Pregnant women experience so many new sensations and emotions if a lack of flexibility and freedom of movement is something they could do without.
That’s why maternity leggings are one of the best clothing investments for future moms. But with so many amazing leggings to choose from, it can be a bit overwhelming to decide which product suits you best.
To help, we’ve reviewed the five best maternity leggings currently on the market. We’ll highlight their features and point out flaws to consider.
Hopefully, by the end, you’ll be able to find your perfect pair of maternity leggings.
Comparison Chart
Terramed Maternity Leggings Active Wear Over The Bump Pants Pregnancy Shaping Over The Belly Postpartum Breastfeeding (Black, Large)
Pregnology Women’s Maternity Leggings Seamless over the Belly Compression Capris with Pregnancy Support Stretch Band Breathable Summer Clothes for Pregnant Women (Black, Large)
Motherhood Maternity Women’s Maternity Full Length French Terry Secret Fit Belly Leggings, Grey, Large
Best Maternity Leggings Reviews
Terramed Maternity Leggings
If you’re looking for a classic style and design, these could be the best maternity leggings for you. The Terramed company has considered the most relevant criticisms women have about maternity leggings and did their best to solve them with this amazing product.
Product Highlights
If you need a pair of leggings that are incredibly versatile and easy to style, these could be a great choice for you. Terramed went with the approach that you only need one kind of leggings while you’re pregnant – the kind you can wear every day.
These leggings are incredibly comfy and flattering to any body shape. They have an over-the-belly waistband that is an excellent choice for women who need extra support during all three trimesters of pregnancy. And after you deliver your baby, these leggings will provide compression and support during the postpartum period.
The waistband is curved and fits comfortably over your bump because of the elastic that gently supports you. And if you’re the kind of person who wants to stay active and do some light exercises while pregnant, these leggings can double as gym clothes.
What We Like
What we love about these leggings is that they come in a variety of sizes. You can buy them in small as well as 2XL. We always appreciate it when a company considers women of all sizes and shapes; every mom-to-be deserves to feel comfortable and attractive in what she’s wearing.
We also really like just how wonderfully stretchy these are without every becoming see-through; your bump will grow into the leggings without you ever feeling any discomfort.
What We Don’t Like
The main issue some future moms had with these leggings is also what some loved about them. But that all depends on where you live. The issue is that the Terramed maternity leggings are a bit too thick and could just feel too hot for some pregnant women. If you live in a cold area, this is great, but if not, then these are not the best leggings for you.
Pros
- Incredibly versatile
- Stretchy and comfortable waistband
- Available in many sizes
Cons
- Too long for some
- Could feel too tight
- Can run hot
Ingrid & Isabel Women’s Ponte Maternity Work Pant
One of the biggest challenges when it comes to maternity leggings is finding the balance between comfort and style.
And that’s what the Ingrid & Isabel company has strived for and achieved with their Ponte Maternity Work Pant. They’re the best maternity leggings for office, as well as casual wear.
Product Highlights
Most leggings are super comfy and when it’s time to wear an office-ready outfit, it might be hard to let them go. But that doesn’t need to happen with these amazing work pant leggings from Ingrid & Isabel.
You don’t want to look unprofessional at work, but you also don’t want to feel uncomfortable for half the day and go home more tired than necessary. These leggings are stretchy, they cover your belly softly, and give you that style and flair that’s going to make you feel great.
They’re 65% viscose, which is incredibly soft and comfy. The rest is made from nylon and spandex for extra stretchiness. The waistband is 21% spandex, so you know that you’re going to get the support and comfort required.
What We Like
It’s difficult to overstate how practical these leggings are. You can wear them from your first trimester, all the way to postpartum weeks and months.
Even when they stretch out completely at nine months, they’ll retain their shape once you remove them. Also, they’re incredibly easy to maintain because all you have to do is throw them in the machine to wash and they’re good as new.
What We Don’t Like
The only real downside of these fabulous maternity leggings is that they’re expensive. Although, if you buy them in your first trimester and continue to wear them all the time, they could be seen as an excellent investment, especially if they complement so much of your business attire.
Pros
- Great for work
- High-quality fabric
- Belly panel with extra spandex
Cons
- Fabric can feel a bit heavy
- Runs large
- Pricey
Pregnology Women’s Maternity Leggings
It can be complicated to find the best maternity leggings for women who like to stay active all three trimesters of their pregnancy.
Pregnology has focused on this important feature for the many women searching for the ideal pair of maternity leggings.
Product Highlights
The crucial difference between these maternity leggings and so many others is the material used to make them. If you want maximum breathability, natural bamboo is the fabric to go with. These leggings from Pregnology are 90% natural bamboo and 10% spandex.
They offer just enough support and a little bit of compression. The over-the-belly waistband is going to accommodate your growing stomach and feel cozy and warm. Also, the material provides visual smoothing, so you don’t have to worry about if the leggings fit right.
What We Like
The best feature of any maternity leggings is versatility, and that’s exactly what you get with this pair from Pregnology.
You can pair them with your favorite tunic or sweatshirt or wear them with a sports jacket to work. We also love the softness of the bamboo that feels even more gentle on the skin than organic cotton.
What We Don’t Like
The belly belt is stretchy, but it tends to roll down for some women. This could cause significant discomfort and overall dissatisfaction with the tights. The problem is exacerbated if you choose the wrong size, which is possible because the leggings run a bit small.
Pros
- Made from bamboo
- Versatile
- Available in many sizes
Cons
- Belly belt tends to fold
- Sizes run small
- Not ideal for postpartum
Motherhood Maternity Women’s Leggings
Being comfortable is one of the top priorities when you’re pregnant. For many women, that will only mean wearing cotton clothing, and that applies to leggings as well. Motherhood Maternity is a company that has created leggings that fit that description.
Product Highlights
If you’re set on wearing cotton leggings, you’ll be pleased to know that this pair is made with 97% cotton and just 3% spandex. It might seem like that 3% is insufficient when you consider that some leggings can have up to 20% spandex, but that’s not the case at all.
The idea behind this model is that these leggings fit a bit more like pants than leggings, but feel like leggings. They feature a soft pull-on closure over the belly and offer all the flexibility women need during their pregnancy.
What We Like
Perhaps the best feature of the Motherhood Maternity leggings is that they’re ultra-easy to maintain. Cotton is not only machine washable, but you can also tumble dry them if you want. If you choose this pair to wear several times per week, you’ll likely appreciate this feature quite a bit.
What We Don’t Like
While they do fit like pants, they don’t have the sophistication of work pants. You might not see them as an option to combine with other work-related clothing. But that won’t stop you from wearing them on almost any other occasion.
Pros
- Fit like pants
- Very comfortable around the belly
- Tumble-dry ready
Cons
- Fabric thins easily
- Hair sticks to it
- Air drying takes a long time
Vocni Women’s Maternity Leggings
If you need a full-length maternity legging that will serve for practically any occasion, Vocni Women’s maternity leggings are an excellent candidate. They are made from cotton and are super soft, but at the same time, there’s no fear that they’re see-through.
Product Highlights
These leggings are going to stay in place all day, no matter what you’re up to. You can go for long walks, practice yoga, or even sleep in them, and they’re staying put. The high-waist design gently hugs your belly bump and provides unintrusive support.
Also, these leggings run pretty long and are great for taller women, and for women who want to have options when it comes to pairing leggings and shoes.
What We Like
What we love about these leggings is that they come in many colors. So often, maternity leggings only stick to back or grey and that’s where the end of the options. But with Vocni maternity leggings, you can choose red, green, blue, and many other amazing color combinations to pair with your favorite outfits and shoes.
What We Don’t Like
The downside to these leggings is that they’re not exactly a long-term investment. Most likely, they’ll stretch out too much to use them during postpartum, and maybe they won’t be in the best shape to wear them for your next pregnancy either.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Ultra-soft fabric
- Variety of colors available
Cons
- Waistband tends to roll up
- The fabric might stretch out too soon
- Thick seams in the crotch area
Buyer’s Guide
Leggings are undoubtedly one of the favorite items of clothing for pregnant women. But because they’re meant to be so close to your body and skin, it makes sense that choosing the right pair could be challenging.
You want the most comfort, support, and overall style with the leggings you pick. Here are a few important factors to take into consideration when deciding which pair best maternity leggings you want to go with.
Types of Maternity Leggings
Before going into any other details, let’s go over the types of maternity leggings available for the moms-to-be. For the most part, they fall into two major categories.
Over-the-Belly Waistband
Often, when we think about maternity leggings, the waistband that goes over the bump comes to mind and indeed this is one of the most common types of maternity leggings.
There are many reasons why women choose leggings that cover their bellies. In most cases, it’s all about the extra support. When the belly feels a bit heavy, having that extra piece of fabric covering can alleviate the issue.
Also, the over-the-belly waistband is suitable for pregnant women in their first trimester, as well as their third; you can continue to wear them postpartum as well.
The waistbands on the best maternity leggings are specially designed not to add unnecessary pressure and make pregnant women feel uncomfortable.
Under-Belly Waistband
While over-the belly waistband maternity leggings might be the norm for some women, others don’t get on with them very well. For example, the extra material might feel too hot and just add to the discomfort you’re feeling.
For them, choosing maternity leggings with an under the belly waistband could be a more prudent option. Also, some pregnant women’s bellies feel itchy, and an under-the-belly waistband is the only choice up for consideration.
Under-the-belly waistbands are a better option for women who don’t need extra pressure on their bellies. Finally, if you’re in your first trimester, an under-the-belly waistband might seem to be a more practical choice to combine with other clothes.
Fabric
The fabric is incredibly important when choosing the right leggings. Many women tend to gravitate toward cotton as the primary option because it’s breathable and extremely comfortable. But cotton stretches out too quickly and the leggings quickly lose shape.
It’s also not the most durable of options. For the most part, maternity leggings need to have some synthetic material to provide the support and the shape you need.
The best option is probably having it both ways, cotton and synthetic blend that has enough breathability and durability to last through the pregnancy.
Thickness
Thickness is related to the type of fabric you choose, but even cotton leggings come in different thickness levels. One of the first things to consider is when you’ll be wearing the leggings. Is it during summertime or when it’s colder?
When it’s cold, you need thicker leggings to keep you warm. And when it’s hot, the last thing you want is to wear something that’s going to make you sweaty. But in both cases, opacity is another issue.
You want to have full coverage, regardless of the season. For the most part, sticking to medium thickness does the trick, unless you’re dealing with extreme temperatures.
Length
One of the most amazing things about maternity leggings is that they’re available in almost any length. A popular choice is the Capri-length maternity leggings (the so-called 3/4 length).
You get plenty of coverage, while at the same time giving a little more room for the skin to breathe. But they’re more casual wear attire, and perhaps not the best option for work. Full-length leggings are the way to go for many pregnant women.
First, they are much easier to combine with formal wear, and secondly, if you’re struggling with varicose veins or need more compression in your calves, they’ll be more comfortable.
Washing Instructions
The best maternity leggings aren’t going to be high-maintenance – unless you decided that’s what you want. But a growing belly is likely going to discourage many pregnant women from hand-washing their clothes.
Choosing leggings that you can throw in the washing machine for a quick wash is the recommended route. You’ll likely be wearing these leggings regularly, and want them clean and ready to wear in no time.
On top of that, if they can be air-dried quickly, that’s even better. Synthetic leggings are usually easier to clean and maintain, and the frequent washes aren’t going to stretch them out too severely.
Belly Panel
The belly panel that goes over the belly is something future moms will pay extra attention to when shopping for maternity leggings. If they choose to go with the belly panel attached, then the next feature to check is the stretchiness level of that panel.
If you’re shopping at eight or nine months pregnant because you desperately need that belly panel support, then you know you need it to stretch well.
But if you’re looking for postpartum leggings with a belly panel, then you’ll need something that’s going to feel tighter and provide all the support it can give you.
Also, a belly panel isn’t going to be for every woman, because it might add unnecessary fabric that could irritate them.
FAQs
Do You Get Any Benefit Wearing Maternity Leggings?
Most women enjoy wearing leggings from time to time, and the biggest reason is the freedom of movement. It’s no different for pregnant women already struggling with limited flexibility.
Leggings are one of the most comfortable items of clothing and pregnancy tends to be uncomfortable – at least some of the time. Another important benefit of maternity leggings is the extra support for the belly.
The over-the-bump waistband is an especially great choice for some women. But even if you go with an under the belly waistband, it can help with the abdominal discomfort that’s so common after the second trimester.
How to Take Care of Your Maternity Leggings?
The first step to taking proper care of your maternity leggings is choosing the right size. That means not buying leggings that are too small for you.
By choosing the correct size, you’ll be able to avoid having them stretch out too soon. Another important aspect is how you choose to wash them. Hand-washing is probably the best option, but it’s rarely the go-to decision.
That’s why washing them in cold water with mild detergent is the way to ensure they’ll last longer. Also, if possible, avoid tumble-drying because the heat can damage them.
What Type of Fabric Is Best for Maternity Leggings?
The most realistic answer to this question is going to be that the best fabric is the one that feels most comfortable for you. Some women will have difficulties wearing anything that’s isn’t cotton, because it doesn’t feel good on their skin or just feels like it’s too much pressure.
Others will shy away from cotton because it quickly loses shape and they can’t coordinate their leggings with other clothing. The middle ground usually works best, and fortunately, there are plenty of material blends on the market.
Can You Wear High-Waisted Leggings While Pregnant?
The good news is that leggings are safe for you during your pregnancy. However, if you don’t wear leggings that are specifically designed with pregnant women in mind, it could cause a few issues.
The high-waisted leggings you bought before you became pregnant might work well during the first trimester of your pregnancy.
After that, it’s best to retire them for a while and invest in the best maternity leggings you can find. If you prefer the high-waisted legging style, many maternity options will fit comfortably over your belly.
What Should You Not Wear While Pregnant?
The most relevant guideline about what not to wear while pregnant is to avoid restrictive clothing. This includes jeans that aren’t stretchy at all or any other kinds of tight clothing. You’re always supposed to feel comfortable and warm enough, without feeling like the clothes are suffocating you.
And while leggings and long tunics are your best friends during pregnancy, tight dresses and stiff blouses are probably not. But no two women are the same, and no pregnancy is the same either.
Plus, you shouldn’t add any additional strain on your belly with clothing, and dress in what feels best to you.
Final Verdict
Pregnancy is a delicate and special time for women. For that reason, it’s essential that they feel comfortable and happy. Wearing the best maternity leggings can immensely help.
For our review, we’ve chosen the Terramed Maternity Leggings as the overall winner from the list. The versatility, variety of sizes, and general comfort are what makes these leggings remarkable. They’re also affordable and a great long-term investment.
The runner up is the Ingrid & Isabel Women’s Ponte Maternity Work Pant as a high-end option that will do wonders for all the busy pregnant women who like to stay stylish.