The 5 Best Leggings With Phone Pockets, According to Our Testing

I’ve long been a fan of Janji’s shorts and tights, so I was excited to try these Trail Tights after several years wearing the brand’s Groundwork Tights. Like its other compression-style pants, these have a moderate squeeze thanks to the higher percentage of elastane (32 percent) than similar models. This makes for a somewhat stiffer pair of leggings, but they’re also more abrasion-resistant, and I’ve noticed no pilling whatsoever.

Those older Groundwork tights also stood out to me for their pockets, and the Trail Tights use the same material, but with more robust features. These have the same deep side pockets as the Groundwork, plus mesh pockets along the waistband and a back pocket where you can stash gels, bars, or use it as a “pass-through” for lightweight layers. I typically don’t do this—if I’m planning to shed layers I usually have a running pack, and I don’t want my wind jacket flapping around my legs—but I’ve seen plenty of ultrarunners use this feature and it doesn’t seem to bother them.

The pockets on these tights are incredibly secure. Each side pocket down the outside of the legs is more than 6 inches deep with a taper at the bottom that makes wedging a phone feel less risky. I’ve run in these tights with my phone, a headphone case, two bars, and two gels and not had anything wiggle out of place. The higher level of compression also helps them stay put with more items in the pockets. The high and wide waistband is a non-negotiable as well, though the somewhat stiffer material here means I often have to pull the drawcord pretty tight to get the waistband to fully secure.

The pockets are easy to reach into while running, though I’ve had some trouble getting under the mesh on the back waistband. Janji is a dedicated running company, so these tights are also odor-resistant and dry quickly if you sweat through the material. I wore my Groundwork Tights (same material, remember?) every day on a 230-mile backpacking trip and was comfortable the whole time. Overall, these hit top marks as versatile, convenient, abrasion-resistant tights with five generous and secure pockets.

If the Janji tights are a little stiffer than others, these affordable Baleaf leggings are the opposite. When I first received these they looked so tiny I thought they were made for a doll. But the stretch is incredible, and they fit perfectly without feeling saggy or stretched out. These are a much simpler pair than the more expensive name brands, with welded, flat seams and flat-lock pockets without extra stitching but no cuff reinforcement. This helps keep the cost low without losing functionality, and I love how streamlined they look.

Our main goal here is to find the most convenient, secure phone pockets in leggings, and with extended side pockets, these fit the bill. I wear them running and working out, but they are also so understated that I feel fine wearing them around town without looking like I just came from the gym. I tuck my phone and cards into the deep side pockets and haven’t ever worried about losing them. The phone pockets have a minimal silicon band at the top that can prevent a phone from sliding out, but the leggings are so form-fitting and the pockets so deep that I’ve never been concerned. The side pockets are a similar depth as the Janji pockets, and my phone can sit all the way inside without poking out.

As far as wicking goes, these are not going to be at the same level of material as the $100 options from name brands, but I’ve barely noticed a difference in odor-resistance and moisture-management. Granted, it’s usually colder when I’m wearing tights, but even on high-output workouts, these pull sweat from my body and dry quickly afterwards. The waistband actually stays in place better than other leggings I’ve tested, but it can roll (without sliding down, somehow) depending on how long you’re moving for. Overall these are my recommendation for affordable, brand-name-adjacent leggings that hold a phone securely, stay in place while running and working out, and are comfortable for all-day wear.

Oiselle makes one of my favorite pocket bras, so it wasn’t much of a surprise that they nailed these leggings as well, with a whopping seven pockets that all securely hold small items and are easy to access on the go. The Pocket Jogger has a much lighter feel than most other pocket-packed running tights, with a brushed material and less elastane (just 10 percent) than others on this list. This makes them comfortable for all-day wear, but they do stay in place well thanks to the generously high-waisted cut, internal drawstring, and reinforced stitching.

Part of what helps these stay so secure and form-fitting (despite the lower elastane) is that Oiselle gear is made entirely for women, designed by women. While I appreciate women’s apparel from other brands, I’ve found that women-specific companies often have better tailoring and fit for the female body, which allows more versatility in materials and features. So if another brand relies on heavier material to keep the pants up, a brand like Oiselle has such a female-specific design that the tights will stay in place when another pair might fall down.

The pockets are ample, to say the least. Two wide side pockets run down the side of the legs, perfect for dropping a phone into. They also have similar mesh pockets along the waistband as the Janji Trail Tights, with elasticized top bands that snap into place. I put a few energy gels in here, and I’ve also stashed a small headphone case without having it bounce out. The zippered back pocket is wider than others I’ve tested—where I’d normally be fighting to wedge a phone or flat-fold wallet in, the low-profile zipper is nearly 6 inches long and easy to tuck small items into the waistband. The waistband itself has a good amount of reinforcement but manages to avoid pinch points or rolling despite the extra material. In addition to the 3⁄4-length here (23-inch inseam), these tights come in a full-length (27-inch inseam) version. I’ve also worn the brand’s Pocket Jogger Shorts, which have a wide zippered back pocket, two mesh waistband pockets, and two side pockets.

One of the newer offerings from Brooks, the Spark Tight borrows a similar 10-inch rise and reinforced waistband as the brand’s popular Method Tights, albeit with an updated material blend that enhances the breathable properties and wicking capabilities of high-output apparel. The Spark uses Brooks’s new “Go2 Secure” material, which has almost an interlocking weave that feels incredibly form-fitting and moves with me, allowing for a full range of motion and a variety of activities.

The pockets on these tights are built right into the legs instead of separate mesh, with just two stitched seams along the side and a generous drop-in top. These also have the tapered bottom for extra security, allowing me to throw small items in without having them wiggle up on bouncy runs. The third pocket is a small waistband drop-in pocket. It’s larger than the drop-in waistband pocket on the Free Fly tights, and I can actually fit my iPhone in there, though I feel more comfortable with the phone in the leg drop-in pockets. The pocket placement on the legs is similar to the other pairs I’ve listed, directly on the outside of both thighs and easy to reach in and grab my phone or stash items while running. These don’t stay up quite as well as the Oiselle tights, and I find myself hiking them up every so often during runs. That said, I haven’t noticed a difference with a phone in the pocket (compared to not) affecting how much the tights slide down.

While all tights on this list are breathable, I’ve found the Spark Tight to feel the smoothest and driest next-to-skin, which is somewhat surprising considering they have over 20 percent elastane. This is partially due to the almost plush-feeling weave structure, which allows tiny gaps of air between the fibers to help move moisture away from the body.

Hands down, these are the softest, most comfortable leggings I have ever worn. Built lighter and with less compression than the running-specific tights on this list, Free Fly’s leggings feel like nothing on your skin, with a brushed matte finish that has none of the slipperiness of more athletic leggings but retains the high-rise fit and flattering cut. These have a surprising amount of elastane (20 percent) for how light they feel, which helps retain shape and structure. But the soft-knit design keeps them light. These are quite breathable as well, though I’d steer clear of wearing them on trails or where they might get abraded. They can snag and catch more easily than the tougher, tighter weaves of more rugged tights, and I’ve noticed pilling between the legs from friction while walking.

I had a pair of these right when they debuted, and I was thrilled to see the pocket-tights update this season. This version comes with three pockets—two drop-ins on the sides with tapered bases that help keep my phone secure, plus a small drop-in pocket on the waistband. This waistband pocket isn’t as secure as the ones on other pocket tights, so I keep a gel or lip balm in here but would probably avoid stashing cash or a key.

Since these tights are lighter with a less compressive fit than others here, I’ve found them to be best for casual, comfortable wear, and less ideal for running—carrying a phone in the pocket can cause them to slide down, though the double-layer waistband prevents this while walking. These are also my top pick for travel, as they pack down to almost nothing, are incredibly comfortable for long flights, plus convenient when I don’t want to carry a purse or bag.