Lastly: Nice Working Gear with Bounce-Free Pockets

For cold weather runs when you need some pocket space, go for REI’s Swiftland Thermal Running Tights, which provide plenty in both the pocket and warmth departments. With two large side pockets, one large back waistband pocket, and two smaller side waistband pockets, they have room for your phone, nutrition, and all those extra layers you can’t decide whether or not you’ll need.

FYI: While these have a brushed interior fabric for added warmth, they aren’t fleece-lined. So, on the coldest days, you may need to reach for something even thicker.

Bras

Best Overall: Brooks 3 Pocket Sports Bra

Pros

• Back pocket for phone, plus two side pockets for smaller items
• Highly supportive
• Comes in multiple cup sizes and fun colorways

Cons

• Some reviewers had chafing issues

Henry and her athletes swear by Brooks’ 3 Pocket Sports Bra, which features a back pocket for a phone and two side pockets for smaller items like credit cards or keys. One reason it’s a hit: It’s supportive, even when it’s loaded down with a phone. “It’s really high support, which is great because we’ve had issues finding bras that support enough while carrying things too,” Henry says.

I’ve worn this bra during three marathon training cycles, and love that I can forget that my phone is even there. (During one marathon, I even managed to squeeze a gel into the back pocket along with my phone.)

Some Brooks reviewers have had chafing issues with this bra, but I’ve only experienced light chafing on very long runs (over 15 miles) on warm days. Another major plus: The 3 Pocket Sports Bra comes in traditional bra sizes (rather than just small, medium and large), so you can get a more customized fit.

Best with Front Storage: Tracksmith Allston Bra

Pros

• Front pocket for phone, gels, and other essentials
• No annoying removable cups
• Chafe-free comfort

Cons

• Using the pocket can look a bit strange
• Not very supportive for C+ cups

While storing your phone in the back of your bra may look more practical, you can’t beat the accessibility of having it right in front of you—the Allston Bra proves it.

For me, this bra’s front pocket is perfect for storing a gel or two, and although I was skeptical at first, I found that it didn’t bounce or cause any chafing (as did many other Tracksmith reviewers). Note that this is a medium-support bra, so it’s probably not the best choice for larger chests.

Best for Marathons: Bandit Stamina 6 Pocket Nova Crop

Pros

• Four gel-size back pockets, plus two phone-size side pockets
• High coverage and high support
• Chafe-free comfort

Cons

• Thick fabric takes a while to dry

Bandit’s Stamina 6 Pocket Nova Crop is in a league of its own, as far as sports bra storage goes. Made specifically for runners carrying lots of nutrition, the bra has four perfectly gel-shaped pockets in the back (where they won’t bounce or chafe), plus two side pockets that are each large enough to fit a phone.

Since testing the bra, I can safely say that I’ll never run a long-distance race wearing anything else. My only concern was that storing a phone or gel in the side pockets would cause chafing as my arms swung back and forth. But I didn’t find that to be a problem at all, as long as I made sure that whatever I put in there was fully tucked into the pocket. Note: The fabric is pretty thick and takes a while to dry, which might be less than ideal on hot days.

Shirts

Best Overall: lululemon It’s Rulu Long-Sleeve Shirt

Pros

• Front pocket for cash, cards, keys, or a small gel
• Warm enough for cold weather runs
• Reviewers love the soft fabric

Cons

• Too thick for warmer days
• Only comes in black

It’s pretty rare to find a running shirt with pockets—much less one that you can actually store things in without them bouncing around (since shirts tend to be less compressive than bras or bottoms). But this one from Lululemon, which is made for colder temperatures, has what it takes.