Anita Sports Bras: Our Honest Review After Fitting Thousands of Women

Anita Sports Bras: Our Honest Review After Fitting Thousands of Women

After fitting more than 10,000 women in to technical sports bras over the past decade, I've learnt that not every sports bra brand lives up to the hype. Some look great on the hanger but disappoint once you start moving. Others quietly become customer favourites because they simply perform. Anita Active sports bras fall firmly into the second category.

Anita is a German brand that been loved by women globally for over 130 years. As we always say in store, the Germans certainly understand engineering - their sports bra construction lives up to this reputation. If you're considering an Anita sports bra, here's my honest review after fitting thousands of women into the range. 

About the Anita Brand

Anita has been manufacturing bras since 1886, making it one of the most established lingerie brands in the world. Their sports collection, Anita Active, has earned a strong reputation for combining technical performance with outstanding comfort.

Unlike some brands that focus heavily on fashion, Anita's philosophy has always been centred around engineering. Their sports bras are built with premium fabrics that maintain their support and shape exceptionally well over time.

The Anita Active Sports Bra range caters for Australian cup sizes A-H. Noting that their sizing is quite different to that of Australian brands.

They don't manufacture DD, FF or GG cups.

If you're above a D cup, here are the sizing adjustments you need to make from Australian bra sizes to get your correct Anita size. 

An Australian DD cup is equivalent to an Anita E cup.
An Australian E cup is equivalent to an Anita F cup.
An Australian F cup is equivalent to an Anita G cup.
An Australian FF cup is equivalent to an Anita H cup.
An Australian G cup is equivalent to an Anita I cup.
An Australian GG cup is equivalent to an Anita J cup.
An Australian H cup is equivalent to an Anita K cup.

Why We Love Anita Sports Bras

The biggest reason I keep recommending Anita is simple, they're built to last. And I firmly believe, this is why so many of our 40,000+ customers have kept coming back for more Anita bras over the years. 

Many sports bras feel fantastic when they're new but lose their support after six months of regular wear and wash cycles. Anita's high quality fabrics are noticeably more durable. Customers regularly tell us they're still getting excellent support well beyond the lifespan they'd normally expect from a sports bra.

Why Anita Doesn't Work for Everyone

As much as I like Anita Active bras, no sports bra brand is perfect for *everyone*. Anita won't work for the following people: 

❌ Very petite frames or people who measure below 30" around the ribcage. 
❌ People seeking bright seasonal colours aligned with Australian fashion trends.
❌ People seeking underwire sports bras. While they have dabbled with this in the past, most of their styles are wire free and this seems to be their real strength. 
❌ Anyone over a size H cup won't find an Anita cup size large enough to work optimally. 

My overall rating


After fitting thousands of Anita Active bras on body, here's how I'd rate Anita compared to other industry leading brands. 

 

Category Rating
Support ⭑ (5/5)
Comfort ⭑ (5/5)
Fit Accuracy ⭑ (4/5)
Value ⭑ (4.75/5)
Style ⭑ (3.75/5)


Overall Rating: 4.5 / 5


My Recommended Anita Sports Bras

Anita has several excellent sports bras, but these are the three I recommend most often during fittings.

Anita Active Air Control Deltapad (#5544)

Air Control Deltapad-Anita Active-She Science

The Air Control DeltaPad is easily our Sports Bra Store's best selling Anita sports bra.

If someone asks me which Anita style I'd choose for running, HIIT or high-impact training, this is usually my answer.

Anita are known for producing very light feeling Sports Bras. And they have absolutely mastered that with this unique moulded cup option. Moulded cup sports bras are known for being hot and heavy, so their well designed DeltaPad cups allow for coverage where it's needed and plenty of ventilation else where. 

Best for: High-impact exercise, women who run hot, and anyone wanting premium comfort with exceptional breathability.

Pros Cons
Outstanding breathability Limited colour options
Excellent shape and separation Cup adjustment needed for DD/FF/GG
Premium fabric durability Slightly firmer cup feel

Anita Active Dynamix Star X Back 

Anita Active Dynamix Star X-Back black


If you follow me on the socials you'd know the Dynamix Star X-Back is my personal go-to bra for pilates and skiing. If you're a fan of racerback sports bras, this is the Anita Sports Bra for you. 

One of her known strengths is the long periods of comfort you'll get from this style, especially for a racerback. The straps sit so nice and broadly on the shoulders it's a dream to wear for a full day. 

Best for: People seeking all day comfort and strong support from a racerback bra.

Pros Cons
Outstanding support  More compression and less natural shaping
Soft straps that sit wide on the shoulders Need to know how to adjust your size in an Anita Bra
Comfortable for long periods of wear Must be able to pull a bra over your head to get in to it

Anita Active Momentum 



For over 12 years, this style has remained in our top 10 best selling sports bras. She is certainly consistently loved by all. 

The Momentum offers a lovely diffuse and cradled compression. Meaning, you won't feel flattened, but rather gently separated and gently compressed in this style.

Best for: Medium impact support; also great for those wanting to wear a sports bra everyday. 

Pros Cons
Substitutes in for a strong supportive everyday bra More compression and less natural shaping
Wide cushioned straps Need to know how to adjust your size in an Anita Bra
Ultra ventilated back design Won't suit those with sloping shoulders

Final Thoughts

If you value quality construction, long-lasting fabrics and excellent support, Anita is one of the strongest sports bra brands we stock.

I particularly recommend Anita if you:

  • Prefer encapsulation over compression
  • Exercise regularly and want a bra that lasts
  • Have a fuller bust and appreciate wide, comfortable straps
  • Want premium German engineering over fashion colours

If you're wearing the largest cup sizes or want the widest possible size range, other brands may be better suited. 

Most importantly, remember Anita's unique sizing system. If you normally wear a DD, FF or GG cup, you'll need to adjust your size with Anita. 

Shop Anita Sports Bras → https://shescience.com.au/collections/anita-bras

Book a Professional Bra Fitting → https://shescience.com.au/pages/best-bra-fitting-melbourne


FAQs

Is Anita true to size?

Yes, Anita is generally very true to size once you understand their cup sizing system.

The only difference is that Anita doesn't manufacture DD, FF or GG cups. So if you are a DD cup or above you will need to adjust your size in an Anita bra.

An Australian DD cup is equivalent to an Anita E cup.
An Australian E cup is equivalent to an Anita F cup.
An Australian F cup is equivalent to an Anita G cup.
An Australian FF cup is equivalent to an Anita H cup.
An Australian G cup is equivalent to an Anita I cup.
An Australian GG cup is equivalent to an Anita J cup.
An Australian H cup is equivalent to an Anita K cup.

 

Is Anita good for large or plus-size busts?

Absolutely. Assuming your talking about DD-H cup sizes, in Australian Bra Sizing. 

The Anita Active sports range caters up to approximately 20H really well, with the Extreme Control being particularly well suited to fuller busts needing high-impact support. She has an industrial style support. 

For women above an H cup or wanting the highest possible support for running, I'd also recommend comparing Panache. 

How long does an Anita sports bra last?

This is one of Anita's biggest strengths. The premium fabrics hold their elasticity and support noticeably longer than many sports bras we've stocked over the years.

With regular exercise and correct washing, most women can expect around 12–18 months of excellent performance before it's time to replace it. This does of course depend on how well the garment is looked after, and how long sweat is left on the materials. 

 

Anita vs Panache Sports Bras

Both Anita and Panache produce outstanding encapsulation sports bras, but they suit women with slightly different preferences. 

I generally recommend Anita if you value premium fabrics, exceptional longevity and breathability. 

I lean towards Panache if you need the broadest possible cup size range, prefer a slightly softer cup feel, or wear the largest cup sizes where maximum support becomes the priority.

Panache are also known for their underwire bras, where as Anita are best known for their wire free sports bras. 

They're both excellent brands, it simply comes down to which features matter most to you. And it's not uncommon for customers to end up with one of each. 

 

Written by Tish Tily, Co-Founder and Bra Fitter

 

Tish bra fitter melbourneShe Science, our Specialty Bra Store offers cup sizes A - K and band sizes 6 - 24. We work with 22 industry leading brands from all over the world. Our comprehensive Sports and Everyday Bra fitting service is available by appointment, out of our fitting suite in Hawthorn, Melbourne (Australia). Come on in and we'll find you your best match taking in to account your size, shape, activity demands and personal style preferences. Our team of experienced bra fitters would love to meet you.