Ten Thousand Interval Short Review (2024 Update)

The Ten Thousand Interval Short is one of the most popular and sought-after shorts that Ten Thousand makes, but why is that? Well, if we look at the Ten Thousand short line, the Ten Thousand Interval model is marketed as a “best of all worlds” type of short.

Personally, I like the Ten Thousand Interval Short and how versatile it is, and think there are a few key pros that come along with this short.

Since the Interval Short works well in so many training settings, it’s a good training short to wear when you don’t feel like thinking about your gear choice and selection.

Click for Pros & Cons▼

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

Ten Thousand Interval Short Summary

I’ve trained in a lot of workout shorts over the last decade and I constantly come back to the Interval Short — and I think a lot of this has to do with their seamless fit.

If you go with the Interval Short I’d suggest opting for the lined version and skipping on the non-lined version for working out. For non-lined shorts, I prefer shorts like the License to Train Short.

I train in a “hybrid” or athletic fashion and that’s where I think the Interval Short excels the most and they work well for moderately muscular legs.

If you’re similar, then I think you’ll feel right at home wearing these shorts. Do note, there are a few cons to keep in mind with these shoes and I discuss these in-depth in my Youtube review video above.

Specs to Know

• Available Inseams: 5″, 7″, and 9″
• Drawstring: Internal
• Liner Options: Liner and No Liner
• Shell fabric: 86% Polyester, 14% Spandex

Ten Thousand Interval Short

$68

4.8

Versatility

4.8

Durability

4.7

Quality

4.7

Best For

• Shorter/Mid-Range Runs
• Recreational Lifting
• Agility Workouts
• Classes
• CrossFit

Falls Short

• For Cost-Efficiency

Shop & Save 20%

Performance, How I’ve Tested These Shorts

To discuss the performance of the Ten Thousand Interval Short, I’m going to break down how they perform in a variety of contexts. This way you can better contextualize if this pair of shorts fit your training needs accordingly.

Ten Thousand Interval Short for CrossFit and Lifting

In the context of lifting and CrossFit, I really enjoy how the Interval Short performs. For lifting, this short moves well and it never feels limited due to the 4-way stretch shell and leg gussets.

I think most guys who have meatier legs should find that they have ample space in the Interval Short to where the shell doesn’t constantly keep getting hung up on their thighs.

I also like that the shell does a good job of not pilling when barbell knurling rubs across the material. This is a nice feature for anyone who regularly barbell deadlifts and tackles clean & jerks. I think it can be tough at times to find lighter shorts that have good mobility and can hold their own to abrasion.

For CrossFit, the Interval Short also performs strongly. Since CrossFit can be so varied, you’ll want a short that has good mobility, durability, and security and I think the Interval Short does a good job at ticking all of these boxes. They’re lightweight for things like box jumps and durable for exercises like rope climbs.

Ten Thousand Interval Short for HIIT, Classes, and Versatile Training

In the context of HIIT training, classes, and versatile training, the Interval Short also performs well. I like the breathability of this short for more intense sessions and I also like the anti-odor tech in this model.

This can be a nice feature for working out in busy classes or tackling sessions in warmer weather where you can be more prone to sweating. The 4-way stretch shell also helps this short perform well in this setting. 

If you’re jumping, doing agility work, or multi-directional activities, then you shouldn’t feel limited by the Interval Short’s shell and construction. The final perk of this short for this context is its waistband and how it provides security without bunching up.

Ten Thousand Interval Short for Running and Daily Wear

For running, the Interval Short works fairly well especially if you’re more casual with your running. I think this short is best served for short and mid-range distances, and they also work well for sprint work. If you’re doing super long-distance runs, then you may want to find a running short that is more specific to your training needs.

On a daily wear basis, the Interval Short can work pretty especially if you’re wearing them for travel or out and about to run errands. The pockets in these shorts are deep enough to hold your phone and wallet securely and they have a simplistic look to them that gives them a more casual appearance and feel.

Who Should Invest In the Ten Thousand Interval Short?

The Ten Thousand Interval Short is a good short option for anyone who likes to vary their training on a weekly basis. For example, if you like to lift, run, and tackle more athletic-focused all in a week’s training cycle, then you’ll enjoy how the Interval Short performs.

It’s a good short for taking the thinking out of your training gear selection. This model has a nice 4-way stretch shell that is fairly durable for how mobile it is.

This feature helps to make the Interval Short a good tried and true option that can withstand things like barbell knurling and friction and rub that can come from running. The Perfect Pocket System used on this short also helps make it a solid option for anyone that wants to rock these shorts outside of the gym, too.

I often recommend the Ten Thousand Interval Short to anyone who has never worn Ten Thousand gear before and is overwhelmed by the short options. It’s tough to fault the Interval Short due to its versatility and ability to excel in so many different settings.

Ten Thousand Interval Short Pros

Of all the Ten Thousand Shorts, I think the Interval Short takes the cake as the short that I go to and wear the most. Here are four of my favorite pros that come along with this short.  

1. Great for Pretty Much Everything
2. Waistband Lays True and Doesn’t Bunch
3. Good Long-Term Durability
4. Compression Liner Provides a Nice Amount of Security

The first thing to like about the Ten Thousand Interval Short is that it’s a good training short for pretty much everything. I vary my training a lot on a weekly basis and the Interval Short is never a training short that I have to worry about in regard to limiting my performance. Whether I’m tackling heavy back squats or running, the Interval Short is often one of my go-to’s.

This is why I mentioned above that I often recommend the Interval Short for anyone who’s not sure what short to go with from Ten Thousand. You can wear them for CrossFit, to sprint and do agility work, tackle HIIT workouts, and even wear them on a daily basis.

This short has a clean and simplistic aesthetic with multiple colorways which I also enjoy. The second pro with the Interval Short is its waistband construction. This short features an elastic waistband that lays flat on the waist.

Personally, I really like the construction of the Interval Short’s waistband because it never has bunching issues or with security and fit. This also helps contribute to this short’s versatility.

The drawstring faces internally and sits on the inside of the thicker elastic waistband which helps limit the bunching you’ll also experience in this short. Some training shorts have thin waistbands and you can feel the drawstring being more pronounced which can be somewhat frustrating in some contexts. You never run into that issue with the Interval Short.

Another pro that comes along with the Interval Short is its durability. This short features a 4-way stretch shell that moves well with you when training and the shell itself does a pretty good job at being abrasion-resistant. For example, I haven’t had any glaring issues with these shorts breaking down during deadlifts, clean & jerks, and during CrossFit workouts.

Outside of its shell construction, the pockets are also fairly durable in the Interval Short, and more specifically, the zipper pocket does a good job at not breaking down quickly.

In certain training shorts, I feel like zipper pockets are often the first to go when a phone is constantly pushing against a closed zipper especially when running, and the Interval Short’s pocket does a good job resisting this.

The final thing to like about the Interval Short is the compression liner if you go with the liner option. Compression liners can be a little hit or miss when they’re built-in to training shorts. I find that the compression liner in the Interval Short does a good job of walking a line between being mobile and secure.

The liner holds everything tight and the shell never really caught up on the liner when training, which is a pet peeve of mine in certain training shorts.

Nothing is more frustrating than constantly adjusting a short’s waistband due to a poor-fitting compression liner or having to pull down a short due to it getting hung up. The Interval Short liner option doesn’t have any of these issues.

Ten Thousand Interval Short Cons

As a whole, the Ten Thousand Interval Short is a consistently strong performer in a variety of settings, but there are a couple of cons to note about this short.

1. Not the Most Cost-Efficient
2. Drawstring Can Move In Washing Machines and Dryer
3. Customer Service Can Be Hit Or Miss

The first drawback is that the Ten Thousand Interval Short is not the most cost-efficient training short on the market. With a price range of $64-$68 USD, these are definitely what I would consider a more premium training short especially when you compare their price to companies like Lululemon and Rhone.

The second potential drawback with the Interval Short, and most training shorts for that matter, is that the drawstring can shift in the washing machine and dryer. I had this happen with one of my pairs of the Interval Short and it taught me an important lesson when it comes to cleaning my more premium training apparel and this goes for all my gear.

Now, I run my washer on cold and delicate and let most of my gear air dry. This decreases the chances of the washing machine and dryer causing early breakdown to my gear and it’s helped immensely with both my Interval Short’s drawstring and my other shorts from Rhone, Vuori, Lululemon, etc.

The final drawback that can come along with the Ten Thousand Interval Short is not so focused on the short itself, but instead the customer service of Ten Thousand. The customer service at Ten Thousand can be very hit or miss.

I’d highly suggest trying to get your sizing and shipping info correct if you plan to invest in Ten Thousand gear to avoid any potential hiccups with their Ten Thousand customer service team.

Ten Thousand Interval Short Sizing

The Ten Thousand Interval Short comes in three different inseam options including 5″, 7″, and 9″. Personally, I typically go with the 7″ inseam as that’s usually a good length for most training activities.

Plus, they’re not so high to where you get a ton of rub from barbell knurling. Below, I wanted to provide you with my dimensions and visual of how the Interval Short fits on me.

In the graphic below, I’m wearing a Medium 7″ Interval Short with Liner. The medium definitely fits the best per my dimensions and I can technically get away with wearing a large, but I find that the waistband can be a little loose at times.

• Height: 6′ 0″
• Weight: 181 lbs
• Waist: 32-33″
• Hip (circumference around butt): 40″
• Mid-Thigh: 23.5″-24″

If you have additional Ten Thousand Interval Short sizing and fit questions or how their fit compares to other training shorts, drop a comment below.

Interval Short Liner Vs No Liner

So, should you get a pair of Interval Shorts with liner or no liner? Personally, I always recommend going with the option with the built-in liner since the outer shell is light and blends well with this short’s compression liner.

They feel seamless together and the compression liner in this short provides a nice medium amount of security. The liner also has a good length to that it doesn’t ride up or cause the shell to stick, which is something that I find to be hit-or-miss with separate compression liners.

Additionally, if you like to train before or after work and you bring a gym bag with you, if you go with the liner option it’s one less thing to worry about.

The no-liner short also works really well, however, since this short is so light, to begin with, if you go with the no liner option, then you’ll definitely want to make sure you have a good compression liner to wear these. They’re a bit too light to wear without a liner when training and lifting.

Price Details

For the Ten Thousand Interval Short, you can expect to pay between $64-$68 USD for the no liner and liner short options, respectively. Personally, I think the price point is worth it for these shorts since they’re so versatile and tend to last a while.

Plus, if you take good care of them and wash them properly your investment should go the distance. My first pair of the Interval Short is still kicking after three years of hard training.

• No Liner: $64 USD
• Liner: $68 USD

Construction Breakdown

If you’re interested in the construction specs for this model, I’ll provide the list that Ten Thousand provide on their site below. I’d also recommend checking out my video if you want to learn a bit more about the overall Interval Short construction.

• Available Inseams: 5″, 7″, and 9″
• Liner Options: Liner and No Liner
• Leg Gussets
• 4-Way Stretch Shell
• Thicker Elastic Waistband
• Perfect Pocket System
• Anti-Odor Treatment
• Shell fabric: 86% Polyester, 14% Spandex
• Shell construction: Four-way stretch poplin
• Shell weight: 133 GSM

If you have additional questions on the Ten Thousand Interval Short’s construction, drop a comment below.

Takeaway Thoughts

If you vary training often on a regular basis, then the Ten Thousand Interval Short can be a really good short option to look into. This pair of training shorts can tick a lot of training boxes and they have a good amount of durability that comes along with them.

The Interval Short is not the most cost-efficient training short on the market, however, if you plan to use them for everything, then I think the price can be more justified.

If you have additional questions on the Ten Thousand Interval Short, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly)