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The best maternity leggings are the type that help make your pregnancy journey a smoother ride. During my first pregnancy, no single item of clothing felt better on my body and was more versatile in my closet than my black maternity leggings. And as a fitness instructor on the side, I needed form and function, so I became quite the connoisseur. Now that I’m on my second pregnancy, I know exactly which pairs of maternity leggings I need to add to my cart pronto in order to make it through all 40 weeks (and with my luck, maybe an extra one or two for good measure).
Best maternity leggings: Our top picks in 2023
Best active:Ingrid & Isabel Over Belly Active Maternity Leggings, $35
Best over-belly:Ingrid & Isabel Over Belly With Pocket Active Leggings, $35
Best fleece-lined:Ingrid & Isabel Fleece-Lined Footless Maternity Leggings, $20
Best plus-size:Motherhood Maternity Plus Size Essential Stretch Leggings, $30
Best for petites:Motherhood Maternity Women’s Essential Stretch Secret Fit Leggings, $38
Best for workouts:Foucome Women’s Maternity Leggings, $16
Best for work:Ingrid & Isabel Fold Down Active Flare Maternity Leggings, $28
Best compression:Mothers Essential Maternity Compression Leggings, $19
Best cotton options:Motherhood Maternity Essential Stretch Secret Fit Leggings, $20
Best for lounging:Hatch The Ultra Soft Before, During, & After Legging, $98
Best faux leather:Spanx Mama Maternity Faux Leather Leggings, $110
Best for before, during, and after:Lululemon Align Legging, $98
Best seamless:Girlfriend Collective Seamless Leggings, $88
Best sweat-wicking:Zella Mamasana Live In Maternity Ankle Leggings, $69
Don’t get me wrong:maternity jeans have their place. But there’s something about this stretchy, comfy, stylish alternative — the maternity legging — that’s wardrobe mainstay material. Whether you’re wearing them while working from home, chasing the kiddos, running errands, or for their primary purpose of working out, they’re an asset. And maternity leggings are so versatile that you’re bound to find what you’re looking for, whether it’s a little extra bump support, four-way stretch, non-see-through fabric that passes the squat test or just a luxurious sensation against your skin.
Let’s face it: when you’re pregnant, the need for comfortable and forgiving clothes that make you look and feel good only grows (kinda like your belly). You need accommodating leggings that will work just as hard as you do. After all, you’re growing a brand new human. You deserve nothing less. That’s why I polled our entire team of moms and rounded up only the best of the best maternity leggings. These 14 pairs have the SheKnows Editors’ stamp of approval.
Best Active Maternity Leggings
The intention is right there in the name: Over Belly Active Maternity Leggings by Isabel Maternity are made for moms on the move. They provide gentle support and prohibit things annoying things like digging, slipping and waistband flipping. They even have a low-cut back, a pretty unique feature designed to keep you cool while you’re out and about.
“I’ve tried so many different brands of maternity leggings and none of them have fit quite right. These are perfect! They fit over my belly without being too tight or loose and they and stay up when I’m walking around all day. They’re also buttery soft and so comfortable,” wrote a five-star reviewer.
Sizes available: XS-XXL
Colors: 2
Material: polyester-spandex blend
Pros:
They provide back support
They’re budget-friendly
The same pair will fit throughout your entire pregnancy
Totally opaqueCons:
No pocket
Some shoppers say they wear down quicklyOver-Belly-Maternity-Leggings-with-Pockets
These high-waisted leggings offer gentle support for your bum and your back and have pockets in the legs, because an expectant mom can appreciate a pair of pants that hold their own. Over Belly with Pocket Active Maternity Leggings by Isabel Maternity fit the bill.
“I am a fitness instructor so finding great maternity leggings was a challenge. But once I found these, I stopped buying other brands versions of maternity leggings,” wrote a shopper. “LOVE having pockets on the side of these. I live in these leggings.”
Sizes available: XS-XXL
Colors: 1
Material: polyeseter-spandex blend
Pros:
7/8 length hits right at the ankle
Low back for coolness
Snaps back to fit you postpartum too
Fits over or folds under your bump
Doesn’t slip or digCons:
Comes in just one color
The low back doesn’t provide proper support for someBest Fleece-Lined Maternity Leggings
When it gets colder, you want to get cozy. Can’t blame you there. that’s where Fleece Lined Footless Maternity Tights by Isabel Maternity come into play. Not only are they warm and fuzzy on the inside, but they also have 360-degree stretch to up the comfy factor.
“Wore them literally every day in the winter. Quality held up and they stayed soft,” wrote a mom-to-be.
Sizes available: S-XL
Colors: 1
Material: polyester-spandex blend
Pros:
Keeps you warmer than standard leggings
360-degree stretch
Won’t dig or roll down
Won’t sagCons:
Some say they’re slightly see-through
Come in just one colorBest Plus Size Maternity Leggings
This cropped pair of maternity leggings by Motherhood Maternity for plus size women have a patented “Secret Fit” belly panel that cradles your bump blissfully. The panel can be pulled up high or flip down low, whichever is more comfortable.
Sizes available: 1X-3X
Material: cotton-spandex blend
Colors: 1
Pros:
Specifically made for plus-size figures
Breathable
Cropped
Can be worn over the bump or folded underCons:
Some customers have struggled with the fit.
Best Maternity Leggings for Petites
Amazon’s number one best-seller in the maternity activewear department is this Motherhood Maternity legging that not only crops, but is also offered in extra small sizes, giving shoppers more options for a fit. And its seamless maternity panel grows with you.
“Listen.. I have been pregnant for 2 years in a row so I have worn my fair share of leggings. These are amazing and my absolute fav!” wrote one devoted fan. “Being petite and small, it’s been impossible to find maternity clothes,” another chimed in. “I’m so grateful I took a leap of faith and bought these The length is perfect on [me], it hugs my belly just right, it doesn’t fall or slide down, I’m not pulling them up because they are just perfect!”.
Sizes available: XS-XL
Colors: 3
Material: cotton-spandex blend
Pros:
Amazon #1 best-seller
Comes in a two-pack
Comes in two lengths
BreathableCons:
They don’t pass the squat test for everyone
Best Maternity Leggings for Working Out
You could argue that the whole point of leggings is for exercise, so it was hard to truly choose the best maternity workout leggings. Ultimately we anointed Foucome Maternity Leggings, an Amazon customer favorite that incorporates four-way stretch and sweat-wicking properties into its lightweight fabric. And it comes in a few cute colors to help you light up the yoga studio.
Shoppers call them “freaking awesomely comfy” and “my saving grace for my first pregnancy.”
Sizes available: S-XL
Colors: 6
Material: polyester-spandex blend
Pros:
Lightweight
Breathable
Won’t pill
3D cutting to support without pressure
Four-way stretch
Squat-proofCons:
Tend to be thin for some
Color may fade a bit after washingBest Maternity Leggings for Work
You knew we’d have a flared-leg pair of leggings in this list, didn’t you? Fold Down Active Flare Leg Maternity And Beyond Leggings by Isabel Maternity are soft, stretchy and supportive just like your favorite pair of maternity leggings, but their straight leg silhouette makes them perfect for the office or just to help you feel more professional on a Zoom call.
One customer wrote, “These have worked from the first moments of not quite fitting in pants to this giant belly, and I’m convinced they will be a postpartum staple. I have dressed them up with a blazer for work, and wear them to sleep. Buy two before they sell out.”
Sizes available: XS-XXL
Colors: 1
Material: polyester-spandex blend
Pros:
Can be dressed up or down
Goes over or under bump
Lightweight
SoftCons:
Might not be ideal for exercise
Best Compression Maternity Leggings
It’s common to find compression leggings for postpartum bodies, but the Mothers Essentials Maternity Compression Shaper Leggings are built to support and contour your curves, and they’re sweat-free. Since they manage moisture, they also make it easier for those stretch mark creams to absorb into your skin.
“These are, by far, my favorite maternity leggings! They have light compression which is a must! They are soft and the belly band isn’t too tight. They don’t have any verticle crotch or butt seams and the all day comfort is perfect!” wrote a five-star reviewer.
Sizes available: S-XL
Colors: 2
Material: polyester-polyamide-elastine blend
Pros:
Light compression
Seamless
Moisture-wicking
Back supportCons:
They tend to run tight
Some say they’re a bit see-throughBest Cotton Maternity Leggings
The Essential Stretch Secret Fit Belly Heathered Maternity Leggings by Motherhood Maternity have all the good stuff like buttery softness, support and even affordability, but unlike many stretchy pairs, they’re made primarily of cotton and a bit of spandex so they’re incredibly breathable in every season.
“My new favorite leggings. Great fit, comfortable, belly support, these leggings stay up and do not get loose,” wrote a shopper.
Sizes available: XS-XL
Colors: 1
Material: cotton-spandex blend
Pros:
Breathable
Warm
ThickCons:
Some customers found they don’t stand up to much wear and tear
Best Maternity Leggngs for Lounging
Meghan Markle’s go-to maternity brand, Hatch, shows how well they’ve perfected their craft with the aptly named Ultra Soft Before, During & After Legging. No squeezy compression here; just soft support that can stretch all the way up over the belly or be rolled down for postpartum wear (and it’s C-section friendly, too!).
“the softest leggings in the game! simple and flattering, they go with anything, any mood,” wrote a fan.
“My new favorite leggings. Great fit, comfortable, belly support, these leggings stay up and do not get loose,” wrote a shopper.
Sizes available: XS-XL
Colors: 2
Material: modal-spandex blend
Pros:
Extra soft
Made of sustainable materials
Expands and contracts with youCons:
Don’t provide a ton of support
Best Faux Leather Maternity Leggings
The Oprah-beloved Spanx Legging has maternity styles, which means dreams really do come true. These faux leather beauties will keep your fashion game and your comfort game strong. And the best part? They’re available up to size 3X.
Sizes available: XS-S
Colors: 1
Material: nylon-elastane blend
Pros:
Sleek
Can be dressed up or down
Supportive
Trusted name in shapewearCons:
Not as breathable as fabrics
Not the best for lounging aroundBefore for Before, During, and After: Lululemon Align Legging
I’m not sure what kind of sorcery goes into the Lululemon Align Legging, but somehow their team of legging engineers managed to create a fabric that feels soft, fits at every stage of pregnancy and still manages to hold its shape post-pregnancy. While reviewers often recommend going down one size in the Align Legging, if you’re buying these as a maternity legging I advise sticking to your normal size.
“I am 16 weeks pregnant and have such a sensitive stomach right now to tight waist bands. These are perfect! They stay up but aren’t tight around my growing tummy. I suspect they’ll be great postpartum as well,” wrote a shopper.
Sizes available: 0-20 (inventory varies)
Colors: 6
Material: lycra
Pros:
Iconic legging
Available in various lengths
Great for working out
Four-way stretch
Sweat-wickingCons:
Price
Sells out fastBest Seamless Compression Leggings
Talk about comfort. Seamless Maternity Leggings by Girlfriend Collective have zero seams to dig anywhere, are perfectly soft, endlessly lightweight and come in a range of sizes from XXS to 6XL. It almost feels like you’re not wearing anything — which, when you’re pregnant, is a welcome easing of the physical burden. Cool features like built-in UPF and standards that prohibit toxic substances put them over the top.
“These things are like BUTTER. I have two pairs of these beauties and I wear them as much as I possibly can,” wrote a reviewer.
Sizes available: XXS—6XL
Colors: 5
Material: recycled nylon-spandex
Pros:
Comes in two lengths
Uses recycled material
Has UPF 50+
Moisture-wicking
Four-way stretch
Non-toxicCons:
Some customers say they tend to pill
Best Sweat-Wicking Leggings
Stretchy and supportive, and made from moisture-wicking Zeltek fabric, the Mamasana Live In maternity leggings by Zella are highly rated: “These are saving my life right now,” raved one reviewer.
“I am 33 weeks pregnant and these leggings fit over my bump and are lightweight but also hold their shape. I literally could “live in” these leggings,” another commenter wrote.
Sizes available: XXS—XXL
Colors: 1
Materials: polyester-spandex blend
Pros:
Moisture-wicking
Smooth seams that won’t irritate
Light supportCons:
Some customers say they slip down
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