Best workout leggings with pockets, tried and tested by us

Searching for the best workout leggings with pockets? Then you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re a keen runner or prefer to unwind on your yoga mat, you’ll probably need a pair of workout leggings to help you get the best out of your exercise.

Workout leggings with pockets can come in handy if you need somewhere to store your keys, phone or cards while you're working out. If your spot of choice is the gym, then you don't have to leave your phone on the floor or on a spare bench and if you prefer to exercise outside, you won't have to contend with awkward arm straps or belts. 

However, it's not always easy to find leggings that come with them - or ones with the right pockets for you. Some offer side pockets that run down the leg, whereas others feature zipped pockets that are best for taking out with your pick of the best running shoes. To make narrowing down the top choices easier, we’ve tried and tested some of the best workout leggings with pockets from top brands, including Nike, Lululemon, and Peloton.

 How we tested the best workout leggings with pockets 

You might already have the essential kit like a sports bra, or one of the best sports bras for bigger boobs, and your favorite of the best fitness trackers, but nailing all of the basics is key.

To find the best workout leggings with pockets, we assessed several different factors, including: 

• What you need it for - we tested how each pair of workout leggings performed in high-impact and low-impact workouts, to see how they stood up workouts such as HITT and running and low-impact workouts such as walking for weight loss and yoga.
• Style - we assessed all products on their color options and general style; on whether they had reflective panels and if they looked flattering. “Getting the right fit of workout leggings and tights is really important, as it will help make your overall training session more efficient and effective,” says expert Nicola Stewart from Up & Running. “Ill-fitting leggings will mean you spend more time pulling them up or readjusting them, rather than exercising.”
• Materials used - most of the best workout leggings generally use polyester or nylon, but some sustainable options also feature cotton. “Any workout leggings should be comfortable, moisture-wicking, and breathable,” adds Stewart.
• Price - we reviewed both budget and luxury options, with prices ranging from $20-$130.
• The versatility of pockets - some leggings came with deep side pockets while others had smaller, hidden waistband pockets. We tested each pair of leggings with items in the pockets, such as a set of keys, gym pass, or smartphone.
• Fit - we had both average size (5’6) and petite (below 5’3) testers trying each pair of leggings, so we could determine whether they were long enough or short enough in the leg. “If the material feels too tight when squatting, or digs in around the waist, then they’re too small,” says Stewart. “If they feel baggy in the crotch, or at the knees, and slip down at the waist, then they are too big and this can lead to chafing.”

Best workout leggings with pockets 

You might know Peloton better for its at-home fitness equipment, but the brand also does a great range of activewear. We tested the Essential Tulip Hem Leggings performance for walking, cycling, and running, but our testers agreed that you could easily wear these for activities such as yoga or Pilates because of their stretchiness. 

The quality of these leggings is excellent and one of the lightest, stretchiest pairs of workout leggings with pockets that our testers tried. This is partly because of the lightweight compression of these leggings, which makes them feel like a second skin when you’ve got them on. 

Testers noted that the two side pockets are extremely deep, almost large enough to fit your entire hand. This is great for those who want to do high-impact sports and keep their belongings safe, as there’s no risk of your cell phone dropping out. Our petite tester did have to fold up the leg a little on these leggings, but for people over 5’4, the length is perfect. 

A premium option for runners, these workout leggings with pockets from Nike are a great option for those who want to hit the trails or get involved with a bit of Nordic walking. 

Testers loved the secure feel of these leggings and rated them highly for fit and style. The mid-rise waistband, which features a bungee cord that lets you adjust the fit for maximum comfort and security, was a particularly excellent feature that stopped these leggings from moving while running. 

These leggings also come with four pockets; two at the side, one drop-in, and one at the center back to help keep your essentials secure. One petite tester did need to roll up the leggings at the bottom of these, so bear in mind that if you’re 5’4 or under, these might be a little too long. But overall, the tight silhouette was a winner and you can feel how good quality these leggings are as soon as you step into them. 

These ankle-length workout leggings come with a high waist, wide waistband, and an open leg pocket for easy access to your cell phone or gym pass. Testers thought that for the price, these were good quality, stretchy leggings. They were also impressed that the pocket was deep enough to hold a phone securely while doing high-impact workouts. 

However, it should be noted that these leggings are not compression leggings, which meant some testers felt the fabric around the waist and leg was a little loose and the fit wasn’t as flattering as some of the other leggings that were tested. But for the price and the size of the pockets, these are still a great budget option. 

Lululemon is one of the most well-known activewear brands in the States and across the world. There are plenty of workout leggings available on its website, but we decided to test their Fast and Free HR Tight, which came with two side drop-in pockets that fit your cell phone and five waistband pockets. 

The first thing that all our testers commented on when trying these leggings was the material. It’s silky soft and feels secure, meaning you won’t feel too exposed while strength training around other people. The only downside to these leggings was the seams that ran down both legs. Testers commented ‌these seams rub against your leg at first, but you do ‌get used to it as time goes on. Also, the waistband pockets are a little small, so you won’t be able to fit more than a small pair of keys in them.  

Gymshark is a popular brand of activewear amongst fitness enthusiasts, so we were excited to try the Training Mesh Pocket Leggings. Testers liked the fit of these high-waisted leggings and were also impressed with the super stretchy fabric and roomy waistband. 

These workout leggings come with two large side pockets, ideal for slotting your cell phone in while you work out. We tested these leggings running on the treadmill and noticed that even though the pockets were large, adding a cell phone to them caused them to slip a little while jogging. However, that’s not to say these wouldn’t be good for working out in the studio or hiking, just that with the added weight, they can slide a little.  

If you’re looking for a sustainable option, then People Tree’s yoga leggings are a great choice. Made from Fairtrade certified organic cotton, with 5% elastane for stretch and shape retention, our testers loved the sustainable credentials of these workout leggings. 

They also feature a thick high-rise waistband and in-seam pockets for your cell phone. The material of these leggings was much thicker than some of the other pairs we tried, making them much warmer than the other skin-like workout tights that are popular to exercise in. But this makes them an ideal choice if you're working out outside or in colder weather. When buying, be sure to size up because the fit of these was a bit tighter. 

Despite these leggings being cheaper than other brands available on the market, Higher State’s Running Tights stood up to both high and low-impact workouts when tested. 

While the material doesn’t feel as good quality as some of the more expensive activewear leggings, at less than $20, this is to be expected. Testers found that the leggings were roomy and also liked the elasticated back on the waist. Another bonus of these workout leggings is that they have reflective details, which increase visibility, making them great for early morning training sessions or late night runs. 

Our testers particularly liked the sleek rear zipped pocket on these, which can securely hold your cell phone or keys if you’re out on a run or cycling. 

If you want to keep your essentials hidden out of sight, the waistband pocket on these Studio Printed High Waisted Training Leggings from Puma is ideal. Testers loved the figure-flattering, high-waisted fit of these leggings. 

These Puma leggings are made from moisture-wicking material to help prevent them from getting sweaty while you work out. These leggings performed well during HIIT treadmill workouts and runs, with minimal movement and a good amount of stretchability, but testers commented they felt quite hot while wearing these leggings during sweaty workouts. However, the small waistband pocket makes them ideal for anyone who wants to keep a set of keys or their smartphone hidden from view.  

If you’re looking for high waist workout leggings with pockets, then the Salomon Cross Multi Leggings offer a velvety feel with a slightly supportive stretch. 

High-waisted workout leggings are ‌good if you’re doing sports where your leggings might slip, such as running or HITT workouts. Testers were impressed that these leggings stayed up while running and during stretching sessions. They also have a hidden waistband pocket for small items, such as a key or credit card. 

Reaching just above the ankle, these 25" leggings are great for shorter women, but if you’re above 5’4, then you might have to consider sizing up.  

 A great middle range option for anyone looking for workout leggings with pockets, the Adidas ¾ Length Running Leggings feature a zip sweat-guard pocket, a drawcord waist and reflective details, making them ideal for runners. 

Testers were a little disappointed that these leggings only came with one pocket, but it was roomy enough to fit a phone in and it was also zipped, so it was worth the compromise. During high-impact workouts, your belongings won’t fall out of your pocket. Testers all agreed that these leggings were one of the comfiest pairs that they’d tried and they stood up well to both high and low-impact workouts such as walking and running. 

Can I wear cotton leggings to the gym?

You can wear cotton leggings to the gym but these tend not to be as good at keeping sweat at bay. “While cotton is a natural fiber, it actually soaks up moisture, which not only makes it heavy, but will display sweat patches prominently," says Lily Rice, expert in performance sportswear and creative director at climate positive sportswear brand Presca Sportswear. "Non-wicking material like cotton can also cause some extra chafing if it gets wet with sweat. So, for the best workout experience, I would avoid cotton rich leggings, as it will allow you to have a more productive and successful workout.”

Other materials such as elastane, polyester and nylon are more suitable. “Elastane is the key element in the makeup of your leggings fabric and this ‌gives you the stretch needed to hug your body, while giving you freedom of movement,” Lily says. Polyester is a generalized term for a fabric made using plastic fibers. It’s very durable and dries quickly and while it might be non-biodegradable, it can be recycled. Nylon is even stronger than polyester and gives your leggings the silky smooth finish that many people love. It’s also easy to wash."