THETA's 2026 shorts split into three groups: the stripped-back Race Short for race day, the Tech Short and Tech Short v2 for high-output training, and Core Shorts for everyday sessions. All use polyester or nylon blends with 4-way stretch and racing-specific fits, and the right choice depends on how much you carry and how hard you race.
- Race Short: ultra-light, laser-cut ventilation, built to disappear under fatigue.
- Tech Short: 4-way stretch with open side pockets, heat-sealed zip gel and phone pockets.
- Core Shorts: 89% polyester, 11% elastane, 4-way stretch, rear zip phone pocket, quick dry.
Which short suits race day?
If your only job on the day is to run fast and not think about your shorts, the Race Short is the one you want. It's part of the 2026 Race Collection, built as a stripped-back race-day system, and it's ultra-light with laser-cut ventilation and a race-specific fit designed to disappear once fatigue sets in. That matters across 8km of running plus sandbag lunges and wall balls. It carries almost no storage, because the whole point is minimal weight and airflow over features. Nowhere to stash a gel, sure, but that's rather the idea.
Which short is best for training?
For daily training you're choosing between the original Tech Short and the Tech Short v2. The original uses polyester/elastane 4-way stretch with fused seams, a premium elasticated waistband, open side pockets, interior heat-sealed zip gel pockets and a large rear heat-sealed zip phone pocket, which makes it ideal if you carry fuel and a phone. The v2 is a lighter, cleaner evolution with flat side pockets, built around removing sketchy zips and bouncing pockets for repeated high-output work. As of 2026 the v2 is the default for gym-based training, and the original suits outdoor runs where you carry more.
What unites both is that they're engineered around the specific ways HYROX training breaks a short. The fused seams remove the exposed thread that abrades under a sled and racks, the 4-way stretch handles the deep squat of wall balls and the long stride of the sandbag lunges, and the premium elasticated waistband holds position rather than rolling or dragging down under load. Where they diverge is philosophy: the original solves the problem of carrying essentials securely with heat-sealed zip storage that resists sweat, while the v2 solves the problem of a short you notice, stripping storage back to flat pockets so nothing bounces through runs and jumps. Both were built by the race team removing failure points rather than adding features, so neither is a compromise, they simply answer different questions.
What about everyday and leisure shorts?
Core Shorts cover everyday training and casual wear, using 89% polyester and 11% elastane with 4-way stretch, a rear zip phone pocket and quick-dry fabric. They're more versatile for mixed use than the race-specific Tech and Race shorts, and they still handle general gym sessions well. For women, the Women's Gym Shorts use 92% nylon and 8% elastane in a seamless, squat-proof construction with a 3-tier waistband that stays put under load. These are your pragmatic picks when you want durable technical shorts without a race focus.
The elastane percentages here are worth reading closely, because they're what keep the shorts squat-proof and true to shape. The Core Shorts' 11% elastane gives enough recovery that the fabric returns to shape after every squat rather than bagging at the seat and knees, while the quick-dry polyester base means they don't stay heavy after a sweaty session or a wash. The Women's Gym Shorts take a different route to the same goal, a seamless 92/8 nylon and elastane build that distributes stretch evenly and avoids the panel joins where fabric can go sheer under a deep squat, with the 3-tier waistband holding position through lunges and jumps. If you want a durable everyday short that survives frequent washing without losing its fit, these are the sensible picks, and both slot into a Complete Collection bundle at 20% off if you're buying a fuller kit.
| Short | Fabric | Storage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Race Short | Ultra-light poly/elastane | Minimal | Race day |
| Tech Short | Poly/elastane 4-way | Gel + phone zip pockets | Runs, carrying fuel |
| Tech Short v2 | Poly/elastane 4-way | Flat side pockets | Gym, race sims |
| Core Shorts | 89/11 poly/elastane | Rear zip phone pocket | Everyday training |
How to choose your short
Work from your main use case down to the details.
- Racing for a time? Start with the Race Short.
- Carrying gels and a phone on runs? Choose the original Tech Short.
- Training mostly in a gym? The Tech Short v2 stays lighter and quieter.
- Want one versatile everyday short? Core Shorts cover it.
- Prefer squat-proof seamless fit? Women's Gym Shorts are built for it.
"Pick the short by what it has to survive. A race short that carries nothing is not underbuilt, it is doing its job. A training short that carries your phone is doing a different job," says the THETA coaching team.
Common questions
What is the difference between the Race Short and Tech Short?
The Race Short is a stripped-back race-day piece with minimal storage built to disappear under fatigue, while the Tech Short is a training short with heat-sealed zip pockets for gels and a phone. Choose the Race Short for time-chasing and the Tech Short for daily sessions where you carry essentials.
Are THETA shorts lunge-proof?
Yes, the Tech and Race shorts use 4-way stretch and a racing-specific fit that holds shape through sandbag lunges and wall balls. Unlike loose run shorts, they do not lose structure or ride up during deep movement.
Which short carries a phone?
The original Tech Short has a large rear heat-sealed zip phone pocket, and Core Shorts include a rear zip phone pocket. The Tech Short v2 uses flat pockets and is not built for carrying a phone during hard efforts.
Do the Women's Gym Shorts work for HYROX?
They work well for training thanks to seamless squat-proof construction and a 3-tier waistband that stays put under load. For racing, many women prefer the Women's Race Short, which is engineered for a clean silhouette and freedom of movement under intensity.
Is 4-way stretch important?
Yes, 4-way stretch lets the fabric move with you through lunges, jumps and sled work without restricting or losing shape. Every THETA training and race short uses it as of 2026.
Can I get a discount buying shorts with a top?
Yes, the Training Collection and Complete Collection bundles run at 20% off, which lowers the cost of buying a short and top together. Bundling is the sensible route if you need both rather than a single piece.
Why does the waistband matter on a HYROX short?
The waistband has to hold position through deep squats, lunges and jumps rather than rolling or dragging down under load. The Tech shorts use a premium elasticated waistband and the Women's Gym Shorts a 3-tier waistband, both built to stay put so the short does not become a distraction.
Do Core Shorts dry quickly after washing?
Yes, Core Shorts use a quick-dry 89/11 polyester and elastane fabric, so they do not stay heavy after a sweaty session or a wash. That quick-dry behaviour and the 11% elastane recovery are what make them a durable everyday pick.
Sources
- HYROX official race format and rulebook (hyrox.com)
- THETA 2026 shorts and collection specifications
- THETA coaching and race-team testing data, 2024–2026
Match the short to how you train and race across the full THETA performance kit range.