Bottom Line
The Oiselle Toolbelt Roga Shorts live up to their name with their unique 360-degree mesh pocket design going all around the waistband. With an additional back zippered pocket, these shorts are perfect for stashing away essentials while trail running (or on a hike). They are also made with quick-drying, 4-way stretch fabric, which makes them ideal for fast-paced adventures. The built-in liner and flattering fit make these shorts an excellent value for trail runners and hikers looking for a lightweight, breathable, and feature-filled pair of athletic bottoms.
Our gear analyst thoroughly tested these shorts in a variety of terrain: scrambling over rocks and boulders, running along the beach, and hiking on forested trails. The shorts offered excellent freedom of movement when high-stepping, squatting, and bending. They also performed just as well wet as they did when dry.
However, if you prefer shorts without an inner liner, with a UPF rating or with DWR coating for water resistance, you may want to view other hiking shorts suggestions in our gear guide to the best hiking shorts for women.
How We Tested
We took these Oiselle Toolbelt Roga Shorts hiking on coastal trails, scrambling over rocks and boulders, and running along the beach to test their performance in a variety of terrains. We also got the shorts wet in the ocean to determine how they reacted to moisture and if their comfort level changed when the material got wet.
Quick Specs
Oiselle Toolbelt Roga
Athletic Shorts with the Best Pockets
CleverHiker Rating: 4.7/5.0
Price: $68
Weight: 4.3 oz.
Inseam: 1.75, 4 or 6 in
UPF Rating: n/a
Fabric: polyester, spandex
Pockets: 5
Pros
- Innovative mesh pocket around entire waist
- Zippered back pocket
- Comfy 4-way stretch
- Colorful designs
- Quick-drying
- Lightweight
- Built-in liner
Cons
- Not water-resistant
- No UPF rating
Comfort
These shorts make you feel so fast. It’s probably because of their 4-way stretch and the high percentage of spandex in the material. They are extremely stretchy, soft, and comfy against the skin. We can high step, squat, and run without any chafing, pinching, or discomfort in the waistband or built-in liner. The lightweight material is breathable and wicks away sweat and moisture quickly.
We found the shorts run true-to-size, but they are definitely “skimpy” compared to traditional hiking shorts. We like the semi-fitted, non-poofy silhouette and the mid-rise waistband, which make the shorts both comfortable and flattering.
Durability
These shorts are simple to care for, with no special washing instructions. The material feels high quality, and we aren’t getting any wear and tear on our field testing adventures thus far. Even after scrambling over rocks and boulders, the shorts were not affected by the abrasive terrain – no holes, tears, or snags could be found.
However, depending on how the mesh pockets around the waist are used and cared for, we could see this material wearing out/loosening over time. The pockets use a thinner fabric that could be more susceptible to holes or tears over the long term.
Features
By far, the best feature of these shorts is their unique 360-degree mesh pocket design around the waistband. The waist is made up of 4 large stretchy pockets that can fit snacks and smaller trail essentials. This design is more convenient and comfortable than maxing out internal pockets inside the shorts. The Oiselle Toolbelt Roga also features a large zippered back pocket that is easy to reach and another convenient storage option. The internal drawcord on these shorts is simple, not bulky, and hidden well.
These Oiselle shorts also feature a built-in liner and 4-way stretch due to the high percentage of spandex in the fabric. Unfortunately, the shorts don’t provide a UPF rating, which would be nice to know.
Dry Time
Although the Oiselle Toolbelt Roga Shorts lack any DWR coating for water resistance, we like that they dry very quickly. We took these shorts running on the beach and getting them wet in the waves in Northern California. While water absorbs into the material fairly quickly, the thin and lightweight fabric of the shorts dries fast in the sun.
Once these shorts get wet, they don’t cling uncomfortably to our skin. We found the Oiselle Toolbelt Roga to perform just as well wet as they did when they were dry – making them an excellent option for hiking adventures where swimming holes, lakes, and waterfalls abound.
Weight & Packed Size
At just over 4 ounces in the 4” length, the Toolbelt Roga shorts are incredibly lightweight, with a barely there feel when wearing. They pack and roll up just as easily as other athletic shorts in our lineup. The large pockets around the waistband of the Toolbelt Roga and the zippered back pocket make them only slightly stiffer when folding them up. Overall, we are satisfied with the packability of these shorts and won’t hesitate to pack them on a trip.
Should You Buy the Oiselle Toolbelt Roga Hiking Shorts?
The Oiselle Toolbelt Roga shorts are an excellent value product for those looking for quick-drying, lightweight athletic shorts with a bunch of features. For endurance athletes, the Toolbelt Roga’s 360-degree mesh pocket design will surely impress, making grabbing those energy gels even easier when you’re trying to make good time. Hikers will also be pleased with how fast these shorts dry – perfect for swimming hole pit stops along the trail.
Hikers looking for shorts with DWR coating for extra water resistance or a UPF rating will want to check out some of the other top picks in our gear guide. Those who also desire a longer length in their shorts or prefer bottoms without an inner liner will also want to peruse our gear guide for alternative suggestions.
What Other Hiking Shorts Should You Consider?
If you are in the market for a new pair of versatile, lightweight, and breathable hiking shorts, check out our full gear guide to the Best Hiking Shorts for Women in 2025, selected by our female gear analysts. We have several other recommendations similar to the Oiselle Toolbelt Roga that may catch your eye.
Rabbit Fuel n’ Fly 2.5” Review: These shorts also boast five pockets, quick-dry lightweight material, and a built-in liner. However, we preferred the drawstring on the Oiselle to the Rabbit shorts. Keep in mind that the Rabbit shorts run a bit large, while the Oiselle runs slightly smaller.
Nike Dri-Fit Tempo Review: These are an excellent budget-friendly pair of quick-dry athletic shorts. Although they lack the same quality and number of pockets, they are significantly more affordable.
Janji 3” AFO Middle Shorts Review: These shorts are incredibly lightweight, soft and quick-drying – though they lack a significant number of pockets. Both the Oiselle and Janji have a very similar ratio of polyester to spandex in the material.
