Best Maternity Leggings, According to Hundreds of Moms-to-Be

Time and time again, these leggings beat out the competition. While it might seem odd that a pair of leggings not specifically designed for pregnancy is at the top of our list, that's just how good these Lululemon Aligns are. Allow us to explain why.

These leggings, which were the most recommended pair by far when we polled our community about their favorite picks for pregnancy, are everything you’d want in a legging. The high-rise waistband provides plenty of stretch and support for your baby bump up until delivery day, yet retains its shape well (meaning you can absolutely wear them postpartum, too). While its price tag is undoubtedly higher than some of its competitors, moms promise it’s worth it. The weightless material is incredibly soft (one parent described it as “butter on skin”), and at the same time, super high-quality — these will withstand the toughest of laundry machines and provide years of use.

Christine Mattheis, What to Expect’s Group VP of Content & Brand Solutions, swears by her Aligns. “A friend recommended the Lululemon Align leggings to me early in my pregnancy, and at first I balked at the price tag. But the cheaper maternity leggings I tried were itchy and borderline see-through, so eventually, I bought two pairs of the Align leggings, justifying the splurge by reminding myself that I'd be able to wear them after my baby was born,” she explains. “No regrets whatsoever — I still have those original two pairs of Align leggings in my regular rotation, along with a few others. They're somehow soft and stretchy while also supportive, and never, ever fall down, even when I'm chasing after my toddler or working out.”

While some moms go up a size for pregnancy, others recommend ordering your regular size, so take a look at the size chart to see what may be best for you (and know that Lulu has free returns in case you end up wanting a different size!).

Material: 81 percent nylon, 19 percent lycra elastane

Sizes available: 0-20

It’s aggravating how many maternity jeans, leggings and dresses don’t have a place to tuck away your phone or credit card. Fortunately, these Gap maternity leggings come with two pockets on the sides. Reviewers found that they’re big enough to store your valuables, including your phone in one pocket and credit card in the other. In particular, moms said the placement of the pockets is perfect — they’re low enough to not have to hike your shirt up to access them.

Not only did many moms find the wide, full-panel waistband comfortable without pressing too much on their stomach, but they also said the material won’t roll down while moving. The cherry on top? They’re made with 78 percent recycled polyester to reduce waste.

Material: 78 percent recycled polyester, 22 percent imported fabric

Sizes available: XS-XXL

Another top-recommended brand from our community of parents and parents-to-be? Blanqi. It’s easy to see why the store gets a lot of love for its leggings. Their best-selling Maternity Belly Support Leggings provide ample support in the places you need it most. With a built-in belly support band, X-shaped back support and graduated compression, these leggings are all about alleviating discomfort just where you need it the most. But that’s not all these leggings bring to the table: They wick away moisture, are plenty soft, and come in an aesthetic opaque finish for a stylish look. Plus, an expandable belly panel helps you stay comfy throughout all three trimesters. What to Expect moms claim they lived in these throughout pregnancy and beyond, making them a great pick for feeling supported no matter what you’re doing throughout the day.

Material: 92 percent nylon, 8 percent spandex

Sizes available: S-XL

Going to a prenatal yoga session? These Beyond Yoga maternity leggings will keep you comfy while you move and meditate. They fit over your bump and are made of four-way stretch material that provides just the right amount of support for your yoga session without feeling constricting. For an added bonus, the fabric is also moisture-wicking, so you can stay dry and sweat-free while holding Warrior II. Even better, this brand is widely approved by parents-to-be in the What to Expect community, so you know that you’re in for a good buy.

Material: 87 percent polyester, 13 percent lycra

Sizes available: XS-XL

Because they’re made of mostly modal jersey material, the Storq Signature Leggings are some of the softest — and therefore, most comfortable — leggings you’ll find. What adds to the comfort level is that the belly panel is adjustable to wear over or under your bump, which means you can wear these leggings through all three trimesters, plus the postpartum period and beyond. (Which is a relief, since you’ll probably want to live in these incredibly cozy leggings beyond pregnancy.) Also good: The brand promises they’re comfortable enough to be C-section friendly. Just note that they’re designed more for lounging or working from home rather than breaking a sweat. 

Kate Monahan, Senior Manager with Data Operations of What to Expect, felt that these splurgy leggings were worth the price. “They’re so soft and lint doesn’t stick to them,” she says. “They are expensive but I think they’re worth it. And, they didn’t slide down my belly.”

Material: 92 percent modal, 8 percent spandex

Sizes available: P-4X

Saving money when stocking your maternity wardrobe is often a necessity since you might not get to wear these clothes for too long after baby arrives. When polled about where they got their maternity leggings, tons of What to Expect parents said they went to H&M to stay within their budget. These MAMA Before & After leggings cost under $20, which means you might even want to buy more than one pair. They come with a wide waistband that can be easily folded over for comfort from trimesters one through four. They’re nice and soft, too, and the shell is partly built with organic cotton.

Material: 52 percent cotton, 43 percent rayon, 5 percent spandex

Sizes available: XS-XXL

These Girlfriend Collective maternity leggings are incredibly soft, lightweight, stretchy and come in a wider range of sizes than many maternity brands offer, going up to 6XL. Available in a variety of cool hues, these comfy leggings are designed for everything you have on the calendar, from yoga to chilling out at home. Made to grow with your belly, you can use the panel to either wear over your belly or fold it down. Even better than the fit is that the brand places a large emphasis on sustainability. These seamless maternity leggings, for instance, are made from recycled fishing nets, and when you purchase a pair, you help remove 2 pounds of waste from the ocean.

Material: 83 percent recycled nylon, 17 percent spandex

Sizes available: XXS-6XL

If you prefer a cropped look, consider these Over Belly Active Capri Maternity Pants from Isabel Maternity. These calf-length leggings offer gentle back support thanks to the crossover panel on the back, which also lets your skin breathe a bit more than with traditional maternity leggings. The panel can be folded up or down, and was designed to work from trimester one through four. The material feels nice and thick while still providing four-way stretch. It probably comes as no surprise that tons of What to Expect community parents say Target is the best for maternity leggings, either!

Lisafe Carreon, Senior Product Manager of What to Expect, found her Ingrid & Isabel leggings to be a fantastic buy (especially when purchased for an affordable price from Target!). “I loved how the band stayed above my belly,” she says. “The leggings hugged me enough but weren’t uncomfortable.” 

Material: 82 percent polyester, 18 percent spandex

Sizes available: XS-XXL

Unlike compression leggings, cotton leggings are designed to be breathable and less restrictive. They’re ideal for everyday wear, just like this pair from Motherhood Maternity. Made of stretchy fabric, these maternity leggings feature a full-panel waistband that will grow with you throughout your pregnancy. Many moms-to-be praised these leggings for their comfort, some saying they wear them almost every day. And, despite not having as much elasticity as other pairs, they found that they didn’t get baggy, either.

Sarah Darby, Senior SEO Content Strategist at What to Expect, wore the Motherhood Maternity leggings throughout her pregnancy and beyond. “I loved these Motherhood Maternity leggings that I got on Amazon,” she says. “They were a cotton material, so very breathable, which was essential for me late in pregnancy. And I wore them well into postpartum too.”

Material: 87 percent cotton, 13 percent spandex

Sizes available: XS-3X

Any apparel that works in both your maternity and postpartum wardrobes is a win. These Seraphine maternity leggings, another What to Expect community-loved brand, come with a waistband that can be easily folded over for comfort from trimesters one through four. However, the band isn’t too wide that it will provide excess fabric when wearing them postpartum. Plus, they’re quite stretchy so they’ll grow with you, yet won’t be worn out after delivery. And, because they aren’t compressive, they’ll be a comfortable fit for lounging or your daily routine. They’re super soft, too, and designed to be completely opaque so you won’t have to worry about them being see-through. 

Material: 77 percent nylon, 23 percent elastane

Sizes available: XS-XL

For compression leggings that will provide support without squeezing your belly too much to the point of discomfort, these buttery-soft Old Navy maternity leggings are a great solution. The light compression is notably comfortable as many reviewers pointed out, providing plenty of stretch while still holding them in. With a full-panel waistband, the elastic material will hug your bump without sliding down whether you’re working out or lounging at home. And, they’re made with moisture-wicking fabric for those looking to wear them while breaking a sweat. While some reviewers complained that these leggings lack side pockets, there is an interior pocket in the back of the waistband designed to hold your phone.

Material: 77 percent polyester, 23 percent spandex

Sizes available: XS-XXL

Prefer under-the-bump leggings rather than a pair that goes over your belly? Consider this pair from What to Expect community-favorite, Motherhood Maternity. The criss-cross elastic waistband in the front helps cradle your belly while giving plenty of room for your bump to grow. You also get two leggings in a single pack. Just know that some reviewers say the fabric is a bit thin, so you may want to wear this pair with a tunic or longer sweater.

Material: 97 percent cotton, 3 percent spandex

Sizes available: S-XL

Looking for a pair of maternity leggings designed for working out (or simply staying comfortable no matter the activity)? Look no further than this moisture-wicking pair from Fabletics. The high-waisted band offers plenty of support while you’re getting active, and the polyester-elastane blend (the brand’s softest fabric ever) helps you move with ease. They do an excellent job at staying up without feeling overly compressive or constricting on your bump. Also great: You can snag two pairs for $24 when you sign up for the brand’s VIP Program (which is super easy to quit, if you find you don’t like it). Add a maternity activewear tank and comfy running sneakers to complete your athleisure ensemble, stat.

Material: 82 percent polyester, 28 percent elastane

Sizes available: XXS-4X