The Best Maternity Leggings, Tested by a Pregnant Mom

Hoping to find the holy grail of maternity leggings? These just might be it. Bub’s Maternity Leggings check all of the boxes, with a perfect 10 out of 10 score for fit, comfort and compression. Plus, they’re also one of the few pairs we tested that featured pockets.

First, let’s talk about the fit. I was in between two sizes (small and medium), so I opted for the medium based on the sizing chart’s recommendation. The leggings were body-hugging and snug without feeling tight or restrictive. The full belly panel had a perfect amount of stretch and covered my bump comfortably without rolling down or digging into my skin. I loved the longer inseam length on my 5'6" frame, as the leggings hit the bottom of my ankles with just a little extra fabric leftover. Of course, the pockets deserve their own moment too: they were deep and perfectly placed on the mid-upper thigh.

Pregnancy puts a lot of strain on your body, with swelling and lower back pain being common complaints. As someone who’s a victim of both now in the third trimester, I really appreciated the high level of compression these leggings offered. The belly band was super-supportive, and helped reduce swelling and provided relief for my achy lower back.

When it comes to comfort, these maternity leggings did not disappoint. They felt comfortable from the moment I pulled them on, which was surprisingly easy thanks to the stretchy fabric, to the moment I took them off after a full day of wear. I was really impressed that they stayed soft without losing elasticity or feeling scratchy at any point. Initially, I was worried about the elastic band across the top of the belly band, but it never felt too tight or irritated my skin even after many hours of wear.

The leggings are made from a thick, body-hugging material that feels similar to spandex. When I wore them on an outdoor walk, the thickness kept me comfortable and warm. Granted, I did take them out on a chillier evening, so they might be too heavy for summer days. Another benefit of the thick fabric was the leggings being fully opaque, which made me feel confident that no underwear lines would show. It’s also worth mentioning how lint-resistant they were. I have a cat at home and was pleasantly surprised to find that there wasn’t a trace of fur stuck to the leggings by the end of the day.

At around $50, I’ll admit these maternity leggings are pushing the high end of pricing. While it might seem like a steeper price to pay for leggings, I’d say these are actually worth the hype and price (bonus if you can snag them on sale). Their quality and performance indicate they are durable and will likely last a long time, making them a great investment piece.

Size range: XS to 3XL | Seam length: 26″ | Material: Nylon/spandex | Care instructions: Machine wash

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When choosing the best maternity workout leggings, you’ll want to look for a pair that’s soft, stretchy and adjustable (just like any other pregnancy leggings, as Welch recommends), while also being super durable and moisture-wicking to withstand sweaty workouts. “You’re carrying more fluid in your body overall, so when you move, your muscles don’t want to be too restricted but need to be able to swell a little with the exercise, which means choosing supportive leggings that aren’t too tight,” explains Welch. After in-depth testing, CRZ Yoga Butterluxe Maternity Leggings emerged with the title of best maternity workout leggings. The soft performance fabric, gentle compression and extra-high waistband make them ideal for sweaty gym sessions, so it’s no surprise that they earned a 10 out of 10 score for exercise-friendly features.

I wore these leggings for a low-impact workout routine at home that included some cardio, squats and stretching. Despite the wide range of movements, the waistband didn’t slide around or roll down at any point. I don’t tend to sweat a lot during workouts, but I stayed comfortable and dry while wearing these thanks to the lightweight and breathable fabric.

Speaking of which, the performance fabric was truly amazing. The fabric composition contains a high percentage of spandex for added stretch, and they were extremely soft. I also love that they are fully opaque and thick enough to cover any potentially embarrassing underwear lines. But thick doesn’t equal heavy, the leggings were still light and breathable enough to wear year-round. They did attract some lint and cat hair, but it was fairly easy to brush off.

The product promises “gentle compression” and that’s exactly how I would describe it. These leggings have just the right amount of pressure—body-hugging without feeling restrictive or uncomfortable. I also appreciated the extra high-waisted belly band and longer inseam length for full coverage of my body. It made everything feel “tucked in,” so to speak.

I was stunned to find out these leggings cost under $40! Based on the quality of the fabric, the comfort while wearing them and their durability during workouts, I fully expected these to be a higher-end product. Plus, they come in a variety of gorgeous colors to choose from, so you can afford to pick up a few different pairs.

Size range: XXS to XL | Seam length: 21″ to 28″ | Material: 81% Polyamide/19% spandex | Care Instructions: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low

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Flared leggings are super-versatile, as they’re comfy enough to wear to a prenatal yoga class but elevated enough to style for day-to-day wear. And the Angel Maternity Deluxe Flare Black Leggings are the best flare maternity leggings we tested based on 10 out of 10 scores for fit, comfort, style and value for money.

I loved the fit of these maternity leggings—everything from the super-long, stretchy waistband and the longer length that almost skims the ground to the flattering flared cut was spot on. They also come with a customizable waistband that can be worn folded down underneath the belly in the early trimesters or worn completely over the bump for more support in the later stages of pregnancy. One thing to note is that the sizes run a tad large. I ordered a small based on the size chart and they fit more like a medium, so I recommend sizing down.

When it comes to comfort, these leggings clearly stood out from the rest. In fact, they were the thickest and softest pair of maternity leggings that I tested. The fabric blend of bamboo, cotton and spandex made them feel luxuriously soft. And although the fit was snug, they had the perfect amount of stretch and felt so cozy, I didn’t want to take them off. Obviously this was great for lounging, but they also managed to retain their shape and elasticity during an active day too. I wore them during an outdoor walk and didn’t experience any chafing or discomfort and the thicker fabric kept me warm on that chilly February morning.

Of course, we have to talk about how stylish, trendy and flattering these leggings are. The flare cut and neutral black color make them a versatile piece to style for different occasions—I could easily wear them out for errands, on walks, casual outings with friends and, if styled correctly, even to the office. Seriously, you need these in your pregnancy wardrobe for days you want to feel put together but can’t be bothered with “real” clothes.

Last but not least, parents and reviewers loved the affordability of these flared maternity leggings. Considering the comfort, style and overall quality, the $35 price tag is a real steal!

Size range: XS to 2XL | Seam length: 28.7″ | Material: 70% viscose/25% cotton/5% spandex | Care instructions: Machine wash, tumble dry

Some days you’re just going to want to kick your feet up and relax—growing a whole human is hard work after all! And the SKIMS Maternity High-Waisted Legging are the perfect pair of pants to wear while doing just that. With a top score for comfort and fit, these soft and stretchy maternity leggings are the perfect loungewear piece.

Because SKIMS is known as a tighter, shapewear brand, I decided to size up from my pre-pregnancy clothing size to a medium in these leggings. While I’m sure I could’ve squeezed into a small, I actually loved how this pair fit me in my third trimester. The leggings had a lot of stretch and give for upcoming growth, but never felt loose or baggy. The length was long with quite a bit of bunching up at the ankles (possibly the result of me sizing up), but it looked very subtle and didn’t bother me. And the waistband was incredibly stretchy, yet snug, when pulled up over my bump. I also liked that the leggings stayed put and didn’t sag, meaning I didn’t have to hike them up once.

The material is so luxuriously soft, it really didn’t feel like I was wearing leggings at all. SKIMS refers to it as a “second-skin” fabric and I couldn’t think of a better way to describe it. Though they’re very snug and form-fitting, they never felt restrictive.The material is thin but still durable because of the double-layer design, which also helps prevent sheerness. I also appreciate that the leggings have plenty of stretch and feel lightweight and breathable.

The unique look is also worth mentioning. With the highest amount of sheen out of all the maternity leggings I tested, they have a glossy, shimmery black finish. Overall, the SKIMS Maternity High-Waisted Leggings cover all the bases for a good pair of maternity lounge leggings, they’re super soft, beyond comfortable, fully opaque and retain their shape well throughout the day.

Size range: XXS to 4X | Seam length: N/A | Material: 76% Polyamide/24% Spandex | Care instructions: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low

Affordability is a key factor to consider when it comes to maternity leggings, after all most people don’t want to spend a fortune on clothing they can only wear for nine months. Luckily, the Motherhood Maternity Essential Stretch Secret Fit Belly Leggings scored highly for overall quality and value for money.

Made from a jersey knit fabric, they had a cotton-like feel that was soft against my skin. Despite the casual material, they also had a surprising amount of stretch to them. These leggings fit true to size with an amazing full-coverage waistband that can be folded up or down for added support, depending on your stage of pregnancy. I loved the longer length too. The 28 inch inseam was perfect for my 5'6" height, though it could be too long for petite moms. But I’m happy to report that the brand’s patented “secret fit” belly panel offered a nice level of compression. It made my third trimester bump feel secure throughout my pretty active day, and I felt the difference in comfort level right away.

I wore these on a warmer day while running errands with the kids and found them to be very comfortable throughout my activities, which included: Loading and unloading the car, walking with (and chasing) the kids and carrying items. The over-belly panel stayed put, but the area around the crotch and top of my thighs would sag and create annoying little gaps. I had to periodically pull the fabric up on my thighs, but maybe sizing up could’ve prevented this issue. With that said, I generally felt confident and comfortable while wearing the leggings.

It’s also worth noting that the leggings are a favorite among expectant parents, with 16 percent of our survey respondents recommending Motherhood Maternity athletic-wear. Members of The Bump community praised their quality and durability, ability to grow with a bump and affordable price tag.

Size range: XS to XL | Seam length: 28″ | Material: 87% Cotton/13% Spandex (Legging); 84% Nylon/16% Spandex (Belly Panel) | Care instructions: Machine wash

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Looking to get the most wear out of your maternity leggings? Consider a pair that you can wear in the fourth trimester too. The Kindred Bravely Louisa Maternity & Postpartum Leggings performed equally well for me at 33 weeks pregnant as they did for new mom, Kerri M., who tested them at 5 weeks postpartum.

First of all, the fit was almost too good to be true, earning it a 10 out of 10 score from me. Following the brand’s size guidelines, I ordered a size medium, which was perfect for me in terms of snugness and length. The over-belly panel could be worn pulled up high, just underneath my sports bra, and had plenty of stretch. But there’s also an option to fold down the waistband for added support, which is useful during the postpartum phase. Kerri says, “I liked this feature as it gave me some additional support in my “mom pooch” area.” While Kerri liked the fit of these leggings overall, she docked a couple of points off as she experienced some sagging at the crotch. But it’s important to note that I didn’t experience any sagging in the rear or crotch areas during my testing—not even after a full day of running errands and lots of walking.

Kerri and I also gave the leggings a high score for comfort (9 out of 10 and a 10 respectively). The material was thick, but still soft and stretchy enough to pull on and off without a struggle. Thanks to the snug and supportive fit, I was able to carry out all of my activities—including walking, squatting down, sitting criss-cross applesauce, crawling around with the kids and, of course, curling up on the couch—in comfort. “These leggings were very comfortable from the moment I put them on, until I took them off at the end of the day,” confirms Kerri, who noted that they didn’t feel tight or restrictive.

I normally wouldn’t spend $90 on leggings, but this pair really impressed me with their compression, comfort and overall durability. I could tell they were high-quality based on the material and fit, so I’d have to say they are worth the price tag. Given the positive testing and reviews from postpartum moms, they’ll also get lots of wear and last a long time, making them a good longer-term investment.

Pregnant or postpartum, we both agreed that these leggings were stylish and well-designed. “Based on the material and overall look, I would say these leggings are solid quality,” says Kerri, who liked the versatility and multiple styling options. On a personal note, I felt confident enough to wear these out of the house for trips to the store or park as they were cute, modest and versatile!

Bonus: Get 15 percent off with code KBBMP15 sitewide on KindredBravely.com.

Size range: S to XXL | Seam length: 26″ to 28″ | Material: 87% Polyester/13% Spandex | Care instructions: Machine wash, tumble dry

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