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If you’ve ever been pregnant, you know what a special time it can be—there is really nothing else like it. But as your body changes to accommodate the human you’re growing, your clothing can make you hyperaware of those changes. For runners especially, finding activewear that supports (and doesn’t restrict!) you can make all the difference as you continue to run and stay active throughout pregnancy.
On the other hand, maternity clothes can be expensive, which can be frustrating when you only need them for a finite duration. That’s why we had our in-house tester, a mom-to-be, try everything we could get our hands on and pick out her absolute favorites from the bunch.
Here is what she loved and recommends.
The Best Maternity Running Clothes
Of all the brands and items tested, our resident pregnant runner found the following items to offer the most support for her running.
Oiselle Queen Bra | $72
Though not technically a maternity bra, this pick from Oiselle offered the most support on the run. Though our reviewer noted some strange bunching and gaping around the top, it didn’t affect the way that it fit or felt while she ran in it.
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Athleta Foresthill Heather Tank | $59
This was a standout piece of clothing, receiving rave reviews for its flattering fit around the chest, arms, and belly. Our tester could wear it throughout her entire pregnancy thanks to the ruching on the sides. And for running, the breathable, comfortable material was just right.
Motherhood Forever Active Maternity and Postpartum Leggings | $50
These running leggings are comfortable, supportive, and are made from a soft high-performance fabric. Our tester said she could wear these every single day. They fit over the belly nicely without pinching. And the side pockets were a great bonus.
Cadenshae High Waisted Maternity Bike Shorts | $65
These bike shorts from Cadenshae offered a smooth and comfortable ride with plenty of belly support, though they bordered on being too tight on the bump around the end of month eight. Designed for both maternity and postpartum (just fold down the compression panel), our tester is even more excited to wear these on a run after the baby is born.
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The Best Apparel for Low-Impact Exercise and Lounging
You might be running all the way up until your baby’s due date, or you might decide to opt for more low-impact exercise at some point in your pregnancy. Some of the clothes we tested didn’t hold up for a run necessarily, but were more well-suited for walking, yoga, or just lounging around and getting much-needed rest.
Oiselle Lux Collection
The bra, the robe, the pillowcase, the Kami jammie pants—top-tier comfort right here. We get why the collection is called Lux because the material can only be described as luxurious. Our tester called her sleep ‘divine’ with the Lux Pillow Case under head and can’t wait to bring it to the hospital with her when the time comes.
Anook Athletics Nila Nursing Sports Bra | $62
While not as supportive for a run as some of the other bras that we tested, this one gets points for comfort as a lounging or low-impact exercise sports bra. It is also a nursing bra, so you can get plenty of use out of it postpartum as well.
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