Best Running Shorts and Leggings with Pockets for Phone: Tried and Tested!

One of the things that makes people laugh is my confession of running around with an empty hydration pack largely because it provides an easy place to hold my phone. But I’ve now compiled a stockpile of leggings with pockets for phone that I feel good using and recommending!

One of the things I love most is new running gear…I mean it gives me an excuse to go run the second that I open it and of course in this job I have the honor of testing out a lot of things.

When it came to this list, I had some key requirements of my own and from talking with you:

• Pants don’t fall down once phone is in pocket
• Also not so tight they give me horrible muffin top just to keep the phone in place
• Still stylish and fit well

Best Running Shorts with Phone Pocket

There aren’t a ton of options here, but a few that I’m onboard with. I don’t really understand why because the same material that holds up shorts, holds up capri’s and leggins…right?

**Gentlemen** I did a post just for you with with best men’s running pants! You’ll find pocket options there.

All shorts and tights are linked below. I was not paid for any of these reviews, but may receive some pennies if you order through and affiliate link.

Oiselle Pocket Jogger Shorts

This is actually what I’ve worn for my last 4 or 5 races! I’m a shorts girl and love that I can put my phone in one leg pocket and a flask with some pre-workout or fuel in the other side.

These shorts also have a 4.75 inch inseam, which is something I prefer with my long legs. It means they don’t ride up and I don’t feel like my bum is going to fall out, ha!

The material is thicker, so which doesn’t bother me, but does mean it’s WET when I finish my sweat session.

NOTE: I wore these for the first time in a very hot, wet marathon and they seemed to get a bit longer. Ha. Never an issue I had previously, but good to know based on your weather.

Get $20 off your first order from Oiselle with this link!

Lululemon Fast and Free 6“

Can you tell I like the slightly longer shorts?

I think especially with the phone pocket it just helps to  ensure it stays in place and the shorts stay down. These are also a high waist for those who love that look and have a waist pocket along with the side pocket for your phone.

Hint: Order up a size from your other Lulu shorts. I found in the tighter fit of this material I wanted up one size.

These also come in an 8 and 10 inch!

I got these in RED for my next race because there are studies showing that when you where red you run faster! It has to do with some triggers in our brain and hello I will take all the help that I can get!

O Mazing Stride Shorts

Now I admit  I have not tested these yet, but based on my experience with the jogger and some other styles below this is on my MUST list. Instead of holding the phone on the side of your leg, you can actually put it in the waist band.

It’s a bit like having a FlipBelt on, except it’s part of your shorts so no worries that it will wind up riding up! These are also the 4.75 inch inseam, which again I’m an extra fan of on race day when I don’t want anything to chafe.

Tired of carrying your phone? Some of the best leggings with pockets for runners (i.e. they don't fall down!) #runninggeear Click To Tweet

Sweaty Betty Power Biker Shorts 6″

Maybe it’s not just that I like the longer for less chafing, it’s that these are the only ones with enough material not to fall down once you put in a heavy phone!

• Side pocket for  phone
• Additional zippered back pocket
• Also a 9 inch version and plenty of colors, patterns
• I’ve always found these to run very true to size

Best Leggings with Pockets for Phone

Here I’ve had luck finding a few  more options and a lot of what I’ll be sharing are capri’s, for some reason I’ve found a lot more of them that work well than full length leggings.

Lululemon Speed Swift High Rise Pant

If you know you like the way Lulu fits then here is your winner. While they have a few others like the Align, they are a softer fabric made for yoga and thus may no do as well running.

• High rise to help them stay up
• Side pocket for phone and large back pocket may also fit phone
• Lots of patterns and colors available

Note: The Fast and Free also comes in tights and capri’s as well.

On Running Tights – Winter Running Tights with Pocket

$119

YESSSSS finally a great winter tight with a pocket along the low back for your phone.

I’ve worn On Running gear for years and I’m super impressed with the quality. These are pieces that will last you for many, many, many runs.

• Good for winter running
• The ankle design actually makes them easier to pull on my big calves
• Back pocket for phone is large enough and zippered, it really does stay up
• Increasingly made from recycled materials, which is an extra cool bonus

Title Nine Crash – Fleece Winter Running Tights

$99

I happily wore these last year and have already pulled them out again this year. The fleece lining feels great and truly keeps me warm on the run.

• Love the zippered pocket, plenty big enough for my phone
• Tons of color options which is nice, as so much seems to just come in black
• Pretty much long enough for my 33 in inseam

New Balance High Rise Crop

One more capri, before I give you some full length options! Once again these are a high waisted option, so I ran in them a number of times, but felt a bit like they were cutting me in half.

I’ve always found my NB gear to hold up really well and be something I can use for years, so that’s recommendation number one.

Being black, many of you will love them just for that reason, ha! And finally, yup they stay up with that phone in the pocket, you never feel it bouncing around.

Sweaty Betty Power 7/8 Leggings

Listen I have such a short torso that I don’t generally love anything high waisted.  Which is why I like finding something that’s a bit more mid-rise!

• Also available in full length
• Absolutely found that they stayed put with the phone in the side
• Bum sculpting is another of their big benefits
• Great variety of colors

What are the cheapest leggings with pockets?

Fabletics Leggings – Great for a variety of sizes.

I haven’t had a chance to test these, but I have tried a lot of their gear in the past and honestly love the current styles with the CHEAP prices. Definitely make sure you look at the size chart, especially if you have small hips like me, to make sure they fit well and stay put while running.

Click here to get 50% off your membership!

Senita Leggings

I have so many friends who LOVE these. For me without hips, I couldn’t get them to stay up, so it wasn’t a go for me. I am wondering if I needed to size down, but then they start getting tight around the midsection and that’s also just not a favorite for me.

But again, lots of friends like them and they meet the criteria for leggings with pocket that are cheap! I’ve had folks ask me about the Old Navy leggings because they are very cost effective, but again I haven’t found that for the they fit well enough and stay up.

I caution you here though because without the right amount of elasticity, you’re going to find these quickly sliding down and that’s not a good look for anyone.

Plus Size Leggings with Pockets

Thanks to one of our Run To the Finish athletes for this recommendation! Samantha let me know that R Sport Life has some seriously great gear for plus size runners, including ones with pockets.

The Trifecta Multisport 3 pocket capri comes in a bunch of cool patterns as well as black.

I like that you have the front thigh pocket for the phone, but also still a back pocket for things like keys or in my spring running allergies case, some kleenex!

I’ll continue to update the list of legging with pocket for phone with other ideas or as I test new gear!

Any other gear you’ve got questions on? Let me know!

A few other recent tests:

• Best sports bras
• Best HR monitors (from watches to straps)
• Best wireless headphones for running
• Best sunglasses for running

Other ways to connect with Amanda
Instagram Daily Fun: RunToTheFinish

Facebook Community Chatter: RunToTheFinish

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