The Ultimate Guide to Maternity Leggings
When you’re pregnant, a good pair of leggings isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s an essential.
And whether you’re on it with your workout sched, or just need something comfy to take you through the day, you deserve to feel absolutely supported and like you can take on anything. That means those subpar leggings that don’t adapt to your body in the right way, need to be constantly pulled up, or are just plain uncomfy are NOT it.
Plus, with everything from back pain (ugh, the worst) to swelling and a quickly-growing bump, sometimes you just want the support you get from a great pair of leggings, even if you’re not planning on fitting in a workout that day. Add in the fact that the right pair can easily be dressed up or down, and there’s pretty much no better pant option out there.
Thankfully, we know activewear, and we’ve got just the thing to get you through all of those at-home workouts, outdoor runs, and days spent working from the couch. Time to clear out some space in that closet of yours.
It’s All in the Details
Before we get into what to look for in a maternity legging and our absolute favorites for pregnancy and postpartum, you should know how serious we are about creating the *best* leggings in the game. And since obviously we’re a bit biased, we put our new active leggings through a study to test them against other popular pairs from brands you probably already wear.
Everything from fabric to construction, fit, and performance was evaluated and scored during wear testing, fit model interviews and live fittings, as well as with customer feedback. The result? Our leggings beat out 22 other pairs of popular leggings for pregnancy and postpartum, AND we made additional tweaks based on the feedback we received. See? Told ya you can count on these. But first, let’s go over what you should be looking for in a legging…
What To Look For
(Aka: How to find the *best* maternity leggings)
1. Super High-Quality Fabric
Let’s be real: legging fabric can have a HUGE impact on the overall quality, and you’re going to want to look for well-made, premium material. With quality comes comfort and support, meaning you’ll not only feel your best, but also won’t have to deal with any of that annoying slipping, sliding, or pilling that comes with some of the leggings out there. All of our leggings are made with quality material that’s built to last and designed to keep you feeling comfortable throughout your entire day.
2. Bump Support!
Okay, this one is KEY. Obviously, your body is going to be changing a ton during pregnancy, and your leggings should be there to provide exactly the support that you (and your growing bump) need. This is exactly why many of our leggings feature our signature Crossover Panel®, designed to relieve pressure on the lower back and hips as well as the belly. It’s our very own patented technology, and we didn’t take it lightly: you’ll stay cool and supported throughout every stage.
Our Fold Down Legging has a magic, high-rise waistband that you can use over the belly or fold down, depending on the support and coverage you want. And for when those postpartum days arrive, you can count on just the right amount of compression with our Postpartum Legging. There’s even an extra-low belly panel seam for C-section recovery.
3. The Perfect Length
This one’s a little bit more personal, but you should look for leggings with your ideal length in mind. For our taller ladies out there, full-length leggings might be exactly what you need, but if you’re shorter, a 7/8 might be just the thing. For those early summer days, you might even want to consider a capri or bike short, like these ones from our brand-new Performance Collection.
4. Good Coverage
We’ve all ordered a pair of leggings that turned out to be see-through, and there’s pretty much nothing worse. Whether you’re getting in a super active workout or just cleaning up around the house, you’re going to want good coverage to ensure this never happens. You can count on every single one of our leggings passing that squat test.
5. The Right Fit
If you’re new to maternity leggings, you might be a little bit confused about how to go about finding the right fit. You shouldn’t have to be! We design all of our leggings to adjust to your changing body, so all you have to do is select your pre-pregnancy size. Seriously! It’s that easy. Now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for…
For Sweaty Workouts
We thought of everything when creating our new line of leggings, and these are the result of all of that careful work. Our Tru Impact fabric was not only created for high-performance so you can sweat with confidence, but is also sustainable thanks to recycled polyester yarn. You’ll feel ready for just about anything with a glove-like fit and that extra support that comes along with our Crossover Panel. Prefer a capri, a 7/8, or a bike short? We made those, too.
for studio-to-street
The Performance Pocket Legging
Phone? Keys? No problem here. Made with our sustainable Tru Impact fabric, this legging has drop-in pockets that won’t slow you down. With all the same benefits of our Performance Legging (like the Crossover Panel, and that “fits-like-a-glove” feeling), but with added breathable mesh that makes this a studio-to-street staple. Catch us wearing these to our next yoga class (and then to grocery shop after because #multitasking).
For Everyday Support
We call these the perfect everyday legging, and chances are you’ll want to wear them all week long. There’s zippers at the ankles for total ease-of-wear with a hint of fashion, and the same beloved Crossover Panel that provides gentle support in back as your belly expands out in front. We also love this fabric, which is super high quality and just the right thickness for wherever the day takes you.
For Lounging At Home
Made with the stretchiest, softest fabric EVER, these are in the running for the comfiest leggings out there. Plus, they’re perfect for those days when you want some under-belly fold-down freedom OR feel like that over-belly support, thanks to an amazing high-rise waistband. We’ll take two pairs, thank you very much!
For Layering
Sometimes, you want a pair of leggings to make your OOTD just a little bit comfier, and these are just the thing. Free of tags or seams, easily pair these with a longer top, dress, or cardigan for stylish, on-the-go coverage.
For Those Postpartum Days
Active Postpartum Compression Legging
Although you could wear pretty much any of our leggings well into postpartum and after (our non-pregnant employees are rocking them as we write this!), we made these specifically for brand-new mamas, so you can be comfy while you cuddle up with babe or start to add some movement back into your routine. Sound like just what you need? We thought so.
Your Search is Over…
When it comes to pregnancy and postpartum, you shouldn’t have to settle for workout pieces that just don’t do their job. Even if you prefer lounging to hitting the gym, it’s finally time to wave goodbye to your other leggings, and never look back. From our new Performance Collection to our tried-and-true faves, we just know you’re going to find a pair you’re obsessed with and that provides allll the support you need. Your bump (and back!) will thank you.
Looking to complete the look? Hey, there’s no better feeling than a cute activewear outfit. We’ve got everything you need to look and feel your best in our full active assortment. (Like, super cute tops, sports bras, and jackets). Time to book that yoga class or schedule a morning nature walk with your BFF! Any opportunity is the perfect opportunity to try out your new leggings.
