Custom Sports Bra Manufacturing: A Factory Guide

Table of Contents


Quick Answer

Manufacturing custom sports bras is primarily about support engineering, not just fabric or style.

From my experience, brands struggle with sports bras because they underestimate:

  • Support structure
  • Elastic behavior
  • Cup and strap interaction

This guide explains how factories actually manufacture sports bras — and what brands must control to avoid fit failures, returns, and negative reviews.


Why Sports Bras Are Harder to Manufacture Than Leggings

Compared to leggings, sports bras:

  • Carry more weight and tension in smaller areas
  • Require more precise elastic control
  • Must fit across cup size, not just waist/hip

A leggings fit issue might cause discomfort.
A sports bra fit issue causes lack of support or pain — which leads to immediate returns.


My Experience Manufacturing Custom Sports Bras

I’ve worked with brands producing:

  • Light-support yoga bras
  • Medium-support training bras
  • High-support running and HIIT bras
  • Longline and cropped bra tops

The biggest mistake I see:

Brands design sports bras visually, not structurally.

A good-looking bra that lacks proper internal support will always fail in real workouts.


What Defines a High-Quality Sports Bra

A high-quality sports bra must balance support, comfort, and durability.

Element What Matters Why It’s Critical
Fabric Stretch recovery Prevents bounce
Elastic Strength + rebound Maintains support
Lining Stability Shapes and controls
Seams Placement & strength Prevents irritation
Straps Width & elasticity Distributes load

Support comes from structure, not compression alone.


Step-by-Step: Custom Sports Bra Manufacturing Process

1. Support Level & Intended Use

Factories first define:

  • Light support (yoga, pilates)
  • Medium support (training, cycling)
  • High support (running, HIIT)

Support level affects:

  • Fabric GSM
  • Elastic strength
  • Strap width
  • Internal structure

2. Fabric, Lining & Elastic Selection

Common materials:

  • Nylon + Spandex (outer shell)
  • Power mesh (internal support)
  • Brushed lining (comfort)
  • Reinforced elastic (underbust)

Elastic quality is often the deciding factor between good and bad sports bras.


3. Pattern Engineering & Size Grading

Sports bras require:

  • Cup-aware pattern shaping
  • Correct underbust tension
  • Strap angle optimization

Poor grading leads to:

  • Digging straps
  • Loose underbust
  • Insufficient support in larger sizes

4. Sampling, Fit Testing & Revisions

Sampling stages include:

  • Prototype
  • Fit sample
  • Support test sample
  • Size set samples

Fit testing should include:

  • Jumping
  • Running
  • Stretch and recovery checks

5. Production, QC & Consistency

QC focus points:

  • Elastic stretch and rebound
  • Strap strength testing
  • Seam stress testing
  • Size measurement tolerance

Sports bras require tighter QC than leggings.


1. Fukigymwear – Performance Sports Bra OEM

👉 Fukigymwear

Specializes in custom sports bras with controlled support engineering and fit development.
Best for: Performance and private label activewear brands.


2. Affix Apparel – Custom Activewear Manufacturer

👉 Affix Apparel

Offers low-MOQ custom sports bra manufacturing.
Best for: Startups testing multiple designs.


3. Argus Apparel – USA-Based Manufacturer

👉 Argus Apparel

Provides design, sampling, and domestic production support.
Best for: Brands prioritizing USA-made sports bras.


4. Hucai Sportswear – OEM Activewear Factory

👉 Hucai Sportswear

One-stop OEM solution for sports bras and gym wear.
Best for: Brands scaling bulk production.


5. Alanic – Global Sportswear Manufacturer

👉 Alanic

Large-scale production with global capacity.
Best for: Established brands expanding internationally.


Comparison Table

Manufacturer MOQ Strength Best For
Fukigymwear Low–Mid Support engineering Performance brands
Affix Apparel Low Custom flexibility Startups
Argus Apparel Mid USA OEM Domestic positioning
Hucai Sportswear Mid–High Cost efficiency Bulk orders
Alanic High Scale & capacity Global brands

How to Choose the Right Factory for Your Brand

  • Yoga / studio brands: prioritize comfort and fabric feel
  • Training brands: prioritize elastic and support testing
  • Premium brands: prioritize QC and consistency
  • Scaling brands: prioritize capacity and repeatability

Choosing the wrong factory shows immediately in sports bras.


FAQs

Q: What is the MOQ for custom sports bras?
A: Typically 100–300 pcs per style depending on structure and materials.

Q: Are sports bras harder to manufacture than leggings?
A: Yes — they require more structural engineering and tighter QC.

Q: Can support level be customized?
A: Absolutely. Support level is defined at the pattern and elastic stage.


Work With Fukigymwear

If you’re developing custom sports bras and need a factory that understands support, fit, and consistency,
👉 Fukigymwear offers end-to-end manufacturing support — from development to bulk production.

We help brands build sports bras customers trust during real workouts.

owen@bless-dg.com

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