Best Running Shorts With Pockets: 12 Storage Picks Worth Your Money

Introduction

Storage shorts do one simple thing brilliantly: they let you run without a belt or a vest. Gels, phone, keys, cards, a soft flask, even a rolled-up layer, all stashed in the shorts themselves. Where high-storage shorts used to be limited to two-in-one and trail styles, plenty of shorter, racier options now carry your essentials too. This roundup covers tried and tested favorites for everything from a fast 5k up to marathons and beyond, for both men and women.

Why Storage Shorts Are Having a Moment

The appeal is one piece of kit that does it all. Instead of juggling a running belt, an armband and a vest, you can run more minimal and still carry whatever you want for the distance ahead. Not every pocket is created equal, though. The best shorts hold loads of gear snug against your body with minimal bounce, while weaker designs let a phone swing around and drag one side of the shorts down.

Best All-Rounder for Women: Sweaty Betty Power Shorts

The Sweaty Betty Power Shorts are a genuine go-to for high-pocket-count shorts. They cost £60 or $78 and come in a six-inch inseam that sits around mid-thigh, plus a nine-inch version that lands just above the knee depending on your build. Sizing runs XXS to XXL and there is a huge range of colors and prints.

Storage is a rear zip pocket that fits a phone, plus one drop-in pocket on the leg. The drop-in pocket deserves special mention: it holds a phone, gels and gloves without that weighed-down, lopsided feeling some drop-in pockets create. There is a drawcord, the waist sits nicely high on the stomach, and after repeated wear and washing these have shown no bobbling or lingering odor.

Clever Layer Storage: New Balance Impact Run Fitted Shorts

At £45 or roughly $60, the New Balance Impact Run Fitted Shorts are a touch cheaper than most here and come in XS to 2XL. They are comfortable, high-rise with a thick waistband, and carry a genuinely clever feature: a back pocket designed to tuck a top layer through when you get too hot on a long run, so you don’t have to tie a jacket around your waist. It bounces a little, but it stays secure.

There are also mesh, see-through pockets lower on the leg for your phone and gels, positioned at the bottom of the leg where they pull less uncomfortably. The one drawback is the lack of a drawcord, so you can’t cinch them tighter when fully loaded. They still didn’t slip during long runs, but a drawcord would make them near perfect.

Soft, Huggy and Pocket-Loaded: Nike Go Shorts

Nike’s Go shorts take a do-everything approach, designed to work for running, yoga and more rather than a single activity. Described as firm support with a mid-rise, they sit right around the belly button and feel high on most bodies. A drawcord with a toggle is a small but smart touch, letting you tighten and fasten the shorts without fighting a knot after every wash.

The pocket count is generous: a big back pocket that stretches to fit an iPhone, two small back pockets for keys and lip balm, a drop-in pocket on each leg (one zipped), plus large drop-in pockets on both sides. The fabric is soft and hugging rather than compression, and the shorts stayed put even fully loaded on a long run. They cost £60 or $65, come in XS to XL and plenty of colors, and there is a matching legging version.

Best Value Marathon Half Tights: Decathlon Kiprun Support

These are the favorite marathon shorts in this roundup. The Kiprun Support is listed as women’s half tights on the Decathlon website, while the men’s equivalent is called the Marathon Running Shorts, but the pocket system is the same and the fit works for anyone. They suit runners who prefer half tights and like to carry their own drinks in a race.

The storage is the star: two large rear pouch pockets that swallow a 250ml soft flask with ease, a big central pocket used for a phone on regular runs or a second soft flask when racing marathons, and a couple of smaller side pockets that still fit several gels. Everything is held tight against the body with minimal bouncing. The women’s shorts cost £24.99 and the men’s £29.99, remarkable in a category that often gets very expensive. Three marathons in these produced zero chafing. The catch: availability appears limited to the UK, they go in and out of stock frequently, and they sell out fast.

Best Gel-Focused Race Shorts: Salomon Marathon Speed Shorts

If you would rather run a marathon on gels alone, these are the shorts for that strategy. Two gel loops on the front carry two gels, and a large rear pouch pocket handles roughly four large gels, enough to fuel a marathon, especially with high-carb 40g gels. Everything sits tight against the body with no bouncing. Smaller gels can bounce out of the front loops, particularly downhill, so larger gels are the safer bet.

Salomon’s speed shorts were already prized for comfort over marathon distances with zero chafing risk, and the storage addition makes them a lightweight, race-ready option. The rear pouch also fits a phone for shorter races or general runs. They are deliberately focused rather than max-storage, and they are expensive at £125 in the UK or $150 in the US. A split short version is also available.

A Training Staple: Soar Two-In-One Running Shorts

The Soar Two-In-One pairs a looser outer short with a tighter compression layer underneath, and there is also a Pace Half Tight that is essentially just the inner layer. These are among the most-worn shorts for day-to-day training here.

The tight layer has two drop-in pockets, one on each thigh, that hold a phone, soft flask or gel snugly against the leg with no bouncing. The outer short adds a back pocket that fits a gel or two (not roomy enough for a flask), and the two-in-one adds two zipped side pockets, handy for gloves rather than anything heavy. Both versions carried all the gels needed for a marathon. Sizing depends on length, with the five-inch version at £73 in the UK or $93 in the US. The range is updated with new designs through the year, so older versions often appear on sale, which is the easiest way to beat the high list price.

Best Trail Half Tight: Janji 8-Inch Trail Half Tight

The Janji 8-Inch Trail Half Tight impresses with storage volume, comfort and how securely it holds everything against the body. Each side has large drop-in pockets with two layers, so you can divide gear on each leg, and a 250ml soft flask tucks in without discomfort. On the back there is one large central pocket with access from either side, so you can pull a jacket through to secure it, or stash a flask one side and gels or a phone on the other.

There is no large central front pocket, which some runners will miss. Janji runs limited production, so stock is not always guaranteed, but colors range from plain to fairly bold. The price is £75 in the UK or $82 in the US. They are among the very best half tights in this roundup; only the Decathlon pair undercuts them on value.

Best Value Storage Shorts: Brooks Method Shorts

The Brooks Method Shorts, reviewed here in the eight-inch version with a five-inch option also available, prove that great storage does not need a premium price. There are only three pockets: two side pockets and a small drop-in pocket in the waistband, but they pack a lot in. The waistband pocket takes a phone securely, and the side pockets hold keys or a generous handful of gels, plus room for flapjacks or other snacks.

At £45, with a couple of colorways discounted to £31, this is genuinely good value. They comfortably covered everything needed for a half marathon, come in eight colors, and run from XS to XXL. A very easy recommendation.

Best for Ultras and Long Trail Days: Montane Aosta Two-In-One Trail Shorts

These are the shorts that covered 67 marathons in 67 days, around 1,830 miles, and are still going strong. The Aosta Two-In-One Trail Shorts, seen here in a Montane French Edition colorway, include a built-in base layer short that is supportive without being overly compressive. They are a little heavier than road race shorts and are best suited to trail use, going long and far rather than fast road marathons.

The hero is max storage: four compartments running the whole way around the shorts hold a remarkable amount, including 650ml soft flasks, rolled-up jackets, a phone, a camera, gels and more. Deep zipped pockets on each leg take a smartphone with a little movement, and a velcro fastening pocket keeps small items secure. Flat seams, a lined brief and a wide, soft, smooth waistband that neither cuts in nor rolls up round out the package. At just under £65, they are a strong pick for ultras, multi-day trail adventures and anything long.

Best Looking and Feel-Soft: Tracksmith Twilight 5-Inch Shorts

Tracksmith’s retro-styled running kit is among the best looking in the sport, and the Twilight 5-Inch Shorts live up to that reputation. The fabric drapes beautifully, feels silky soft and unstructured, and delivers a barely-there sensation with total freedom of movement in a short, racy five-inch length.

Storage in a short this minimal usually means none, so the three fist-sized stretchy drop-in pockets built into the inner liner brief are a welcome surprise. They slot in a couple of gels or a pair of gloves nicely, though they are not large, and the rear pocket is too soft and pliable to hold a phone securely. The brief-style liner has flat seams to reduce chafing, and the waistband is lined with the same soft material. A lovely blend of looks, comfort and just enough storage.

Best Lightweight Racer With Storage: Brooks Sherpa 7-Inch Shorts

Shorter, lighter and racier, the Brooks Sherpa 7-Inch is a two-in-one short aimed at fast 10ks and half marathon training where you still want to stash a few bits. The boxer-style base layer adds support and security, while the outer short is extremely lightweight and stretchy, notably lighter than comparable trail shorts, with a wide, soft waistband that never cuts or rolls.

Storage is better than you would expect at this weight. Two stretch mesh pockets wrap around the hips with two entry points, flexible enough for gels, gloves or a smaller soft flask, which sits more securely on the side where it has less room to bounce. A zipped pocket on the leg takes a smartphone, though that position allows a little bounce and is not the favorite spot for a phone. Note that the mesh pockets hold best when fairly full. At £38, this sits at the cheaper end of the storage-short market.

The Max-Storage Pick: On Running Sprint Shorts

At first glance the On Running Sprint Shorts look unremarkable. In practice they are brilliant. Three pocket sections run all the way around the waistband, each with a small hook for keys, and they can easily fit ten gels, with room for a large phone in the back.

Two side pockets, one on each side, add even more flexibility: hands when it’s cold, soft flasks on a big run or marathon, a phone, or apparently a child’s soft toy if you are doing the school drop-off straight after a run. For marathon training with maximum carrying capacity, nothing here beats them.

How to Choose the Right Pair

A few themes emerged across this lineup. If you want maximum storage for the lowest price, the Decathlon Kiprun Support and Brooks Method shorts are the standouts, though Decathlon availability can be frustrating. For marathon fueling, match the system to your strategy: gels-only runners should look hard at the Salomon Marathon Speed, while runners who carry their own drinks will get more from the Decathlon, Janji or On options. Comfort matters as much as pockets, so pay attention to waistbands, seam construction and how loaded pockets behave at speed. And if a pair you love is out of stock, patience can pay off: several brands here refresh ranges often and discount older versions.

Conclusion

Storage shorts have moved well beyond niche trail kit, with strong options at every price and race distance. Whether you need a £25 pair of half tights that carry two soft flasks through a marathon, a premium race-ready system for gels, or a trail short that swallows a jacket and a camera, there is a pair here that fits. Pick the storage layout that matches how you actually run, and skip the belt.