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The Lululemon Pace Breaker Short has been around the block and is one of my regular go-to’s when I shop at Lululemon. The Pace Breaker Short has a few key construction features that help make it a top option for myself and many others when looking through Lululemon Training shorts.
I like the overall fit and feel of the Pace Breaker Short and wear them for a few specific activities like training outdoors and for casual training sessions.
However, there are contexts in which the Lululemon Pace Breaker Short falls shy of being a top-performing workout short, which I’ll discuss below.
My Experiences At a Glimpse
The Lululemon Pace Breaker Short is a great model for guys who like to do a little bit of everything on a weekly basis. For example, my sessions typically involve heavier strength work, HIIT/athletic-style exercises, and conditioning and these shorts work great.
This model’s 4-way stretch shell is lightweight and breathable and the waistband is secure, yet non-restrictive. Plus, in the new(er) Pace Breaker Shorts (the ones featured in this review) the shell has been made more spacious which makes them a far better pick for guys with meatier legs.
My Pace Breaker has performed exceptionally well for my heavy deadlift sessions where I’m working above 500 lbs and they feel mobile and versatile for workouts where I’m doing full-body circuits and zone-2 cardio work. These shorts have also excelled in a variety of training climates which is a plus for being a “do-it-all” style short.
I think for guys who like to train in various ways and need lightweight breathable shorts, the Pace Breaker is a good and safe bet. It feels good in athletic settings and is decently durable for lightweight resistance training. These shorts also work great for casual wear and are one of my go-to options for days when I’m running errands and then hitting training sessions.
Pace Breaker Specs
- How I Wear Mine: Lifting, cross-training, and daily wear.
- Inseam Options: 5″, 7″, and 9″
- Liner Options: Liner and Non-Liner
- Pockets: Yes
- Price: $68 (non-liner and liner)
Lululemon Pace Breaker Short
$68
Pros
- Spacious shell for bigger legs
- Good well-rounded performance
- Works great for daily wear
Cons
- Liner's durability can be spotty
- May be too spacious for skinny legs
- Liner doesn't have max security
Best For
- Outdoor Training
- Lightweight Training
- Agility Workouts
- Class/HIIT Workouts
Falls Short
- For Heavy Barbell Training
- For Long-Term Liner Durability
Lululemon Pace Breaker Short Pros
There are three key pros that I like about the Lululemon Pace Breaker Short for day-to-day performance.
- Shell Is Mobile and Breathable
- Comfortable Day-to-Day Short
- Good Sweat-wicking for Outdoor Training
The first characteristic that I like about the Pace Breaker Short is the overall shell construction. This model’s shell has a 4-way stretch and ventilation around the sides and posterior of the short. This gives this model a wispy and breathable feeling even in the hottest training settings.
Another aspect that’s great about the Pace Breaker Short is that it’s awesome for day-to-day wear, too. At times, some workout shorts can be so hyper-focused with training-specific construction details that they become limited with their use, but the Pace Breaker Short is slightly different in comparison.
This model’s lightweight build makes it nice for both day-to-day wear and training. Plus, if you go with the linerless model, it’s super comfortable for in-home lounging and working-from-home days.
The last feature that I like about this short is its sweat-wicking capabilities in outdoor settings. With high-end training shorts, sweat-wicking tech and features are pretty much standard at this point, but I do think the Pace Breaker Short has a slight edge over some of its competitors. For the athletes training outside in diverse settings, I think they’ll love this model.
Lululemon Pace Breaker Short Cons
As a whole, I like the Pace Breaker Short, but there are two cons that I’ve noted throughout my time wearing this model.
- Shell Is Not the Best for Friction
- Liner Issues With Heavy Training
As a powerlifter, I’m always hyper-conscious of my training short’s outer shell as it can break down quickly with my style of training. The shell on the Pace Breaker Short is great, but the lightweight nature of it does somewhat limit its overall durability from barbell knurling.
It doesn’t rip or get destroyed right away, but over time, you can start to see the shell’s density fade with a lot of deadlift volume. This is why I like using this short for lighter and more athletic-focused training.
Another con that I’ve found with this model is that the liner can be a bit prone to ripping after about a year of use. The liner in my old pair of Pace Breaker Shorts blew out during a heavy squat session which caught me by surprise when coming out of the hole on a heavy third rep.
Lululemon Pace Breaker Short Performance
In the performance section, we’ll briefly discuss how the Pace Breaker Short performs in a variety of key settings.
Lifting
I enjoy the Pace Breaker Short for recreational and light lifting. Its 4-way stretch outer and lightweight build make it a nice breathable option even in hot commercial gyms. I’ll generally rock this short for accessory-focused training days.
I don’t think this model is the best performing in its class for strength sports and barbell work, but I feel as though this is also a smaller population. I’m more so nervous about the long-term durability of this short in these settings and don’t want any athletes getting disappointed.
If you want to hedge your bets, then you may want to opt for the License to Train Short. I’ve had good luck with that short, and they’ve lasted a while when using them for my barbell sessions.
Versatile Training
With functional fitness and more versatile training, I like the Pace Breaker Short. I like the liner version best for this style of training which features Lululemon’s Out Of Mind™ tech. The Out Of Mind tech is Lululemon’s take on creating a liner that fits and moves well with every athlete.
If you’re training in class settings, doing HIIT and agility workouts, or tackling lighter training sessions, I think you’ll like the overall construction of the Lululemon Pace Breaker Short.
Day-to-Day and Running
On a day-to-day basis, I like this model. The lightweight shell makes it a comfortable model to wear out and about and keeps you fairly cool. For running, the non-chafe seams and overall material construction also feed really into how this short moves and performs in cardio training settings.
Lululemon Pace Breaker Short Sizing
For sizing, I rock a medium in the Pace Breaker Short, but could probably go up to a large as well and be safe. The mediums feel loose enough to allow me to move freely but also tight enough to where I’m not swimming in them.
My Sizing Dimensions
- Waist: 32″-33″
- Hip Width: 40″
- Mid-Thigh: 23.5″
- Height: 6′ 0″
- Weight: 180 lbs
In the image below, I’m wearing the 7″ liner version!
Hopefully, my sizing stats and image can help decide which size you should go with. If you have any specific questions, always feel free to reach out.
Liner Vs Non-Liner
I prefer the Pace Breaker Short with a liner built-in, but that’s due to personal preference for how I like my shorts to fit. The liner feels fairly seamless with the shell and it’s nice not having to worry about two articles of clothing when throwing these shorts into my gym bag.
The linerless Pace Breaker Shorts are also good, and if you wear separate compression shorts, I don’t think you’ll have any issues with the shell getting hung up. If I go linerless in my Pace Breaker shorts I’ll wear them for daily wear.
Pace Breaker Short Pockets
The Pace Breaker Short features three pockets. There are the traditional left and right open-facing pockets which are deep enough for your phone, keys, and other belongings, and there’s a zip pocket on the right side.
The zip pocket is nice because it can fit your phone fairly well. The only real drawback is that this short is so lightweight that when you zip your phone in this pocket, the shell ends up swinging around a bit. Not the biggest deal, but something I noticed.
Construction Details
Below are some of the key construction details that I think are worth noting about the Lululemon Pace Breaker Short.
- Shell: 86% Recycled polyester, 14% Elastane
- Liner: 82% Polyester, 18% Elastane
- Four-Way Stretch Fabric
- Flat-Locked Seams
- 3 Pockets Including 1 Zip Pocket
- Internal Waistband Drawstring
Compared to other Lululemon men’s workout shorts, I like the overall construction of this model.
Takeaway Thoughts
For my friends training outside and in need of a lightweight and mobile short, the Pace Breaker is a solid model to look into. Overall, its construction is breathable and it’s very comfortable for training and day-to-day wear.
If you have any questions on this model, hit me in the comments below or reach out to me personally!
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