Price: $60
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I believe we’re going through a sportswear renaissance—and that renaissance revolves around pockets. Pockets on women’s running bottoms—or even outside that realm, women’s jeans and trousers—tend to be either nonexistent or just large enough to fit four dainty fingers.
Health - Injuries, Runner’s World staffer Amy Wolff tested the brand’s DAA Industry Opt Out, which have four pockets along the waistband—four. She wrote a glowing review about how outstanding these tights are and, I’ll admit, I was a tad upset I hadn’t gotten my hands on them first.
Then I heard about Oiselle’s newest pocketful apparel, the Toolbelt Roga Shorts. Not that this is a competition, but these shorts have five—five!—pockets along the waistband. Determined to put the Toolbelt Roga to the test, I stuffed the pockets before my lunch run and decided a mile in that these are my new go-to marathon shorts.
Why Pockets Are Life-Changing
Looking back on runs pre-Toolbelt Roga Shorts, I now realize that they were needlessly difficult. There was a time when I had to pin my gels to my pant leg, hoping I wouldn’t tear a hole in my shorts when I was ready to fuel-up mid-marathon. There were the training runs on new routes or at night when I clutched my cell phone in my palm, praying it wouldn’t slip into watery depths whenever I crossed a bridge or passed over a curbside drain. And finally, there were those days when I would sometimes suck it up, snap on that race belt, and end up with chafing at my sides. But that life is no more.
On my first run wearing the Toolbelt, I loaded the five pockets—four mesh in the front, one zippered in the back—with my iPhone, a protein bar, a bag of gummies, a stick of chews, my office-entry card, and my Shuffle. At the end of a very rainy 4-miler, at approximately 7:30-pace, all items were accounted for and did not hinder my stride.
Light and Airy
These shorts are comfortable, too. The waistband is smooth instead of scrunched elastic, and you can tighten the fit by knotting a loop into the “infinity” drawstring. This small detail makes a world of difference, at least to me. In the past, I’ve had to thread drawstrings through the entire circumference of a waistband thanks to my zealous dryer.
The legs are loose but not baggy (you can opt for a close-fitting alternative with the DAA Industry Opt Out), and they come in Storm Cloud Print, Black, or Pop (bright orange, which is perfect for visibility).
These shorts open up so many possibilities for future runs. I can continue listening to the Crime Junkie podcast without my phone bouncing erratically against my hip in my jacket pocket, pack lip balm, not run in fear of crushing a Stroopwafel; at the very least, the Toolbelt Rogas have expanded my repertoire of running snacks.
Amanda Furrer, Editor, Running Reviews, studied journalism at NYU and writing at Emerson College. She has reviewed gear and covered other topics in the running space for almost 10 years. Since 2013, she has consecutively run the Boston Marathon. She also has a master’s degree in gastronomy from Boston University and was formerly a professional baker for two years before hanging up her apron.
