We Found the 10 Best Cooling Bras to Keep You Comfortable on Sweltering Summer Days

Thirdlove is a San Francisco–based bra company that gives women a third option for bras — the assumption being that the existing choices are between sexy and comfortable. We’ll let you decide if they’ve bridged that gap, but we’re more interested in their TempSync fabric, which is specifically designed to regulate your body temperature. The fabric is infused with natural minerals, which have a cooling effect on your skin, preventing you from breaking a sweat to begin with. If you’re looking for a traditional bra with typical foam cup liners and underwire that’s still designed to keep you cool, this is a great option. The bra is marketed as being “perfect for staying cool through menopausal hot flashes” and comes with typical back closure and adjustable straps. There’s also a wireless option made of the same TempSync fabric, if you prefer.

For the closest thing to wearing nothing at all, Eby puts an impressive level of support into what feels like a mere wisp of fabric. Seamless, nonslip flocking lines all the edges and cups of this completely mesh bra, holding everything in place with as little fabric as possible. There’s no thick band or liners to trap heat, and while the material is made of nylon and elastic, it’s such a small amount of fabric that it’s barely noticeable.

Many reviews from users with larger busts found the bra surprisingly supportive — the larger cup size bras are made with thicker straps and more coverage. But several people, particularly those with larger busts, complained that the material didn’t hold up well and suspected the bra wouldn’t last long. Across the board, most users found the bra to be extremely comfortable, lightweight, and breathable. Eby also uses a portion of its profits to support women in the developing world with microloans. This mission sounds similar to what their bras offer: a more comfortable life with a moderate level of support.

Understance offers inclusive sizing, with bras available in sizes 28 to 48, A to N. The Canadian company prides itself on being “solution-oriented.” Some of the solutions they offer include “antichafing,” “back smoothing,” and “asymmetry friendly,” and you can browse categories like “big band small cup” or “mastectomy” while shopping. They’ve also got a wealth of information on understanding your breast shape better to help you choose the best-fitting, most comfortable bra. Their cooling fabric is primarily made of polyester and spandex, which has been perforated for heat dissipation and breathability. The bra also features a 100-percent cotton “one pocket per boob” internal sling that keeps your breasts separate from each other and also from your torso.

I’ve never had a product made of Nike’s Dri-FIT technology that I didn’t love. The polyester microfiber material wicks away sweat as well or better than any other product I’ve tried, leaving you comfortable and dry no matter how heavily you’re sweating. Our tester, Lindsay Modglin, also raved about Dri-FIT’s effectiveness. “I love Nikes Dri-FIT, especially when it comes to sports bras, because I sweat a lot. It wicks sweat and moisture away really well, but the fabric doesn’t cling to my skin or feel sticky,” she said. She described the bra as “extremely soft, and still feels supportive to my DD bust even though it’s a light-support bra. I typically don’t wear light-support bras because they don’t provide enough support, but this one surprised me.” As for the fit, she described the bra as “amazingly comfortable” and “lightweight.”

CUUP’s mesh plunge bra has a deep V-cut, making it a great choice for low-cut tops or for simply maximizing breeze-to-cleavage contact. CUUP’s entire line of bras is designed to have a “minimal look and feel” without sacrificing support. The wireless plunge is no exception. Its entirely mesh cups offer a “barely there” feel, while a single straight line of boning on either side offers a surprising amount of added support and lift, without the under-boob irritation of a standard underwire. Keep in mind that the fabric is extremely sheer. This is not a safe choice for a white shirt. Added bonus: All of CUUP’s bras are tagless.

Smartwool’s crop bra is a fusion between a crop top and a sports bra, making it a solid stand-alone top for hot yoga or just a hot day. The shelf bra with removable pads is suitable for low-impact activities, while the liner material is ideal for heat. The 15-percent merino wool and 31-percent CoolMax polyester blend works wonders at providing breathability and wicking away sweat, keeping you cooler and dryer than your typical workout top. 

“I really enjoyed this top. I am always a fan of crop tops because I put one thing on top and done — I am dressed. The fit was flattering, supportive, and sweat-wicking,” said our tester, Brittany Scanniello. She found the wool in this bra “was not itchy at all,” while the Icebreaker bra she tried had been, perhaps because this one is only 15-percent wool, while the icebreaker bra is 40-percent wool. She described the support as “perfect” without being constrictive and found that the “breathable, four-way stretch fabric” lived up to its claims of great stretch and flex. “It was a very comfortable all-in-one bra,” concluded Scanniello.

Icebreaker is a New Zealand company that has been making natural, sustainable activewear from merino wool since 1995. Merino wool is a fantastic material for any season: It’s extremely breathable (meaning it will release your body heat instead of trapping it), and it is also moisture-wicking, pulling sweat away from your skin as you produce it. The Sprite Racerback bra is made of the company’s signature Cool-Lite blend, which is 40-percent merino wool, 56-percent TENCEL Lyocel (another natural fiber that wicks and cools, made from wood), and 4-percent elastane. Icebreaker is moving toward making its fabrics completely plastic-free, and it’s almost there: 97.56 percent of the fibers in its current collection are plastic-free. Our tester, Brittany Scanniello, RD, said the fabric “feels very light and almost thin, and it’s quick drying.” However, Scanniello found the bra got itchy after she started sweating: “By the end of the day, I was ready to take it off,” she said.

Personally, I swear by my merino wool base layers. They do get a little itchy once they’re soaked with sweat, but I find that slight itch much less irritating than either the heavy, soggy, soaking-wet cotton equivalent or a slimy, unbreathable synthetic version that makes me feel like Saran-wrapped leftovers. If you’re planning an all-day outdoor activity, whether it’s a hike, a festival, or a day in the park with the kids, Icebreaker’s Sprite Racerback can save you from the swamp within.