Great sports bras are not “soft tops with elastic.”
They are engineered systems built from fabric behavior, stretch direction, panel layout, and support architecture.
From my experience developing activewear:
A high-support bra with weak fabric fails.
A premium fabric with no structure slides.
When brands ask me:
“Why does our bra feel good on the model but fail in real wear?”
The answer is usually one of these:
A real sports bra distributes force across:
Fabric and structure must be designed together.
Across multiple brands, the same mistakes repeat:
Strong brands do the opposite:
Support is not thickness.
Support is controlled resistance.
| Fabric Type | Behavior | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Nylon/Spandex | Smooth, high recovery | Everyday & medium support |
| Polyester/Spandex | Durable, cost-effective | Entry-level bras |
| Double-knit | Dense, stable | High support |
| Power mesh | Controlled stretch | Inner support layers |
| Recycled blends | Eco positioning | Lifestyle & yoga |
Key metrics we test:
Fabric that feels premium can still fail structurally.
Support is built through:
| Support Level | Structural Approach |
|---|---|
| Light | Single-layer knit + soft elastic |
| Medium | Double-layer body + shaped straps |
| High | Power mesh core + rigid underband |
Elastic alone never solves bounce.
| Activity | Fabric Focus | Support Design |
|---|---|---|
| Yoga | Soft hand feel | Light compression |
| Training | Breathability | Medium structure |
| Running | High recovery | Multi-layer core |
| HIIT | Heat release | High tension zones |
This is where many brands fail—using “one bra for all.”
OEM and private label production with fabric testing, stretch analysis, and multi-support bra systems.
Best for: Brands building technically correct bra lines.
Global leader in seamless and molded bra technology.
Best for: Technical support and molded structures.
👉 Hop Lun
Large-scale OEM with strong sports bra and performance categories.
Best for: Scale with consistent structure.
Focused on technical fabrics and engineered garment systems.
Best for: Performance-driven sports bras.
Global leader in performance underwear and sports bra engineering, with advanced fabric labs, molding systems, and support architecture.
Best for: High-support sports bras and performance-driven collections.
| Manufacturer | Core Strength | MOQ | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fukigymwear | Fabric + structure integration | Low | Growing brands |
| Regina Miracle | Seamless & molded tech | Medium | Technical bras |
| Hop Lun | Scale & consistency | High | Large programs |
| Tex-Ray Industrial | Performance systems | Medium | Training bras |
| MAS Holdings | Support engineering & labs | High | High-support bras |
Choose based on engineering depth, not just cost.
Q: Can one fabric work for all support levels?
A: No. Support requires different stretch behavior and structure.
Q: Why do bras lose shape after washing?
A: Poor recovery or unstable elastics.
Q: Is thicker fabric always better?
A: No. Controlled resistance matters more than thickness.
If you’re developing sports bras with real support performance,
you need a partner who understands fabric behavior and structural design.
👉 Fukigymwear
provides OEM and private label sports bra development with fabric testing, support mapping, and scalable production systems.