When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
The best pocket leggings we tested feel comfortable all day and can hold a phone securely in place.
Sarah Chiwaya, Maria Yagoda, Rebecca Strong/Business Insider
We would never tolerate normal pants without pockets, so why should we tolerate leggings without them? Even though many leggings activities don’t require storage — like yoga or Pilates —getting to those activities certainly do. I don’t want to schlep a bag to the gym when I only need my keys, ID, and lip balm.
Thankfully, more leggings are incorporating pockets — both hidden and external — into their designs. My go-to pair, Athleta’s Salutation Stash leggings, are a prime example. They’re supportive, soft, and easily store all my little things.
How I tested leggings with pockets
I tested six pairs of leggings with pockets to find ones that seamlessly secure my little everyday items without hindering my movement or comfort— whether I was lounging or exercising — in any way. For reference, I am 5-foot-7 and typically wear a size Medium in leggings. Our other editors cumulatively tested over a dozen other pairs ranging in size from Small to 2XL. Learn more about how the Reviews team tests clothing at BI .
Best overall: Athleta Salutation Stash High Rise Leggings
Maria Yagoda/Business Insider
Pockets: Two roomy, bonded side stash pockets.
With smoothing, supportive medium compression and buttery soft nylon-Lycra blend that feels breathable all day, the Salutation Stash pair is equally well-suited to working out and hanging out. The two pockets are roomy and secure, and discreet such that you forget they’re there if you are not storing anything in them (i.e. it doesn’t feel like an extra layer of bulk.)
I love how the waistband gently holds in my lower belly during all levels of activity without feeling like a prison, and it basically feels like a second skin no matter how overstimulated I get during yoga or errands. (An instance where the oddly poetic marketing copy accurately reflects how I feel about a product: “support that feels like a gentle hug.”) A big bonus is the UPF 40+ protection and superb moisture-wicking. Inseam for regular/plus sizes is 27″, petite is 25″, and tall is 30″.
An Amazon gem: Colorfulkoala Buttery Soft Leggings
Talia Ergas/Business Insider
Pockets: One small rear waistband pocket.
“After hearing about the hype of the Colorfulkoala Buttery Soft High Waisted Leggings from our team’s Colorfulkoala leggings review , I knew I had to grab a pair of leggings for myself. However, I almost always opt for a legging with pockets because of their versatility and ease if I ever want to go for an errand run after a workout class. The 7/8 Leggings with Pockets have the same buttery soft feel as the iconic leggings and come in over a dozen colors, and only start to ride down a bit if I’m doing intense cardio.” — Maiya Pascouche, former beauty editor, Insider Reviews
Soft, everyday leggings: Beyond Yoga Spacedye Out of Pocket Leggings
Maria Yagoda, Sarah Chiwaya/Business Insider
Pockets: Two hip pockets are big enough to store a card, keys, or an iPhone.
Pockets aside (and they’re really roomy ones), this high-waisted pair is the perfect lounging legging that’s also comfortable for low to medium intensity workouts. The light compression and soft-brushed, buttery fabric made me really want to just live my entire life in these. The five-inch waistband sits comfortably at my waist without digging in, which also happens to create a super flattering silhouette, and it never rolls down during yoga.
I wanted to wear these running errands not only from a practical standpoint, but also because I love the way they hug my curves without compressing the hell out of me. I put my iPhone 14 in one pocket, and my keys and some cash in the other, and I’m unstoppable. The midi-length has a 28-inch inseam, which lands just above my ankle as a 5’7 person. Other sizes go up to 4XL, which is more inclusive than many of the competitors I tested.
Freelance style contributor Sarah Chiwaya agrees the Spacedye leggings are worth the $108. “This pair looked the same before and after the wash test, and that is no fluke: I have a pair of Beyond Yoga Spacedye bike shorts that I’ve had for over 6 years that still look good as new, with zero pilling and still just as touchably plush,” she writes. “Basically, this fabric is fantastic.” Read more in our guide to the best plus size leggings .
A solid Spacedye dupe: Quince Ultra-Soft High-Rise Leggings
Rebecca Strong/Business Insider
Pockets: One small rear waistband pocket
“Between the luxe heathered fabric, timeless neutral colors, and flawless fit, I always feel put together in this set — whether I’m grabbing coffee, dropping my son at daycare, or taking a stroll around the local lake. And I love that I can mix and match the pieces, too.
The leggings look equally cute with a workout tank as they do with a V-neck tee and denim jacket. In the cooler months, I could definitely imagine wearing them with a slouchy off-the-shoulder sweater and Chelsea boots.
I originally bought this set hoping it’d be a budget-friendly alternative to my Beyond Yoga Spacedye bra and leggings. For the sake of comparison, that set costs $167 — and this one is $70.
As it turns out, the quality is still up to par. The fabric hasn’t pilled, stretched out, or faded despite frequent wear and washing — and if anything, it’s become even softer over time.” — Rebecca Strong, style contributor, Insider Reviews
Read more in our full Quince clothing review and Quince leggings sports bra review .
Extra pockets for runners: Janji Trail Tights
Maria Yagoda/Business Insider
Pockets: Five pockets total, including two double-tiered side pockets on the thighs and a back-waistband pocket.
Five pockets on a legging feels like the future. I really loved these Janji tights for running and high-impact workouts because everything I stored in them (keys, phone, cards, cash, and even dog poop bags) stayed secure no matter what I was doing. The back pocket is genius as a pass-thru to secure a lightweight layer—like if you transition from T-shirt to sports bra mid-hike. I also love the mesh layer on the outer pockets so I can grab what I need easily without rooting around forever, and the integrated Janji blue S-biner key clip in the top right pocket was a godsend for keys.
The fabric is lightweight, moisture-wicking, and exceptionally breathable (68% nylon, 32% Spandex), and the compression provides just enough support without feeling restrictive. The 25-inch inseam gives a cropped fit. Read more about how Janji makes of our favorite workout clothes for women .
Best crossover: Halara Softlyzero Crossover Pocket Leggings
Rebecca Strong/Business Insider
Pockets: Two pockets deep enough for a phone and other small essentials.
“I wore these Crossover Leggings indoors as well as outdoors for reformer Pilates classes, stroller walks, and intense resistance training sessions alike, and consistently felt cool and dry. Plus, the side pockets were snug and deep enough to keep my phone, lip balm, or other small essentials genuinely secure.
All that said, one durability concern: after just a couple of wears, a few stitches came loose along one of the seams. However, I trimmed the stray threads, and the seam doesn’t appear to have unraveled any further — nor does it appear to be separating when I tug on it.
While I tested the standard version of these leggings, they’re also available in medium-warm (designed for 23-41 degrees Fahrenheit) and extra-warm (designed for 5-23 degrees Fahrenheit) if you’re looking for a little more insulation for outdoor winter activities.”
Read more in our full Halara clothing review .
Flare leggings for various heights: Popflex Crisscross Hourglass Flared Leggings
Jaclyn Turner; Lauren Savoie/Business Insider
Pockets: Two spacious side pockets, each big enough for a phone
I attribute these sleek flare leggings to putting me back on to yoga pants. They elongate my legs and give my butt a nice lift. I feel nice and supported, and the fabric is so buttery soft. The elastic just snatches you you in so nicely, they still fit like a glove, which has been quite nice, as while I’ve had to shell out to replace my old favorite leggings, these are still hanging on. They come in five different inseams, too, which is nice for girls of all heights. — Jaclyn Turner, senior home editor, Insider Reviews
The Crisscross Flared Leggings with Pockets , with their high-waisted crisscross details, make me feel very Gen Z (in a good way!) I love that they come in different inseams. At 5-foo-11, I find that pants are chronically short on me, but these leggings in the 34-inch inseam were perfect, if not a little long (they go up to a 37-inch inseam). They’re comfy and cute and I feel they’ve been a staple of many walks over the past year. — Lauren Savoie, former deputy editor, Insider Reviews
Read more in our full Popflex review .
A pocket so discreet you might miss it: Old Navy StudioSmooth Leggings
Maria Yagoda/Business Insider
Pockets: One small hidden waistband pocket.
Old Navy athleisure, you’ve charmed me yet again. (I’m a zealot for their high-waisted sweatpants .) These buttery soft, curve-hugging leggings are so comfortable and flattering, and the StudioSmooth fabric can go toe to toe with all the high-end athleisure brands that charge 3x as much. I love this hidden pocket for when I only need to store small items like a key and a card. (My phone easily fits, but it doesn’t feel the most secure.) With a 25-inch inseam, the leggings sit at my belly button and the leg hits just about my ankle. The light-medium compression made these such an ideal Everyday Legging that I found myself reaching for constantly. The breathable fabric blend is 82% nylon and 18% Spandex.
Oh, and they’re regularly on sale for $20, and sizes go up to 4X (which should be the norm). Plus, the range of colors are super pretty and premium-looking.
Read the original article on Business Insider
