Activewear has gone from a trend to being a core part of most of our wardrobes. The ease and comfort of sporting a chic set from brunch with friends to grocery shopping and casual walks makes activewear our go-to for a casual Saturday or Sunday.
The only downfall of some activewear pieces is a lack of pockets to keep our phone or keys handy. After all, we’re not about to carry a handbag along to boxing or our morning run.
Much like finding a dress with pockets, finding leggings with pockets is as thrilling as it is practical. Fortunately, brands have picked up on this, giving you plenty of choices when it comes to leggings with pockets.
With all the benefits of your standard activewear leggings, like sweat-wicking, seamless and breathable fabrics as well as comfort and support, a pair of pocketed leggings are an essential for your workout wardrobe. They also mean you won’t be stuck without your wallet or phone and you can keep your hands free for any necessary exercise (or brunching) activities.
Here’s our top pick of the best leggings with pockets to shop now.
The Best Leggings With Pockets In Australia
Lululemon Fast and Free Reflective High-Rise Tight 28″
$149 at Lululemon
These leggings are a great example of why Lululemon is a major player in the activewear space. Designed for running, they are made from sleek and comfortable fabric meant to move with you. Oh and they have plenty of pockets.
Key features:
- Two side pockets that fit a phone
- Five pockets in the waistband to fit smaller items
- Waistband with continuous drawcord to help keep leggings in place
- Reflective detail
P.E. Nation Recalibrate 7/8 Leggings
$119 at P.E. Nation
These leggings from P.E. Nation lean into both the active and more casual aspects of athleisure, with a buttery soft feel and matte finish. They also come in a variety of colours, including this on-trend green shade that’s aptly called ‘Botanical Garden’.
Key features:
- High-rise cut
- Side pockets
- Functional drawcord
- Suitable for running, cardio, HIIT and gym training
Lorna Jane All Day Lotus Thermal No Chafe Full Length Leggings
from $89 (RRP $130) at Lorna Jane
Lorna Jane’s range of Lotus leggings are incredibly popular, with average reviews typically above 4 stars across the different styles. While there’s just one pocket at the back of the waistband, it is big enough for a large phone.
This particular style has the added benefit of fleece lining, which the brand says makes them 48% warmer than Lorna Jane nylon leggings. So you can wear them all through the cooler months of the year.
Key features:
- Back waistband phone pocket suitable for a large phone
- Premium brushed thermal fabric
- Lightweight stomach support
- No inside leg seam to increase comfort
DK Active Turbulence Tight
$119.95 at DK Active
Panel detailing on DK Active’s Turbulence Tight add both style and comfort, while the fabric’s subtle shine adds a sense of chic to the design. These leggings also have three pockets: one at each hip and one in the waistband.
Key features:
- External and internal pockets
- Encased elastic waistband to prevent it rolling down
- Made from 78% recycled polyamide and 22% elastane
- Four-way stretch technology
AJE ATHLETICA Contrast Piping Ankle Length Legging 203
$140 at AJE ATHLETICA
These designer leggings look the part, with piping detail that’s elegant and creates a point of difference to other brands or styles. They feature both a side pocket and waistband pocket, as well as a gusset and flatlocked seams that create a smooth fit.
Key features:
- Side pocket and waistband pocket
- Internal mesh waistband for core support
- Contrast piping detail
- Flatlocked seams and gusset
Phone Pocket Full Length Tights
from $47.48 (RRP $94.95) at STAX.
These leggings have not one but two phone pockets – one on each side. The high-waisted design offers a flattering fit, with sizes from XXS to 4XL. They also come in a variety of colours.
Key features:
- High-waist cut
- Side pockets
- Supportive waistband
Active Drawstring 7/8 Length Legging – Shiny Black
from $139.99 at Active Truth
These stylish leggings feature glossy black panels that could make them a more versatile part of your wardrobe. They also have two big, secure side pockets and an understated, external drawstring so you can find the right fit when you wear them.
Key features:
- Black gloss shine panels
- Side pockets
- Firm compression fit
- 360 degree stretch
Nike Dri-FIT Go High-Rise 7/8 Tights
$120 at THE ICONIC
These Nike tights are designed with performance in mind, with smooth fabric, added stretch and a thick elasticised waistband for support. As well as a phone pocket on the side, they have a zip pocket that’s ideal for storing payment cards (or cash).
Key features:
- Zip pocket
- Encased elastic waistband to prevent it rolling down
- Made from at least 50% recycled nylon
- Firm support
Gymshark Lifting Pocket Leggings
from $63 (RRP $90) at Gymshark
These leggings include two side pockets large enough to fit your phone, keys and other essentials. They also have contouring lines around the glutes for added performance support when you’re at the gym (or on the streets), as well as breathable mesh in the waistband.
Key features:
- Two side pockets
- Contouring around glutes
- High-waisted
- Breathable mesh waistband
Under Armour Motion Leggings
from $50 at The Iconic
Under Armour is a favourite for many people with active lifestyles, but the price point of these leggings make them more accessible than some other sports brands. These leggings are made of quick-drying performance fabric and include one side pocket big enough for a phone.
Key features:
- Side pocket at hip
- Four-way stretch fabric
- Sweat-wicking
- Full length, with a high-rise waist band
lululemon Align
High-Rise Pant 25″
from $129 at Lululemon
These luscious, buttery-soft tights are a cult favourite, and they have a little pocket for any micro-sized goodies, like a key or credit card – vital for your post-run coffee.
Key features:
- Hidden waistband pocket
- Four-way stretch fabric
- Sweat-wicking
- Above ankle length
What is the pocket in the back of leggings for?
The small pocket at the back of leggings can be used to store smaller items, such as keys, cards, cash or jewellery. The design of the leggings can also help you decide how to use this pocket. For example, if it has a zipper you could store any jewellery you forgot to take off before a workout, while if it’s open at the top you might be better off sticking to just your house key.
Why don’t some leggings have pockets?
Leggings were originally designed to be form-fitting for activities such as running, dancing, HIIT and strength training, so pockets can affect their performance. The tight nature of leggings also makes it obvious when you have something bulky in a pocket (such as your phone). But as activewear has become more popular, designers have created stylish and flattering leggings that also have pockets.
What brands of leggings have pockets?
Most of the major brands, as well as many smaller ones, now include pockets in their legging designs, including:
Want to save on activewear? Check out our list of activewear discount and promo codes for 2024.
This article originally appeared on Marie Claire Australia and is republished here with permission.
