10 Best Maternity Leggings for Support When You Need it Most

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There's no denying things can get a little uncomfortable during pregnancy. From headaches and nausea to sore legs and feet, there's no shortage of new and unusual symptoms to contend with. But the right pair of pants can actually help with the latter, plus add some support to boot.

Maternity leggings come in a wide range of fabrics that are designed for more than just exercising. You can find compression-style tights that smooth and soothe. Alternatively, fashion-forward suede or faux-leather varieties are better suited for work or dinner dates. And, of course, some of our favorites are simply perfect for lounging on the couch when you understandably don't have the energy to do much else.

Most maternity leggings have a few things in common, most importantly, a wide, stretchy waistband that can adapt as your bump changes. But some other nice-to-haves include a soft and breathable material and a seamless design. If you plan to exercise in the pair you're searching for, you may also want to opt for a moisture-wicking fabric – there's nothing quite like those pregnancy hot flashes!

Since you have a lot to shop for right now—other maternity wear and all of that baby gear—we've done the leg work for you and tested some the best maternity leggings out there. Here are our favorite styles.

The Ultimate Before, During & After Legging

Our expectations for the Hatch Collection leggings were pretty high. By some magic, the super-soft bamboo blend fabric also has just the right amount of compression for all-over support. Of all the pairs that we tried, we found these the easiest to dress up or down with our everyday wardrobe.

EcoCare Mama Seamless Leggings

We are huge fans of Spanx's active and ready-to-wear in our office. Their seamless maternity leggings are made from an opaque recycled nylon throughout that feel like knit compression tights, look like a skinny pant, and stretch with your belly. We felt these were supportive and flattering – plus they go up to a size 3X.

Black Bump & Back Support Maternity Leggings

These maternity leggings from Seraphine are a super-powered version of your favorite workout pants. You're likely familiar with their lightweight, smooth and opaque stretchy nylon that goes above the belly to the natural waist. We love the side pockets and panels for extra bump and back support.

Soft Rib Knit Lounge Leggings

From the product design to the packaging, we cannot get enough of Jorgen House – the thoughtful maternity line from Leah Jorgensen (who previously helped launch Beyonce's workout line Ivy Park). The only thing that surprised us more than quality of their soft knit rib leggings is the affordable price point. Thanks to a compression-like organic cotton stretch blend, they're somehow supportive and super-soft. We are smitten with every piece we've tried out so far.

The Legging

Bumpsuit's best-selling maternity leggings top the hit lists for a reason. They're double lined the most luxuriously soft brushed knit fabric and a (really!) dig-free elastic waistband sits comfortably above your bump.

Seamless Maternity Bike Short

Gayle and O's favorite leggings brand now extends into maternity wear. Thanks to a thick, silky fabric made from recycled fishing nets, these stretchy bike shorts offer added support and coverage. In the tone of clean beauty, we love that they're free from Oeko-Tex and Bluesign certified (aka, free from harmful substances).

Fair Trade, Organic Cotton PureFit Leggings

If sustainability is top of mind, Pact impressively sources organic cotton and partners with Fair Trade factories to produce their collections. We liked their lightweight, soft and stretchy leggings for lounging and everyday wear.

Jennie Maternity Short

Anook Athletics is an activewear line founded by a female team and designed for maternity/postpartum. Their maternity shorts are soft, lightweight, and breathable, and have handy pockets on both sides. We also appreciate their cheery colors and that ten percent of profits go directly towards mental health efforts in Mexico, Canada and the United States.

Secret Fit Belly Leggings

These leggings are a blend of cotton and spandex, so they're more breathable than your average pair. They're also full panel, so they'll cover your bump, even at the end of your pregnancy. Lounge or dress them up—the options are endless.

Maternity Faux-Leather Leggings

Who's to say you can't slip into faux leather leggings? They look just like anything you'd wear pre-pregnancy, but they also have a full panel to cover the bump.

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