At 35 weeks pregnant with my second child, getting dressed daily has been the biggest challenge (if you know, you know). I lived in sweatpants during my first pregnancy since it was during the pandemic and lockdown — I barely left the couch. This time around, I actually could leave the house, which means looking “put together” (whatever that means). Jeans are completely out of the question, so I’ve been on the hunt for the best maternity leggings. I’ve become somewhat of a leggings connoisseur (hair flip). Finding the right pair makes me also feel like a secret agent — I’m comfortable but disguised in a veil of stylishness.
While combing the web, I was bombarded with recommendations from Instagrammers, TikToks and Google ads for the “best maternity leggings.” I was overwhelmed by all the recommendations, so I decided to buy and test, to offer my own honest thoughts and help future moms find their ultimate fit and comfort.
How I picked the best maternity leggings
I tested these maternity leggings for four weeks and evaluated them for comfort, support and style. During those weeks, I chased a toddler, ran errands, went to photoshoots and maintained my sanity.
- Material: Fabric material was a huge factor in evaluating the comfort and support level of the leggings. I gravitated towards leggings made with nylon and a higher percentage of spandex, an essential material for maternity leggings.
- Style: While style can absolutely be subjective, I was really looking for leggings that could be worn professionally and out for date night. I preferred leggings that were a bit longer and didn’t immediately read as “leggings.”
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The best maternity leggings in 2026
I, a 35-week pregnant woman, tested all of the recommendations below. I mostly focused on varied price points and leggings exclusively labeled as “maternity.”
Best overall: Neiwai Maternity Leggings
It took me about two seconds to become a loyal customer of these Neiwai leggings — the ultra-soft cloud fabric is one of the softest materials I have ever put on my body. I felt like I was wrapped up in a cloud, which means my baby probably felt doubly comfortable. Depending on your preference, you can opt for medium- or high-waisted coverage and the side ruching grows with your bump as you progress through the trimesters.
At 5 feet 2 inches, I wore a size L/XL over my third-trimester bump and they continue to have space for me to grow. The length was perfect as well — not too long, not too short. I washed the leggings twice and there was no fabric pilling or loss of shape. My sunscreen-loving skin was super appreciative of the UPF 50+ protection, too.
Editor's pick: Beyond Yoga Spacedye Love the Bump Leggings
You are missing out if you don’t own any Beyond Yoga clothing. I first discovered the brand through its collaboration with Peloton in 2020 — I purchased those leggings and still own them. All of the brand’s clothing is incredibly soft and never loses its shape — even after washing. I love these Spacedye Love the Bump leggings because they truly are, as the brand says, “insanely” soft. This pregnancy is all about comfort for me and these are truly the epitome of that. They are stretchy in all the right places and fit over my body, making me feel attractive. With soft compression support on my legs and belly, I have worn these almost every day and can’t wait to wear them postpartum.
Best non-maternity: Lululemon Align Pant
I’m a bit of a leggings connoisseur as of late, discovering new brands and styles everyday. But, one pair of leggings that have been in my rotation for a while? The Lululemon Align Pant. Advertised as feeling like you are wearing “nothing,” I was game to wear these soft, light leggings throughout my entire pregnancy. I’ve worn them from my week-six bloated belly to my current ready-to-pop, 35-week bump — they refuse to let me down (or physically fall down). While they’re technically not maternity leggings, I wore these non-see-through leggings in the gym, to work and while running daily activities. This sweaty hot mom felt cool while running errands in the summer heat. I owned a pair pre-pregnancy and invested in a second pair mid-pregnancy.
Best budget: Old Navy Maternity Full-Panel ⅞ Leggings
I have found that the average pair of maternity leggings ranges from $75 to $100, and during my research, I was looking for an affordable pair that would compete with these high-end brands — we have to save some coin for the new baby, after all. I discovered and tested these specific Old Navy Leggings that felt like good quality, offered belly support and were just as soft as the expensive pairs I purchased. Additionally, at 5 feet 2 inches, most leggings are too long, but the ⅞ maternity crop was the perfect length. The band offers full belly coverage and did not fall down once while chasing my 2.5-year-old for hours. The side pockets (yes, they have pockets), fit my keys and phone perfectly, without slipping out. The leggings also offer light compression, which is needed when everything is sore from your growing baby.
Best support: Belly Bandit Bump Support Leggings
During my first pregnancy, I was an avid user of the Belly Band Upsie band, which supported my growing stomach. Prior to testing the Bump Support leggings, I was curious to see if they offered the same comfort as a belly band. The leggings did not disappoint — their customizable waistband has incredible support for your back and stomach and I found myself wearing these when I needed a lift. Unlike any leggings I have found, the Belly Bump offers a unique paneling in the center of the material that covers your whole bump. It offers slight compression and lift. I was impressed with the soft material and the fit around my thighs. The only downside is that these did run longer on my 5 feet 2 inches frame, and the brand doesn’t offer these in cropped versions.
Best for pre- and post-pregnancy: H&M Mama Before & After Leggings
Run as fast as you can to order the best pair of leggings I have owned for all stages of my adult life. These were some of the first leggings I purchased when I found out I was pregnant with my first child. Both pairs I own have lasted me over three years — including for heavy workouts, jogs, playdates and so much more. The belly band is wide and long and works for my pregnancy bellies and postpartum recovery. These have gone through hundreds of washes with no pilings or rips and no adjustment to the fit; they feel as if they are still brand new. The cotton material is light and airy, and I never feel too sweaty wearing them in the summer. The only downside is they are a little see-through when you bend and squat, so I recommend wearing them with a longer shirt.
Best for workouts: Zella Mamasana Studio Luxe Maternity Leggings
While I am not working out too frequently these days, in my first trimester, these maternity Zella leggings were essential for my Orange Theory and Sculpt Society workouts. The brand Zella is known for its athletic wear, and I have worked out in its gear for years, pre-pregnancy. The material keeps you moisture-free, with no sweat stains. While my workout these days remains light, the leggings have made this summer heat manageable. The belly waistband has a nice curve seam, allowing coverage and growth over your trimesters. Zella length runs longer on my shorter frame, so I recommend that anyone who doesn’t like a longer leg try their cropped pairs.
Non-leggings maternity recommendations
If you are beginning, middle or end of your maternity journey and are looking for recommendations beyond leggings (especially in this heat), I highly recommend some of the following items to add to your wardrobe and hopefully make one more thing in your life easier.
Why trust NBC Select?
I am the senior commerce photo editor and producer at NBCUniversal. I’m also the mom to a two-year-old and pregnant with my second baby. I’ve tested all these leggings for over four weeks during my pregnancy. I’ve also written reviews for Shop Today, including my review of Amazon workout shirts and gifts for Mother’s Day.
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