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On Performance Review

An all-around gold star performer that offers a form-flattering silhouette, hassle-free compression and encapsulation for any activity, and all-day comfort before an easy wash
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On Performance Review (The On Performance has a comfortable athletic fit suitable for endurance adventures.)
The On Performance has a comfortable athletic fit suitable for endurance adventures.
Credit: Kate Pitts
Price:  $75 List
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Manufacturer:   On
By Kate Pitts ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Jul 16, 2024
87
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#1 of 23
  • Comfort and Fit - 40% 8.5
  • Support - 30% 8.5
  • Style - 15% 8.5
  • Quality - 15% 9.5

Our Verdict

The On Performance checks all of the boxes for what makes an exceptional sports bra, and it is one of the highest-performing in our lineup. It is impressive in its minimalist elegance and athletic support. This well-fitting bra offers a seamless design and a single-piece construction for run-ready support. Lightweight sculpted pads offer separation and minimize bounce while breathing and wicking sweat. We love the high neckline and the classy stripes that accent the chest. Finding a more well-rounded fit for high support, comfort, and breathability will be hard.
REASONS TO BUY
Form-flattering fit
High support
Moves with the skin
Seamless design
Svelte
Ultra-soft
Machine washable
Sweat wicking
REASONS TO AVOID
The front can crinkle if wadded up
Limited colors
Limited sizing

Compare to Similar Products

 
on performance
This Product
On Performance
Awards Editors' Choice Award
Best Sports Bra for Athletic Endeavors
Editors' Choice Award
Best Sports Bra for Everyday Comfort
Top Pick Award
Best Sports Bra for Runners
Best Buy Award
Best Budget Sports Bra for Activewear
Best Buy Award
Best Value Sports Bra for Everyday Comfort
Price $75.00 at REI
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$66.00 at REI
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$68 List$34.95 at Backcountry
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$35 List
$24.39 at REI
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Bottom Line One of the highest-performing bras in every category, its comfortable compression, soft comfort, and sporty style make it one of our top picks for athletesA medium-impact sports bra that hugs your curves just right and is comfortable through all the day's activitiesThis versatile and comfortable bra provides support for breast sizes ranging from B to G during high-impact workouts and running. Its softness and flexibility also feel amazing for activities like yoga and daily wearWe never knew how easy it could be to wear and care for a sports bra with sewn-in pads. This bra keeps you snug during your hardest moves and gives you a classic athletic styleA soft, breathable, and date night attractive bralette best for smaller chests that is a budget buy for everyday wear, backpacking, traveling, restorative yoga, and swimming
Rating Categories On Performance Beyond Yoga Spacedy... Lululemon Run Times... Nike Swoosh REI Co-op Active Br...
Comfort and Fit (40%)
8.5
9.5
8.5
8.0
8.0
Support (30%)
8.5
8.0
9.5
8.0
3.0
Style (15%)
8.5
9.0
6.5
6.0
7.0
Quality (15%)
9.5
6.0
7.0
9.0
7.5
Specs On Performance Beyond Yoga Spacedy... Lululemon Run Times... Nike Swoosh REI Co-op Active Br...
Material 65% recycled polyamide, 35% elastane 87% polyester, 13% elastane 59% nylon, 41% Xtra Life lycra elastane 72% polyester, 28% spandex 86% polyester, 14% spandex mesh
Support Medium/high impact Medium impact High impact Medium impact Low impact
Size Range XS - XL XXS - 4X 32B - 42G XS - XXL XS - 3XL
Support Type Encapsulation and compression Encapsulation Encapsulation Compression Encapsulation
Strap Style Racerback Racerback Adjustable cross-back or tank Racerback Racerback
Adjustable No No Yes No Yes
Padded Yes Yes, removable Sewn in pads Yes, sewn-in Yes, removable
Neck Line High neck V neck Scoop neck Scoop neck V neck
Key Pocket No No No No No

Our Analysis and Test Results

Designed by the Swiss, the On Perferformance was created with a seamless and minimalist athletic style. The design centers around high-impact features such as lightweight and breathable built-in padding for support and sweat-wicking material. The bra comes in sizes XS to XL.

Performance Comparison


on performance - the on performance is one of the most versatile athletic bras...
The On Performance is one of the most versatile athletic bras, giving you a breathable and second skin feel for low to high-impact activities.
Credit: Kate Pitts

Comfort and Fit


The On Performance is super soft and weightless, offering support while providing freedom of movement. The full coverage and sculpting fit make it look great without a shirt for summer sweat-fests. For a high-impact bra, it ventilates in all the right places.


The On Performance is on its A-game regarding comfort. The inside of the bra has sculpted cups, and the liner fabric feels like your favorite cotton t-shirt that is too soft ever to throw away. The lightly sculpted cups are lined on the inside by a soft mesh that feels like brushed cotton on your chest. The bottom rib band has velvety soft ribbed material that moves with the skin. It is so much more than a no-pinch and no-chafe experience; it is a smooth, naked feel that athletes can appreciate because the best bra can be the one that is so well-fitting that you forget about it.

on performance - turned inside out, you see the quality construction of the on...
Turned inside out, you see the quality construction of the On Performance. The top is a ventilating mesh, the middle provides a cotton-soft cupping for the chest, and the bottom is a velvety ribbed liner.
Credit: Kate Pitts

The top of the inner front of the bra is a soft but ventilating mesh that air dries any between-boob sweat while offering full coverage and additional sun protection. The shoulder straps are broad and lift the chest without pinching the skin. The racerback is open and provides excellent airflow for any exercise that gets you hot and sweaty.

on performance - the racerback provides excellent support and features a breathable...
The racerback provides excellent support and features a breathable mesh segment between the shoulders.
Credit: Kate Pitts

Most high-impact bras use encapsulation to separate and secure each breast, but few in this style can also provide mobility, breathability, or a lightweight feel on the skin. The On Performance does it all and is a pullover encapsulation bra that securely separates and supports each breast for high-impact activities.


The On Performance features lightly padded and sculpted cups that breathe well and ventilate on summer runs or climbs. Rarely do pullover bras offer encapsulation, but the soft cups separate and hold each breast while, remarkably, the bra feels lightweight. On long multi-pitch climbs, one of our testers felt like she forgot she was wearing a bra; the seamless and naked-feel support was that comfortable. The bra also has a high neckline, providing full coverage and zero “bouncing out” for days when you want to push your limits.

on performance - sculpted built-in pads keep each breast in place but are lightweight...
Sculpted built-in pads keep each breast in place but are lightweight enough so you can stay cool and in the zone.
Credit: Kate Pitts

The broad shoulder bands and racerback straps add comfortable support, making this the first bra we pick for cross-country miles, CrossFit. It was one of our favorite pullover bras for running in and could handle any high-impact activity. The bottom band is velvety soft in the front liner but has a grippy ribbed texture that helps it stay on your chest and back. It stays in place when jump roping, busting out your moves in jazzercize, or boulder hopping at the crag. Women with larger chests may opt for a higher support encapsulation bra for running, although we found the support and comfort balance ideal for most high-impact activities.

The On Performance offers a premium fit for action, with 4-way stretch, sculpted cups, breathability, and quick-dry material.
Credit: Kate Pitts

Style


The On Performance looks sleek without a shirt. It is one of our favorite styles with a high neckline, flattering silhouette, and contemporary athletic lines. It comes in limited colors, but all the colorways are stunning and accented by an athletic-sleek stripe detailing that subtly accentuates the natural curve of the chest. The bra has a classy and sleek athletic profile.


While this bra has a sporty look, there is no need to fear the “uni-boob blues” because the built-in lightweight and sculpting cups separate the chest and give you a lovely profile in its high neckline. Unlike many lightweight compression bras, the thin padding prevents nipping on cold days. The racerback is primarily open, and the dark lines have an elegant profile. The bottom part of the fabric is a black mesh, which is stylish but also gives delicious airflow to the area between your shoulder blades.

on performance - mod lines flatter the chest.
Mod lines flatter the chest.
Credit: Kate Pitts

Quality


If you like a lazy laundry day, the On Performance needs a machine wash and dry. The material is very durable and holds up bushwacking and rock climbing.


Easy peasy, the instructions for the On Performance are a simple machine wash and dry, although we like to air dry ours for “extra care and less energy.” The fabric is quick-dry and dries faster than most clothes on the line. If you wrap your bra in the gym bag, then the material for the sculpted cups can wrinkle. We love that there are no removable pads that dance circles on your chest or elope with a sock to the land of lost clothes.

on performance - the durable fabric was resilient after multiple wash cycles and a...
The durable fabric was resilient after multiple wash cycles and a few scrapes climbing up the crux of a climb.
Credit: Kate Pitts

Should You Buy the On Performance?


We keep wearing the On Performance for our most athletic adventures because it balances support with breathability and allows us to move freely. We love how soft and weightless it feels on the skin. It gives excellent support for running and passes the jumping jack chest with two thumbs up. The On Performance is one of the best all-around performing bras for the full range of activities we use sports bras for, from low to high. However, we wish the sizing was more inclusive as it is available up to C-cups.

on performance - you can almost forget you are wearing the on performance bra, making...
You can almost forget you are wearing the On Performance bra, making it easy to slip into a flow state. This is where mind merges with action in a happy place of movement.
Credit: Kate Pitts

What Other Sports Bras Should You Consider?


If you like the athletic style but want more adjustability, then the SheFit Ultimate can be adjusted at the straps and chest band, giving the most bounce-proof support in our lineup. The Lululemon Run Times High Support offers a comfortable blend of yoga-friendly 4-way stretch and race-ready support. The Nike Swoosh is a compressive, sporty, affordable running bra for women with smaller chests. Check out our insights on the best exercise equipment for your fitness routine.

on performance - what a comfortable fit for all-day hikes in yosemite, and it dries...
What a comfortable fit for all-day hikes in Yosemite, and it dries quickly after a post-hike swim.
Credit: Kate Pitts

Kate Pitts
 

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