Oiselle High Rise Roga Review: My Go-To Women’s Running Shorts

I’m a consistent runner and picky about my gear. I don’t have time (or patience) for shorts that creep up, slide around, or dig my midsection into submission. All of this is to say: the Oiselle High Rise Long Roga women’s running shorts have officially claimed the top spot in my drawer.

After logging about 20 miles of running and another 15 hiking, these shorts proved themselves over and over again — and not just for running and hiking, but also for errands. They’re flattering. They stay put. And they have plenty of pockets to actually be useful. Here’s how they held up and why I think they might be the best do-it-all running shorts I’ve worn in the last decade.

In short: The Oiselle High Rise Long Roga Shorts ($79) are a rare blend of performance and polish. They’re flattering, functional, and made to move. With a 6-inch inseam, a supportive high-rise waistband, and thoughtfully designed pockets, these shorts stayed put through trail runs, hikes, and everyday wear and tear. For women tired of shorts riding up, the Long Rogas are a comfortable, confidence-boosting win.

Read the complete Best Running Shorts for Women buyer’s guide.

Testing Conditions: Oiselle High Rise Long Rogas Women’s Running Shorts

One of the things I love about these shorts (and Oiselle in general) is the brand’s understanding of real bodies. As a 43-year-old woman who has birthed a child, my body has reinvented itself more times than I can count. And Oiselle gets it.

You can be a collegiate track star and wear its gear, or you can be a beginning runner looking to find a few miles. The Long Rogas were clearly designed by people who run in shorts — not just design them.

And trust me: collegiate track star, I am not. I’m a lifelong runner who lives in the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado, where I run three times per week and hike another one or two days. Between the two activities, I average about 10-15 miles per week at a nice, plodding pace.

This summer has been extremely hot with almost zero moisture, so my testing conditions have all been hot, dry, and sucking air thanks to Colorado’s high altitude. I almost exclusively run on trails, but will occasionally dabble on pavement if time constraints (or the dog) need me to do so.

Fit: They Feel as Good as They Look

Let’s start with the high-rise waistband, which sits comfortably above my belly button. I’m particular about what goes around my midsection; it can’t dig into my belly, but also can’t ride up with every step I take.

The waistband here is soft, wide, and gently supportive. There is no muffin top, no digging, and no folding over when you sit down. The waistband itself is made of Plya, the brand’s high-compression fabric, so it just felt good as I climbed singletrack and ambled along the river trail.

Bonus: If you’re a runner who doesn’t like a high-waisted cut, Oiselle has you covered, too. The Rogas are also available with a traditional waistband.

Now to the cut: This is where things get sneaky good. The legs have a slightly higher scoop on the sides, which doesn’t seem like much until you’re mid-stride on a steep trail. Suddenly, you’ll appreciate the added mobility, especially if you’re a quad-dominant person like me. It’s a subtle design tweak that adds a lot of performance value without sacrificing coverage. What a win for women’s running shorts everywhere.

At 6 inches, the inseam hits mid-thigh on me, which is long enough to prevent thigh chafe but short enough to stay breathable in hot weather. The silhouette flatters muscular quads and glutes without clinging in a weird way.

During one steep hike that gains just under 1,000 feet in a mile, I never felt the fabric restricting me, even during large steps up the hill. I’m not a woman who wants really short running shorts, so this length is my sweet spot. But if you want to try the Rogas and prefer a shorter cut, they’re also available in a 4-inch inseam.

Performance and Comfort: No Creep, No Chafe, No Fuss

You know that thing some running shorts do where you spend your entire jog trying to not-so-subtly unwedge the fabric from your backside without breaking a stride or calling attention to yourself?

Yeah, me too. And these don’t do that.

In fact, the High Rise Long Rogas may actually stay put better than any women’s running shorts I’ve tested. It doesn’t matter what I’m doing: climbing a steep hill, sprinting after my dog, pounding the pavement, or awkwardly reaching for my running vest midstride.

Through it all, these shorts stayed exactly where I wanted them. It’s a little thing, but honestly, it feels like a revelation. It makes me wonder if there is some type of sorcery in the waistband. But whatever it is, I’m here for it.

In the heat, the Rogas also feel good. The built-in liner doesn’t move (it’s a trend with these shorts), so you don’t have to worry about any chafing near your tender bits. The fabric is mainly polyester (86%) with a smattering of spandex for four-way stretch and comfort. This means the Rogas easily wick sweat away from your body and dry quickly.

I’m arguably one of the sweatiest women alive when I run, and crotch sweat is most definitely a thing in the summer. (Too much information?) But thanks to the lightweight fabric and general quick-to-dry nature of these shorts, I never felt like I was running in a pool of my own sweat. And importantly, they don’t chafe. Ever. My skin stayed blissfully happy during my testing period without using any type of creams.

Pocket Functionality

Pockets on women’s running shorts can be a deal breaker. We need them, of course. But so many brands think more is better, which also leaves me baffled since I personally can’t run in shorts loaded down with everything from phones to keys to snacks and the kitchen sink.

But the High Rise Rogas hit the sweet spot. There is one zippered side pocket on the right thigh that is technically big enough to hold a phone, but is best used for lightweight gels or other small snacks.

The genius is in the back waistband, 2-in-1 pocket. The outer layer is a stretchy, envelope-style sleeve that easily holds gels, lip balm, or even a snack. (This one can also hold a phone if you trust it.) Beneath this sits a second, smaller zippered stash pocket that is perfect for valuable items like a car key or cash. I ran with both of these pockets full on many occasions and didn’t notice any sagging, shifting, or bouncing.

All the pockets are easy to access, well placed, and best of all: they don’t add bulk. You don’t look like you’re wearing fully loaded cargo shorts just because you wanted to bring a house key, but they also get the job done.

Sustainability and Durability

Durability is always a tricky factor to consider during a short-term review because a month isn’t that long when it comes to women’s running shorts. Still, the Rogas are looking good after a few dozen miles and a handful of cycles in the washing machine. I wash my running clothes in cold water and usually hang them to dry, and they still look pretty darn new. No loose seams or saggy sections of fabric anywhere.

During my hikes, I’ve carried a daypack that sits lower than my running vest. It also has a waistband with two hip-belt pockets, all of which wrap around the midsection of the Rogas. I’ve logged around 15 miles of hiking with a moderate load (probably around 10 pounds) and haven’t seen any pilling or signs of wear, even near my hip bones where the waistband sits the tightest.

Where the Rogas do seem to fall short is in their sustainability. Compared to the broader outdoor industry, the running apparel space has been slower to adopt meaningful sustainability practices. While hikers and skiers are zipping themselves into recycled fabrics and tracking carbon footprints, most running gear, like the High Rise Roga Shorts, is still made from virgin polyester with no eco credits listed. I really love how these shorts fit and feel, but let’s be real: they aren’t winning any sustainability awards just yet.

Oiselle High Rise Roga Review: Room for Improvement

While the High Rise Long Rogas deliver my favorite performance and comfort, the $79 price tag puts them toward the top end of pricing. For casual runners or beginners, this cost likely feels steep, especially with many competitors hovering in the $40-60 range. That said, they fit great and feel really good, so if you know running is your thing, the Rogas are worth the price of admission.

One area where Oiselle could make a stronger statement is sustainability, as mentioned above. The fabric is durable; no question there. But Oiselle doesn’t use any recycled materials or offer much (if any) transparency on sourcing or production practices.

I don’t mean to pick at them, because they aren’t alone. This is the case with a lot of running brands right now, but it feels like a miss — especially given the growing consumer demand for eco-friendly practices.

Finally, I know a high-rise waistband isn’t for every woman (my best friend has a particular abhorrence for them, for example). If that’s you, don’t sweat it. The Rogas are also available in the longer length, but with a standard waistband that doesn’t sit as high up on your belly.

Final Thoughts

As someone who has transitioned away from high-mileage running to recreational jogging, I wasn’t sure if I really needed high-performance running shorts. But turns out, I do.

The Oiselle High Rise Long Roga running shorts reviewed here are everything a woman needs in running shorts. They don’t budge, they’re flattering, and they’re functional in all the ways I need. They are pricey, but if you are in the market for running shorts that will go the distance with you, I think they are tough to beat.