When Should You Replace a Sports Bra?

What Causes a Sports Bra to Wear Out?

Sports bras save your breasts from being strained—or even injured—by repetitive bouncing and movement caused by running, but that energy gets transferred into the bra’s support system. The bra stretches and contracts as it absorbs the impact, and over time the fibers, elastic and other components weaken, which compromises support.

Here are some other things that wear your bra out:

• Washing machines. The more you wash your bra, the faster it breaks down. Try to wear your bra more than once between washes (if it doesn’t smell too bad) to prolong its life.
• Clothes dryers. High heat from a clothes dryer can ruin your bra’s elastic band, which is the most supportive part. Always hang them to dry.
• Body oils. Oils from your body can clog up the fabric of a bra, making it less breathable. Make sure you know how to wash your sports bra properly to keep it running in top shape.

How to Know Your Sports Bra is Worn Out

• Straps sliding. If the straps of your bra are sliding around, coming off your shoulders during exercise or you can’t adjust them like you want to, they’re likely worn out.
• Chafing around the band. Your bra’s band will stretch out and loosen as it ages. If you start to experience chafing around your midsection, it could be because the band is moving around as you work out.
• Color changes. Has your light-colored bra turned yellow-ish? Has the color faded or dulled? It’s time to buy a new bra if your current rig undergoes a noticeable color change.
• Fraying. Frayed edges or exposed clasps can lead to irritation and are another sign that it’s time to replace a bra.
• Worn out elastic. Tug on the straps and the bottom band. If they don’t rebound or you don’t feel any resistance, it’s past its prime.

Looking for a simpler approach? Brooks puts it this way: No sports bra should celebrate a birthday.

So, throw out those candles and ditch the cake. It’s time to get fit for a new sports bra.