That Fit Friend is supported by its readers. I [Jake Boly] run this site myself and buy the gear I review. If you purchase through my site, I may earn commissions on sales, read more here!
As Ten Thousand continues to grow and expand, so do their offerings for various pairs of shorts. The Ten Thousand Tactical Short is one of the pairs of shorts that Ten Thousand offers in their “Pro-Line”.
Their Pro-Line shorts are designed to tackle very specific tasks and come with a slightly higher price tag due to their niche construction and performance aspects.
The Ten Thousand Tactical Short was built in collaboration with members of the United States Special Operations Forces. That being said, it’s designed with durability in mind with niche construction aspects that support anyone looking for a high-performance and versatile short along with durability.
If you want a training short for outdoor sessions and lifting then you’ll enjoy the Ten Thousand Tactical Short. These short’s zipper pockets are awesome for security when hiking and rucking and they have good versatility.
Who Should Invest In the Ten Thousand Tactical Short?
The Ten Thousand Tactical Short is a good training short option for anyone who plans to primarily lift, ruck, and train outdoors on a regular basis. I like how the Tactical Short performs in all of these contexts and they’re one of my go-to training shorts for training outdoors and going hiking.
The Tactical Short’s ripstop shell and zipper pockets make this short a good hybrid training option. I’ve used these for some of my heaviest lifting sessions and longest hikes and they’ve performed strongly every time. The anti-odor tech and quick-drying properties are also nice touches for this short in these contexts.
I think if you’re someone looking for a durable short that can perform well for outdoor activities and in the gym, then the Ten Thousand Tactical Short is worth looking into.
Ten Thousand Tactical Short
$74
Best For
- Outdoor Training
- Barbell Training
- Rucking and Hiking
Falls Short
- For Cost-Efficiency
Ten Thousand Tactical Short Pros
For lifters and athletes, I think there are three key pros that come along with the Ten Thousand Tactical Short.
- Outer Shell Has Good Durability
- Zipper Pockets Are Great for Outdoor Sessions
- Good Mobility for Different Forms of Training
- Decent Anti-Odor Tech and They Dry Pretty Quick
The first aspect that I like about the Ten Thousand Tactical Short is the overall durability you get with this short. This model features a ripstop shell which does a great job at resisting friction and abrasion from things like barbells, ropes, and outdoor elements.
In addition, this model features a thicker waistband with an internal drawstring which is great for also promoting long-term durability. I think for the guy that plans to train outdoors a lot and use this short for lifting, hiking and rucking, then you’ll enjoy the durability and construction that comes along with this short.
Another aspect that’s worth noting for this model is the Every Session Carry pocket system. Essentially, this model features two zip pockets on each side which are awesome for keeping your valuables secure. If you’re someone that wants to train outside or get wet and bring their keys, phone, cards, etc. with them, then you’ll like the pocket system in this short.
Another aspect that I like about this short for lifting and hiking is how mobile they are. The Tactical Short’s shell is lightweight and features a good amount of stretch and mobility. There’s a side slit on the side of this model that also promotes mobility when moving into deep hip flexion and lateral movements.
Another subtle perk of the Tactical Short is their anti-odor tech and how quickly they can dry. I personally wear my shorts for a few wears before washing them, so the fact that these shorts never have a ton of stink to them is a nice nod to their anti-odor tech.
Additionally, I also like how fast these shorts dry. In the summer, I’ll often wear the Tactical Short for long dog walks and hikes because if there is ever an opportunity to jump into a creek, then I’ll typically do so and these shorts will often be pretty much dry before getting back into my truck.
Ten Thousand Tactical Short Cons
Despite liking this pair of shorts overall for various areas of performance, there are a few cons that I think some should consider.
- Not the Most Cost-Efficient
- Only 5″ and 7″ Inseam Options
The first drawback to this pair of shorts is their price. At a price point of $74-78 USD depending on if you go for a lined or linerless short, these shorts are far from cost-efficient. I do like the durability and think they’ll last for most athletes and lifters, however, this doesn’t change the fact that these shots are pretty pricey.
The price makes the most sense for more hybrid-focused lifters and athletes that also want training shorts with zipper pockets. If you’re not exactly that worried about training outdoors or hazing pockets with zippers, then the Ten Thousand Foundation Short could be a good comparable option, and you’ll save a little money with this short.
Another potential con I could see other lifters and athletes having this model is that the Tactical Short only comes in in 5″ and 7″ inseam options. If you personally like having a longer short with an inseam that sits around 9″, then you’ll likely feel pretty limited with this short.
Personally, the shortest I’ll go with my inseam is 7″ so they work for my needs, but if you like 9″ short inseams, then you’ll be limited with this model and you might want to explore other short options.
Ten Thousand Tactical Short Performance
For performance, I’m going to break this section into a few different parts and discuss how the Tactical Short performs for lifting, versatile training, running, rucking, and daily wear. This way you can better contextualize if this short matches your training needs well.
Ten Thousand Tactical Short for Lifting and CrossFit
In my opinion, the biggest pro to the Tactical Short from a lifting point of view is their durability. The ripstop shell is awesome for resisting abrasion from barbell knurling and they don’t get hung up at all on the material. Personally, I like this model for deadlifts and clean & jerks because the shell does a good job at preventing short pilling from excessive friction.
Outside of the shell, I think this model’s overall construction feeds well into the various maneuverability demands that come along with diverse training. The side slit supports deep hip flexion by limiting the shell from getting hung up on the thighs and if you’re tackling general strength work or CrossFit workouts, then this short should move well with you.
If you’re a lifter that often finds yourself outside for training sessions on a weekly basis, then the Tactical Short will good fit for the context of your training demands.
Ten Thousand Tactical Short for Classes, HIIT, and Plyometrics
This short is a pretty good option for agility, classes, HIIT, and plyometric movements. I think the construction feeds well into this style of training and this model will work well for most planning to tackle these styles of training in this short. The ripstop shell breathes well and it moves well for different styles of versatile training.
I think one area in particular for versatile training where the Tactical Short excels is for outdoor sessions in the summer months. This short’s sweat-wicking properties are a nice feature and they dry relatively quickly if you pour a ton of sweat into them.
Ten Thousand Tactical Short for Running, Rucking, and Daily Wear
For running and rucking, this model is overall pretty solid. The secure waistband promotes durability and security so you’ll never really have issues with the waistband in these activities, especially with posterior friction from backpacks and rucksacks. Additionally, the lightweight shell is great for long-duration training and it drys quickly when running outside in warmer weather.
On a day-to-day basis, these shorts are solid. They’re comfortable and lightweight and for casual wear, they do a good job. Plus, they have secure pockets which is a plus for keeping your valuables safe. Additionally, they also have a nice and simplistic construction and design which helps them not have a super hardcore gym short vibe.
Sizing and Fit
When it comes to sizing and fit for the Tactical Short, I’m going to provide my metrics and sizing to help you reference what might work best for your needs. In this review, I wore a size Large in the Tactical Short and they fit really well.
- Height: 6′ 0″
- Waist: 32-“33”
- Hip (circumference around butt): 38″
- Mid-Thigh: 23.5″-24″
Sizing Thoughts: What’s interesting is that I wear a Medium in the Foundation, Interval, and Session Short, so it might be worth considering sizing up if you have similar metrics to me and you’re looking at the Tactical Short.
Linerless Vs Lined
In the Ten Thousand Tactical Short, I like both the linerless and lined options. Personally, I find myself opting for the liner version more often because I don’t like having to bring more articles of clothing. I also like that the compression liner in this short hugs pretty well and doesn’t run too long.
However, in the Tactical Short, this is one of the few pairs of training shorts where I genuinely enjoy the linerless option, too. The linerless Tactical Short has a similar feel to the Lululemon License to Train Short due to its more abrasion-resistant shell.
The slightly more rigid shell construction helps the linerless option sit well with a variety of different compression liners.
Construction Details
For a full construction rundown, check out the Ten Thousand Tactical Short’s details below. These are the construction specs that Ten Thousand provides on their site in regard to the Tactical Short.
This model is really cool due to its collaboration with the U.S. Special Operations Forces. It’s interesting to see how the construction shifts to accommodate the style of training that the Spec Ops Forces use.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q:Is the Ten Thousand Tactical Short good for CrossFit?
Q:Can you run in the Ten Thousand Tactical Short?
Takeaway Thoughts
The Ten Thousand Tactical Short is a solid hybrid training short for in-gym and outdoor training sessions. This short can hold its own when rucking and tackling things like CrossFit workouts.
If the price is a turnoff for these shorts and you’re on the market for a slightly more cost-efficient pair of Ten Thousand Shorts that you can wear for lifting that also have solid durability, then check out the Foundation Short.
If you have additional questions about the Ten Thousand Tactical Short, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly).
Steven
What color option is shown in these images? Clay, iron? I’ve seen pictures where they made some in tan, but they don’t list that as an option on their site.
Great question! These are the Federal Tan which dropped with their initial Tactical Short go live line. Unfortunately, they don’t have this colorway available at the moment and I’m hoping they get more in stock because I really dig the tan. I also just got a pair of the clay and they’re equally cool, IMO!