Keap Athletics Solved the Shorts Pocket Problem

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It’s a frustrating problem every man can relate to when wearing a pair of athletic shorts: the jarring crash of your precious mobile phone slipping out of that satiny-smooth side pocket onto the hard floor below whenever you crouch down for any reason. In horror, you pick up your phone off the floor and check for damage – hoping and praying there aren’t any major cracks. Why on earth does every brand insist on incorporating the same useless side pockets on every pair of workout shorts? Can’t anyone design a shorts pocket that is actually functional? 

I am a 38-year-old father living in the New Jersey suburbs. If the temperature is above 60 degrees, I am usually wearing shorts around the house. I prefer a pair of shorts that I can throw on in the morning to walk the dog, go for a run, mow the lawn, and jump in the car to run a few errands in. These shorts need to be versatile – preferably with a moisture-wicking fabric and pockets. I really don’t ask for much, yet all the major brands have been unable to deliver on that one major feature: a shorts pocket that actually holds your keys and phone and wallet without them falling out every few minutes. And God forbid you pay cash for something and the cashier gives you change. Good luck keeping that secured on the drive home.

The Shorts Pocket Problem Solved

I have voiced these concerns on social media, and I am definitely not alone. Thankfully, Patrick Millegan, founder of Keap Athletics, read one of these rants recently and reached out to me. Patrick had solved the shorts pocket problem. I was saved!

After trying on a pair of The Active short, I was instantly impressed with the material and design. I prefer a 7″ inseam, so The Active fit me very well. The pockets are designed like jean pockets, so your things stay inside. The material is a breathable moisture-wicking fabric that is perfect for workouts or just wearing around the house. And the back pocket has a zipper and features a reflective trim if you are running outside at night.

Millegan founded Keap in 2014, and the brand is really starting to take off. Based in Califorina, where I have witnessed first-hand that most men wear shorts year-round out there, Millegan hopes to outfit every man (and hopefully soon women as well) in his incredibly functional shorts. “For the most part, the brand has been a side gig – a weekend project up until about a year ago,” said Millegan. “I decided to go full time and pursue the vision I had been working on for six years.”

The pandemic this year has slowed operations down a bit for Millegan, but that hasn’t stopped him from moving forward with the brand. “We just launched the new product/new brand/new everything in July this year.”

So far, the feedback has been positive, and Millegan hopes to continue to grow in 2021. I’ll be looking forward to seeing what else Keap has in store – I could use some new sweatpants and pocket tees since my phone always finds a way to fall out of those as well.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a guy like me who carries around at least one phone, keys, your wallet, and a few other random items, I highly recommend giving a pair of Keap shorts a try. They’re not only great for working out, but they’re awesome for everyday use around the house and running errands. Make sure to follow Keap on their IG page for future releases.