11 Best Maternity Leggings to Wear During Pregnancy

Even though it's not technically a maternity style, this popular pair is lightweight and stretchy enough to fit your growing bump throughout each trimester. Not only is it perfect for pregnancy, it's also ideal to wear during the postpartum days and beyond, making it a great investment in the long run.

Our textile pros and pregnant mom testers all love the buttery-soft material with a barely-there feel for everyday wear and low-impact workouts, like yoga. They also appreciate the wide assortment, including three inseams (25", 28" or 31"), 11 sizes and more than 20 colors.

TESTER NOTES: One of our textile experts swears by these leggings and says, "They're super smooth, they stay in place perfectly and they're not constricting at all. I practically lived in them during my pregnancy several years ago, and I frequently wear the same pairs now." Just note that the material pills more than other Lululemon leggings; we recommend washing them inside out on the gentle cycle and hanging to dry to avoid signs of wear.

Not only is this pair a total steal for under $20, it's also one of the most versatile leggings thanks to its flexible panel that can be worn over the belly or under the bump. The panel is soft and stretchy so that it can grow with you and not feel constricting. Plus, the style is lightweight and breathable for warmer months.

The main fabric is cotton with some spandex for stretch, which is great for people who prefer the feel of natural fibers instead of synthetic performance materials. Just note that cotton leggings aren't as opaque (i.e., these are better for layering under longer tops or dresses) and they don't wick moisture, so they aren't ideal for sweaty workouts.

TESTER NOTES: Our experts and consumer testers have tried several pairs of Motherhood Maternity pants and like how they're consistently stylish and functional for everyday wear. For this pair specifically, our tester said, "They fit great and they are very comfy!" She noted that they're fairly thin and not fully opaque, but appreciated that the panel can easily accommodate a growing bump.

If you prefer to shop for leggings on Amazon thanks to the inexpensive dupes with rave reviews — and not to mention the fast shipping — this style has a low price tag and is a best seller. Our textile pros note that while most maternity leggings have a waistband below the bump with a separate panel to cover it, this one has a U-shape waistband to accommodate your bump. This helps it stay in place without adding too much pressure.

It's technically designed for workouts, but it's also versatile enough to wear every day for an athleisure look. Though it doesn't have pockets, it also comes in a version with deep pockets to store your phone and other belongings.

TESTER NOTES: Our tester liked how this pair had a substantial weight, especially compared to thinner leggings. She also described it as "extremely soft and lovely!" Amazon reviewers compare it to Lululemon's Align leggings, but at a fraction of the cost. They rave about the smooth, slightly compressive feel of the fabric that stays in place well. Just note that while some reviewers say it's great for the third trimester, others worry it's not suitable for larger bumps.

With rave reviews online for its support, our tests confirmed this maternity style lives up to the hype. It stood out to our pros for its unique construction: For starters, it has a built-in support band and compression to help prevent pain caused by carrying the extra weight. Beyond that, it's fully seamless around your bump (meaning there are no annoying threads to dig in or irritate) and the material is opaque so you don't have to worry about it looking see-through.

Some pregnant wearers may find a full panel to feel constricting in general, but this one is lighter and more breathable over the actual bump. It also sits high up, which is great for preventing the material from rolling down. Plus, the fabric itself is buttery soft for wear-all-day comfort, though keep in mind the buttery-feel fabrics tend to pill more easily.

TESTER NOTES: A Good Housekeeping editor wore these during her third pregnancy and said they helped ease her lower back pain. She struggled to find maternity leggings that didn't slide down or feel too tight over the course of her first two pregnancies, but said these looked and felt great: "They're practically all I wanted to wear!"

H&M's "Treggings" collection is made to look like trousers but feel like leggings, with a few variations available in the assortment. This pair in particular has a skinny leg with a hidden zipper at the hem that can be opened for more style. It has a stretchy over-the-bump panel, but the leg fabric is woven so it may feel a bit more structured than regular leggings.

TESTER NOTES: Our textile pros note that because it's a cotton twill, it'll look thicker than a knit legging, making it more suitable as a real pant to wear to work. But unlike stiff work pants, it's a blend with spandex and polyester so there will still be some stretch. Juste note that this type of blend with cotton and synthetics may pill more easily.

Made of modal, an unbelievably soft fiber that feels amazing against your skin, modal is super drapey and more typically found in loungewear or pajamas. In fact, the brand describes the style as "if air, butter and silk had a baby."

On top of the softness, the panel is adjustable so you can wear it over or under your belly and it's versatile enough to continue wearing after you give birth. While it's not as opaque or compressive as other leggings — meaning it's less suitable for workouts and work — it's hard to beat this one's comfort.

TESTER NOTES: Our textile experts and pregnant testers were amazed by the softness. They agreed that it wasn't fully opaque, but thought it was a great option for staying comfy. One tester noted she stopped wearing sweatpants and switched to wearing this pair at home.

Finding maternity leggings that fit well is tricky enough, but finding ones that fit will during exercise is the ultimate challenge. Fortunately, this pair from Beyond Yoga combines a comfy feel with technical performance, and is designed specifically to fit growing bumps. In fact, it's so comfortable you can wear it beyond your fitness routine.

The fabric is an ultra-soft polyester knit that's moisture wicking (so you don't need to worry about it holding onto sweat) and stretchy (so it doesn't restrict your movements). Our pros also love that it's easy care with machine wash and dryer safe instructions — especially important for cleaning after workouts.

TESTER NOTES: GH's fitness expert loved wearing these while pregnant, calling them "by far the best I have tried!" She noted that they stayed in place and unlike other styles, they felt like they were actually designed for a growing pregnant body. The material also felt high quality throughout her workouts.

This no-frills pair of leggings is made with buttery-smooth fabric that's comfortable for everyday wear, both at home and on the go. It's thicker and more compressive than loungewear leggings, making it more ideal for wearing all day long. Just note that although the brand says it's suitable for yoga or exercise, our textiles analysts note it's constructed in a way that's not meant for workouts: There's no gusset at the crotch and the inside seams are raised.

TESTER NOTES: Though the seam construction wasn't as high quality as other styles, our pros still liked the feel of the fabric. Testers agreed, with one saying, "I wore them all day and they were super comfortable. They are the softest maternity leggings that I've worn."

Maternity leggings typically have fabric that goes over the belly or folds down, but this style from Gap is ideal if you prefer a below-the-bump fit without excess material. It's held up by a wider waistband that sits flat against your body. Juste note that leggings without the full panel are more prone to sliding down with movement.

This pair is designed for exercise with its smooth performance fabric. It's also moisture-wicking to help you stay dry despite sweat. And while it comes in basic blank, it's also available in pop colors and prints.

TESTER NOTES: GH textile experts recommend this type of fabric for workouts with fast, repetitive movements because it's smoother than other maternity legging materials. Analysts who wore similar styles from this brand during pregnancy liked the feel of not having their bump covered with the panel, but noted they needed to be pulled up at times. Reviewers of this style agree, saying they did slide down at times.

While some plus-size leggings only go up to size 3X, this style from Girlfriend Collective impressed our analysts with its size inclusivity, ranging from XXS to 6XL (designed to fit 22" to 53" waists). You can also choose between two inseam lengths: 28.5" to hit at the ankle or 23.75" to sit above the ankle.

The fabric is lightweight, sleek, stretchy and moisture-wicking, making it ideal to wear during workouts. Still, it's versatile to wear for lounging or everyday use. In fact, the brand describes it as having a "next to nothing feel."

TESTER NOTES: GH textile analysts have evaluated several pairs of non-maternity Girlfriend Collective leggings and recommend them for their slightly compressive fit that offers support during exercise. Online reviewers say they practically live in this pair, calling it flattering and comfortable, despite some noticeable pilling of the fabric. Our pros also highlight that this pair is made with nylon from recycled fishing nets for sustainably-minded shoppers.

Though most maternity leggings have a skinny fit throughout the legs, this pair is perfect for anyone that prefers a loser flare around the calves and ankles thanks to its more traditional yoga pant look and feel. It has a full panel waistband that can also be folded over, and it's still fitted around the thighs so it isn't too baggy.

The fabric is a soft cotton knit with spandex for stretch, and it's both machine washable and dryer safe. While cotton is not ideal for exercise, Old Navy has a flare maternity workout legging as well that uses a moisture-wicking polyester.

TESTER NOTES: Our analysts are fans of Old Navy maternity leggings for their excellent value and wide assortment to suit every leggings preference. Reviewers of this style say it's comfortable and flattering, though they note it's too long for petite sizes (which our pros note is a common complaint for flared leggings).