoxic options can be pricey. The most affordable bra on this list is $35, but many of these brands run frequent sales, have promo codes, or offer discounts for teachers/healthcare workers/students.
I asked Reddit users what they are looking for in nontoxic sports bras.
Certifications to look for:
- ZQRX™: Certified, high-quality Merino wool standard that ensures ethical treatment of sheep, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility on farms.
- OEKO-TEX®: An independent, global certification system for textiles that guarantees products are tested for over 1,000 harmful substances and are safe for human health.
- Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): The world’s leading certification for organic fibers, covering the entire supply chain from harvesting to manufacturing, labeling, and distribution.
My testing criteria:
I personally tested each of these sports bras for fit, performance, and durability to see how they held up through workouts and washing. I’ve also read hundreds of customer reviews, corresponded with the brands, and researched their sustainability claims. For context, I’m a 36D and nine months postpartum in these photos. I ordered size large for all brands unless otherwise noted. All of the brands below also meet the following criteria:
- ORGANIC & NONTOXIC | The sports bras on this list are nontoxic, organic, natural, and PFAS-free.
- SUSTAINABLE | Each brand is committed to ethical, eco-friendly production and has the certifications to back up its claims. I’ve listed the exact certs for each brand in the write-ups below.
- PERFORMANCE | I’ve put each of these sports bras to the test for weight training and low-impact exercises. I’ve noted how each has held up during workouts.
Looking to update more of your athletic wardrobe? Try these sustainable activewear brands or these brands for organic cotton leggings. I also tested and reviewed sustainable running shoes.
1. BRANWYN
My rating | 10/10, best overall for coverage, fit, and support
Materials | Ethically-sourced Merino wool, nylon, elastane
Sizes | XS – XXL
Price | $62+
Since I live in Los Angeles and primarily work out in our garage, having a sports bra that will keep me cool, dry, and smelling fresh is the ultimate dream. While I had never tried Merino wool before, I was extremely curious to test it as a sustainable, natural option for a sports bra. BRANWYN creates performance innerwear from merino wool, which is said to keep you cool, dry, and smelling fresh. Since I live in Los Angeles and work out in my garage, this sounds like the dream. Merino wool is also an eco-friendly, renewable resource, making it a great alternative to synthetic fabrics often used in athletic clothing. Though BRANWYN uses a small amount of traditional nylon and elastane for stretch and durability, the brand is working to be entirely circular by the end of 2027. Their wool is also Woolmark-, RWS-certified, and plastic-free GLDNspun™ seamless Merino.
I tried both the Essential Busty Bra and the Essential Racerback Sports Bra in size large. The Busty Bra has become a favorite and something I reach for most days, whether I’m working out or just running errands. The cut, coverage, and adjustable straps make it perfect for larger cup sizes, and I love how soft and breathable the fabric feels against my skin. There is zero spillage on the sides, bottom, or top. My only complaint is that it’s extremely transparent (I chose the white). I’d recommend one of the darker colors if you’d like to keep things a bit more discreet.
The Racerback Sports Bra is a close second, though I reach for it less often. The brand claims this bra is suitable for HIIT, but I only felt comfortable with strength training and doing light jumping. e.g., it performed well for snatches and jumping lunges, but I wouldn’t go for a run with it. All in all, it’s a great runner-up.
2. Boody
My rating | 9/10, best for large cup sizes and bras with cup cutouts and adjustable straps
Materials | Organically grown viscose made from bamboo, nylon, and elastane
Sizes | XS – 4XL
Price | $35+
Boody is an Australian-based brand that makes its sports bras from organically-grown bamboo viscose. The company is a B Corp known for its soft, sustainable basics, and I lived in their bras and underwear while pregnant and breastfeeding. While I was initially skeptical about trying a bamboo sports bra for a workout, I was intrigued by the fabric’s antibacterial, thermo-regulating, and hypoallergenic properties. Bamboo is also incredible for the planet as it’s the fastest-growing plant in the world and doesn’t require any insecticides or pesticides. It’s also hardy and self-sufficient — it doesn’t need irrigation!
I tried two sports bras from Boody: The Full Bust Wireless Racerback (size L) and the Ribbed Seamfree Crop (size M). I love that the Racerback is specifically crafted for up to a F-cup and offers medium support. The adjustable straps make it so easy to get the right level of tightness and keep everything in place during push-ups, planks, and downward dogs. Because there are actual cup cutouts, my breasts don’t spill from the rib band (a big postpartum boobs win). This bra is also nursing-friendly because it’s fairly easy to pull up or down for quick access.
The Ribbed Seamfree Crop offers less support but is so comfortable and suitable for up to a DD-cup. It offers full coverage, plus the double lining and ribbed fabric make it ideal for *ahem, when the air conditioner gets cranked. I ordered a size medium since it’s so stretchy, and that was the right call. I wish the rib band were even tighter because I notice my boobs need to be lifted after wearing it for too long, but it’s still comfortable and supportive enough for a quick lift, walk, or stretch. Basically, a great cool-down/recovery day bra!
3. Allwear
My rating | 8/10, a unicorn sports bra (for smaller cup sizes)
Materials | Tanboocel® Bamboo Lyocell, cotton, and BPA-free elastane
Sizes | XXS – 7XL
Price | $58+
Allwear gets the number three spot on the list because I love the idea of this sports bra, and it’s perfect for smaller cup sizes. Plus, how dreamy is this mist color? The bamboo top is made with a blend of Tanboocel® Bamboo Lyocell, cotton, and BPA-free elastane. It’s Organic Content Standard Certified, OEKO-TEX Certified, and free from PFAS, BPA, GMOs, pesticides, and formaldehyde. Oh, and it’s made with non-toxic azo-free dyes. What’s more, sizing goes up to 7XL. It’s truly a unicorn sports bra, folks!
That said, the shelf bra was (begrudgingly) too small for my cup size. Everything else was literally perfect — from the soft fabric to the adjustable criss-cross straps. I love how I feel and look while wearing this top, and if I smoosh my boobs in, I can make it work. But it just doesn’t fit well for D+ cups. Honesty, I love it so much I am tempted to take it to a seamstress to see if we can make some adjustments, and I plan to try other sports bras from the brand to see if something else will fit better.
4. Q for Quinn
My rating | 7/10 for the crisscross bralette, best for walks and hikes
Materials | 100% organic cotton
Sizes | XS – 3XL
Price Range | $42+
This was my first time trying Q for Quinn, and I was so surprised by how much I loved this bra. I didn’t expect to be impressed by a soft, wire-free cotton bralette as a D cup, but color me surprised because I really love this one! The adjustable straps create a more lifted, secure fit, and the 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton is breathable, lightweight, and soft. I also love how the brand uses non-toxic, azo-free dyes and nickel-free hardware.
In terms of performance, it’s best suited for low-impact movement. I’ve been wearing it on long walks and weekend hikes with my daughter (it’s nursing-friendly and easy to pull up/down!). It offers enough support for these lighter activities, but I wouldn’t wear it for high-impact workouts or anything that requires inversions. I will say this is one of the most flattering bras I’ve tried, and I feel so good in it! It’s a great option if you have smaller cups and are looking for something you can wear for a light workout and for lounging or running errands. No wardrobe change needed.
5. MATE the Label
My rating | 6/10, best for small cup sizes and low-impact activities
Materials | GOTS-certified organic cotton, spandex
Sizes | XS – 3X
Price | $58+
I love MATE the Label for organic basics and sweatpants. Unfortunately, the brand just isn’t there yet when it comes to sports bras for larger cup sizes. I tried two styles — the Organic Stretch Sports Bra and the Organic Stretch Racer Tank — and neither fit me very well. Both lacked adequate compression and coverage for exercise, and the shelf bra inside the tank didn’t provide enough lift to hold my boobs up during any activity (ty breastfeeding!). You can see the amount of cleavage and also how there are gaps on the sides of the bra under my armpits.
That said, I still recommend MATE for organic, low-impact sports bras if you are a B cup or smaller, and I love the brand for other organic essentials. All the bras are made with GOTS-certified organic cotton and come in the dreamiest colorways, often with matching leggings or biker shorts. If you don’t need the extra support, these bras are so soft and perfect for yoga, pilates, and walking. We have a few team members who swear by the brand for athlesiurewear — read our editor’s review of the full MATE activewear collection and my review of their sweats (as well as the scoop bra before I had a baby!).
6. TomboyX
My rating | 5/10 for the soft bra, best for lounging and walks (10/10 for the recycled nylon bra, best for running, jumping, and HIIT!)
Materials | OEKO-TEX® certified cotton, spandex
Sizes | XS – 6X
Price Range | $38+
Tomboyx has one of my all-time favorite sports bras. A few years ago, I tested the Full Spectrum Bra, and it’s been on regular rotation ever since. It’s held up to hundreds of washes and remains the bra I reach for when I go for a run or a HIIT class. The only thing is that it’s made from recycled nylon (albeit OEKO-TEX). I’ve taken a photo wearing it because it’s worth sharing, even though it’s not cotton. I’ve owned this bra for three years.
For this specific review, I was curious to see if any of the brand’s cotton bras could match my love for the Full Spectrum. I tried the Racerback Soft Bra in a large, and found it to have adequate compression, though nothing like the Full Spectrum. The material is incredibly thin, and it doesn’t have padding or cups — my boobs look so sad in it! But it does its job in terms of offering coverage and enough support for activities like strength training, and it would be easy to nurse in this. I also love that the scoop neckline is a bit higher, so I don’t spill out the top during planks or yoga. I just wish it had more elastic so I felt truly supported. TomboyX is the most size-inclusive brand on the list, offering up to 6X, and it is a B Corp.
7. Jungmaven
My rating | 4/10 for the Racer Bra, 11/10 for the Sporty Tank
Materials | Hemp, organic cotton, spandex/jersey
Sizes | XS – 2X
Price Range | $44+
I have long been a fan of Jungmaven. If you’ve never tried hemp clothing, it’s incredibly durable — I have pieces from the brand that have lasted years and still look as good as new.
That said, Jungmaven makes clothes for a very specific body type, and I was skeptical trying out their Racer Bra, marketed as a “sustainable alternative to synthetic activewear.” The low cut, light stretch, and zero padding or adjustable straps had me doubtful — and I was unfortunately right. The Racer Bra, while made from a soft, breathable hemp blend, offers very little support or compression. On a fuller chest, it feels more like a lounge or sleep bra — and even then, it probably wouldn’t hold everything in at night. I’d only recommend it for smaller cup sizes or if you’re specifically looking for something extremely light and unstructured. The quality is fantastic, though, and with over 100 five-star reviews, it works well for the right person.
On the complete other end of the spectrum, I haven’t taken the Sporty Tank off since it arrived — seriously, I’m wearing it while writing this, and I actually paused to order three more because it’s all I want to wear and work out in for summer. It’s the most flattering tank top I’ve ever owned, hugging and covering in all the right places. The cropped fit is perfect, and it works for everything from lifts and yoga to hikes and errands. I love that it pairs effortlessly with high-waisted leggings or shorts, too. The brand also offers 20% off to military, teachers, healthcare workers, students, and first responders!
8. Menique
My rating | 5/10, best for smaller cup sizes and as a base layer
Materials | 100% virgin Merino wool
Sizes | XS – L
Price Range | $55
If you’re looking for a natural-fiber sports bra, Menique’s 160gsm Merino Wool Sports Bra is worth checking out. It’s made from lightweight Merino wool yarn and can be worn next to the skin as a base layer in cooler weather or on its own for mid- to high-intensity activities. The wool is breathable, thermoregulating, and hypoallergenic, which makes it great for hiking, camping, or outdoor workouts.
I really wanted to love this bra because I’m a sucker for a simple racerback, especially for long hikes. But the relaxed fit and looser band didn’t provide enough support for my fuller, postpartum chest, and the fabric felt a little too thin for my taste. It’s better suited for smaller cup sizes or anyone who wants a lightweight, easygoing bra made from natural materials. I might try a smaller size in the future to see if it adds more compression.
9. AYA
My rating | 5/10, best for smaller cup sizes and as a lounge bra
Materials | 100% organic cotton
Sizes | XS – XXL
Price Range | $35
AYA is a family-owned brand in Los Angeles on a mission to cut through greenwashing and actually make sustainable clothing. Their bralettes are made from 100% Peruvian Pima cotton — a long-staple, ultra-soft fiber that’s naturally breathable, hypoallergenic, and resistant to pilling. Every step, from growing and spinning to knitting, dyeing, and sewing, takes place in their studio in Peru, and even the tags are made of 100% organic cotton.
What I love most is that this bralette is completely free of petrochemicals and microplastics, using only plant-based or low-impact GOTS dyes and cotton threads. The fit is relaxed and comfortable rather than performance-oriented, so it’s not built for working out — especially if you have a larger cup size. While I appreciate the natural, organic materials, it doesn’t provide the compression or support needed for movement. This is a bralette to buy for lounging and everyday comfort!
Kayti Christian is a Senior Content Strategist at The Good Trade. With an MFA in Nonfiction Creative Writing, her work has appeared in TODAY, Shondaland, and The New York Times. Since 2017, Kayti has been uncovering and reviewing the best sustainable home brands and wellness products. Her personal journey through four years of fertility treatments has inspired her to write extensively about women’s healthcare and reproductive access. Beyond her work at The Good Trade, Kayti is the creator of phone notes, a Substack newsletter with 7,000 subscribers, and the cohost of the FriedEggs Podcast, which delves into IVF and infertility.
