Ten Thousand Shorts Review: The Best Men‘s Training Shorts I‘ve Ever Worn
Hey there, my fellow fitness fanatics! Today I want to tell you all about my new obsession: Ten Thousand shorts. If you‘re like me and practically live in gym shorts, you know how important it is to find that perfect pair. Well, I can confidently say my search is over thanks to Ten Thousand.
As a self-proclaimed activewear junkie, I‘ve tried just about every brand out there. But Ten Thousand is unlike any workout apparel company I‘ve encountered before. Founded by two former D1 athletes, their entire mission is to make the absolute best training gear possible, period. No gimmicks, no hype, just insanely well-crafted essentials built for performance.
Over the past few months, I‘ve put multiple Ten Thousand short styles to the test. I‘ve squatted in them, run in them, flipped tires in them (okay, maybe not that last one). And I have to say, I‘m blown away. These shorts are the real deal. But don‘t just take my word for it. Let‘s dive into all the juicy details so you can see for yourself why Ten Thousand has earned a top spot in my gym wardrobe.
The Ten Thousand Difference
So what sets Ten Thousand apart from the sea of men‘s activewear brands out there? It all comes down to their obsessive dedication to quality and performance. Every single product is rigorously tested and engineered to meet the demands of the toughest workouts.
Ten Thousand‘s design process is crazy meticulous. For the Interval Short alone, they went through over 20 iterations and got feedback from more than 200 athletes to find the perfect balance of performance elements. The result is a painstakingly crafted product that just works, no matter what you throw at it.
"We are on a ruthless pursuit to create the best training apparel in the world. Every single detail matters. If it‘s not going to meaningfully improve your training, we simply don‘t make it." – Keith Nowak, Ten Thousand Co-Founder
But Ten Thousand isn‘t just about function. Their stuff looks dang good too. Clean, minimalist designs in sharp colorways that can go from the gym to the street no problem. No giant logos, no flashy gimmicks. Just sleek, understated style that lets the quality speak for itself.
Inside the Interval Short
Alright, let‘s talk specifics. The Interval Short is Ten Thousand‘s bestselling and most versatile style, so that‘s where I‘ll focus this review. Spoiler alert: I love them.
Fabric & Fit
Right off the bat, you can tell this is a premium product from the hand-feel alone. The Interval Shorts are made from a lightweight yet tough AF fabric Ten Thousand calls "Versatile Stretch Woven material." It‘s got a nice balance of structure and stretch that moves with you, no matter what insane pretzel poses you decide to attempt.
I‘m pretty picky about fit and these nail it. I went with my usual medium size and they‘re perfectly snug and secure through the thighs and butt without feeling restrictive at all. That‘s thanks to the well-designed elastic waistband that sits flat and stays put. No bunching, no sagging, no awkward readjusting mid-workout.
The material itself is soft and smooth but has a really durable, substantial feel to it. I‘ve put my Intervals through the ringer and they still look brand new. No pilling, no weird wear spots, no loose threads. Trust me, these things are built to last.
Performance Details
Now for the fun part. Let‘s talk bells and whistles, shall we? One thing I love about Ten Thousand is they don‘t toss in useless features just for the sake of it. Every design element has a purpose.
First up: pockets. The Interval Short has two zippered hand pockets that are actually functional. None of those dinky key pockets that can barely hold a Tic Tac. These are deep enough to securely fit your phone, wallet, energy gels, or whatever else you need on hand.
The zippers themselves are super smooth and have these easy-to-grip fabric pulls. No janky zippers getting stuck or rubbing against your skin. It‘s the little things, you know?
Another clutch feature is the perforated venting. There are these laser-cut holes along the thighs and at the back yoke to dump heat in all the right places. I don‘t know about you, but I‘m a sweaty beast when I work out. These vents make a noticeable difference in keeping me cool and dry, even during my most beastmode sessions.
The inside of the shorts has a 3" compression liner with a suspended phone pocket. Again, this is actually useful and not just for show. It keeps your phone (or presumably other items, you do you) locked in place without any annoying bouncing or thigh slapping.
Rounding out the Interval Short‘s feature set is an internal drawcord and an anti-chafe waistband. The drawcord lets you dial in the perfect fit and the waistband is crazy comfy with a soft yet grippy feel that keeps the shorts from riding or sliding around.
Testing & Verdict
I know you‘re not just gonna blindly take some rando‘s word on the Internet (even if that rando has phenomenal taste in shorts). So let‘s talk hard facts. Ten Thousand puts their gear through a crazy intensive testing process to ensure it delivers on all fronts.
"We‘re not about gimmicks or trends in an effort to make what‘s new. Our focus is to create functionally innovative apparel, made from best-in-class materials that outperform anything else available." – Eugenio Labadie, Ten Thousand Co-Founder
For the Interval Shorts specifically, they conducted rigorous third-party abrasion tests to measure fabric durability. After 100,000 rubs, the fabric showed no signs of pilling, tearing, or structural breakdown. That‘s the equivalent of trekking 20 times across the Sahara or something absolutely buck wild like that.
They also put the shorts through extensive field testing with all kinds of athletes – CrossFitters, yogis, powerlifters, runners, you name it. The consensus? These perform, plain and simple.
I can personally attest to that. I‘ve worn my Interval shorts for just about every style of workout under the sun: HIIT sessions, Olympic lifting, plyometrics, trail runs, sports drills, even hot yoga. And they‘ve knocked it out of the park every dang time.
Never once have I had to fuss with the waistband, re-adjust the liner, or dab sweat from my nether regions. They stay put, they stay cool, they stay comfortable from warmup to cooldown. What more can you really ask for in a pair of athletic shorts?
Customer Reviews & Ratings
You know I love my Intervals (would I devote 2800+ words to them if I didn‘t?), but what are other fitness freaks saying about Ten Thousand? Let‘s dissect some data, pals.
Spoiler: people are seriously riding the Ten Thousand bandwagon. The Interval Short alone has racked up over 5,000 reviews on the Ten Thousand site with an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars. That‘s not just good, that‘s crazy impressive.
Peep some quotes from real-life customers:
"Best training shorts I have ever put on, hands down. Quality is top notch, fit is perfect and the versatility of these shorts is unmatched. You can train, run, lift or do just about anything in these bad boys." – Nate B.
"I have been through so many pairs and brands of training shorts, and Ten Thousand is by far the best. I have several pairs of the intervals and they are perfect in the gym, outdoors, or even for casual wear." – Chris M.
"I literally tell everyone about these shorts. They are the most comfortable workout shorts I have ever worn. I have big quads/legs and the 7" are so perfect for me. I sized up for a little more comfort but my normal size fits well too!" – Collin R.
I could go on, but you get the gist. Guys are LOVING these shorts. The positive reviews just keep pouring in with dudes raving about the top-notch quality, unbeatable performance, and all-around awesomeness.
Are there ANY naysayers out there? I dug through pages of reviews trying to find some dirt. The "worst" I could uncover were a handful of people saying they wished there were more color options or that the shorts were a bit long for their height. Valid, but hardly dealbreakers IMO.
Sizing & Fit Guide
One thing that can trip people up when ordering clothes online is getting the right size. Ten Thousand feels you on that. They offer a super detailed sizing guide for each of their shorts with the exact garment measurements and some handy comparison charts.
For the Interval Short, you‘ve got two inseam lengths to choose from: 5" or 7". Being 6‘1" with pretty thick thighs, I went for the 7" inseam in a medium. It hits a couple inches above my knee which is my ideal length for maximum mobility without verging into short-shorts territory.
Here‘s how the sizes shake out:
| Size | Waist (in) | Hip (in) | Front Rise (in) | Inseam 5" (in) | Inseam 7" (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 28-30 | 35-37 | 10.25 | 5 | 7 |
| M | 31-33 | 38-40 | 10.75 | 5 | 7 |
| L | 34-36 | 41-43 | 11.25 | 5 | 7 |
| XL | 37-39 | 44-46 | 11.75 | 5 | 7 |
| XXL | 40-42 | 47-49 | 12.25 | 5 | 7 |
If you‘re unsure, Ten Thousand recommends sizing up for a more relaxed fit or if you‘re between sizes. You can also reach out to their customer service squad for personalized sizing help. They‘ve got a nifty little contact form where you can input your stats and training style to get an expert rec.
FAQs
Before we wrap up, let me address some common questions about Ten Thousand shorts. If you still have burning Q‘s after this, feel free to slide into my DMs. (Just kidding, I‘m not quite that kind of influencer…yet.)
How do Ten Thousand shorts compare to other brands?
In my experience, Ten Thousand is a cut above the rest when it comes to overall quality and performance. I‘ve tried shorts from Nike, Under Armour, Lululemon, Rhone, and countless other activewear brands. While there are a few decent options out there, none match the full package Ten Thousand delivers.
The premium fabrics, unrivaled durability, and dialed-in fits are huge differentiators. I also love Ten Thousand‘s straightforward, almost minimalist approach. No chasing hype or trends, just making the best possible training gear, period.
Are Ten Thousand shorts good for running?
Heck yes they are! The Interval Short in particular excels for running thanks to the lightweight, stretchy fabric and next-level breathability. They move with you effortlessly and the no-chafe waistband means you can rack up the miles without any irritation.
Ten Thousand also makes the Session Short, a slightly thinner, more streamlined short specifically built for cardio-focused training. If you‘re a diehard runner, those are definitely worth checking out.
How do you wash Ten Thousand shorts?
Ten Thousand recommends washing their shorts with like colors in cold water and tumble drying on low. I‘ve found they hold up exceptionally well wash after wash. No special care needed, just toss ‘em in with your other gym clothes and you‘re good to go.
One bonus tip: if your shorts start to develop any odors over time, you can neutralize them with a quick vinegar soak. Just add one part white vinegar to four parts cold water and let them sit for 15-30 minutes before tossing in the wash.
Does Ten Thousand have sales or discounts?
Ten Thousand rarely does big sitewide sales since their whole deal is offering premium gear at fair, year-round prices. That said, they do run occasional promotions and limited-time deals.
Your best bet for snagging a discount is to create an account on their site and sign up for emails. That way you‘ll be the first to know about any upcoming sales or product launches. They also have a nifty referral program where you can get $15 off for every friend you convince to join the Ten Thousand cult (and they‘ll get $15 too).
Can you wear Ten Thousand shorts for everyday casualwear?
While they‘re designed first and foremost for training, I absolutely rock my Ten Thousand shorts for all kinds of casual occasions. The subdued styling and clean cuts make them way more versatile than your average gym shorts.
I‘ll throw on my Intervals with a t-shirt or hoodie for lounging around the house, running errands, walking the dog, grabbing beers with the boys, you name it. They‘re so dang comfortable you‘ll want to live in them 24/7. Just maybe change before date night.
The Final Verdict
Congratulations, you made it to the end of this monstrosity of a review! Hopefully by now you can tell I‘m a little amped up about Ten Thousand shorts. Hyperbolic yoga puns aside, these really are the best workout shorts I‘ve ever had the pleasure of sweating in.
The thoughtful design, top-shelf materials, and fanatical attention to detail simply can‘t be beat. Yes, they‘re a bit of an investment compared to your average big box gym shorts. But in my opinion, that extra cost is 110% worthwhile for the serious upgrade in quality and performance.
If you‘re on the fence, I really encourage you to give Ten Thousand a go. Worst case scenario, you hate them and send them back for free within 30 days. Best case, you fall madly in love and name your firstborn after me as thanks for putting you on to the ultimate training shorts.
Either way, I hope this absurdly long review was helpful or at the very least mildly entertaining. If you have any other questions about Ten Thousand gear, how they stack up to other options on the market, or just want to swap WOD horror stories, don‘t hesitate to reach out. I‘m always down to talk shop and geek out about all things fitness.
In the meantime, keep grinding, my friends! And maybe I‘ll see you out there rocking some sweet new Ten Thousand shorts.
