The Ten Thousand Foundation Short is one of the many pairs of high-performance shorts Ten Thousand offers. Oftentimes, the Foundation Short is related to increased durability for serious athletes that want to limit abrasion on the outside of their shorts and improve the long-term lifespan of their gear.
I’ve been wearing the Ten Thousand Foundation Shorts for the past three years and I have a relatively good idea of how these shorts are going to perform for a variety of guy’s performance needs. For context, I’m a powerlifter that dabbles in other various sports so I’m constantly varying my training and pushing these shorts to the max from a stretch point of view in movements like back squats.
In this review, I’m going to cover a variety of Ten Thousand Foundation Short topics including:
- Who Should Buy the Ten Thousand Foundation Short?
- Ten Thousand Foundation Short Pros
- Ten Thousand Foundation Short Cons
- Ten Thousand Foundation Short Performance
- Foundation Short Sizing and Fit
- Liner Vs Non-Liner
- Construction Specs
- Price
For my visual friends, check out my Ten Thousand Foundation Short video review below!
Who Should Buy the Ten Thousand Foundation Short?
The Ten Thousand Foundation Short is by far the most durable short option from Ten Thousand’s core short training line. This model will be best for athletes that are primarily worried about long-term durability.
The outer shell is thick and does a phenomenal job at resisting breakdown from barbell knurling. In addition, this is a great model for day-to-day wear since it offers a boardshort-style waistband.
Ten Thousand Foundation Short
$68
Best For
- Barbell Training
- Day-to-Day Wear
- Tough Gym Sessions
Falls Short
- For Longer Runs
- For Agility Training
Ten Thousand Foundation Short Pros
There are three main reasons why I like rocking the Foundation Short for various workouts.
- Outer Shell Is Durable
- Deep Pockets
- Great Day-to-Day Shorts
The first thing I like is the outer shell is incredibly durable and resists abrasion from barbells really well. The shell has a double-weave construction, so it’s built to withstand various levels of friction and stretch without ripping and tearing.
The second thing I like is the deeper pockets and the additional zip pocket. If you’re someone who likes putting their phone, wallets, keys, or fob in their pockets, then these shorts will do a great job at keeping those valuables secure. The zip pocket on the right side is also great for increasing the security of your valuables during runs and various workouts.
The third thing I like is that these shorts can be worn on a workout or daily basis. Since the outer shell is slightly heavier and there’s a boardshorts drawstring, then they can be worn out and about and they don’t look overly “gym-esque” in nature. Basically, these are a good all-around pair of shorts for daily wear.
Ten Thousand Foundation Short Cons
There are two potential cons I could see guys having with the Ten Thousand Foundation Shorts.
- Drawstring Construction
- Not “The Best” for Endurance Training
The first drawback is the drawstring construction in regard to coming undone with friction. Compared to other Ten Thousand shorts that have the drawstring on the inside of the waistband, the Found Short boardshorts drawstring can come undone at times when not tied properly during things like burpees or other exercises where there’s friction taking place (not the biggest deal, but something to remember!).
The second drawback is the weight of these short’s shell in the context of endurance training and long-distance running/activities. If you’re a hyper-focused endurance athlete, then the weight of these shorts could be a drawback for you and I’d recommend looking at other models that Ten Thousand makes like the Session or Interval shorts.
Ten Thousand Foundation Short Performance
When it comes to performance for the Ten Thousand Foundation Short, I’m a fan of this model for a variety of activities and populations. Context matters, so let’s break it down into what activities and training styles I think benefit most from this model.
The first populations that would benefit from this model are strength athletes and gym bros. Dedicated strength training matches perfectly with this short’s overall construction. The durable outer shell resists barbell knurling really well and the deeper pockets help hold phones/headphone cases tight when you’re in a crowded gym and don’t want to set your belongings on the ground.
The second population is the group of men that are on the fence about what type of shorts they should get from Ten Thousand, but bias their training more towards strength work. Since this is a model that can be worn for a variety of activities and on a day-to-day basis and works best with strength work, then I think it’s a good starter option and a safe bet for this type of athlete.
The third population is the group of guys that want a good hybrid pair of shorts for day-to-day and gym wear. The heavier shell with this model makes it great for looking like a normal pair of shorts when wearing them out doing things like grocery shopping and running other errands.
Ten Thousand Foundation Short Sizing and Fit
As for sizing and fit in this model, I wear a size medium. To help you when it comes to finding what size would be best for you, I’m going to provide some key measurements below that you can reference.
- Waist: 33″
- Hip (circumference around butt): 38″
- Mid-Thigh: 23.5″
When rocking a medium with these measurements, the shell never really gets caught up on my thigh and the waistband fits very true. I can rock a large, but it’s a tad too large for my liking when it comes to how I like my shorts to fit.
Check out the video below for a visual breakdown of the sizing of this short on my body!
Liner Vs Non-Liner
Personally, I’m always a fan of training shorts that have liners built-in. I like the fact that I don’t have to worry about two different articles of clothing and it usually just feels more natural than wearing a separate pair of compression shorts. That being said, the Foundation Short with the liner is my preferred option.
However, I think if you’re in the camp that loves wearing your own compression gear (or none at all!), then the Foundation Short is one of the best options that Ten Thousand offers for doing so. The heavier shell doesn’t get hung up on compression shorts that easy when going into deep hip flexion, plus, you can rock them without compression gear when training if you really want to…I wouldn’t advise that though.
Construction Specs
For all of my tech-focused friends, I’m going to list the construction specs from Ten Thousand’s site for the Foundation Short below.
- Shell fabric: 88% Polyester, 12% Spandex
- Shell weight: 168 GSM
- Shell construction: Double-weave construction for strength
- Silver Ion anti-odor finish
- Leg gusset for increased range of motion
In layman’s terms, these specs are highlighting that the shell is heavier than other models they offer and provides a modest stretch for various activities. The silver ion anti-odor finish helps limit the amount of stank that comes with these shorts when sweating in them, and the leg gusset provides additional room for meaty quads.
Price
The price range for the Ten Thousand Foundation Short ranges from $58-$68 USD. This price is based on if you get a liner or non-liner pair. You’ll pay $58 for a non-liner pair and $68 for a liner pair of shorts.
In addition to liner and no-liner, the Foundation Short has the option of selecting between a 5″, 7″, and 9″ inseam, and there are multiple colorways to select from.
Ten Thousand Foundation Short
$68
Best For
- Barbell Training
- Day-to-Day Wear
- Tough Gym Sessions
Falls Short
- For Longer Runs
- For Agility Training
Takeaway Thoughts
The Ten Thousand Foundation Short is one of the most durable shorts Ten Thousand offers and is best served for strength-focused strength and day-to-day wear. Personally, I like the liner version of this model and will wear a 7″ or 9″ inseam when training in them!
Have questions on this model? Drop them below!
