6 Ways To Carry A Smartphone While Running - Exploring Wild

Hi there, I’m Alissa, a recreational trail and ultrarunner with over 10 years of running experience. Slow and steady is my mantra.

When I first started running, amidst all the issues of form and shoes and warmups and training plans, one of my biggest unexpected questions was: How do I carry my phone while running?

Whether for communication, maps, music, emergencies, or to track our workouts, a smartphone is an essential piece of running gear for many of us. But as smartphone screens grow ever-larger, our options for carrying them keep shrinking. For me, running offers the ultimate feeling of freedom. Clutching a phone in my sweaty hands or feeling it bounce and chafe against my skin is a maddening distraction.

Though nothing is truly perfect, there are some good options for running with a phone these days. In this post I’ll lay out all the options and explain their pros and cons, so you can choose what’s best for you and get on with enjoying your run. If you’re convinced your phone is too big to run with, think again! It’s just a matter of finding the right way to carry it.

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In Your Hand

Let’s start with this, because I’m a firm believer that not everything requires fancy gear. Sometimes the best way to carry a phone while running is… to just carry it. I have carried my smartphone in my hand on short or medium runs plenty of times. It’s not my favorite, but it’s actually not that bad either. And the best part: it’s completely free.

To make this even easier and reduce the risk of dropping your precious phone, add one of these ring grips to the back. There’s even this hand strap phone holder thingy, which I haven’t tried, but it looks promising if you’re worried about losing your grip.

Pros of running with phone in hand:

• Cheap or free
• Simple
• Easy access to your phone

Cons of running with phone in hand:

• Potential for dropping
• No water protection (might I suggest a ziplock baggie)
• No extra room for keys or credit card (hopefully you have a small pocket in your shorts)
• Can encourage asymmetric gait
• Requires one of your hands, obviously

Running Shorts Pocket

This is one of my favorite ways to run with a phone because it’s accessible, comfy, and safe. If I’m going for a short run and don’t need a hydration vest, my shorts pocket is my go-to. I have a whole drawer of running shorts I bought primarily for the pocket space, and some work better than others.

Running with a phone in your pocket used to be a lot easier for men than women. Pretty much all my husband’s running shorts have a deep side pocket that can fit a smartphone, even if it’s not designed for that purpose.

Many of my own women’s running shorts, on the other hand, have tiny pockets that appear to be designed for a single sports gel. Fortunately more running clothing companies are getting with the program these days and making pants with phone-sized pockets for everyone.

The most comfortable place for a phone pocket in running shorts is generally along the thigh in a tight-fitting short. If you like the style of tight shorts, figuring out what to do with your phone while running is easier: look for a side thigh pocket on the outside. If you like to run in loose breezy shorts, look for those with an inner liner that has a hidden pocket.

Here are examples of women’s running shorts and tights with pockets big enough for smartphones:

• New Balance Impact Women’s 2-in-1 Run Short (hidden pocket in liner)
• Gesean Men’s 2 in 1 Workout shorts
• Salomon Cross 2 in 1 Short