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.

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.

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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 the tighter fit I wanted up one size.

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

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 alot more of them that work well than full length leggings.

Lululemon Pace Rival Crop
While the Fast and Free shorts also come in a legging or capri, for those who want more of a mid-rise this is a good option.  They just feel good and along with the lightweight fabric, still hold your phone in a side pocket.

The Time to Sweat Crop is just a little bit longer and slightly thicker fabric, so also a great option.

On Running 7/8 Capri
If you don’t love the side pocket on most options, these have a wide waist band that allows you to stuff your phone in the back. I found that the pants didn’t fall down and the phone felt secure while running.

They’re a great fit, high quality, so soft and no this is not high waisted, which I like.

Proviz Leggings – Reflective
If you want a pair that are doing more than double duty, I love my Proviz tights. They’re high waisted which has meant no falling down on the run, with reflection along the legs that’s more than most pants.

The phone pocket is on the right and feels secure.

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 High Waisted Leggings
Listen I have such a short torso that I don’t generally love anything high waisted. However, I took these out for a run and without a doubt the higher waist helps to prevent worry about your pants falling down from the added weight of phone.

I also give them credit for being long enough for us tall ladies!!

Bonus — > Use sbrun20 for 20% off all full priced products

What are the cheapest leggings with pockets?

Fabletics Leggings

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.

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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.

Winter running leggings with pockets for phone?

This is the first year I’ve been able to find some good options, so I’m excited to add these!

Title Nine Crash 2.0
These are super duper warm with the Polartec lining. I’ve taken them out on a few early Colorado morning snow runs and found my legs felt amazing and the side phone pocket worked like a charm.

The pocket also has a zipper, which is nice in winter gear because you might be doing other activities and for sure don’t want to worry it could fly out. These are also a little higher waisted and I liked the overall fit.

Brooks Momentum Thermal Tight
I have not tested out this pair, but it came highly recommend from a few runners on Instagram that follow me. Brooks makes great gear so this is no surprise!

Again these are a thermal tight, so we’re on the warmer side of gear for winter running.

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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