I’m a Fitness Editor and the Most Comfortable Sports Bra I’ve Ever Worn Is Made of Wool

4 min readI think it’s fair to say that most women spend a lot of time trying to find a comfortable sports bra, and that it’s not always easy. That’s why, when we do find a bra that feels great to wear for hours on end, some of us want to start telling everyone about it, almost like a way of paying it forward. That’s what I’m doing about the Branwyn Essential Busty Bra.ProsAdjustable, convertible straps can be worn straight or crossedSeamless construction doesn’t dig in100% Merino WoolBreathable and odor-resistant Transparent supply chainConsNot ideal for high impact activitiesMaterial100% Merino woolSupportLow-ImpactSizingXS-XXLColors8Adjustable StrapsYesFabric and ConstructionThe thing about this bra that made me want to test it immediately is its seamless construction and the fact that it’s made of—wait for it—100 percent merino wool. Yes, wool to work out in. I don’t know about you, but when I thought “wool,” the first thing that came to mind was itchy winter sweaters—not exactly what I’m going for when I’m shopping for a sports bra.Branwyn’s merino wool couldn’t be further from that imaginary scratchy sweater. For me, Merino technical fabric in sports bra form has been a revelation. The fiber has the sweat-wicking, odor-neutralizing, and seamless second-skin feel of a synthetic but in a natural fiber package. One of the things I like so much is that it doesn’t chafe or feel scratchy in any way—neither from the Merino wool or from any seams.Another is the temperature regulation that merino provides that’s almost magical. I tend to run hot, and I was worried that this bra would feel like wearing a sweater in July, but that is the opposite of what I’ve experienced. The fabric doesn’t get stinky even if I do, which was a pleasant discovery during a heated pilates class.The easy hand-washability of Branwyn’s merino means this will also be the sports bra I reach for when I travel and am trying to pack light. When I hand-washed it in cold water in my bathroom sink and hung it to dry, it was dry, clean, and ready to wear again the next day. It’s also underwire-free and all around so comfortable that I can almost forget I’m wearing it.An added and hugely important bonus: All of the brand’s merino is ZQ+ certified, OEKO-TEX 100, and REACH compliant, which means the quality of the wool meets a certain (very high) standard and that it’s produced within a traceable supply chain that prioritizes the welfare of the sheep, the farmers, and the planet.Shop the Branwyn Essential Busty BraWashing and CareYou can machine wash this bra, which was also a pleasant surprise to me because I thought throwing wool in the washing machine was a big no-no. Just make sure to wash using cold water, ideally in a wash bag to protect the straps (which is really a good rule of thumb for any kind of bra).Hand-washing is also an option of course, but the most important thing is to avoid putting this bra in the dryer and to lay it flat to dry (also a good rule to follow for bras in general). I thought that taking care of technical merino fabric would be high-maintenance, but it’s just like caring for any other sports bra.Shop the Branwyn Essential Busty BraLevel of SupportAll of this being said, the lighter support of this bra means it isn’t one I would reach for if I’m doing dynamic HIIT, agility, or any type of high-impact activity during which I personally always want the high level of support and low level of bounce of a high-impact sports bra.While the 2.5-inch-wide band at the bottom of the bra provides comfortable, nonconstricting support, it’s not what I’d want to wear to do any kind of jumping. For anyone larger than an A/B cup, I’d categorize this as a light to medium support sports bra due to the absence of molded cups and/or an underwire. For me, that makes it ideal to wear for regular strength training sessions, pilates, yoga, and also just everyday wear.Shop the Branwyn Essential Busty BraAlternatives: Other Merino Wool Sports Bras If you’re looking for a racerback-style sports bra made of a blend of merino and other fibers (in this case nylon, elastane, polyester, and the regenerated plant-based Tencel Lyocell fiber), the Intraknit Racerback Bra from Smartwool would be an option to consider. This bra also offers removable cups for a bit more support, though it’s still categorized as a low-impact bra.If you prefer a bralette-style, REI’s merino Bralette offers slim but adjustable spaghetti-style straps, and a blend of Merino, Tencel Lyocell fiber, nylon, and spandex. The Merino Bralette is compatible with insertable cups but doesn’t come with them, an effort by the brand to reduce waste. After considering how many times I have chucked removable cups into the garbage, this actually makes a lot of sense.Pullover-style bras can be a bummer if limited shoulder mobility is an issue, or if you simply gravitate toward a bra style with hook closures in the back. The 100 percent merino wool Queens Clasp bra offers the traditional back closure style as well as adjustable straps, so it’s easy to take on and off and get a well-adjusted fit.Final VerdictIf you’re looking for a medium-support sports bra that is easy on the skin and on the planet, the Branwyn Essential Busty Bra is an option you should definitely consider. The brand’s proprietary technical merino wool packs the benefits of a high-performance fabric, like moisture-wicking and body temperature regulation. Branwyn also offers free returns within 30 days of purchase and a 100 percent money-back guarantee on all of its items, making it feel less risky to try a Merino wool sports bra for a newbie like me.Shop the Branwyn Essential Busty BraBranwyn Essential Busty Bra AlternativesSmartwool Intraknit ™ Racerback BraRei Co-Op Merino BraletteCredit: Courtesy of REIIcebreaker Merino Queens Clasp BraNatascha is an editor and writer covering health, fitness, and the ways people move through the world. She’s been a NASM-certified personal trainer for more than a decade, with a background in functional strength training, corrective exercise, nutrition, and behavior change. She has additional CES, CNC, BCS, and SFC certifications. She is also a level-2 certified Spinning instructor. Her work has appeared in Bicycling, Runner’s World, and other outlets, and her experience spans both editorial and hands-on work across the fitness industry. Whether she’s writing about training, health, or performance, she’s most interested in making complicated topics useful, approachable, and helpful.