In my first “lululemon Explained” post, I broke down all of the different lululemon fabrics used for women’s leggings. Today, we’re going to tackle the best lululemon shorts. It’s getting HOT out there and you’re ready to make the switch from living in your leggings to finding a few comfy pairs of shorts to add to your wardrobe.
There are a couple big factors to consider here – length (aka inseam) and fit. You’ll have to ask yourself a few questions to narrow down your options. Are you looking for a traditional athletic short or something more tight-to-the-body, like a biker short? How short are you comfortable going? Would you prefer a high-rise short or a more traditional medium-rise? Do you want something for a HIIT class, yoga class or a pair of shorts just to kick it around town or at the house?
With so many factors to consider, it can be tough to know where to start. I’m going to divide our options into categories based on design intent – meaning: what type of activity the short was designed for – and then discuss other factors such as length and rise. We have 3 main design intent categories to explore: High Impact Workouts, Low Impact Workouts and Casual / Everyday Wear.
And here we go …
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last updated: July 17, 2021
High Impact Workouts
So, what exactly qualifies as a high impact workout? Anything with running, jumping, lots of big movements, etc. This can include, but isn’t limited to: CrossFit, OrangeTheory, bootcamp classes, running, etc. I’d include spin classes (FlyWheel, SoulCycle, Peloton, etc) and rowing classes in this category too just bc of the nature of the workouts and type of fabrics you’d want to wear for these workouts.
Next question: Are you looking for a more traditional athletic short look or a tight-to-body “biker short” look?
If you’re looking for a biker short for high impact workouts, you’ve got 3 options: the Fast & Free Short, the Wunder Train Short and the Invigorate Short. All three of these shorts are high-rise.
If you’re looking for a more traditional athletic short for high impact workouts, you have 3 main options: the Speed Up Short, the Hotty Hot Short and the Tracker Short. During the summer months, lululemon does release a few seasonal options (like the Track That Short in 3″ + 5″ inseams) that I’ll link to but I’m going to focus most of my attention on the three year-round styles.
Fast & Free Short
The Fast and Free Short comes in three inseams: a 6″ length, an 8″ length and a 10″ length. I own the 6″ and 10″; I haven’t tried the 8″. Aesthetically, I like the 6″ better; I’m 5’4″ so the shorter length looks better on me. However, I find the 10″ a more comfortable fit. I wore the 6″ during a 5K road race, and it was great – no riding up, no chafing, I liked how I looked in my pre- and post-race pics – it was a total winner. At home though, when I ride my Peloton, I always choose the 10″. Other than the length, the biggest difference between these two inseams is the bottom hem; the 6″ has a flat seam whereas the 10″ has a laser cut hem. I’ve found that the bottom seam on the 6″ is perfectly located to hit the seat on my Peloton when I’m pedaling, which is no fun. The 10″ however is both longer and doesn’t have that bottom seam, so win-win.
Fast & Frees are made of Nulux fabric, which was launched in 2016 as the high-impact companion to Nulu (the buttery-soft naked-feeling fabric of Align fame) and it’s my favorite workout material. Nulux is lightweight, cool-to-the-touch and feels like you’re wearing nothing while also staying in place perfectly during any type of high-impact workout. You’ll feel compression in the waistband, but through the leg truly feels “next to nothing” (except at the bottom hem in the 6″). I get asked a lot about the durability of the raw hem at the bottom of the 10″ and I promise you, it doesn’t fray, so don’t worry.
Key Features of Fast & Free Shorts:
- smooth and slick hand-feel
- naked sensation
- fabric feels cool against the skin
- continuous drawstring in the waistband
- drop-in pockets on the sides
- breathable
- moisture-wicking
- quick-drying
- engineered four-way stretch
- weightless coverage
Wunder Train Short
The Wunder Train Short also comes in three inseam options: a 4″ length (only available online), a 6″ length, a 6″ length with pockets (new for summer 2021 but now on markdown!) and an 8″ length. I have the WTs in 6″ and have used them mostly for outdoor hikes during the summer. I was late to the game as far as fandom on these shorts bc the bottom seam on the legs really bothered me at first, but I snagged a pair on markdown bc I liked the print and was a pretty quick convert after my first hike in them.
Wunder Trains are made with Everlux fabric. Everlux was launched in 2017 as a solve for sweaty studio workouts. So while I, personally, wouldn’t wear these shorts for long distance runs, they’d be great for other high impact workouts and runs under a mile.
Key Features of Wunder Train Shorts:
- fabric feels cool + sleek against the skin on the inside; feels cottony-soft and brushed on the outside
- fastest drying lululemon fabric
- moisture-wicking
- highly breathable
- supportive, slightly compressive fit
- four-way stretch
- hidden waistband pocket
- continuous drawstring in the waistband
Invigorate Short
You have three inseam options for the Invigorate Short: a 6″ length, an 8″ length and a 10″ length.
Like the Wunder Trains, Invigorates are made with Everlux fabric. Everlux was launched in 2017 as a solve for sweaty studio workouts. So while I, personally, wouldn’t wear these shorts for long distance runs, they’d be great for other high impact workouts and runs under a mile.
Key Features of Invigorate Shorts:
- fabric feels cool + sleek against the skin on the inside; feels cottony-soft and brushed on the outside
- fastest drying lululemon fabric
- moisture-wicking
- highly breathable
- supportive, slightly compressive fit
- four-way stretch
- hidden waistband pocket
- continuous drawstring in the waistband
- drop-in pockets on the sides
Speed Up Short
You have two inseam options for the Speed Up Short: a 2.5″ length and a 4″ length. You also have three rise options: low-rise, mid-rise and high-rise.
Back when I used to CrossFit consistently and was in much better shape, these were my go-to shorts. Well, technically I wore an older iteration called Speed Shorts, but #semantics. I have probably 30 pairs of Speed Shorts, so you could say I was a little bit of a fan. All of my Speed Shorts are 2.5″ inseam, but again, I was in much better shape back then; nowadays, I’d opt for a longer inseam.
Key Features of Speed Up Shorts:
- sweat-wicking
- four-way stretch
- leightweight
- built-in liner
- zippered back-waistband pocket
- gel pockets in front-waistband
- continuous drawstring in waistband
Hotty Hot Short
You have two inseam options for the Hotty Hot Short: a 2.5″ length and a 4″ length. Hotty Hots are available in both low-rise and high-rise options.
These are probably the best selling shorts, I’d say, right now. In both inseams. The leg opening on Hotty Hots is slightly wider than the leg on the Speed Up Shorts, which gives them a more universally flattering fit.
Key Features of Hotty Hot Shorts:
- sweat-wicking
- four-way stretch
- leightweight
- built-in liner
- mesh panel for ventilation on the side of the leg
- reflective details
- zippered pocket in the seam of the waistband
- hidden stash pocket in the liner
- continuous drawstring in waistband
Tracker Short
You have one inseam option for the Tracker Short, a 4″ length, and one rise option which the website describes as low-rise, however I think it fits more like a mid- or high-rise.
Similar to the Hotty Hots, the Trackers are really popular bc of the wider leg opening and universally flattering fit.
Key Features of Tracker Shorts:
- sweat-wicking
- leightweight
- built-in liner
- continuous drawstring in the waistband
- side zippered pocket
Seasonal High-Impact Styles:
- Find Your Pace Short 3″ *Lined
- lululemon lab Run Short 8″
- Nulux™ Waist High Rise Run Short 4″
- Track That High-Rise Short 3″
- Track That Mid-Rise Lined Short 5″
- Track That Mid-Rise Short 5″
- Track That Short 5″ [ on markdown ]
- Zoned In High-Rise 2-in-1 Short [ online only ]
Low Impact Workouts
Any of the high-impact shorts discussed above could work for low impact workouts, but shorts designed for low impact will not work for high-impact. Keep that in mind as you weigh all your options.
First, let’s define low impact. I’d put yoga, barre, pilates and strength training in this category; anything that doesn’t cause a high amount of friction on the fabric.
The only core short style truly designed for low impact workouts is in the lululemon Align™ Short. The Align Short comes in four inseam options: a 4″ length (only sold online), a 6″ length (my fav!), an 8″ length and a 10″ length. You also have an option between a high-rise and a super-high-rise waistband.
Align Shorts are made of Nulu fabric, which was launched in 2015 as a “naked sensation” although I don’t think they technically call them that anymore. Now they’re referred to as a “next to nothing” feeling, I think. This is hands-down the best-selling fabric, and my personal favorite for everyday wear (between shorts, special editions and the regular tights, I have at least 15 pairs of Aligns).
Along with being designed to feel like you aren’t wearing anything (in a good way, I promise!), this fabric has a buttery soft hand-feel … and is very delicate. That means no high-impact workouts or any kind of intense activity since the process used to create that buttery soft sensation makes the fabric susceptible to natural pilling over time and with heavy use. These won’t be the most durable shorts you buy from lululemon, but they’ll probably be your favorite.
Shorts (and leggings) made with Nulu fabric are the top choice for pregnant women. A quick Google search for ‘lululemon pregnancy’ or ‘lululemon pregnancy pants’ will show you how Nulu fabric (and the Aligns specifically) are revolutionizing the field of maternity pants.
Key Features of Align Shorts:
- buttery soft Nulu fabric
- naked sensation
- moisture-wicking
- four-way stretch
- breathable
- hidden waistband pocket
- comfy AF (I’m not joking when I say I practically live in these shorts)
Seasonal Low-Impact Styles:
- lululemon Align™ High Rise Short with Pockets [ available in 6″ and 8″ inseams ]
- Ribbed Contoured High-Rise Short 8″
- Unlimit High Rise Short 8″ *Mesh [ on markdown ]
Casual / Everyday Wear
As I mentioned above, I wear the Align Shorts everyday, but there are a few styles designed specifically as casual wear … or in lululemon terms, “on the move” wear.
There are two styles we see consistently every year (On The Fly Shorts and Spring Breakaway Shorts), a third style we’ve seen for the second year in a row (Inner Glow Shorts) and then a few one-off seasonal styles I wouldn’t expect to see year-over-year.
Let’s break ’em down a little bit …
Stretch High Rise Short 3.5″
If you remember the older On The Fly Shorts, these are the new + improved version. I love these shorts because they’re so versatile. The super stretchy Luxtreme fabric is really lightweight + comfy, but doesn’t look like a lounge or sweat short making them really easy to dress up for a night out.
Key Features of the Stretch High Rise Short:
- moisture-wicking
- four-way stretch
- breathable
- cool to the touch
- waistband drawstring can be worn on the outside or inside
- inner side of the waistband is lined with buttery-soft Nulu™ fabric
- front hand-pockets + a hidden zipper pocket and card sleeve
Color: True Navy 
Color: Trench
Stroll at Sundown Short 3″
The Stroll at Sundown comes in two fabrications: four-way stretch Swift fabric and super-lightweight Ventlight™ Mesh. Both versions feature a 3″ inseam and a mid-rise waistband.
Key Features of the Stroll at Sundown Short:
- breathable
- four-way stretch
- sweat-wicking
- quick-drying
- moisture-wicking
- four-way stretch
- breathable
- cool to the touch
- waistband drawstring can be worn on the outside or inside
- front hand-pockets + a hidden zipper pocket and card sleeve
Inner Glow Short 3″
The Inner Glow Short fits loose, has a high-rise and is so so soft — and I’m so very here for it.
Between the Align Short 6″, the Align Tank, the In Alignment Straight Strap Bra and the Inner Glow Shorts, I’ve been giving all my disposable income to lulu lately. I know I said I’ve been wearing Align Shorts 24/7 this year, but I should qualify that bc I’ve been splitting my time between Aligns and Inner Glows. I snagged every color of Inner Glows that was released last year, and I have no plans to curb that this year – especially with the newest release in Savannah (pictured below).
Seasonal Everyday Styles:
- All Yours High Rise Short 7″
- Choose a Side Reversible Super-High Rise Short 4″
- City Sleek 5 Pocket High-Rise Short 4″
- Evergreen Short
- Flat-Front Relaxed Short 4.5″
- LA Side Panel Short
- LA Sweat Short 3″
- Soft Ambitions High Rise Short 4″
- Step Out High Rise Short 3″
Quick Reference Cheat Sheet
| Best For | Name of the Short | Lengths | Rises | Fit |
| High Impact | Fast & Free Short | 6″, 8″ + 10″ | High | Tight-to-body; naked sensation |
| High Impact | Wunder Train Short | 4″, 6″ + 8″ | High | Tight-to-body; gentle compression |
| High Impact | Invigorate Short | 6″, 8″ + 10″ | High | Tight-to-body; gentle compression |
| High Impact | Speed Up Short | 2.5″ + 4″ | Low + High | Away-from-the-body |
| High Impact | Hotty Hot Short | 2.5″ + 4″ | Low + High | Away-from-the-body |
| High Impact | Tracker Short | 4″ | Low | Away-from-the-body |
| High Impact | Track That Short | 3″ + 5″ | Medium + High | Away-from-the-body |
| Low Impact | Align Short | 4″, 6″, 8″ + 10″ | High + Super High | Tight-to-body; naked sensation |
| Casual | Stretch High Rise Short 3.5″ | 3.5″ | High | Away-from-the-body |
| Casual | Stroll at Sundown Short 3″ | 3″ | Medium | Away-from-the-body |
| Casual | Inner Glow Short | 3″ | High | Away-from-the-body |
All stock images are the property of lululemon. Although I do work for the company, I am not an official spokesperson of lululemon. The opinions + positions expressed are my own and do not reflect those of lululemon.
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