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Browse all Ten Thousand shorts →Tactical Short | 5-inch
The verdict
Fit
Tactical silhouettes are broader through the hip and thigh, with cargo pockets. Ten Thousand scales this down compared to true tactical wear; still expect more room than their core shorts.
Quality
The added pockets and cargo structure increase seam count and stress points, but Ten Thousand's construction handles it. Expect the same multi-season lifespan as their core shorts.
Is the price fair?
Fair for a hybrid short with utility pockets. At 98 USD, the price reflects the added construction; no premium markup beyond function.
Best for
An athlete or outdoors person who values pockets and a broader cut for layering or weekend wear beyond the gym.
Care
Wash before first wear to avoid pocket stiffness; seams around pockets can snag if caught—check during drying.
What owners report about Ten Thousand shorts
Owners report the line holds up unusually well under hard gym use — one long-term tester's pair was "still kicking after three years of hard training" — and the waistband draws consistent praise for staying put without rolling or sagging. Reviewers describe the cut as slimmer than a typical athletic short, and heavier-built owners report snugness through the thighs. The most repeated complaints are the optional compression liner losing its grip and shifting mid-workout, drawstrings migrating in the washing machine, and hit-or-miss customer service.
- Strengths
- Long-term durability under lifting and high-intensity training, with a waistband reviewers single out for staying in place.
- Watch out for
- The built-in compression liner is what reviewers flag first — it can lose compression and twist mid-workout — and owners report slow, inconsistent customer service when something goes wrong.
- Sizing
- Reviewers call the fit true to size but slimmer than a standard athletic short; some owners report pairs coming up big, so check the size chart rather than sizing up by default.
About Ten Thousand's shorts line as a whole. Sources: Ten Thousand Interval Short Review (Real Testing) · Ten Thousand Review: I Tried Their Shorts and Shirts · Ten Thousand Shorts Review - Must Read This Before Buying