10 best maternity sportswear pieces and sets that support your bump

With the softest and most luxurious fabric, it almost felt like a sin to get these sweaty. They were the best fit of all the options we tried, with no fear of a saggy crotch or an unattractive gathering of extra material at the ankle. We loved the mid-height waistband and there is no need to size up to accommodate your expanding waist as the super stretchy fabric will grow with you. With no sign of unsightly see-through fabric, you can squat with confidence without giving your gym class an eyeful. Natal offers a wide range of sportswear options, colours and patterns making them a market standout for product choice. They also come packaged in handy zip-lock bags that are perfect to reuse in your hospital bag. And each delivery comes with a Count the Kicks leaflet as an all-important reminder to monitor your baby’s movement. We really couldn’t recommend these enough.

There’s nothing not to like about this pair and at a bargain price you really can’t go wrong. The large waistband means they sit higher than others on the market but can be folded down if you prefer, meaning they can be worn after pregnancy making them even better value for money. They have a slightly more obvious lycra sheen to them than others we tried, which may not be to all tastes but does make for a flattering silhouette. A great sportswear basic for those on a tight budget.

Touted as a sports bra for your bump – this certainly doesn’t disappoint. With a built-in back support, it feels like a firm hug for your torso, minimising bump bounce and giving us the confidence to keep running at 26 weeks and beyond without feeling like everything might fall out. The ultra-firm waistband has a silicone band on the inside to prevent it from riding up, gripping your hips firmly to ease the downward pressure of your baby’s weight on your pelvis. Its built-in inner bra offers light support for low-impact activities such as yoga or added support over a sports bra for more intense workouts. The sturdy structure had us a bit worried about overheating but the sweat-wicking fabric soon put our minds at ease. The only thing that would make this better is a wider variety of colours

Removable pads to give you a smooth shape but without any bulk, this bra is a snug fit with no unnecessary fabric. Its wide under-bust band means it doesn’t dig in or ride up, while also reducing bounce from high-impact activities. The straps can be worn two ways, either straight or racer-back, providing adaptable support and making it almost invisible under tops. And the best bit – it comes with a handy back extender meaning it will see you right through all trimesters, making it great value for money.

Every woman will know the struggle of finding sportswear with pockets, let alone ones that are big enough to carry anything more than your house keys. Well, look no further, because the team at Latched have cracked it. With not one, but two extra-large pockets with enough room to rival Mary Poppins’ bag, you’ll be forgiven for forgetting what you’ve put in there. But there are other benefits too. These lightweight leggings have light compression to improve circulation and gently cradle your bump. And their super soft fabric means there’s no chaffing and makes them perfect for lounging on the sofa.

The best fit of all the bras we tried with none of the added bulk that makes some maternity sports bras make you feel like you’re wearing a bullet-proof vest. This is lightweight and up there with some of our pre-pregnancy favourites. Extremely comfortable, it offers a good level of support without leaving you desperate to rip it off the moment your workout is done. We almost forgot we were wearing this and wore it all day. It also has the most discreet nursing clips meaning we’ll be wearing this one far beyond pregnancy for sure.

Plus you can finish of the look by pairing it with LJ’s ankle grazer leggings. Hurrah for the single seem, which means no itchy or irritable joins that dig in at your sides. A flattering length that lands a few inches above the ankles, these are ideal for warmer temperatures to keep you cool. Very smooth to the touch, the fabric is easily wiped clean of any mud or water splatters after a run on a wet day. The wide waistband can be worn over or folded under your bump, depending on your preference. Our only gripe – you guessed it – no pockets. The combination of these two makes the perfect matching set and we loved each product as much as the other

Long-promised as the friend of mums to be, we were especially keen to see if this cult brand’s offering lived up to the hype. We first tried these at 30 weeks so we were sure that their super stretchy fabric would be put to the test by our swollen belly. Because they’re not specifically designed for pregnancy, they don’t have the excess fabric around the waist which makes some brands redundant after the baby arrives. But we did find that the waistband slid down during more active workouts as the weeks went on. The priciest of our options, they will be out of budget for some, especially those with bigger bumps which might require a bit more give in the waist. But they will see most people through the first two trimesters and then you can pick them back up again afterwards

Who said maternity leggings had to be boring? Not Luna Gray. The stand-out option for those looking to make an entrance, this small brand’s bold colours and fun patterns turn heads for all the right reasons. They have a silky smooth finish and a comfortable mid-rise waistband, meaning they will see you through all three trimesters and beyond without the need for multiple pairs. They come in a range of flattering designs and colours from a beautiful sage green to the loud and proud leopard print Hudsons, meaning you can dress them up with a shirt or smart jumper. There’s no chance of being a wallflower in these and we got lots of compliments while wearing them, providing a much-needed confidence boost on days when you might not be feeling your best. They run slightly smaller than other brands so if you’re in between sizes, best to size up.

If lower back pain is causing you trouble, these are the leggings for you. The soft back panel gently corrects a slouching posture, without being overly stiff or restrictive, and provides much-needed support when working out or after a long day on your feet. Long in the leg, these are best for tall mums. They also have a super high waistband that sits right underneath the bust making them good for bigger bumps or mums to be who want to hold everything in. The extra high waistband meant we could pair them with a sports bra or crop top and cardigan without the need for a separate top making them our go-to pair for relaxing around the house

Craving comfort and warmth when the weather took a turn, we lived in this during pregnancy. But its feeding zips mean we’ll be wearing this for months yet. The fleecy inside lining makes it super cosy and the extra long slim fit body gives you a flattering shape. The high funnel neck, thumb loops and front pouch pocket make cold autumn and winter mornings more bearable. The near-invisible zips run from bottom to top and provide a large opening making breastfeeding a breeze. We tested the cheery bright teal but there are a few colours available.