If it’s your first time searching for a “comfort arthritis bra” – I get it. When I was first diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) about 7 years ago, I had no idea how complicated shopping for lingerie was about to become. But as my condition gradually worsened, I eventually had to come to terms with the fact that traditional bras just weren’t going to work for me anymore.

I either had to find an alternative to the standard back-fastening clasps fast – or give up on bras entirely, and with a DD bust – the latter wasn’t really an option.

I’m hoping by sharing this guide, I’ll save at least a handful of women from experiencing the same stress I went through. After all, living with RA is hard enough.

Bra shopping shouldn’t be a nightmare.

Finding a Comfort Arthritis Bra: My Journey

I’ll be honest, before I actually had RA, I didn’t know there was any such thing as an “arthritis bra”. I’d seen a handful of front-opening bras for seniors that seemed better suited to ladies with painful joints, but that was about it.

Now, I feel like I have a pretty good grasp of what great bras for seniors with arthritis should be like – but it took me a while to reach this point. So before I share my top options with you, here are a few insights into the products I tried, and what I discovered along the way.

Attempt #1: The Harper Wilde Bliss Bra

★★★☆☆

The biggest issues I had with RA (at least in the early stages) were all focused on my fingers. My knuckles were constantly throbbing and swollen, and I had a lot of trouble dealing with clasps, so I thought the best strategy would be to look for bras with no clasps at all.

The Harper Wilde Bliss Bra was my go-to for a while. Like most comfort bras for older ladies, it doesn’t have the most support, but it’s very soft, stretchy, and durable. It’s also double-layered, so you still feel like you have plenty of coverage.

I still highly recommend this bra if you’re looking for something simple, breathable and flexible, but there’s a major downside. If your condition starts affecting other joints, like your shoulders and elbows – or just leaves you feeling stiff all over, this bra can be hard to navigate.

You still need to pull it over your head to get it on and off, which isn’t easy if you’re having a rough pain day.

Attempt #2: Silverts Adaptive Front Snap Bra

★★★☆☆

Since the standard sports bra option didn’t really work for me, I decided to switch up my search, looking for the best bras for seniors with arthritis with a front opening, and zero clips. When I stumbled onto Silverts’ website, I wasn’t instantly impressed.

Their “front snap” bras looked a bit medical for my liking, but really, all I cared about at the time was comfort. The bra was affordable enough, didn’t have any pesky wires, and it replaced clips with “snap closed” buttons.

Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable this bra was. The wide straps are great for reducing back and shoulder pain, and the fabric is very soft. Plus, the bra is easy to get on (although I do find the buttons a bit fiddly at times).

The biggest problem was that the closure isn’t very secure. If you have a larger bust, I’ll warn you that these buttons can (and often will) pop open at the worst times. That’s not a huge issue if you’re just looking for something to wear around the house – but I wouldn’t dare wear this bra outdoors.

Attempt #3: Glamorise Women’s MagicLift

★★★☆☆

After trying a few comfort bras for seniors that didn’t really offer much support, I stumbled onto the Glamorise MagicLift bra. It had great reviews on Amazon, and looked like it was specially designed for women with a bigger bust.

Like the Silverts bra, this option has a front-closure, and it has really thick straps. Plus, there’s plenty of material in the back designed to help improve your posture (which is great for me).

Again, there are a handful of things I like about this bra. There’s no wiring, but you do get a cushioned band that lifts and shapes your bust. It’s also pretty breathable – although I found myself getting overheated in this bra during the summer months.

The biggest downside is that the front closure still relies on clips – which are really hard for my fingers to manage. Another issue is that the shoulder straps aren’t as adjustable as I’d like, and the rubber band around the ribs caused a little irritation for me.

Attempt 4: Liberare’s Everyday Easy-On Bra

★★★★☆

Liberare was one of the first brands I found that actually specializes in comfort bras for seniors, and adaptive options. A friend told me to try out the Everyday Easy-On bra, after saying that it made a world of difference for her after she had her rotator cuff surgery.

I have to say, I know why my friend loves this bra. It really is just one of the best front-closing bras I’ve tried. There are still hooks to keep the bra closed – but magnets help to guide them into place, so you spend less time struggling. I also really love the little finger straps that give me more control when I’m getting dressed.

Plus, the material is extremely comfortable, with no pesky wires or annoying Velcro bits. You can even adjust the shoulder straps at the front – which is a huge bonus for me when my shoulders hurt. The only slight downside is that it doesn’t offer quite as much comfort as my number one comfort arthritis bra – the Comfort Sculpt.

The Winner: Liberare’s Comfort Sculpt Bra

★★★★★

It was a close call, but I had to give the Comfort Sculpt Bra from Liberare the crown at the end of the day. This option comes with all the same benefits as the Everyday Easy-On bra I mentioned above – the magnetic closure (with added clips), and the finger straps.

The biggest difference is that I think it gives me a lot more coverage. The buttery-soft seamless-knit material wraps fully around my ribs and my back, making me feel like I’m wearing a mini hug. There are also removable cups for extra “discretion” and shape.

I think my favorite thing, overall, is the shoulder straps. Though they don’t adjust at the front, they are extra thick, which is great for distributing weight if you have a larger bust, like me.

These straps really help to take the pressure off my upper body when it’s not just my fingers that are bothering me – but my shoulders, and even my neck area too.

If you’re looking for the most comfortable, softest, and easiest to wear bras for seniors with arthritis, this Liberare masterpiece is hard to beat.

The Ultimate Comfort Arthritis Bra

Living with arthritis isn’t easy – but it shouldn’t mean you have to compromise on comfort and confidence. I’ve tried quite a few options that seemed to check all of my boxes – then didn’t quite live up to expectations in the long-run.

Liberare’s bras are different. They’ve really made a difference in helping me to rediscover my independent, feminine, and confident side. If you want to make comfort your priority, I’d definitely recommend trying the Liberare Comfort Sculpt bra.

Bonus tip? If you’re looking for a little extra boost, Liberare also has a great smooth-on t-shirt bra ideal for us “larger” ladies – I just ordered one for myself.