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On my site and YouTube channel, I’ve received multiple requests to review the GORUCK Indestructible Training Shorts. As a fan of GORUCK shoes, it was a no-brainer to grab a pair to test their workout shorts.
For context, something thing I enjoy about the low-top Ballistic Trainers is how durable and versatile they are. So, I was curious if the Indestructible Training Shorts would deliver on their name and provide a similar level of durability.
The GORUCK Indestructible Training Shorts are an excellent short option for the guy that wants workout shorts for lifting, cross-training, and tackling outdoor workouts. The Indestructible Training Shorts breathe and stretch exceptionally well.
Who Should Buy the GORUCK Indestructible Training Shorts?
The GORUCK Indestructible Training Shorts are a good option for those who want range and versatility with their workout shorts. These shorts have performed exceptionally well for hiking, lifting, and cross-training.
I also think these shorts will work well for guys that love workout shorts that have a lot of stretch to them. These almost remind me of the workout shorts that most of us wore as kids that you could pull over the knees due to their stretchiness.
The 4-way stretch shell is built with a blend of 86% polyester and 14% spandex which is also why I think “stretchy shorts” lovers will thoroughly enjoy how these fit, feel, and perform.
The wispiness of these shorts also makes them a great option for outdoor activities like hiking, rucking, and trail running. In these contexts, you’ll typically have a bag with you so the phone storage issue isn’t the biggest deal here.
I also like that these shorts are made in the USA. If there’s one thing that GORUCK does a pretty good job with it’s trying to build their products in the USA and back them with solid warranties. For example, I feel less internally guilty buying these than some of the other “cheaper” shorts I review which who knows how those are being sourced and built.
Who Shouldn’t Buy the GORUCK Indestructible Training Shorts?
While I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the GORUCK Indestructible Training Shorts, there are a couple of contexts in which I think you’ll want to pass on them. For starters, these shorts have a pretty high price point.
The industry standard for premium workout shorts tends to hover around $68-78 USD, and at a price of $75 USD, these are not the best option for someone on a budget that wants to spend $50 USD or less on their shorts.
Another issue that I could see bothering others with these shorts is their lack of phone storage options. These shorts don’t have a compression liner phone pocket or a big enough zip pocket to stash the phone when doing short runs.
And since the shell is so stretchy and wispy forget about storing your phone in the main pockets if you’re doing dynamic work. That said, if you’re big on phone storage with your training shorts then you’ll want to pass on these.
GORUCK Indestructible Training Shorts Pros
Over the course of my testing and training with the GORUCK Indestructible Training Shorts, I’ve found a few pros that I really enjoy with these shorts.
- Great for Guys That Want Mobility
- Good Breathability and Sweat-Wicking
- Solid Option for Outdoor Workouts
The first thing to like about the Indestructible Training Shorts is how mobile and stretchy they are. If you want a ton of stretch with your shorts, then I think you’ll really like how these shorts perform.
The ToughtStretch fabric in these shorts moves well with the body when hitting deep squats and catching cleans and the shell maintains its form well even if you wear them across multiple sessions without washing them right away.
Whether you’re lifting, cross-training, or doing athletic-style sessions, the Indestructible Training Shorts should deliver a nice mobile performance for you. They remind me of the super stretchy spandex-based shorts I used to wear for hockey dryland sessions.
Another thing to like about the Indestructible Training Shorts is their breathability and sweat-wicking capabilities. These shorts have a super lightweight feel to them which makes them a good option for guys training in hotter settings.
I also like that these shorts don’t hold sweat a ton or show sweat when going hard for long sessions. If you’re constantly battling damp shorts when training then I think these will be a better bet than what you’re used to.
The final thing to like about these shorts is their ability to perform well in outdoor settings. These shorts are designed to be durable which is great for guys that want shorts that have range outside of the gym.
Plus, this is a GORUCK product so there is a bias towards rucking and outdoor work with these so I think most will be safe using them for this context.
To add to this, the Indestructible Training Shorts come with GORUCK’s Scars Lifetime Guarantee so if they break down while training, rucking, hiking, and whatnot, GORUCK will typically replace or fix the gear.
GORUCK Indestructible Training Shorts Cons
Despite the GORUCK Indestructible Training Shorts performing pretty well for me, there are a few cons to keep in mind with these shorts.
- They Ride Up At Times
- Phone Storage Is Limited
- Fairly High Price Point
The first drawback that I have with the GORUCK Indestructible Training Shorts is that they can ride up at times. If you have thicker legs, then I’d anticipate these shorts riding up a bit when you first start training in them.
The positive with these shorts, though, is that the liner isn’t the most compressive so once it settles in while training you should be okay. One area where this did annoy me was with biking, but I tried to keep in mind that these shorts aren’t technically designed for that.
Another drawback that I have with these shorts is that they’re not going to be the best training shorts for guys that prioritize phone storage. These shorts don’t have a compression liner phone pocket and the zipper pocket isn’t big enough for modern-day phones.
On top of this, with the wispier shell you can’t really utilize the main pockets for phone storage either when training because your phone will be whipping all around and not secure.
The final drawback with these shorts is their price point. This model has a higher price of $75 USD so if you’re strapped on a budget, you may want to look into other training shorts.
For example, if you’re wanting to spend comfortably less than $50 USD but still want a decent short for training, then I’d look into models like the LRD Shorts which cost around $33 USD.
Performance Assessment
To break down the performance of the GORUCK Indestructible Training Shorts, I’ll discuss how these shorts perform in different training settings. I’ll discuss their performance for lifting, versatile training, short runs, and daily wear.
Testing the GORUCK Indestructible Training Shorts for Lifting
For lifting, the GORUCK Indestructible Training Shorts do a really good job from a mobility and durability context. These shorts stretch really well and they never feel limiting in nature when doing different lifts.
When squatting and lunging, the shell moved well with my legs and the liner provided a nice level of security. The liner does ride up a little bit at times, but once it settles in after your first few sets it’s somewhat of a non-issue.
I also liked how secure the waistband was when training and I liked that these shorts never slid when doing deadlifts and Romanian deadlifts. If you’re wanting a good leg day short, then I think you’ll enjoy these short’s security.
Thus far, I’ve also yet to have breakdown issues with the shell from barbell abrasion when doing cleans. Whether you’re a CrossFit athlete or an avid weightlifting athlete, I don’t think you’ll have a ton of breakdown in these shorts from barbell rub.
My only other knock against this short for lifting is that it’s not great regarding phone storage and if you’re like me and like keeping your phone in your pocket when doing bodybuilding sessions, then you’ll be a little limited doing so in this model.
Testing the GORUCK Indestructible Training Shorts for Versatile Training
In the context of cross-training and versatile training, I’ve enjoyed the GORUCK Indestructible Training Shorts for the most part. The star players of these shorts in this training vertical are their stretch and wispy feeling.
These shorts never feel heavy like the TT Foundation Short when jumping and doing explosive work so if you prefer super lightweight feeling shorts then I think you’ll resonate with the fit of the Indestructible Training Shorts.
The wispy feel of these shorts is also great for breathability and sweat-wicking. Even doing athletic-style training sessions where I was dripping sweat these shorts did a good job at remaining cool and not holding onto water a ton.
For sessions where I was doing sled work, dumbbell snatches, and jumps, I did notice that the liner rode up a bit at times, but I would just leave it a little high and fight the urge to pull it down and it was fine.
That said, if you have super thick adductors and quads, then I do think you’ll experience the liner riding up a little bit more, but since the liner isn’t wicked compressive I don’t think it will be as frustrating as other models with tight liners.
Testing the GORUCK Indestructible Training Shorts for Short Runs and Daily Wear
For short runs, I think most guys will enjoy the GORUCK Indestructible Training Shorts and these are also a good pair of workout shorts for hiking and rucking. The lightweight and mobile fit helps these shorts excel in these contexts.
Basically, if you’re using these shorts for cardio-focused verticals where you’ll have a pack, then I think these will work really well. The waistband stays secure with most backpacks and with packs, you won’t have to stress phone storage.
My complaint with these shorts for running, which I’ve mentioned above, is the lack of phone storage capabilities. I like to run with my phone and prefer not to hold and carry it or strap it on my forearm so if that’s also you, then you’ll want to consider this.
For daily wear, these shorts have performed well and I like their casual vibe and how the compression liner isn’t so tight. These aren’t the best shorts regarding their pockets once again and when I wear them casually I’ll usually carry my phone because it can poke out a ton due to the lightweight shell.
GORUCK Indestructible Training Shorts Sizing
I think most guys should be safe going true to size in the GORUCK Indestructible Training Shorts. I went with a medium in these shorts and they’ve fit like a glove which has been awesome.
I have enough security around the waistband to wear them more casually, but if I want a little more it only takes a light tightening of the drawstring to get the security I need for working out.
One thing I enjoy with the sizing of these shorts is that GORUCK has a little sizing overlap on every side. For example, the Medium shorts are sized from 31-33, and the large size from 33-35.
Below I’m going to provide some of my dimensions so you can hopefully cross-reference how these shorts fit me and compare them to your fit preferences and needs.
- Height: 6′ 0″
- Weight: 179 lbs
- Waist: 32″
- Hip (circumference around butt): 40″
- Mid-Thigh: 23.5″-24″
Another thing that I could see others enjoying with these shorts is that I think they’ll also be a good option for guys with bigger thighs. The shell has a good stretch and with the liner not being super tight, I think these shorts will fit muscular guys well despite riding up a bit at times.
If you have additional sizing and fit questions about the GORUCK Indestructible Training Shorts, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally and I can try to help you accordingly.
Price Breakdown
For the GORUCK Indestructible Training Shorts, you can expect to pay $75 USD. Compared to other premium training shorts, this short is a little on the higher end.
While the price of these shorts is pretty high, I think there are two key things to remember if you’re thinking about investing in these shorts. First, they’re made in the USA so you are paying a little more of a premium for that.
Second, and this is something that I thoroughly enjoy about GORUCK, is these shorts come with GORUCK’s Scars Lifetime Guarantee. Essentially, if your gear has a defect or wears out GORUCK (at their discretion) will fix or replace it.
For me, this is a nice guarantee of peace of mind because these shorts are a little rough on your budget. Granted, I know not everyone wants to drop that much on a pair of training shorts, but I don’t think you’d regret these shorts.
Construction Details
Below I’m going to outline some of the key features to note about the GORUCK Indestructible Training Short’s construction. These features all influence this model’s fit, durability, and performance.
- Inseam Options: 7.5”
- Sizes Available: S, M, L, XL, XXL
- Built-In Liner: Yes (linerless option, too)
- Shell: 86% Polyester, 14% Spandex
- Liner: 90% Polyester, 10% Spandex
- Two Deep Left and Right Pockets
- Hidden Smaller Zipper Pocket On the Right Side
- Lined Version Has an Internal Drawstring
- ToughStretch Fabric
If you have additional questions about the construction of the GORUCK Indestructible Training Shorts, drop a comment below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q:Are the GORUCK Indestructible Training Shorts good for cross-training?
Q:Are the GORUCK Indestructible Training Shorts good for running?
Q:Do the GORUCK Indestructible Training Shorts fit true to size?
Takeaway Thoughts
The GORUCK Indestructible Training Shorts have delivered a strong performance and have thus far lived up to their name. These shorts should work well in most training settings that you throw at them.
I like how wispy and lightweight these shorts feel and their compression liner does a good job of walking the fine line between being comfortable and secure.
These aren’t the most cost-efficient shorts in the game, so if you’re on a budget, you may want to explore other options.
If you have additional questions about the GORUCK Indestructible Training Shorts, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly or @that_fit_friend).
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