Running Shorts With Storage Superpowers: Oiselle Pockito Review

As a recovering ultra runner, I’ve run enough miles in my life to know that the best women’s running shorts disappear mid-run. You don’t 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. That’s why I’ve 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 doesn’t 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 aren’t 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 buyer’s guide.

Pockito Party: More Storage Than You’d Expect

In general, biker-style shorts don’t look fully featured since they’re 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!

If I’m only running a few miles with the dog, I’ll 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 didn’t 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 didn’t 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 Don’t Notice

I’ve 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 that’s 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, they’re not a style I thought I’d ever like as a 43-year-old woman, but the comfort sold me.

Oiselle uses its Plya fabric, described as a “medium compression” material that’s both lightweight and performance-oriented. It’s 76% polyester, 24% spandex, and 100% sorcery.

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

The waistband is also worthy of its own praise. It’s wide, stretchy, and doesn’t dig or roll, even when it’s 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 doesn’t dig back (pun intended).

And of course, they don’t chafe. The beauty of bike shorts is that there isn’t any thigh skin to rub together or any fabric to move against your skin. Everything just stays put, which means I haven’t 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.

Everyday Versatility for Every Woman

The best gear isn’t 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.

I’m not a fashionista, so I won’t 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 aren’t shiny, so they don’t 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 haven’t seen a single loose thread, snag, or pilling after a month of use.

Room for Improvement

There is very little I’d 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 (I’m 5’5″ 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 don’t dry quickly. During some insanely hot runs, I noticed a decent amount of swamp crotch. And during a recent hike up to Colorado’s Geneva Lake, I used these shorts during a high alpine cold plunge. In both circumstances, the Pockito shorts don’t dry nearly as fast as lightweight shorts. Fortunately, the damp material doesn’t cause any chafing or irritation in my nether regions, but this is important for women who run in rainy or humid environments.

Lastly, I’d be remiss if I didn’t note the price. At $86, the Pockito are on the high side for running shorts. Oiselle manufactures in the USA, so I’m sure that contributes to the overall cost. And, Plya isn’t your run-of-the-mill compression fabric, so you’re also paying for better materials. For me, cost is worth it because I’ll use them a ton, but it’s definitely something to consider.

Final Thoughts

The Oiselle Pockito 6″ are some of the best women’s running shorts I’ve tested in a while. They manage to carry a full load with plenty of pockets, yet they don’t bounce, chafe, rub, or otherwise irritate the living daylights out of me. They have a nice, streamlined fit, and they’re more comfortable than many of their competitors. I appreciate that they are offered in three different inseam lengths, affording women more options.

If you’re looking for a pair of women’s running shorts that can do pretty much anything, the Pockito should be on your list.