Leggings with pockets are pretty game changing and these 9 pairs are best - trust me, I test kit for a living

By now, you'll likely have guessed that, as a Health Editor, I like working out. It makes my mind feel good and my body feel strong.

That said, working out in the wrong kit sucks. It distracts you from the task at hand, can be uncomfortable, and can knock your confidence, too. I would know - I once ran a 37 mile ultra-marathon in the wrong shoes and yep, it was brutal both physically and mentally. Ever been in a high-intensity interval training session where your leggings fall down, sag at the bum, or crinkle at the knees? Then you'll know what I'm talking about.

I bought you my guide to the best gym leggings of all time and similarly, edits of the petite gym leggings, patterned gym leggings, and high waisted gym leggings. Next up? The only gym leggings with pockets that I actually rate - because a surprising high percentage of the designs currently on offer will hold your phone / keys / bank card while you're standing but rocket-launch them into oncoming traffic the second you move.

So why is having pockets so key? Whether you're a runner or gym-goer, it's always handy having somewhere to store your essentials. If you've never tried a pair, trust me on this one - they're a game-changer.

All have been tested by me, Ally Head, Health Editor here at Marie Claire UK, and I've also enlisted the help of our Junior Shopping Editor Valeza Bakolli for her top picks. I run marathons for fun and test workout kit for a living so yep, I'm pretty fussy about what kit I feature. Valeza loves to switch up her workouts - from yoga and Pilates to HIIT and running, she's tried it all (and usually on a weekly basis), so she can always tell which styles are best suited to different types of workouts. Know that whatever leggings, sports bras or running shorts you see on this site come with our team's personal stamp of approval. Keep scrolling - and happy sweating.

Testing process

You've likely seen loads of edits of the best leggings, but likely haven't seen many where every single item has been personally tested by the in-house team.

That's where ours comes in. We make an active effort to make sure we're not recommending wellness products to you that we haven't tried ourselves. For more on how we test, read our guide.

What did we look for when testing?

What did we look for - aka, what qualifies the below to rank as the best gym leggings with pockets?

Well, the most important thing for us was a. the leggings themselves were flattering, sweat-wicking and supportive, and b. that the pockets actually worked. In other words, they were spacious enough to hold our essentials and nothing fell out when we ran or moved.

Plus, we considered the following:

• Did they fit well? Aka, did they sag, crinkle, or fall down?
• Did they sweat-wick and support us through our workouts?
• Did they wash well or smell after a few uses?
• How many pockets were there and did they work at holding our items in?
• Did the pockets hold one, two, three essentials, or more?
• Were they good value for money and worth the price tag?

Leggings with pockets: 9 best you can buy

Best supportive leggings with pockets

"If you've seen these Power leggings raved about, then it's for good reason. They're SB's go-to legging design and sweat-wick and support like a dream. I've had mine for a few years now and love that they have not one, but two pockets - one on your left thigh and a further one at the base of your back which has a zip, to boot. This means you can carry your phone, card, and keys comfortably - I can also squeeze my headphone case in when I use them." - Ally Head, Health Editor

Best sustainable leggings with pockets

"If you haven't heard of GNGR Bees yet then you're in for a treat. They have an "everything unwasted" ethos, meaning they make high-performance workout gear without wasting tonnes of fabric, in the process. I adore the flattering fit and seasonal colour of these leggings and often wear them to brunch catch-ups and gym classes alike. They're squat proof, sweat-wicking, and incredibly comfy, plus they feature two deep side pockets to securely hold your phone, keys and more." - Valeza Bakolli, Junior Shopping Editor

Best M&S leggings with pockets

"Similar to the Sweaty Betty design, the Go Move leggings from M&S have a pocket on your left thigh and a zipped option at the bottom of your back, too. I've written an entire guide to the best M&S leggings (spoiler alert: it's these). The brand does some of the best budget gym kit on the market and these leggings are no different. That said, when I've tested, I've found that leggings from brands like Sweaty Betty or lululemon retain their quality for longer (they don't sag or smell after a few washes)." - Ally Head, Health Editor

Best yoga leggings with pockets

"I've owned the Nike yoga leggings for years and they're yet to bobble despite their brushed cotton finish. These feel incredibly soft and are probably the comfiest leggings I own thanks to their high waistband that hugs rather than digs in. They also have a handy secret front pocket inside the waistband which is big enough to hold my phone and credit card. I tend to wear these for lighter workouts like yoga, Pilates and long walks rather than running as they can slide down a little during high intensity workouts." - Valeza Bakolli, Junior Shopping Editor

Best leggings with multiple pockets

"Thoughts when testing the lululemon Wunder Train tights? I get the hype. They have not one, not two, but three pockets - a hidden pocket in the waistband that holds your card and keys, and a drop-in pocket on either thigh that fit your phone. They feel like butter yet never leave you with sweat patches and are soft to the touch yet still hold your phone and keys in place. Mine still look the same three years on, too, showing they're worth the investment." Ally Head, Health Editor

Best affordable leggings with pockets

"Workout gear needn't cost the earth, as these gym leggings from Decathlon prove. When testing, I found them comfortable and thought that they washed fairly well, considering the price tag. Plus, the pocket held my phone during a five-mile run home. Do note, though: they only have that one pocket, which sits on your left thigh. You can fit a phone and perhaps card in, but not much else." - Ally Head, Health Editor

Best colourful leggings with pockets

"I'm a big fan of Pocket Sport. They're the first legging brand I've ever found that's managed to design bright, fun colours that don't leave you with a crotch sweat patch (true story). Plus, they're comfortable, never budge thanks to the innovative waistband grip, and have a phone-sized pocket (that also holds things like cards, keys, etc) on either thigh. One thing I did notice when testing: smaller items are more likely to fly out, as the pockets don't have a zip, but if you make sure they're packed with other items (eg a card and a phone as opposed to just a card), they're less likely to move." - Ally Head, Health Editor

Best versatile leggings with pockets

"If you can't tell by now, I'm a huge fan of chocolate brown leggings, and these ones feel like a fresh update on a classic black style. Tala never fails to deliver when it comes to size-inclusive, high-performance activewear, and their SkinLuxe leggings are supportive, stretchy and pass the squat test. Hidden in the back is a zip pocket that's big enough to securely hold a phone." - Valeza Bakolli, Junior Shopping Editor

Best running leggings with pockets

"Last but by no means least, meet the LNDR Lightspeed design - and yes, you will feel lightspeed fast when running in them. When I tested, I loved working out in them. I found them to be light, breathable, and with plenty of pocket space, too. As per the Claude Pocket Sport design, there is a pocket on each thigh." - Ally Head, Health Editor