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 odour-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 odour-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.

Ali Ball, e-commerce editor: I first saw someone wearing the cycling shorts version of the Nike Go leggings at last year’s UTMB and I immediately knew I needed a pair for myself for one reason alone: pockets. Nike has nailed it with the full-length leggings, with a whopping six pockets that all securely hold small items and are easy to access on the go. The Go Leggings have a heavier feel than some of the other pocket-packed running tights, with 32% elastane. This does make them more of a winter option than some of the lighter options on this list, but they stay in place well thanks to the generously extra-wide waistband, designed to reduce rolling, pinching and sliding, and compressive, mid-weight fabric.

The pockets are ample, to say the least. There’s two wide, angled, seamless side pockets for easy access, perfect for dropping a phone into. Where the material is a little thicker, it holds your phone securely with no worry of it coming out. They also have three drop in pockets on the back of the waist. I’ve put a few energy gels in here. Finally, there’s a zip pocket on the thigh for your keys, and again, because the fabric is a little thicker, it doesn’t press into your leg.

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 full length version, these tights come in a 7/8 version with the same amount of pockets. Even better, they also come in a plus size version, with sizes ranging from 0X to 4X

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 ‘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 fibres to help move moisture away from the body.

Ali Ball, e-commerce editor: If you were to ask my all-female coaching group for their favourite running leggings, the Sweaty Betty Power Gym Leggings would probably get mentioned more than any other. These are some of the softest and most lightweight leggings I’ve worn, even after multiple washes, making them a good pick for the gym, yoga and everyday life, too. In terms of fit, the clever stitching sculpts your glutes and thighs in all the right places and there is an internal drawcord to prevent them from rolling down on the run.

Pocket wise, they’re not quite as generous as some of our other picks, but there is a large easy-access thigh pocket that easily houses an iPhone, plus a zippy back pocket for your keys. For most people, this will more than suffice. If you're hitting the trails and need more supplies, you'll probably want a running belt or hydration pack.

Like our other picks, these don’t come cheap. But if you're looking for seasonal run kit that will last you for years and retain its shape after multiple washes, these are a great contender. Plus, they come in over 70 different patterns and colours, so you can match your leggings to your favourite running shoes if you want to.

Also available in 7/8 length.