What I Wore Backpacking During Pregnancy
- Jessica Lane
- Jul 26, 2024
- 14 min read
Finding maternity clothes that stand up to the demands of the outdoors can be tough. The material needs to be sweat and weather resistant, allow for a wide range of mobility, and fit comfortably throughout the various stages of pregnancy. Let's not forget stylish. It's true fashion isn't everything, but pregnancy can be a very self conscious time. When your body is constantly changing and it feels like nothing fits right from day to day, it helps to have some cute clothes you feel confident hitting the trail in!
I had to do some searching to find hiking clothes that met the same standards as my pre-pregnancy favorites, while still within my budget. Even though most of the items on this list aren't considered "maternity clothes" they still became staples of my hiking wardrobe when I was pregnant; and most of them continued to fit well into my 3rd trimester! So, today I'd like to share some of the cute, comfortable, and affordable hiking clothes I wore during pregnancy.
Quick Disclaimer: Nothing is sponsored! Everything I share in this post is based on my own opinion and experience wearing these products. The purpose is to provide general info and anecdotes about clothing that worked for me during pregnancy. Not sell you something. Hopefully it helps other female adventurers determine if some of these options are a good fit for them as well. With all that out of the way, let's get into this!
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Hiking Clothes
Camp Clothes
Outer Layers
Hiking Clothes
I struggled most with finding shirts that fit right. I gave a few maternity workout tops a try. However, the material either wasn't moisture wicking or durable enough to wear hiking. I also tried going up a size in the shirts I wore pre-pregnancy, but the fit was loose enough around the waist while still being too short. So, I decided to give men's sportswear a try. Here's why: men's shirts tend to be wider across the chest and a lot longer in the torso. The neckline also comes up a bit higher. All of which were the size adjustments I needed. The shirts I went with were made of a merino wool blend, making them ideal for backpacking. I did end up finding a good women's top (synthetic ), but the men's wool shirts were my go-to.
As for pants and shorts I was intentional about avoiding anything with buttons or zippers because I didn't want to use waistband extenders in order to keep wearing them. For shorts, I went with a pair by Columbia with a suer stretch waistband. When the weather cooled off, I bought the next size up in my favorite pair of yoga pants. Even though I had non-maternity pants and shorts that worked for me, I still tried a few pairs of maternity specific hiking / athletic pants from Amazon. Overall I didn't like the fit. Especially the kind with a high rise "over the belly" waistband. I don't have a long torso. So rather than coming to the top of my belly, the band came up to my armpits. It looked and felt ridiculous! Also, the seam where the rest of the pants and high rise band came together wasn't very comfortable. That being said, I'm sure that style works for plenty of other ladies. It just wasn't for me.
Mountain Warehouse Summit II T-Shirt
This base layer t-shirt by Mountain Warehouse (NOT Mountain Hardwear) was my absolute favorite! I wore it on nearly every backpacking trip during pregnancy. The material is soft, stretchy, and really stands up to sweat. Since it's made of a merino-polyester blend, you get the best of both natural and synthetic fibers. Another neat feature is the perforated panels running under the armpits and along the sides. This helps with breathability and moisture wicking in areas where sweat really builds up. After wearing it in sunny 80° weather, I can honestly say that feature makes a difference! I also like the neutral colors it comes in. I wore the charcoal gray the most because it matches just about everything.
Following the measurements on their size chart, I went with a small. I mentioned earlier, men's shirts typically have a broader chest and longer torso. These changes to the cut gave me extra width across the top without feeling baggy around the armpits. It also provided more than enough length to cover my growing belly. Affordability was another selling point for this shirt. With brands like Icebreaker and Smartwool you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $70 for a t-shirt. At full price, the Summit II t-shirt is $45, but Mountain Warehouse runs sales on their website very often. With the promotion at that time I paid $35 per shirt. Being made of a merino-blend rather than 100% wool does play a role in the significant price difference.
My one criticism is: when worn frequently, this shirt does lack some durability. All my backpacking clothes, do pill and thin out at some point. Mostly where the shoulder straps, sternum strap, and hipbelt on my pack cause friction. But I noticed signs of wear in those areas much quicker on the Summit II t-shirt. That being said, I wore it constantly over a 9 month span.
Specs & Features
Product: | |
Material: | Polyester 50%, Merino Wool 50% |
Size Range: | XS - 4XL |
Special Features: | Moisture wicking, anti-bacterial properties / odor resistance, perforated panels along the armpit and waist for breathability. |
Price Range: | $45 |
Columbia Leslie Falls Shirt
This series of women's shirts by Columbia is my second runner up. Although it isn't advertised as maternity-wear it should be! The rouching along the sides allow the shirt to stretch with ease to accommodate a growing baby bump. The torso is also long enough to offer plenty of coverage throughout each trimester. In addition to the fit, I also like how this shirt is available in three sleeve lengths. Making it a great option all year round. I typically wear a small in Columbia tops. Based on the size chart for the Leslie Falls shirts, medium was a better fit for me during pregnancy. They were just as comfortable at 34 weeks (8 months) as they were at 16 weeks (4 months) when I got them.
Columbia's products are fairly affordable. Especially when you consider how often they run sales. At full price, you can expect to pay $35, $40, and $45 for the tank top, short sleeve, and long sleeve respectively. However, when Columbia or one of their retailers has some kind of promotion going on you can get them for anywhere between $20 and $35. You just have to be patient and keep your eyes peeled for those deals! I was able to buy all three of my shirts for under $35.
Unlike my first pick, this top is made almost entirely out of polyester. Synthetic fibers certainly have their benefits, but they also have their setbacks. Columbia boasts "Omni-shade" and "Omni-wick' properties with this shirt. I definitely felt like it did a good job in the sun protection department, but not so much in the moisture wicking department... at least not long term. In my experience, the Leslie Falls shirts are good for day hikes and overnights, but NOT multi-day backpacking trips. The polyester dries fast at first, but it reaches its limit with sweat absorption after about a day. It then stays damp and clammy and holds onto odors pretty bad. Putting this shirt on a third day in a row during on one of my trips was a serious exercise in discipline. If it weren't for that shortcoming, I probably would have worn the Leslie Falls shirts a lot more.
Specs & Features
Product: | Leslie Falls T-shirt, Tank Top, and Long Sleeve |
Materials: | 88% Recycled Polyester, 12% Elastane |
Size Range: | Standard: XS - XXL Plus: 1X - 3X |
Special Features: | Omni-shade sun protection (UPF 50), Omni-wick moisture wicking, soft stretchy fabric, ruching along the sides. |
Price Range: | $35 (Tank) $40 (Short Sleeve) $45 (Long Sleeve) |
Columbia Tamiami Pull-on Shorts
The Tamiami pull-on shorts by Columbia quickly became my go-to bottoms. I had these shorts long before pregnancy, and even though they were my usual size in the brand (small) they were a little too loose. So, I rarely wore them. Once I entered the 2nd trimester, though, they fit perfectly! They continued to fit halfway through my 3rd trimester. Around 32 weeks my belly started pulling the waistband so far forward that they got too tight around the thighs.
What makes these shorts great for hiking and backpacking (pregnant or not) is the material! It's so light and airy, without being too thin. It's the same material that Columbia's PFG fishing shirts are made of. They're so light and packable you could easily toss a second pair in your clothes bag to change into halfway through your trip. The 4" inseam is the perfect length, and the hems around the thigh aren't at all rough or scratchy. I never had any issues with chaffing while wearing them. Another noteworthy feature on these shorts is they don't have a mesh liner on the inside. Which isn't common for athletic shorts nowadays. I felt not having that additional layer of a liner really contributed to the comfortable fit.
Something else I love about these shorts is the waistband. The elastic stretches freely without loosing its shape. A problem I've always had with athletic shorts is find a pair the with a waistband that doesn't dig into my hips and waist. So I was concerned I may have the same issue with these shorts as my belly got bigger. Thankfully, this wasn't the case. I wore the waistband midway across my belly with little resistance and no discomfort well into the 3rd trimester. In short, the Columbia's Tamiami pull-on shorts are incredibly versatile.
Even though they are made of polyester, I didn't have the same problem with these shorts that I did with the Leslie Falls shirts when it came to sweat absorption and odor resistance. Instead, I noticed the material dries fast and stays that way days later. Maybe it has something to do with the the thicken of the fabric and way it's woven? Despite frequent use and abuse, I haven't had any rips, tears, holes, or fraying on them either.
The only improvement I think could be made is giving these shorts a better pocket. There's a single zippered pocket on the back right size. Unfortunately, the size and placement makes it virtually useless. It's too shallow to actually put anything in it, and if you were able to fit anything with substantial weight it would probably pull the shorts down.
Like I said before, Columbia's products are pretty affordable when there's a promotion going on. At full price, these shorts are $40; but they often go on sale for $20 - $30. During the Christmas season they were only $12 on Columbia's website. You seriously can't beat that! I bought my first pair of shorts at full price and the other three for less than $25.
Specs & Features
Product: | |
Materials: | 100% Polyester |
Size Range: | Standard: XS - XXL. 4" inseam. Plus: 1X - 3X. 5" inseam. |
Special Features: | Omni-shade sun protection (UPF 50), zippered back pocket, lightweight fabric, elastic waistband, loose fitting. |
Price Range: | $40 |
CRZ YOGA Butterluxe High Waisted Leggings
These yoga pants from Amazon / CRZ YOGA were my favorite for hiking in cool weather. Similar to the Tamiami shorts, I was able to continue wearing the Butterluxe leggings for most of my pregnancy. Like the name implies, the material is buttery smooth. It's also very breathable and does a surprisingly great job at wicking away moisture. These leggings can be worn the next day after a fairly sweaty hike without feeling damp, clammy, or smelly. I also love that they come in a variety of colors. But my favorite feature is definitely the waistband. There's no elastic cord! Instead, it's just a 4.5 (front) to 6 (back) inch double layered panel made of the same material as the rest of the pants. It extends outward effortlessly and doesn't squeeze, pinch, or constrict the belly unlike waistbands that do have a strip of elastic on inside. I wore a size medium pre-pregnancy and went up to a large at the start of my 2nd trimester.
CRZ YOGA sells a regular version of their Butterluxe leggings as well as a maternity version. These are the regular not the maternity version. The waistband on the maternity version is much longer. On me, the maternity pair's waistband came up to the top of my ribs; whereas the original came up above my bellybutton. I felt it wasn't the best fit for me, so I went with the regular version instead. The price point for both is very reasonable at just $32. If you're going to give the Butterluxe leggings a try, I recommend investing in a couple pairs. They're great for more than just hiking. They became a major staple of my at home wardrobe too. I wore the black pair almost daily.
These leggings aren't as durable as a traditional pair of hiking pants, but they aren't poor quality either. There are a few abrasions on the thighs from brushing up against tree branches and boulders on the trail. However, I haven't had any rips or holes form. The last thing I want to mention in terms of quality is the product's consistency. Sometimes with products on Amazon, there will be a discrepancy between different colors and sizes. For example, the material may be completely different from one color to another OR two pairs of what should be medium leggings are vastly different sizes. I haven't had this issue with the CRZ YOGA Butterluxe leggings. The product is exactly the same every time I purchase it.
Specs & Features
Product: | |
Materials: | 81% Polyamide, 19% Lycra. |
Size Range: | XXS - XL. 25" length and 28" length. |
Special Features: | High rise seamless waistband, gentle compression, 4-Way stretch fabric. |
Price Range: | $32 |
Camp Clothes
I typically wear wool base layers at camp, but as expected none of my go-to base layers fit after the 1st trimester. I did find some brands that make maternity specific base layers, like BoobDesign (Yep. That's the actual name.) However, I couldn't justify paying $120 - $130 per item. Especially if I'm only going to wear them a few times... maybe more if I decided to have another baby down the road. I wanted whatever camp clothes I decided on to not only fit my baby bump, but fit my budget as well. With finding a comfortable base layer top, I applied the same strategy I used with hiking shirts: menswear. Specifically Meriwool, an affordable wool base layer brand. Unfortunately, the women's leggings from Meriwool weren't all that compatible with my proportions during pregnancy. Even though I went up a size, the elastic waistband was too tight to wear over my belly. If I wore it under my belly, it was too baggy and saggy. In the end, I relied mostly on fleece and fleece-lined leggings to keep my lower body warm.
Meriwool Men's Henley
I love Meriwool's button up Henley! I did a short review of the women's version in my "What I Wear Backpacking" post. It went on nearly every trip with me for over four years. So, I was pretty bummed when my favorite base layer no longer fit after the 1st trimester. Just like with the Mountain Warehouse t-shirts, I decided to buy the men's version. I could continue wearing the same base layer I loved with the fit adjustments I needed.
Pre-pregnancy, I wore a women's medium. Going off Meriwool's size chart, the men's small matched my new measurements with a little room to spare. The men's version has a few other differences in the fit. On the women's, the neckline has a looser scoop style. On the men's, it's much tighter and higher. Most of the time I wore it with the top button undone. The sleeves are much longer too, but it was easy enough to keep them rolled up at the end or scrunched up on my elbows. I included a picture showing a side by side comparison of the women's medium and men's small in the Fit Comparison section below.
Despite being considered a lightweight base layer (190g weight), Meriwool's button up Henleys are incredibly warm. I wore this top by itself at camp in 50 degree temperatures, with a jacket (windbreaker or down) in the 40s, and with a fleece and jacket in the 30s. In addition to warmth, the 100% merino wool fabric offers anti-bacterial, odor-resistant, and moisture wicking properties. Like the women's Henley, the men's version one went on almost every backpacking trip with me while I was pregnant.
Specs & Features
Product: | Mens Base Layer Henley |
Materials: | 100% superfine merino wool |
Size Range: | S - XL |
Special Features: | 100% merino wool, anti-bacterial & odor-resistant properties, versatile for layering. |
Price Range: | $55 |
Warner's Fleece Lined Leggings
Along with a wool Henley top, I wore a pair of Warner's fleece lined leggings on most of my trips. Like the CRZ yoga pants, the waistband doesn't have an elastic cord on the inside. Instead it's made up of a woven panel with vertical ribbing. Aside from how well it stretched around my belly, what really impressed me about the waistband's design was the way it stayed in place without feeling too tight. The fleece lining is super soft and warm making them ideal for nights in the mid 50s to low 40s. Below 40°, I recommend putting an insulating layer like wind/rain pants over top. I wore a size S/M pre-pregnancy and size L/XL during. The L/XL fit comfortably up until the last few weeks of my 3rd trimester.
These leggings are very affordable at just $12 - $15. Which is both a blessing and a curse. The blessing being you save money on maternity camp clothes, and the curse being you get what you pay for. With frequent wear and washing, the fleece lining loses its soft smooth texture becoming matted and scratchy. After a while, the outer layer shows signs of wear too with pilling, snags, and pulled threads. Aside from lacking long-term durability, there's nothing else I disliked about these leggings.
If all you're looking for are cheap to wear at camp during pregnancy, then this is it! Warner's fleece lined leggings can be found at Walmart in the women's pajamas and underwear department. You can also find them in some pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens. Unfortunately, they are only available in stores during the Fall and Winter.
Specs & Features
Product: | |
Materials: | 95% Polyester, 5% Spandex |
Size Range: | S/M, L/XL, and 2/3XL |
Special Features: | "No-Muffin-Top" waistband, gusseted crotch seam, soft fleece lining. |
Price Range: | $12 |
CuddlDuds Fleece Base Layer Leggings & Turtleneck
Another affordable brand I love is CuddlDuds! In case you didn't know, they make more than just cozy pajamas. They also have a line of outwear. The ClimateRight fleece leggings and tops have been a favorite of mine for several years. The material isn't bulky or chunky like fleece can sometimes be. In fact, it's super plush and lightweight making it ideal for backpacking. I can fit both the leggings and turtleneck in my clothes bag with plenty of room for any other layers I may decide to pack. Another thing I love about them in terms of comfort is the seams. I noticed with cheaper fleece garments, the seams are often rough and scratchy on the inside. Despite being a budget friendly option (under $20), the seams on both the top and leggings are completely smooth.
I previously wore the leggings and top in a size medium. During pregnancy, I wore them in a medium and large. I was able to comfortably wear the leggings in a medium for most of my 2nd trimester. At around 28 weeks I needed to wear a large. Because I like having a roomier fit with camp tops, I wore the turtleneck in a large from the beginning. CuddlDuds does make a version of their ClimateRight fleece top with a round neckline as well. Both are great options. I just preferred the turtleneck because my go-to outer layers (in the next section) also had a high neckline. The ClimateRight fleece top and leggings make a toasty middle layer on cold nights, as well as a versatile single layer on warmer nights. Worn alone, they kept me warm down to 50°; down to the low 40s with a light wool base layer underneath; and down to the low 30s the with a base layer under and outer layer over top.
For the most part, I don't have many negative things to say about the leggings. However, there are two features I think could be improved upon. First is the elastic cord inside the waistband. I was able prevent it from squeezing against my belly most of the time, but I had to repeatedly adjust the leggings and keep them pulled up as high as they would go. Sizing up to a large did help reduce the problem a little. If I could take the super stretchy elastic from the Tamiami shorts and put it in the CuddlDuds leggings that would be perfect! Second is the "secret pocket" inside the waistband. It's the same style pocket on running shorts meant for a car/house key or credit card. It's not really useful in a hiking setting, and I doubt anyone wears these leggings for running. It's just extra fabric that doesn't do anything. On a positive note, the thumbholes on the turtleneck is a nice feature. Especially for folks like me who want to keep their hands warm but don't like wearing gloves.
Similar to the Warner's leggings, CuddlDuds ClimateRight fleece turtlenecks and leggings can be found at Walmart in the women's pajamas and underwear department. You can also find them at Marshalls and TJ Maxx. They too are only available in stores during the Fall and Winter.
Specs & Features
Product: | |
Materials: | 94% Polyester 6% Spandex |
Size Range: | XS - 4X 25" |
Special Features: | High-waist, hidden waistband pocket, gusseted crotch seam, skinny leg fit. |
Price Range: | $10 - 15 |
Product: | |
Materials: | 94% Polyester 6% Spandex |
Size Range: | XS - 3X. |
Special Features: | Thumbholes, flat seams, brushed inside for thermal protection. |
Price Range: | $15 |
Outer Layers
The Columbia Switchback III windbreaker and Eddie Bauer CirrusLite down jackets have been staples in my hiking and backpacking wardrobe for years. Like the Meriwool Henley, I take them on nearly every trip with me. I wear a size medium in all three. Surprisingly, the medium continued to fit throughout my pregnancy! Both the Switchback and Cirruslite jackets are designed to be worn with a base and mid layer underneath with room to spare. Although all three jackets did fit a little tighter than I was used to, I never had trouble zipping them up around my belly. I wrote a review of them in the "What I Wear Backpacking" post mentioned above. Please check it out for all the specs, features, and other helpful details for the Columbia Switchback and Eddie Bauer CirrusLite. Side note: many of the items shared in that post come in a men's version too. So, it isn't just applicable to female adventurers.
Fit Comparison Weeks 24 to 34
Last but not least, I wanted to include a section with pictures of me wearing all the clothes I recommended during various stages of pregnancy. Hopefully this offers a good reference point if you're considering giving some of them a try. Not sure how helpful this info will be BUT I had my baby at 38 weeks and my belly pretty much reached maximum size by my last trip at 34 1/2 weeks.
If you read all the way to the end, thank you! I hope you found my review of these items helpful and informative. Once again, I am in no way sponsored by or affiliated with the brands featured in this post. Everything I shared is my own opinion based on my experience using their products on the trail.
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