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Let’s be honest: the “perfect” sports bra feels like the holy grail of fitness. We’ve all been in that humbling situation where we are trying on the latest, trending sports bra that cost as much as a weekly grocery haul, only to find the fit, feel, and support do not live up to the hype or the price. If you’re like me, balancing a 9-5, your savings goals, and your 2026 fitness routine, you need gear that works as hard as you do without breaking the bank.
In 2026, the “Soft Sculpt” movement has officially taken over. We aren’t just looking for compression anymore; we want technical sculpting that feels like a second skin. I’ve spent the last month putting the most talked-about bras to the test on the track to figure out if one of my tried-and-true brands stands up to the high-end, legacy brands.
Today, I’m putting the Gymshark Soft Sculpt V-Neck Sports Bra head-to-head with the industry giants: the Lululemon Energy Bra, the Under Armour Womens Infinity High Impact Sports Bra, and the Alo Airlift Sleek Bra Tank. Here is why Gymshark is officially taking the crown this year.
1. The Winner: Gymshark Soft Sculpt V-Neck Sports Bra
It is no secret that GymShark is my go-to brand in the gym. They always have the best styles, a wide range of support options for sports bras, and I feel like they are still available at a reasonable price.
If you haven’t tried the Soft Sculpt collection yet, consider this your sign. At $56 CAD, it is significantly more affordable than its “prestige” competitors, and it does so without sacrificing quality.
- The Comfort & Style: For girls with smaller to mid-size chests, the V-neck design is incredibly flattering. It gives you that “minimal” aesthetic that’s trending this year, but because of the soft-sculpt fabric, it doesn’t dig into your traps or lats. It’s the kind of sports bra that I can actually wear from my 9-5 (under a sweater) straight into a workout without feeling the need to “escape” it by noon.
- The Support: While Gymshark technically labels this as light-to-medium support, the “sculpting” technology provides a technical “hug” that feels much more secure than traditional light-support bras. For weight training, conditioning, and running it holds everything in place with a sleek, low-profile fit.
For price, style, and that “barely-there” comfort, this is my top choice for 2026 winner. Get yours in rich maroon (shown above), or one of the other colour ways.
2. The Legacy Contender: Lululemon Energy Bra
The Energy Bra is a staple, but at roughly $64–$78 (depending on the version), the price point is becoming harder to justify in 2026. Not to mention, Lululemon has made it more and more difficult to support the brand since its CEO made a number of questionable statements about who “fits” Luluelemon.
But I wanted to include them here because I know that lots of women still gravitate towards their products because of their reputation as a high-quality brand.
The Luxtreme fabric is durable but when I put this to the test on my sister, who has a bigger chest than me and is sensitive to straps that dig in, she was quickly annoyed by the design of this bra. Once she noticed the straps digging in, she wasn’t able to focus on the rest of her workout and was fussing with the straps to try and make it more comfortable.
Compared to the Gymshark Soft Sculpt, the Lulu Energy Bra feels more “traditional” and seems to be relying on Lululemon’s former reputation. It doesn’t have that modern, seamless sculpting feel that makes the Gymshark version so comfortable for all-day wear.
And any gym gear that distracts you from a great workout is just not one that I would ever recommend.
3. The Technical Powerhouse: Under Armour Women’s Infinity High
If you are doing maximum-impact sprints or 100+ burpees in a HYROX simulation, the Under Armour Infinity High Impact Bra is a go-to, legacy sports bra for a reason. It uses a unique injection-moulded padding in a figure-8 shape that actually syncs with the natural figure-8 movement of breasts during exercise.
- The Pro: The support is unmatched. If you are a C-cup or above and doing high-impact work, this is a very strong contender.
- The Con: It is very technical. It feels more like a piece of equipment than a piece of clothing. It can be a bit bulky under everyday clothes, and at ~$80 CAD, it’s a steeper investment than the Gymshark winner. It wins for performance, but loses for “lifestyle” versatility. I have also always found that the band on UnderArmour sports bras is super constricting and digs into my ribs.
4. The Luxury Aesthetic: Alo Airlift Sleek Bra Tank
Alo Yoga is a brand you just can’t ignore anymore. All of your favourite celebrities are wearing it to their weekly Erewhon smoothie date, and it has taken over as the popular brand at the pilates class. The hype is alive and thriving – but you’ll have to empty your wallet to get in on the trend.
The Airlift Sleek Bra Tank is beautiful and fits in with the rest of Alo’s minimalist, feminine designs. It features their signature high-compression Airlift fabric and a chic, bonded finish that looks great in photos.
- The Pro: It’s a bra and a tank in one, making it perfect for those of us who prefer a bit more coverage through the torso.
- The Con: The price. At $100 CAD, it’s twice the price of the GymShark alternative. You really are paying a premium for the brand name, which is a kew reason why Alo is rarely my first choice. While the fabric is sleek, it can sometimes feel too compressive and “plasticky” during a heavy sweat session compared to the breathable, buttery feel of Gymshark’s Soft Sculpt.
Why Price Matters in 2026
We’re all looking to grow our communities and our health this year, but that shouldn’t mean spending $100 on a single piece of fabric. The reason I continue to support Gymshark is that they’ve mastered the performance-to-price ratio. It leaves me feeling good about supporting them as a brand because they’ve made great training gear more accessible.
When you’re training 4–5 days a week, you need a solid rotation of leggings, sports bras, and tops. You can buy two Gymshark Soft Sculpt bras for nearly the price of one Alo tank. That means less time doing laundry and more time focused on your fitness goals.
Final Thoughts: How to Style It
The Soft Sculpt V-Neck looks best when paired with the matching Soft Sculpt Leggings. The tonal logos are minimal and sophisticated, which I find is a much better look than a centred, stand-out logo. It’s gear that makes you feel confident the moment you step into the gym.
My Pro-Tip: This bra runs true to size, but if you want that extra “locked-in” feel for a metcon or a light run, don’t be afraid to size down. The straps are adjustable and there are removable pads, so you can adjust it to keep the comfort while increasing the compression. The fabric has incredible recovery, so it won’t stretch out or sag over time!
Riley Pearce 