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Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.
A phone bouncing against your thigh for five miles is the fastest way to ruin a good run. The shorts you actually want are the ones where the pocket holds your phone flat and quiet, and the fabric under it does not chafe. This list covers seven men’s running shorts with a phone pocket, from liner-free gym shorts to compression tights with a wrap-around waist band of storage.
This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
Pocket depth, inseam length, and whether a liner sits underneath decide how a pair actually behaves at mile three, so each pick below is judged on those points first. That is the whole approach behind this shortlist of men’s running shorts with phone pocket options.
Top Picks
How To Choose Men’s Running Shorts With Phone Pocket
The phone pocket is the whole reason you are here, so start there. A pocket that is too shallow lets a phone slide out on a sprint. A pocket that is too high up the waistband presses the phone into your hip bone. Read the pocket description before you read anything else about a pair.
Match the inseam to your height, not to a trend
Inseam is the inside leg measurement from crotch to hem. A 5″ inseam sits high on the thigh and suits shorter runners or hot weather. A 7″ inseam lands mid-thigh and is the general-purpose length. A 9″ inseam runs closer to the knee and suits taller frames, like the 6’1″ buyer who liked the 9″ hem on the CRZ YOGA pair. Get this wrong and the shorts will either bunch up or feel like capris.
Decide on a liner before you buy
A liner is the built-in brief or compression layer under the outer shell. A 2-in-1 short gives you extra hold, which stops the phone from swinging, but adds weight and one more layer to wash. Linerless shorts breathe more freely but leave your phone to the pocket alone. Neither is wrong. Pick the liner only if you want the tighter hold.
Check what the pocket is made of and whether it zips
A zippered pocket means the phone stays put through sprints and floor work. Slash pockets are easier to reach but can let a phone slide. Waistband storage — a band of small pockets around the hips, like the FlipBelt design — spreads weight evenly and keeps bulk off your thigh. Deep pockets and a secure closure together are the combination that actually works.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Model | Best For | Inseam | Liner | Pocket Setup | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRZ YOGA Linerless Workout Shorts 9″★ Best Overall | Taller runners who want a longer hem | 9″ | Linerless | Two side pockets plus one zippered front pocket | Amazon |
| JWJ Mens Athletic Gym Workout ShortsBest Value | Budget gym rotation and everyday wear | — | Linerless | Zippered pockets | Amazon |
| MIER Men’s 7″ Athletic Running Shorts | Hot, humid weather running | 7″ | Linerless | One back zip pocket, two slash pockets, key pocket | Amazon |
| maamgic Mens 2 in 1 Workout Shorts | Gym sessions and marathon day | 5″ or 7″ | Built-in liner | Double-layered pockets, rear pocket, liner phone pocket | Amazon |
| HOPLYNN 5 Pack Men’s 2 in 1 Running Shorts | Stocking the whole week in one go | — | Compression liner | Deep front pockets, small back zipper pocket, liner pocket | Amazon |
| Nike Mens Dri-Fit Flex Woven Shorts 7inch | Gym training with deep bends and lunges | 7″ | — | Mixed owner feedback on pockets | Amazon |
| FlipBelt Men’s Running Compression Shorts | Long runs and triathlons with heavy gear | — | Built-in liner | 360° waist storage plus deep side pocket | Amazon |
Detailed Reviews
1. CRZ YOGA Linerless Workout Shorts 9″
Our pick — 4.5+★ from 950+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The nine-inch hem that finally stops tall runners from buying capri-length gym shorts.
If you are on the taller side and most shorts hit you above the knee, the 9″ inseam here is the fix. A buyer who stands 6’1″ called it out directly: “As a taller guy (6’1″), I appreciate the 9″ inseam.” That is the whole pitch — a longer leg that sits where shorts are supposed to sit.
Your phone sits in a zippered pocket at the right front, with two more side pockets holding cards, keys, or cash. The zip is the detail that matters. It keeps a phone flat and secure instead of letting it slide around during sprints. The fabric is a lightweight sweat-wicking weave, and the wide elastic waist with an interior drawstring cinches where you want it. These are linerless, so nothing sits under the shell — lighter and cooler, but your phone relies on the pocket alone.
The honest note is that not everyone ends up wearing them for workouts. The construction and finish draw a lot of the praise, and the value comparison to Lululemon comes up constantly. A few owners use them as everyday or golf shorts instead of training shorts. If you mostly want a pair to sweat hard in, that is worth knowing. If you want one pair for the gym, the pool, and the pickleball court, buy it.
What earns the top spot
- 9″ inseam gives taller runners real knee coverage
- Zippered front pocket keeps a phone parked and quiet
- Lightweight sweat-wicking fabric dries fast
- Wide elastic waist with an interior drawstring for a locked fit
Where it asks something of you
- Linerless — no inner layer to help hold a phone steady
- A few owners wear them socially rather than for hard training
Buy this one if: you are tall, you want a 9″ hem, and a zippered phone pocket is non-negotiable.
Think again if: you want a built-in liner doing part of the holding work.
2. JWJ Mens Athletic Gym Workout Shorts
Zippered pockets and a featherweight shell — at an entry-level price you can repeat-purchase without wincing.
These are built around one idea: a phone that stays where you put it while you move. The zippered pockets are the headline, and they are what most owners talk about. The fabric is a lightweight quick-dry weave that you barely feel in warm weather, and the elastic waistband with an adjustable drawstring keeps the shorts from shifting through stretches and jumps.
Two things to sort out before you order. The fit runs inconsistent — some owners say true to size, others say to size up, so measure your waist rather than trusting the tag. And the pockets split the room: some find them roomy and easy, others find them narrow enough that a hand is a tight squeeze and a phone barely gets in. Bulkier phones may need the zipper eased, not forced. As buyers report of one pair, “They seem nice and light but came with holes in the pockets.” Inspect the pockets on arrival so a return window is not wasted.
The trade-off is thin material doing double duty. It dries fast and breathes, but it is not the hardy pair you hand down. For a budget rotation where you keep two or three pairs in the drawer, that math works out fine.
Where they shine: the shell is genuinely light and the fabric dries quickly after a sweaty session, which is exactly what you want from a warm-weather workout short.
The honest limit: sizing and pocket depth are the two things to watch — order to your measurement and check the pockets the day they land.
Worth it for: a budget gym drawer where you want zip pockets and breathable cloth over brand names.
Pass if: you carry a large phone in a bulky case and want a guaranteed easy slide-in.
3. MIER Men’s 7″ Athletic Running Shorts
Two slash pockets up front, a zip pocket in back, and fabric thin enough to wear in jungle humidity.
This is the pair for runners who heat up fast. The 7″ inseam lands mid-thigh on most average-height runners — though one 5’3″ buyer found the hem sitting closer to the knee than expected — and the split hem gives your stride room to open up. The fabric is quick-dry and cut light. A buyer in hot, humid Panama wore six pairs across travel and biking and kept coming back. Another runner called these their go-to for hot, humid walking days, cool and light enough that the fabric almost vanishes.
The pocket layout is unusual in a good way. There are two slash pockets for easy reach, one zippered pocket in back, and a small key pocket built into the design. The back zip is the one that really works for a phone — it sits flat against the waist and doesn’t swing. Zippered pockets here are non-bulky, so they don’t look like you’re hauling a brick in your shorts.
What owners flag is that light fabric is not indestructible. Some pairs have had the pocket zipper fail outside the warranty window, and one buyer with five pairs noticed a newer pair’s waist running over an inch wider than their older mediums. Nothing dramatic — just check the fit on the first wear and treat the zip with a light hand.
Why runners like it: the split hem and quick-dry cloth work together for hot-weather running, and the back zip pocket keeps a phone flat against the waist.
Watch this: sizing has drifted between production runs — check the waistband on arrival rather than assuming it matches your last pair.
Best for: summer runners and travelers in humid climates who want light cloth and a phone pocket that doesn’t bulge.
Look elsewhere if: you carry heavier items in your pockets — the fabric is too light for that load.
4. maamgic Mens 2 in 1 Workout Shorts
A second layer that stops ride-up and a hidden liner pocket where your phone actually lives.
This is the most heavily built short on the list, and the second layer is the reason. The built-in liner is a compression shorts layer sitting under the outer shell, and owners say it’s what keeps the shorts from climbing up your thigh or sliding down your waist mid-workout. That liner also carries a phone pocket — your phone sits against the compression layer, not in an outer pocket flapping around, which is the closest thing here to a floating phone.
You get a lot of places to put things for a short this size. Double-layered front pockets, a rear pocket, and a liner phone pocket (a slot in the built-in brief that holds your phone against your leg) give a phone, keys, gels, and a towel each a home. The fabric stretches comfortably and the seams and drawstring hold their shape — one owner with seven or eight pairs said they still look and feel right, and another wore the same pair through a marathon without a problem. You can pick a 5″ or 7″ outer layer (the leg length), so shorter or longer coverage is your call.
Two fair caveats. The fit runs close to the leg, so a 5’9″, 215 lb athletic build recommends sizing up. And the liner adds weight — this is the heaviest short on the list in the hand, because two layers weigh more than one. The liner stretches slightly over a long day, then resets after a wash. That is not a defect, just how the fabric behaves.
Why it earns its place
- Liner pocket holds a phone against the leg with no swing
- Second layer holds fit through workouts without ride-up
- Double-layered pockets plus rear pocket plus liner phone pocket
- Holds up through marathons and dozens of gym sessions
What you give up
- Size up — the fit sits close to the leg
- Liner adds weight compared to linerless shorts
Pick these for: training days where you need a phone, gels, and a towel all on your body with nothing swinging.
Skip if: you want the lightest possible short and can live without a liner.
5. HOPLYNN 5 Pack Men’s 2 in 1 Running Shorts
Five pairs in one box, each with a liner pocket sized for a phone in a case.
If your drawer is down to one decent pair of shorts, buying five at once is the practical move. The liner carries its own pocket, and it’s a real one — it fits an iPhone 15 Pro with the case still on. The outer shell is lightweight and breathable, the liner is cool against the skin, and a buyer who wore them all summer at the gym and on carpentry jobs said they held up.
The front pockets are deep, and there’s a small zippered pocket in back for keys or a card. The outer layer wipes clean and doesn’t wrinkle, which matters if you’re pulling them straight out of a gym bag. For running and walking, they do the job without fanfare.
The fair warning is fit. These run small — one 5’10”, 175 lb buyer with a 32″ waist needed a Large. The liner and the outer layer are also joined, so if the inner pulls slightly against you, the shorts tug down at the waist rather than floating free. That’s the recurring note: buy to the size chart, not the label.
What you’re really buying: a full week of lined, pocketed training shorts in one purchase, which is why the value angle lands so well here.
Before you order: size up — owners mention the waist runs tight relative to the label.
Good fit for: anyone who wants a stocked drawer of lined shorts with a phone pocket and no decision fatigue left.
Not ideal for: a first-time buyer who wants to test one pair before committing to five.
6. Nike Mens Shorts Dri-Fit Flex Woven Shorts 7inch
Nike’s Flex fabric bends where you bend — the shorts built around lunges, squats, and deep training bends.
The idea here is movement. Nike Flex fabric stretches with every step and the vents at the hems open up when you drop into a deep lunge or a squat. The 7″ length stays out of the way, and the Dri-FIT technology moves sweat off your skin to evaporate faster, so you don’t end a session soaked. The waist has a standard fit — Nike’s term for a relaxed, easy feel.
Sizing is the real headline. Nike’s cut runs tight, and buyers keep saying the same thing: order at least one size up. A buyer who sized up and still felt squeezed swore off the brand. Another returned theirs on the first try. If Nike has fitted you small before, assume that again. And the fabric is thin — a buyer thought the material looked more like a swimsuit than a training short. That is Nike’s lightweight woven doing its job, but it’s not a thick, structured short.
The pocket picture is a genuine question mark for a shopping decision here. Owners give mixed feedback on pockets — some find them fine, others report none at all — so confirm what you’re buying before you commit. If a phone pocket is mandatory for every run, this is the least sure bet on the list.
The fit-and-stretch read: if you want a short that moves with your legs and wicks sweat hard, Flex fabric delivers — with vents at the hems for lunges and squats.
The catch: size up, and if a phone pocket is your main reason for buying, this is not the surest pair here.
Reach for it if: you already know Nike’s sizing and want a light, stretchy training short with Dri-FIT drying.
Try the others first if: your phone pocket is the deciding feature.
7. FlipBelt Men’s Running Compression Shorts
Shorts with a belt stitched into the waist — a phone, gels, and bottles ride flat around your hips.
This is the different animal on the list. Instead of one phone pocket, the waistband is a band of segmented pockets running 360° around your hips. A phone rides in a side pocket, a small zipper pocket takes keys or money, and gels or a soft flask slip into the band pockets. One marathon runner carried 8–9 gels, a handheld bottle in the back pocket, and a phone in the side pocket, and the shorts held up under it. Another runner packed a phone, keys, an action camera, two 250ml soft flasks, and 3–5 gels with “zero bounce.”
The aqua-cooling fabric and built-in liner make this a true compression short — snug through the thighs and breathable, and it stays in place in and out of water, which is why triathlon owners keep buying them. Long-runners report the compression support helping late in a run. The deep side pocket is a separate, deeper option for a bigger phone.
The trade-off is a tighter leg fit, and the shorts can chafe on long hot runs if you don’t use anti-chafe balm first. Size up if you’re between sizes, and treat this as performance kit, not all-day wear.
Where it goes beyond the rest
- 360° waistband storage spreads weight across the hips, not one thigh
- Built-in liner and compression fabric hold the fit through long runs
- Stays in place in and out of water — triathlon-ready
- Aqua-cooling fabric dries fast
Where the premium demands care
- Chafe risk on long runs if you skip anti-chafe balm
- The end-of-waist and pocket layout is tighter than a loose short
This is your pair if: long runs and triathlon days mean you carry a lot of gear and want it locked against your body.
Hold off if: you want a loose, breezy short for easy days — this one is snug by design.
Know the Specs
Inseam: 5″, 7″, or 9″
Inseam is the inside leg measurement from crotch to hem, and it decides where the shorts end on your leg. A 5″ inseam sits high on the thigh — cool and free, good for shorter runners and hot days. A 7″ inseam lands mid-thigh and is the all-purpose length. A 9″ inseam runs closer to the knee and works for taller frames, like the 6’1″ buyer who wanted the CRZ YOGA’s longer hem. Measure a pair you already like before you buy; the inseam number is the single biggest reason a short feels right or wrong on you.
Liner vs linerless
A liner is the built-in brief or compression layer under the outer shell. On a 2-in-1 short, the liner adds hold — it stops the shorts from riding up and can carry a phone against the leg. That is the maamgic and HOPLYNN design, and it works. A linerless short, like the CRZ YOGA or MIER, sits as a single layer — lighter and cooler, but your phone relies entirely on the pocket. A liner adds weight and a second layer to wash; linerless trades hold for breathability. Pick based on if you want extra grip on the phone or the lightest possible shell.
Common Questions
Will a phone in a pocket bounce against my leg when I run?
What inseam do I need if I am tall?
Do running shorts with a phone pocket need a liner?
Should I size up in running shorts?
What is a 2-in-1 running short?
Will a zippered phone pocket fit a large phone in a case?
Do these shorts chafe on long runs?
How should I wash running shorts with a liner?
Are linerless shorts better for hot weather?
Can I wear these shorts for lifting and the gym, not just running?
The Bottom Line
For most runners, the men’s running shorts with phone pocket pick is the CRZ YOGA Linerless Workout Shorts 9″, because the 9″ inseam (the leg length) covers taller frames properly and the zippered front pocket keeps a phone secure without swinging. If you want a lined short with a phone pocket built into the liner, grab the maamgic 2-in-1. And for long runs or triathlon days where you carry gels, bottles, and a phone at once, the FlipBelt compression shorts are the one to reach for — the crowd favorite here at 4.5+ stars across 300+ ratings, and worth the extra weight on race day.
How we choose
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
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