BYLT Active Plus Short Review

Who Should Buy the BYLT Active+ Shorts?

• Lovers of all things strength training: If you tend to stick to general strength and hypertrophy, powerlifting, or work in the Olympic lifts and still want a pair of shorts that can handle some light cross-training and are comfortable to wear throughout the day, these are for you. They are durable enough to withstand plenty of barbell rub without breaking down and heavy enough to stay in place without bunching, all without sacrificing that all-day comfort.
• Muscular folk with thicc thighs: The liner in these shorts is not so compressive that they’ll feel restricting on those tree trunks you call legs (when will it be my turn…). And again, the heavier material they are made out of falls back into place nicely during squats and lunges so they don’t bunch up near the groin.
• Gym-goers that don’t want to have to change before or after a workout: They’re comfortable enough that I don’t mind sitting at a coffee shop and working or running errands in them. The liner is just compressive enough that you’ll feel secure all day without being too restricting. The pockets are also a bit deeper than average which is a nice bonus for secure storage of your keys or phone.

Who Shouldn’t Buy the BYLT Active+ Shorts?

• Those looking for a more minimalist waistband: The waistband wasn’t something I noticed right off the bat. It actually took another member of my community mentioning how the waistband can get itchy before I started noticing it myself. Sure enough, once I became more aware, I noticed that the waistband can be a little clunky and itchy. It’s reinforced with rubber overlays and a dual stitch pattern that rubs uncomfortably and starts to itch at times. It’s especially noticeable on runs. Fit and Sizing
• My diahrd CrossFit or running-focused friends: The BYLT ACTIVE+ shorts are heavier, with a polyester shell. Though that’s great for strength and hypertrophy work, once you start running and jumping, you’ll notice they don’t breathe incredibly well. If your workouts are more dynamic and involve a lot of high-intensity movement, they can start to feel a bit heavy.

My Measurements:

• Height: 6′ 0″
• Weight: 181 lbs
• Waist: 32-33″
• Hip (circumference around butt): 40″
• Mid-Thigh: 23.5″-24″

I went with a medium, which BYLT suggests for a 32-33” waist. I should have sized down to a, dare I say it…small. I found myself having to tie off the drawstring pretty hard to get a secure fit. If you’re between sizes or prefer a more locked-in waistband feel, I’d recommend sizing down.

The leg fit is roomy, especially for lifters with more muscular quads or hamstrings. These shorts fall into that sweet spot of not being too baggy or too tight for this built. They sit well on the body and work for both training and casual use.

Performance Breakdown

Lifting: 8.5/10

This is where the BYLT Active+ Shorts shine. The shell has a slightly heavier feel to it, which I’ve come to appreciate on barbell days. It holds up well to barbell contact and falls comfortably back into place when I’m doing squats, cleans, or split squats. The 4-way stretch feels mobile without getting overly loose, and the liner keeps everything in place.

Cross-Training: 8.2/10

These hold their own during mixed sessions with some lifting and light conditioning. I’ve taken them through a few WODs and dynamic circuits. Though they performed decently, I did notice two things. First, the waistband feels a little off.

It doesn’t quite sit right through those athletic style movements and it can shift around with too much movement. Second, that long drawstring gets annoying fast. I found it getting caught on just about everything from equipment to the floor when doing burpees and pushups.

Short Runs & Hybrid Workouts: 6/10

Are they wearable for runs? Sure. They run hot and the waistband gets itchy on anything longer than a short interval run. If you’re just jogging a mile to warm up or cool down, they’ll do fine. Anything beyond that, especially in the heat, and you’ll find yourself wishing you went with something more breathable and purpose-built for running.

Daily Wear: 7.8/10

I’ve really enjoyed these for daily wear. They look clean and feel just as good outside the gym as they do when you’re training. The clean aesthetic gives them a more casual look and feel, and the deep pockets make them practical for errands or sitting at a coffee shop post-lift. The liner doesn’t feel restrictive when you’re lounging. They strike a nice balance between performance and loungewear.

3 Pros That I’d Give You If You Asked Me At the Gym

1. Mobility: The outer shell has a nice level of mobility, especially on lower body days. The 4-way stretch shell moves well during movements like squats and lunges. The liner underneath isn’t so compressive that it inhibits movement.
2. Liner: The liner in these isn’t overly snug and feels really good. I personally love a pair of shorts with a built in liner and these hit the mark spot on. The liner really locks things down and keeps your “valuables” in place through dynamic moves like cleans and box jumps. And it’s comfortable enough to sit around at a coffee shop getting work done.
3. Pockets: The pockets on these shorts are a bit deeper than average, which brings a nice level of security. There’s no concern about your keys or phone or AirPods case falling out when you’re walking around or lounging at your favorite cafe. The back pocket adds a zipper closure for extra security.

3 Cons and Things I’d Also Bring Up

1. Breathability: These shorts run hot. Between the liner and the polyester base material, these shorts trap heat in. If you’re training in hot environments, you’ve been warned.
2. Waistband: Like I mentioned earlier, the waistband is itchy. I didn’t notice it at first and then a member of my community brought it up and now I can’t stop noticing it. BYLT tried to make a waistband that was as durable as the rest of the shorts and in doing so, they made it too clunky and itchy. The rubber overlays, the double stitching, and the hem pattern on the interior of the waistband rub and itch. It’s not as noticeable if you wear them a few times between washes, but it comes back after a wash.
3. Drawstring: Adding to the frustrations with the waistband, the drawstring is too long. I’m already not a fan of a drawstring on the outside of the shorts. It’s too easy to get the drawstring caught on weights or the floor during burpees. The knot also tends to loosen under constant shirt contact. The drawstring on these shorts is simply too long. It hangs too far down and gets caught on everything.

Final Thoughts

I’ve really enjoyed the lined iteration of BYLT’s Active+ Shorts. They aren’t perfect, and they won’t perform across all aspects of life or training, but they’ve earned a place in my gym rotation. For $50 (or less if you can snag a coupon or discount code), they offer a solid value if your training leans more toward strength and less CrossFit and cardio. The heavier shell and secure liner make them great for lifting. The clean design gives them versatility outside the gym.

If you’re someone who wants a single pair of shorts that can handle heavy squats and still look good at brunch, these are worth checking out. 

I’ll be picking up the liner-less version next to see how they stack up for more casual, all-day wear. Fingers crossed the waistband isn’t as big of an issue in the liner-less version. For now, the lined version has done a good job holding its own where it matters most.