As a recovering ultra runner, Ive run enough miles in my life to know that the best womens running shorts disappear mid-run. You dont feel them, tug at them, or even notice them. But even now, I still want gear that performs across trail runs, hikes, and the occasional paved adventure. Thats why Ive been pleasantly surprised with the Oiselle Pockito 6 Shorts.

　　After 25 spicy summer miles in the Colorado Rockies, the Pockito impressed while exceeding expectations where I needed them: storage, comfort, and cozy fabrics. They deliver an absurd pocket capacity, a supportive, wide waistband that doesnt dig, and a fabric weight that balances compression and breathability. (And dare I say, they completely converted me to the biking short-style of running shorts?!) They arent perfect, but overall, these have become one of my go-to running shorts for the summer.

　　In short: The Oiselle Pockito 6 Shorts ($86) have serious storage without sacrificing comfort or fit for runners, especially in hot summer weather.

　　See how the Pockito shorts stack up to our other favorites in our Best Running Shorts For Women buyers guide.

　　Oiselle Pockito 6 Shorts Check Price at Oiselle

　　8.4 How we rate products Specifications Inseam: 6 Pockets: 4 Liner: No Material: 76% polyester, 24% spandex Weight: Unknown Size range: 2-14 Pros Tons of useful storage No chafing or rubbing Supportive, comfortable fit Lightweight compression that isnt tight or constrictive Cons Very expensive Biker short-style may not be for everyone Heather Balogh Rochfort Pockito Party: More Storage Than Youd Expect In general, biker-style shorts dont look fully featured since theyre about as form-fitting as they come. But the Pockito packs more functionality than I expected from such a minimalistic short.

　　TL;DR: Pockets, pockets, and more glorious pockets!

　　The 360-degree waist pocket allows for plenty of storage; (photo/Heather Balogh Rochfort) If Im only running a few miles with the dog, Ill do anything to leave my running vest at home. These shorts make it possible. For starters, there is one large pocket on the side of each thigh, both large enough to stash a cellphone. Then, there is a stretchy, 360-degree pocket that wraps around your entire waistband. Finally, there is one zippered pocket on the lower back, tucked beneath the waistband wonder.

　　On a recent run up the local Red Hill, I loaded myself up in the name of testing. I put a cellphone in one thigh pocket, a small collapsible flask of water in the second thigh pocket, and some lip balm and a car key in the zippered pocket. In the wraparound waist pocket, I piled in multiple poop bags for the dog, two handfuls of doggy treats, and a couple of gels that I knew I didnt need or want but was curious to see how they fit.

　　Spoiler: It all worked. Sure, I looked a little ridiculous with plastic bags sticking out of my waist, water jostling with every step, and my dog trying to eat my hip bone to get a treat. But good news: The gaggle of gear didnt affect my performance or comfort on the trail in the slightest. I am happy to be a running junk show as long as I am comfortable — and I was. What a win.

　　Comfort You Dont Notice

　　Two thigh pockets easily hold a cellphone; (photo/Heather Balogh Rochfort) Ive tested dozens upon dozens of shorts over the years and a half dozen alongside the Pockito. But few have disappeared on my body as completely as these — and thats a good thing.

　　The Pockitos are a biker short, which is code for a tight-fitting running short with no flapping or extra fabric. Honestly, theyre not a style I thought Id ever like as a 43-year-old woman, but the comfort sold me.

　　Oiselle uses its Plya fabric, described as a medium compression material thats both lightweight and performance-oriented. Its 76% polyester, 24% spandex, and 100% sorcery.

　　It doesnt necessarily feel different than other materials, but I really enjoyed how it moved and felt on my body. Its soft and supportive without being clingy, and its definitely not squeeze-your-legs-tight. I honestly didnt realize the Pockitos were considered compression shorts until I looked up the beta.

　　The waistband is also worthy of its own praise. Its wide, stretchy, and doesnt dig or roll, even when its fully loaded with gels and plastic baggies. I never needed to adjust it mid-run, and it has kept its shape through at least five to seven washes. In general, the vibe on the Pockito shorts is more like a hug rather than a squeeze. I dig it because it doesnt dig back (pun intended).

　　And of course, they dont chafe. The beauty of bike shorts is that there isnt any thigh skin to rub together or any fabric to move against your skin. Everything just stays put, which means I havent yet dealt with a single hot spot or speck of irritated skin. This brings me joy.

　　I suspect this will be the same for everyone, in large part thanks to the variety of inseam offerings by Oiselle. I tested the Pockito 6 shorts, but they are also offered in a Pockito 4 and a Pockito 8 short. This means all the ladies can experience the same coverage and comfort, regardless of how long their legs are or what length they prefer.

　　A zippered back pocket ensures you dont lose your car keys; (photo/Heather Balogh Rochfort) Everyday Versatility for Every Woman The best gear isnt always the stuff with the latest and greatest tech specs. For me, the best gear is the stuff I end up wearing over and over again without thinking about it. When I found myself searching for these shorts in a laundry basket filled with options, I knew they were keepers.

　　Initially, I started testing them for trail runs. Before I knew it, I started wearing them on day hikes, mellow bike rides with our kiddo, cleaning our house, and for summer camp dropoff. I wore them doing errands and while playing with our daughter at the park — all without having to change or even think twice about what I had on.

　　Im not a fashionista, so I wont pretend to have an iota of fashion sense. But I think the basic silhouette and the matte finish on the fabric help them blend in with everyday wear. They arent shiny, so they dont scream LYCRA! And, the darn thigh pockets continued to bring me joy, even when I was shoving rocks, sticks, and small pieces of mulch in them at the playground as our daughter collected treasures.

　　To date, they still look new. I havent seen a single loose thread, snag, or pilling after a month of use.

　　Yup, more storage thanks to the pocket-laden waistband; (photo/Heather Balogh Rochfort) Room for Improvement There is very little Id change about these shorts, but there are a few factors to note.

　　First, they run trim — obviously. I went with my usual size 6 and they fit perfectly (Im 55 and 145 pounds). However, Oiselle notes that in wear testing, women who were in between sizes typically opted to go up a size, so keep that in mind, especially if you need wiggle room around the waist and hips.

　　Secondly, they dont dry quickly. During some insanely hot runs, I noticed a decent amount of swamp crotch. And during a recent hike up to Colorados Geneva Lake, I used these shorts during a high alpine cold plunge. In both circumstances, the Pockito shorts dont dry nearly as fast as lightweight shorts. Fortunately, the damp material doesnt cause any chafing or irritation in my nether regions, but this is important for women who run in rainy or humid environments.

　　The Oiselle Pockito Womens Running Shorts are a great pick for trail and road running alike; (photo/Heather Balogh Rochfort) Lastly, Id be remiss if I didnt note the price. At $86, the Pockito are on the high side for running shorts. Oiselle manufactures in the USA, so Im sure that contributes to the overall cost. And, Plya isnt your run-of-the-mill compression fabric, so youre also paying for better materials. For me, cost is worth it because Ill use them a ton, but its definitely something to consider.

　　Final Thoughts

　　The Oiselle Pockito shorts completely eliminate chafing, no matter the distance; (photo/Heather Balogh Rochfort) The Oiselle Pockito 6 are some of the best womens running shorts Ive tested in a while. They manage to carry a full load with plenty of pockets, yet they dont bounce, chafe, rub, or otherwise irritate the living daylights out of me. They have a nice, streamlined fit, and theyre more comfortable than many of their competitors. I appreciate that they are offered in three different inseam lengths, affording women more options.

　　If youre looking for a pair of womens running shorts that can do pretty much anything, the Pockito should be on your list.

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