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There are a lot of premium high-performance men’s training shorts on the market and it can be tedious finding the right pair for your needs. Two of the more popular brands that I receive questions on regularly include Ten Thousand and Lulumon.
More specifically, I get a lot of questions on Ten Thousand shorts vs Lululemon shorts. I’m going to be sharing how I like to use the TT Interval Short and compare it to the Pace Breaker Short. The Interval Short and Pace Breaker Short are the most parallel options for each brand.
Interval Short Vs Pace Breaker Short Summary
The Interval Short and Pace Breaker Short are both well-rounded workout shorts in the gym. These shorts are constantly some of my go-to’s and have been some of my favorite workout shorts over the last few years.
After years of wearing each short and having some pairs last a lot longer than others, I’ve learned a few things about where each short performs the best and the durability issues that come with each short depending on how you’re using them.
If you’re on the fence between these two shorts, then you’ll want to cross-reference how you train with each short’s performance intent. The Interval Short tends to be a little more resilient for CrossFit workouts and heavy lifting whereas the Pace Breaker is a little more casual.
- Best for Lifting: Ten Thousand Interval Short. This short’s 4-way stretch shell is highly mobile and it doesn’t get as stretched out as fast as the Pace Breaker’s shell which gives it more shape for multiple lifting sessions.
- Best for Cross-Training: Both work great. The Pace Breaker Short is a little more breathable and its liner has more ventilation so if you train in hotter climates you’ll want to go Pace Breaker.
- Best for CrossFit: Ten Thousand Interval Short. I’ve had fewer overall durability issues with Interval Short when doing CrossFit WODs. My Pace Breaker has had issues in the past with its compression liner ripping.
- Best for Short Runs: Pace Breaker Short. The Pace Breaker feels more lightweight resembling more of a traditional running short. I do like using my Interval Short for sprints, though, due to its compression liner being snugger.
- Best for Daily Wear: Pace Breaker Short. This model is superior for casual wear. It looks better, is more comfortable for all-day wear, and breathes better.
The Winner: I prefer the Ten Thousand Interval Short for my sessions where I’m training heavily or doing CrossFit WODs. For day-to-day wear and casual workouts where I’m doing hypertrophy work and circuits, I’ll tend to reach for the Pace Breaker Short.
Ten Thousand Interval Short
$68
Pros
- Great "do-it-all" short
- Shell stretches and moves well
- Liner has good security
Cons
- Customer service can be atrocious
- Waistband can bunch
- Non-lined version feels flimsy for price
Best For
- Shorter/Mid-Range Runs
- Recreational Lifting
- Agility Workouts
- Classes
- CrossFit
Falls Short
- For Cost-Efficiency
Ten Thousand Interval Short Performance
The Ten Thousand Interval Short is one of my go-to short options for versatile training and lifting. I’ll also rock this model for shorter runs and on a day-to-day basis when I want something comfortable and to potentially train in if the opportunity approaches.
The major construction callouts for the Ten Thousand Interval Short regarding its performance surround its shell, waistband, and pockets. The lighter shell of this model has a 4-way stretch with a 133 GSM and is good at wicking sweat.
This makes the shell great for deep hip flexion and any mobility demands you could throw at them. I also really like the waistband in this model and how it fits. The drawstring is on the inside of the short which is key for training where anterior abrasion may be present.
For example, this waistband never loses security in things like burpees, cleans, and rope climbs. The final performance perk of this model is the pocket system.
The Interval Short features two deeper pockets which are great for holding your phone when wearing this short out and about or in a commercial gym. There’s also a zip pocket on the right for additional pocket security for throwing your keys, phone, etc. in when you’re running.
The one drawback that comes with the Interval Short and its performance is for the folks with seriously beefy quads. When my quads are pumped, these shorts can get hung up from time to time. It’s not a huge performance issue, but something to consider for my beefy quad friends regarding sizing.
Lululemon Pace Breaker Short Performance
The Lululemon Pace Breaker Short is also a great option for versatility across the board. I think this model is a slightly better choice for the lifter and athlete who biases their training towards a bit more cardio-focused efforts.
To keep it consistent with the Interval Short’s breakdown above, I’m going to discuss three key callouts for the pace breaker short. The first callout is for the shell and how breathable and lightweight it is. I like the Pace Breaker’s mobile and breathable shell for light cardio training and agility work.
Another callout worth mentioning for this model is its sweat-wicking capabilities for outdoor training sessions. I think this is a great model for anyone who likes to hit the track for training sessions and wants a model to keep them cool but feel secure. Personally, this is why I prefer the model with a liner already built in.
The last aspect to like about the Pace Breaker Short is its overall comfort. This model is one of my favorite short models to wear when walking the dogs, running errands, and going for long walks where I want lightweight, breathable, and comfortable shorts. It’s also a good model for casual lounging, and then training in.
The only (small) potential drawback with the Pace Breaker Short is the internal liner with heavy lifting over a long duration of time. I have had issues with my liner in the past blowing out when in a squat after about a year of wearing this model, but fortunately, Lululemon fixed the liner, so that’s a perk I suppose.
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
Ten Thousand Interval Vs Lululemon Pace Breaker Durability
I don’t think durability will be an issue for most lifters and athletes with either pair of these shorts. I have yet to notice any breakdown with the shell of the Interval Short and Pace Breaker Short.
Another factor to consider when discussing durability is the types of activities you plan to use your shorts for. For example, I think the Pace Breaker Short with a liner will have better long-term durability for activities like HIIT training, class workouts, and running versus heavier barbell training.
Outside of my issue with the liner in the Pace Breaker Short, I can’t fault either of these shorts’ durability when rocking them for <1 year. Plus, both companies have pretty good policies for material defects and manufacturer issues.
However, I do think Lululemon does a better job at fixing products with durability problems, but also, not everyone has easy access to a store where they can bring them in to explain their situation as I did.
Ten Thousand Interval Vs Lululemon Pace Breaker Fit
In the Ten Thousand Interval Short and Lululemon Pace Breaker Short, I wear a Medium. Below, I’m going to provide my dimensions so you can compare them to yours and assess which model will be your best fit.
As always, I’d suggest checking out Ten Thousand and Lululemon’s sizing guides before buying. In the photos below, I’m wearing each model in the 7″ lined variant in the liner and linerless sections.
My Sizing Dimensions
- Waist: 33″
- Hip Width: 40″
- Mid-Thigh: 23.5″
- Height: 6′ 0″
- Weight: 180 lbs
Price Comparison
The prices for these two pairs of shorts are similar but also vary slightly depending on the model you want. If you’re looking for a model with a liner built-in, then the prices are similar for the Interval Short and Pace Breaker Short.
- Ten Thousand Interval Short (Liner/Linerless): $68
- Lululemon Pace Breaker Short (Liner/Linerless): $68
For most premium high-performance training shorts, the price points tend to sit between $50-70 USD so these shorts are fairly comparable to other models on the market from bigger companies.
Liner Vs Linerless Options
Out of all the questions I field about these shorts, a popular one that gets asked fairly often is if one should opt for the liner or linerless option. I think it’s a matter of personal preference, but I’ll share my thoughts below.
Interval Short Liner Vs Pace Breaker Short Liner
Of these two options with liner, I personally like the Interval Short better for one specific reason. The Interval Short’s liner is a bit tighter and keeps things more secure which is huge for me as a strength athlete and recreational athlete.
The Pace Breaker Short’s liner is lightweight and breathable which is good for some activities, but if I’m going hard, I’d rather a higher level of compression. If you’re considering either of the liner options, then I’d suggest asking what you prefer with your compression liner fit. Tighter? Go Ten Thousand. Moderate compression? Go Lululemon.
Interval Short Linerless Vs Pace Breaker Linerless
With the linerless options, it’s a lot harder to say which performs the best. They’re both super comfortable and breathable, so they’re even in this regard. They’re also both fairly good at limiting how much they cling to the thighs and separate compression liners.
Two subtle details that could be worth considering for you though include each model’s price and the ability to go fully compression linerless.
The Ten Thousand Interval Short has a better price point and it’s a better model for hiding the goods when going fully compression linerless. The Lululemon in the lighter colorways is a little dicey without a compression liner altogether.
Which Should You Go With?
Truthfully, I don’t think you can go wrong with either one of these shorts. I think the Ten Thousand Interval Short has a slight edge for athletes and lifters who train hard in the gym. Conversely, for more cardio-focused athletes, I’d suggest looking into the Pace Breaker Short.
If you have questions on either of these models, hit me in the comments below or reach out to me personally!
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