Galloping Ahead: The Importance of a High-Impact Sports Bra for Horse Riders

Understanding the Different Types of Sports Bras
Sports bras can be broadly categorised into three types: compression, encapsulation, and hybrid. Compression bras compress your breasts against your chest, providing support and minimising bounce. They're best for women with small to medium-sized breasts and are perfect for low-to-medium impact activities such as yoga, walking, and weightlifting. Encapsulation bras, on the other hand, encase each breast individually, providing support and separation. They can often come with underwires too to provide a pleasing shape. They're best for women with larger breasts and are perfect for high-impact activities such as running, jumping, and dancing. Finally, hybrid bras are a combination of compression and encapsulation styles, providing both compression and individual support for each breast, making them suitable for a wide range of activities and breast sizes.
High-Impact Sports Bras: The Best Choice for Hose Riding
When it comes to horse riding, the constant bouncing and jostling can put a lot of stress on a woman's chest. That's why high-impact sports bras are the best choice for equestrian athletes. These bras are specifically designed to provide maximum support and minimise bounce during high-impact activities. They're perfect for horse riding, which is a demanding and physically demanding sport that requires a lot of upper body strength and stability.
There are no muscles in your breast and so we must rely on external support which provides us with the right level of support for our activity and bust size. You may also want to find one which has a racerback, as these normally provide a further boost of support.
Finding the Perfect Fit: Tips for Choosing the Right Sports Bra for Horse Riding
The biggest thing I've learnt since starting my sports bra brand, MAAREE, is that finding the ultimate sports bra design is actually only half the battle. The other half is getting is in your right size. You could be wearing the best sports bra in the entire world, but if you're wearing it in the wrong size, it's not going to provide you with the best level of support that it possible could.
When it comes to finding the perfect fit, the most important thing is to make sure that the sports bra you choose is comfortable and provides enough support. Here are some tips to help you find the right sports bra for horse riding:
-
Measure yourself correctly: Make sure to take your measurements correctly to ensure that you get the right size. You can find our helpful guide on how to do this yourself, here. If you're not quite sure and would like a hand, we provide free online fittings most days fo the week. Book here.
-
Try on different styles: Different styles will fit and feel different, so try on as many as you can to find the one that feels the best for your size, shape and needs.
-
Look for adjustable straps and closures: Adjustable straps and closures will allow you to customise the fit of the sports bra to your body, ensuring that you get the right amount of support. Why not take a look at our Solidarity High-Impact Bra, which has 8 points of adjustability.
-
Pay attention to the material: Look for sports bras made of moisture-wicking material, which will keep you dry and comfortable during long rides. Not to mention one that is non-stretch in the main body, for ultimate bounce reduction.
- Give it a quick test: Whether you're ordered online or in store, take a few minutes to jump around and mimic the activities you're looking to use your sports bra for. It can give you a quick indicator of how it's going to perform for you.
Conclusion
Finding the right high-impact sports bra for horse riding is crucial for both comfort and support. It's important to consider factors such as breast size, activity level, and personal preferences when choosing a sports bra. When looking for a sports bra specifically for horse riding, be sure to look for features such as adjustable straps and extra support in the form of underwire or straps. Remember, a good sports bra can make all the difference in your riding performance and comfort. So, don't be shy to invest in a quality equestrian sports bra – your "girls" will thank you! And remember, as the old horse-riding adage goes: "A good sports bra is worth its weight in hay!"
Still not sure? Talk to a person.
Fifteen minutes with a MAAREE expert fitter, online or in person. Bring your tape, bring your questions, bring the bra that hurts. We will tell you which size and which style across every bra we make. No purchase needed.
- Around 15 minutes, 1-to-1 with a real fitter
- Free. No purchase required, even after the call
- Available across UK, EU and US time zones
- Useful if you've gone up or down a band, postpartum, or post-surgery
I'd been told I was a 36C for fifteen years. Booked a Zoom fitting on a Tuesday lunch break, walked away a 32E. First time a sports bra hasn't hurt my shoulders.
Sample fit testimonialBlog posts

Women’s Night Match at the French Open: A 3-Year Wait
On the 1st of June, Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka walked out under the lights at Roland Garros. It was the first time in nearly three years that a women’s match had been given the night session o...
Read more
January, we don’t need you to fix us. “New year. New you.”Sorry, says who?Women do not need rebuilding. We don’t need a “before”, and many of us aren’t striving for an after. Movement is continuou...
Read more
MAAREE Turns 7! A Big Thank You & Our Biggest Year Yet
MAAREE turns seven this month, and it has been our biggest year so far. Here is a look back at the highlights and what we are excited to build next.
Read more


