CRZ Yoga 2-In-1 Shorts Review | Awesome Option for $32?

Who Should Buy the CRZ Yoga 2-in1 Shorts?

• Budget Generalists: If you’re shopping on a budget and are looking for an all-in-one short with a built-in liner, these are worth picking up.
• Athletic-Focused Guys: If your workouts lean more athletic-style, blending plyos, sprints, and short runs with your lifting, the CRZ Yoga 2-in-1 Short will give you great performance across the board.
• Good for Cooler Months: If you train in colder climates, the polyester shell does a great job of keeping heat in.

Who Shouldn’t Buy the CRZ Yoga 2-in-1 Shorts?

• You Need Max Sweat Wicking: If you prioritize stretch and sweat wicking, the material of these shorts doesn’t have a lot of give to it and holds on to sweat more than most.
• Running-Focused Guys: If your training leans more HIIT and running, you’ll want something lighter and wispier, with pockets that are better suited for running. I’d suggest looking into the WOLACO Warren for this ask. They low-key slap.
• You Prefer Minimalism: If you prefer a minimalist feel to your shorts, the waistband on these is thick and bulky.

Fit & Sizing

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. According to CRZ, the medium has a 32-inch waist. The waist fit snugly, even without the drawstring pulled tight and tied, which I LOVE. There’s enough elasticity and thickness to the waistband that it stays in place really well.

I gravitate towards 5-inch and 7-inch inseams. These have a 7-inch inseam and the length is spot on.

The only issue I have with this short’s sizing is the diameter of the leg opening and lack of stretch in the shell. The legs sit pretty snug on my thighs. I do have some meat on my legs, but not to the extent that bodybuilders have. If you have a meatier thigh, you may want to look for something different.

Performance

Lifting: 9/10

These impressed me quite a bit for lifting. The medium-high compression of the built-in liner had a great level of lockdown. I didn’t have any issues with security during any type of power movement like cleans, dumbbell snatches, or kettlebell flows. The heavier polyester shell feels surprisingly durable for a budget short.

The only real gripe I have with these for lifting is the lack of stretch in the shell. Getting into a deep squat or hinge started to feel restrictive. And once I got any level of pump in my quads or hamstrings, the snugness of the leg opening became more noticeable.

This can be both a good and bad thing. Good thing for showing the thickness, bad for riding up a bit. If you have exceptionally larges thighs *looks at the bodybuilders reading this*, then you may find these to be a little too snug. Opt for a BYLT Active Short or a Jed North.

These are going to be a great option for more general training. Upper body days, light machine work, dumbbell and kettlebell accessories, that’s really what these shorts are made for.

Cross-Training: 8.5/10

I’m a bit conflicted here. On one hand, the compression and lockdown from the liner is nearly perfect. I felt super secure, especially compared to something with lower compression like the Rhone Pursuit Short, during jumps, sled work, explosive movements, and agility drills.

But, once I started sweating, these shorts got a bit heavy. It feels like they absorb sweat at times, too. The waistband is thick and acts like a sponge. They don’t breathe the best. And when I tried to push it, the lack of stretch in the shell became a limiting factor.

They’re serviceable and will get the job done for most guys. Just be ready to change out of them and throw them in the wash if you sweat a lot. And don’t @ me for wearing shorts for more than one workout, I know some of you do this, too!

Short Runs: 7.7/10

They’re great for sprints or intervals as part of a circuit. Once you start pushing distance though, the heavier material gets uncomfortable fast.

Granted, it was still pretty hot and humid when I was testing these, so sweat was more of a factor. If you’re running in cooler climates, it won’t be as much of a problem. Think of them more as a short-run or conditioning piece, not a dedicated running short.

Daily Wear: 7.5/10

I was skeptical when it came to daily wear. They felt pretty crispy and stiff when I got them. They softened up quickly, though, and became noticeably more comfortable. Because of how secure the pockets are, I never worried about losing my phone or wallet. The waistband wasn’t as uncomfortable as I thought it would be, either, especially for a thicker waistband.

The only knock I have on them is that they’re a one-and-done type of short. Because of how much they hold on to sweat, they’re not great for training and then going out. They also don’t hold up to multiple wears between washes.

Pros: What I Personally LOVE

1. Versatility: These shorts have really impressed me with how versatile they are. They perform well above their price point in almost every aspect of training. They’ve held their own compared to the more premium options that I have in my regular rotation of training shorts.
2. Price Point: They cost $32 on Amazon, and honestly that’s a steal. They don’t feel overly budget. They definitely don’t feel as premium as Ten Thousand’s Interval Short or Rhone’s Pursuit Short. They also don’t give off that grandiose vibe of the premium options either though. They do feel pretty crispy right out of the box, but they loosen up and get more comfortable after a couple wears and washes.
3. Built-In Liner: The liner in these is a good middle ground between medium-level and high-level compression. It provides solid lockdown, especially once you start moving and jumping around.

Cons: What Could Be Improved

1. Ventilation: They’re a heavier polyester short, and they just don’t breathe as well as other polyester options. They hold on to sweat so much that they’re a one-and-done, train in them once and then you’ll need to wash them.
2. Shell Stretch: I should say “lack of shell stretch” here. It has a little bit of give to it, but the shell just isn’t that stretchy. I’ve got some meat on my legs, and there were moments I found it constricting. Definitely something to be aware of if you have a meatier leg.
3. Waistband: I generally prefer a thinner, more minimalist waistband that lays flush on the waist. Thinner waistbands breathe better and don’t hold on to sweat as much. The waistband on these shorts is thick. This feels like one of the main areas where CRZ cut costs to meet the price point.

Final Thoughts: Would I Buy Again?

The CRZ Yoga 2-in-1 Short isn’t just a good budget short, it’s a good short, period.

For $32, I’ve been genuinely impressed. Compared to other shorts that are $68 or more, they hold their own and do everything you want them to.

These are a great option for the generalist who likes to train a little bit of everything and doesn’t want to empty their wallet for a premium brand.

And at $32, you can grab a couple pairs and make up for their one-and-done nature.