15 Best Maternity Leggings for Comfort During Each Trimester

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.

Lululemon leggings, which are the most recommended pair by far among parents in the What to Expect Community, feature everything you'd want from these comfy pants. 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). Although 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 during pregnancy. “I've been wearing Lululemon Aligns almost exclusively. They're expensive but worth every dollar,” she says. “They are the only leggings that stay up on me. They are super soft and stretchy, and even as I approach my third trimester, I'm still in the same size I was pre-pregnancy.” She notes that she also wore these during and after her last pregnancy.

Though some moms go up a size for pregnancy, many moms recommend ordering your regular size when it comes to Lululemon leggings for maternity, 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!).

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.

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.

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.

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.”

For a pair of buttery-soft maternity leggings that won’t break the bank, look to these Buttergene leggings. They feature an over-the-belly panel that has a unique adjustable elastic band that you can modify to best fit your growing bump throughout the trimesters. Moms love the super-soft material and say they’ve used them for a variety of activities, including working out and going out. Many also claim that although the material is on the thinner side, these leggings aren’t see-through, which is a huge plus at this low price point. One thing to keep in mind is that the adjustable strap may stick out if you have it on a smaller setting.

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.

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, has worn Motherhood Maternity leggings throughout both of her pregnancies. “They're a cotton material, so very breathable, which was essential for me late in pregnancy. And I wore them well into postpartum too,” she says. “The abdominal band part is so stretchy that they are really comfy!”

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. 

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. Last but not least, these leggings have pockets for storing small items like your phone or keys.

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.

Flared leggings have made a comeback, which means you may be on the hunt for a pair to add to your maternity wardrobe. This pair from Old Navy features a full panel that will comfortably cover your bump with some light compression for support. Their line of “PowerSoft” leggings feature spandex for stretch, as well as a super-soft feel that many reviewers love. The flared style also means that you may be able to dress these pants up, whether going out on a date night or going to work. One con, however, is that these pants are only available in two colors, neither of which is black if you wanted a more versatile option.

If you live somewhere that gets particularly chilly, these POSHDIVAH fleece maternity leggings will keep you warm and cozy. They’re stretchy and soft for ultimate comfort, and they’re lined with warm fleece so you can easily wear them just about anywhere in the winter. Many moms say that these leggings are squat-proof, so you can rest-assured knowing that they aren’t see-through. Although the band is a bit thicker because of the fleece, moms say that it’s still comfortable and stretchy enough for your growing bump. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that some say it runs small because of the fleece, so you might want to size up.

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.” 

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.