The 10 best leggings with pockets that combine comfort with convenience
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More clothing should come with pockets. Especially for those of us who like to forgo a handbag and keep our phone, keys, and wallet stored on our person. Fortunately, many brands that make our favorite yoga pants know that folks like us exist. We've tested dozens of pairs, but there are a select few leggings with pockets that manage to be durable, comfortable, size-inclusive, and easy to move around in all at once.
Our top pick is the Girlfriend Collective High Rise Pocket Legging for its size inclusivity, compressive high rise fit, and deep pockets for holding essentials on the go. For a budget option, we'd recommend the Colorfulkoala 7/8 Leggings with Pockets that come in at just $23 and have quality, buttery soft fabric that still withstands a heavy wash cycle.
Not only does Girlfriend Collective boast one of the most inclusive size ranges for an athletic wear company (XXS to 6XL), but their products are made with sustainable materials. The High-Rise Pocket Legging is made from a robust, buttery soft fabric made from recycled water bottles. The design features a high-rise compression waist that moves with your body while preventing the material from slipping down (this is referred to as "squat proof" in the athletic world). After many wears and washes, these are still some of our favorite leggings with pockets we've tested.
"The pockets are extremely convenient for any post-workout errands I'm running, and the high rise rarely rides down on me," writes beauty editor Maiya Pascouche.
Read more in our full Girlfriend Collective Sustainable Leggings review.
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 29 gorgeous colors, and only start to ride down a bit if I'm doing intense cardio. At just $23, they're an absolute steal for the quality. — Maiya Pascouche, beauty editor, Insider Reviews
Staying warm in the winter can be a real struggle, but fleece-lined leggings can be an absolute savior. Worn on their own or as a layering piece under pants, this pair from Baleaf was a pick in our review of the best leggings on Amazon for a good reason. They come in 17 shades and are made of a breathable, moisture-wicking fabric that can keep you warm in temperatures lower than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. — Maiya Pascouche, beauty editor, Insider Reviews
I think we've all been guilty of wearing the same pair of black leggings for a little too long at one point in our lives. That's why I opted for the Halara leggings that wound up replacing my usual go-to's. They have a crossover design that sets them apart from the usual high-waisted pair plus two pockets for my chapstick, keys, and phone. Halara's signature breathable and compressing Cloudful Fabric is also what I believe is keeping them from fading in the wash. Even though they're great for yoga and walking, I find myself reaching for them for coffee stops and running errands. — Kayla Bickham, former style and beauty fellow, Insider Reviews
Read more in our full Halara review.
"Carbon38's signature 'Melt' fabric is something to behold. It's so soft, clingy, and flexible that it's like wearing a second skin," according to associate style editor Gabrielle Chase.
This pair has a distinct waist-tie detail and a super high-rise waistband that feels supportive around the middle and perfectly meets the hem of a crop top or longline sports bra.
Editor's note: Everlane has upgraded its Perform Legging to the "Perform 24/7 Legging," which has similar specs as the original pair.
I've been testing the Everlane The Perform Leggings for a while now, and they've slowly become one of my favorite lightweight pairs to pull on during the day. One major win is the high waist, which boasts a sneaky hidden inner pocket on the left hip. Unlike most legging pockets, this one is surprisingly roomy and sturdy. I'm not a runner anymore, thanks to a pair of bad knees, but the pocket has allowed me to hold my phone, keys, and a couple of credit cards right on my hip when I go on walks.
No matter what I've got in there, the waistband doesn't roll down, and the leggings are still comfortable to wear, even with my keys and a phone slipped inside of the pocket. I appreciate that it's on my waist and not my thigh because it means my belongings are closer to me and a little more secure. — Maria Del Russo, former style & beauty editor, Insider Reviews
Athleta tights are size-inclusive and come for regular, tall, and petite body types. This pair, in particular, is made from recyclable materials and is made to endure high-intensity workouts in extreme weather conditions.
I bought a pair of Athleta's Rainier leggings about a year and a half ago. I wanted a pair of leggings with zippered pockets to put my keys in them when I went out for runs, and these fit the bill perfectly. There are two pockets — one on either side — and they are large enough to fit my iPhone 11 Pro when I choose to bring it. The pockets zip up securely, so nothing falls out while I'm running or exercising.
The zippers are of good quality and have not degraded over time, as many small zippers do. I also appreciate the soft, sweat-wicking fabric of the leggings themselves and how comfortably they fit. As a shorter, 5-foot-2-inch person, this 7/8 length is actually just normal on me. — Malarie Gokey, director of editorial training, Insider Reviews
Superfit Hero also has a wide range of sizes (XS to 5XL) and prides itself on ethically made activewear. Their pocket legging features a thick material that's still super easy to move around in — I've done more than a few HIIT workouts in these and haven't felt constricted. The side pocket is both deep and wide. One of my favorite features is the high, supportive waistband, which creates nice support and prevents the fabric from slipping down no matter how deep I go into downward dog. — Wendy Rose Gould, freelance writer, Insider Reviews
Perspective Leggings have a range of features from pockets for safekeeping your belongings to UV 50+ Protection. The feature that sets them apart from other leggings on the market is its FIR Technology which is a fabric that works to enhance muscle recovery and overall performance.
Every single pair of leggings from Perspective Fitwear has a pocket, the majority of which are the brand's signature waistband pocket located at the back. It's pretty roomy for a back pocket and has a snug overlay that keeps everything in place. Thanks to the shorter length and breathable fabric the Classic Leggings are especially ideal for keeping cool. They're particularly great for the outdoors since they also boast SPF 50+ protection. — Wendy Rose Gould, freelance writer, Insider Reviews
Finding a pair of leggings that accommodate a growing baby bump requires a bit of searching, especially when so many leggings are made of compression fabric. This pair from Fabletics was made specifically for pregnancy. It features a buttery soft fabric and a "barely there" feel that allows for an easier range of motion while still supporting your belly. It's also moisture-wicking, and chafe-resistant, and has both a hidden back pocket and a side pocket. — Wendy Rose Gould, freelance writer, Insider Reviews