Lululemon vs Nike / Adidas sports bras
Two brands, two ways of grading a size. Here is how Lululemon and Nike / Adidas sports bras differ in system, range and fit, and which one to choose for your shape and your problem.
Lululemon or Nike / Adidas sports bras, in short
Lululemon and Nike / Adidas sports bras both label in US sizing. Lululemon runs firm in the band and true in the cup with average wires; Nike / Adidas sports bras runs true to size in the band, grades small in the cup, average wires. Range: Lululemon Alpha (0–20 numeric); some styles A/B, C/D, DD/E cup groupings / Cup groupings on select styles; Nike / Adidas sports bras Alpha XS–3XL; Nike offers A–C / D–E cup splits on some styles / Cup splits on select styles. Convert your measured size into each and let fit decide.
Your measured size in both
Same body, two labels. Each result is your US size converted into the brand's system, then adjusted for how that brand grades. Same system, so the label matches: the fit adjustment is the difference.
Lululemon vs Nike / Adidas sports bras at a glance
| Lululemon | Nike / Adidas sports bras | |
|---|---|---|
| Sizing system | United States | United States |
| Bands | Alpha (0–20 numeric); some styles A/B, C/D, DD/E cup groupings | Alpha XS–3XL; Nike offers A–C / D–E cup splits on some styles |
| Cups | Cup groupings on select styles | Cup splits on select styles |
| Band grading | firm | true to size |
| Cup grading | true | grades small |
| Wire width | average | average |
| Straps | Adjustable on supportive styles | Racerback and adjustable variants |
| Alpha sizes | Yes, some lines | Yes, some lines |
| Tier | Premium | Mid-market |
| Origin | Canada | US / Germany |
| Signature line | Enlite: high-support with cup groupings | Nike Alpha: high-support, cup-split sizing |
Which to try for your breast shape
| Shape | Lululemon | Nike / Adidas sports bras |
|---|---|---|
| Full on bottom | Enlite | Nike Alpha |
| Full on top | Run Times | Adidas TLRD |
| Shallow | Free to Be | Nike Swoosh |
| Projected | Enlite | Nike Alpha D–E |
| Wide-set | Energy | Adidas Powerimpact |
Not sure of your shape? Use the shape finder.
Choose Lululemon or Nike / Adidas sports bras?
- you want a firm, supportive band and are happy to size the band up if between
- studio and low-impact
- running with the enlite/run times cup groupings
- cups usually feel roomy on you elsewhere
- low- to medium-impact
- fashion-athletic
Both are right at the same measurement. The label differs by system and the fit by grading: start from your measured size, convert into each, and let the five fit checks decide.
What each brand is known for
| Lululemon | Nike / Adidas sports bras | |
|---|---|---|
| Line 1 | Enlite: high-support with cup groupings | Nike Alpha: high-support, cup-split sizing |
| Line 2 | Run Times: running, cup groupings | Nike Swoosh: medium support, some cup splits |
| Line 3 | Free to Be: light support, numeric only | Adidas TLRD Impact: high-support, cup-inclusive |
| Line 4 | Energy: medium support | Adidas Powerimpact: medium support |
Lululemon vs Nike / Adidas sports bras: answered
Is Lululemon the same size as Nike / Adidas sports bras?
Same notation (US), different grading. Lululemon: Bands run firm: if you sit between bands, take the larger band with the same cup volume (a sister size). Nike / Adidas sports bras: Bands run true to size: start with your measured band on the loosest hook.
Which runs smaller, Lululemon or Nike / Adidas sports bras?
Lululemon. Cups grade true to the measured difference. Nike / Adidas sports bras (Cups grade small) try your measured cup and one up.
Which is better for a large bust, Lululemon or Nike / Adidas sports bras?
Lululemon runs to Cup groupings on select styles on bands Alpha (0–20 numeric); some styles A/B, C/D, DD/E cup groupings; Nike / Adidas sports bras to Cup splits on select styles on Alpha XS–3XL; Nike offers A–C / D–E cup splits on some styles. The one whose range covers your size (in its own system) and whose wire width suits your root.
Which is better for a small bust?
Whichever grades true or small at A–C: Lululemon cups true, Nike / Adidas sports bras cups grades small. Small bands need the brand whose range starts lower: Alpha (0 vs Alpha XS.
Can I use my Lululemon size at Nike / Adidas sports bras?
Convert first (same system, so the label carries), then adjust: Nike / Adidas sports bras bands run true to size and cups grades small relative to true. The calculator above does both.
Do Lululemon and Nike / Adidas sports bras fit the same breast shapes?
Not identically. Full on bottom: Lululemon Enlite vs Nike / Adidas sports bras Nike Alpha; Full on top: Lululemon Run Times vs Nike / Adidas sports bras Adidas TLRD; Shallow: Lululemon Free to Be vs Nike / Adidas sports bras Nike Swoosh.
Opens HauteFlair’s own hub page; use your measured size there. HauteFlair is owned by the same company as Brasize.ai; that relationship never changes the sizing math, charts, or fit advice on this page. How this site makes money.