The day has arrived: lululemon finally changed their speed shorts. Since lululemon has modified literally every single one of the core bottoms in their lineup, I knew it was only a matter of time before speed shorts made it to the chopping block. Almost all of lululemon’s “new and improved” designs have actually been worse for me, so as a diehard speeds super-fan, I was horrified to see the new speed up shorts. Speeds have been my all-time favorite lululemon style for over 5 years and I’d hate to lose what I love about them.
Still, I tried to keep an open mind. I ordered a pair of speed ups in the culture clash print to see how they measured up to my beloved speeds.
To be clear about the fate of speed shorts, I’ve heard from multiple sources that they are indeed being phased out. If you love speeds, there unfortunately won’t be any new colors.
Anyway, let’s get to it!
Fit changes
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[/ezcol_1half_end]The most major changes to the speed up shorts are in the low hip/thigh area. The fabric at the sides and lower hip area has been nipped in considerably. That means the speed ups fit perfectly flush at the sides of my thighs and tapers in at the rear. Previously, I had a bit of excess fabric at the low hip below my bum. Now, there is absolutely no more flaring at all. Notice in the front comparison photo how much more flush the speed ups sit against my legs.
The adjusted hem sweep also made the speed ups slightly shorter, mostly at the sides. Since I’m relatively short, the shorter length doesn’t bother me and doesn’t look indecent on my petite legs. If you’re tall or have long legs, you may find the new design to be a bit revealing.
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[/ezcol_1half_end]To put some solid numbers on it, my 4-way speed shorts purchased last year (dottie tribe and neon pink) have an actual inseam measurement of 3″ and an outseam measurement (top of waistband to side opening) of 8.75″. In contrast, my speed ups measure 2.5″ and just 7.25″.
Notice in the above comparison photos how the hem sweep does not extend as far out past my leg. The angle of the leg opening is steeper, and the excess fabric on the lower outside corners has been eliminated.
Because of the shortened length and steeper leg angle, I noticed that the speed ups are a little more prone to the front hem rolling over when I sit down. This happens on some of my older speeds, too, so it doesn’t bother me.
Laying flat, you can clearly see that the width at the waist and hip remains the same. But, some people may still find they need to size up due to the changes in leg cut as well as seam differences discussed below. Since those are areas where I had room to spare, I can comfortably fit into my normal speed short size (2) without feeling like the fit is any tighter. I’m just as comfortable in my speed ups as I am in my old speeds.
If you’re familiar with old school 2-way stretch speed shorts, the speed ups fit very similar to those. For example, my culture clash speed ups fit nearly identical to my old pairs in love red and spring has sprung, just with 4-way fabric instead. Notice that the comparison of the speed ups versus my old love red pair (shown above) is much less dramatic than the difference between the speed ups and my newer neon pink speeds shown above. Really, the biggest difference between the old 2-ways and the new speed ups is the angle of the leg opening.
In my opinion, the new fit is well-suited to body types with fuller hips/bum relative to their thighs. I happen to fall into this category, so that means the speed ups fit me well. However, I think the speed ups may not be as well-suited to women with narrow hips or otherwise relatively straight figures compared to the original speeds. Of course, your experience may vary.
By the way: if you’re wondering, I have not tried the 4″ speed up shorts. I’ve been told that the length of the long version is somewhere between speed shorts and run times. I’m not in any hurry to try the 4″ version (if I do at all) since I’m happy with the 2.5″ style. If you have something to report on the new 4″ speed ups, please feel free to leave a comment for other readers!
Design changes
Besides the fit, I noticed a few other things that make the speed ups quite different.
First: pockets. They overhauled the back zip pocket. They dropped the dangly zipper pull and accent, instead subbing it for a simpler zipper pull that sits flush. The pocket has also been widened by a full inch, measuring 5.5″ across. It’s now wide enough to accommodate my iPhone 7 (with case), and I can get the whole thing inside and zip it closed, although it’s a tight squeeze.
The front pockets have also been slightly modified. There are still two slit pockets on either side of the top waistband, but now they actually connect through the middle to give you a lot more room.
I also noticed that the liner on the pockets is different. Instead of the soft circle mesh that used to line the pockets, they’re now lined with plain mesh.
The other design major change is seaming. All over, the seam style is now slightly narrower and less prominent.
The seam changes includes the liner, which now has lower-profile, slimmer seams. The drawstring also now has a “box” sewn in all the way around the waistband to keep it in place.
Another major change is the seam connection where the front and rear panels meet. Previously, the front-side seam connected with the waistband seam and then curved back to meet the junction of the two fabric panels at the side. The new seam just goes straight down. From a stylistic perspective, I dislike this seam since I think it doesn’t flow well with the design. But, when I went to investigate why this seam changed, I found something really interesting.
The above photo is showing the back rear of the speeds with the liner moved out of the way. Previously, the back lower panel of the speeds was attached relatively loosely. It was tacked down at the “corner” where the front and back panels meet, then tacked at each vent seam. Then there was an extra arch of fabric above the rear vents for modesty.
Now, the whole back panel is sewn down much more securely through the sides and at the rear vents. Instead of only being sewn down at the corner, the lower panel extends higher and is sewn down both at the corner where the panels meet and up at the vertical seam where the panel ends. Note that it is open between those two points, not sewn down all the way up.
Instead of the extra flappy bit of fabric above the vents, there’s now a whole panel of mesh at the upper rear. The vents are still true vents–you can still stick your finger through them. These seaming updates should help a ton with vent puckering.
Even though the width at the hips is identical (as shown in the comparison photos above), the additional seam attachments at the side of the back panels may be why some find the speed ups to fit tighter.
Overall, I’m pleasantly surprised by the speed up shorts. I like the new design much more than I expected, since I was honestly prepared to dislike them versus my beloved speeds. It works very well for my body type and improves upon some of the fit imperfections I experienced with speed shorts. I will definitely be buying more as new colors come out.
Fellow speeds fans: what are your thoughts on the new design?
Get the speed up shorts here
Thanks for your thoughts. As somebody who lacks hips of any sort (meaning they’re narrow) I appreciate your info. My thighs are fairly big compared to my hips. Even in the heat I’ve been running in capris and sounds like I may have to continue with that.
Ack, capris in summer sounds brutal. :( Hopefully you find a pair that works, whether it’s these or another. :)
I actually live in Vietnam so it’s pertually summer. But yeah, I just deal with it.
Oh gosh even worse! D: I guess you get used to it after a while…at least as much as anyone can get used to it!
I bought the culture clash speed ups last week and like them for close to home workouts. As mentioned previously here, a base gym in WA kicked me out for wearing speeds as they were too short (and I’m only 4’11” !).
I opted to size up since I’m currently battling weight gain and and in between my normal and size up. But I prefer
To not have the seams flush with my legs on running shorts. I’m happy with the changes!
Glad you like them too, and thank goodness no one can kick you out of your house for wearing short shorts. :)
omg i’m furious on your behalf for having to experience such bullshit at your gym! it’s awful that adult women experience such policing when they’re just trying to stay cool during a workout. i’m sorry you had to deal with that.
Thanks! The worst part was there being women in tbefe who are obviously
Much fitter and younger than I am getting away with wearing short, tight shorts. I just stopped using that base gym,
Had other options. :)
This is such a detailed article about the new speed up shorts. I am still waiting for the shorts to be uploaded in my country and will update. Love love 2 way speeds. ?
IG: katemonaco
Awaiting your report!! :) Fingers crossed they make it your way this week!
I am sad over the demise of the current speeds shorts. The new speed ups are horrid on my long legs vs the current speeds. I’m afraid I’ll get arrested for indecent exposure now. Tried the long version and just don’t love the cut on those as they sit and look a little floppy now. At that point, I’d just buy Run Times. May have to try and switch over to Hotty Hot Longs now if I want new shorts.
I have Spring Has Sprung and the fit of the speed up wasn’t even close to that. I was way more exposed in the speed up version
I think my days of buying Lulu are over. Pretty much everything I bought has now been discontinued. There’s nothing left for me to buy anymore.
Oh that sucks. :( Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I haven’t really heard anything good about the long speed ups so far. I would’ve been totally happy if they’d kept the old speeds, especially if they brought back 2-way. While I like the new speed ups, they seem to be more divisive than speeds, which is such a shame.
I *totally* agree. The new speed ups look positively indecent on me and I’m 5″2. I am not sure what i’m giong to do now; none of the other lululemon styles look as nice. I’ve bought one pair of the run times but I’m going to start looking for another brand for my go-to (and also stalking ebay for the old speeds)
It’s been almost 2 years and I’m still holding out hope they’ll restore the old speeds–I miss them! I do wear my speed ups, but I still find myself buying secondhand speeds more often. If you haven’t checked them out already, you might like Tracksmith’s session shorts.
Thank you so much for such a comprehensive review. I totally agree with your fit assessment. Unfortunately, these shorts are just too scandalous for someone 5’10”.
Oh yeah, I can imagine. If I was much taller I don’t think I would go for them. D:
Those look fantastic on you! So glad to hear this style revision is for the positive.
Thank you! :) It’s definitely a mixed bag of opinions, but I’m glad it worked out on my end at least.
I noticed the liner change on the hotty hot 1 vs the hotty hot 2. I like that update.
Overall, the speed ups will not work for me. I carry my weight in my butt and a bit in the outer thighs, and these just accentuate some stuff I don’t want to accentuate with the shorter length on the side. The old speeds hid this part of my thigh, but it’s front and center on the speed ups.
I’ll just stick with my massive collection of speeds and maybe acquire hotty hots if I can’t resist a color.
Yeah, I can definitely see how the higher cut could be revealing in ways that might be not so nice. At least there are lots of speeds to choose from. :)
I disagree with your statement that speed ups work best for those with” body types with fuller hips/bum relative to their thighs”. I have that body type & I HATE (DESPISE!!!) the new speed ups. I prefer my speeds to be on the looser side & have always sized up for speeds. The new speed up in a size 6 (my “size up”), fit me tighter (& shorter!) than speeds in my TTS (4).
My friend, who has narrow hips and virtually no butt looks great in the speed ups.
IMO, the new speed ups were NOT designed for runners with “curves” (unless you like to wear speeds on the “tighter” side), but for women with narrow hips & small thighs (& not too much of a butt).
That sucks, sorry to hear they don’t work for you. :( The main reason for me saying the new ones are more favorable for bigger hips/smaller thighs is because the butt was mostly unchanged but there was quite a bit of fabric taken out of the thighs. But, it’s clearly more complicated than that!
I tried the speed ups. I have narrow hips and a wide waist (5’5″ 34″ hips and 27″ waist). I like size 4 speeds for running but I get a bit of muffin top. I was excited about the speed ups. But they look awful on me! The Lower rise lengthens the torso but the bum seam gave me a wide flat bum. I have small thighs so I liked the leg opening. I really like the bigger phone pocket. But they are a no go for me. I think speed ups work for an hourglass slim waisted figure ie not me.
Sorry to hear that!! It seems like most people are voting against the speed ups. Although I’m obviously glad I didn’t have to kiss my shorts goodbye, it seems like more people would’ve been happy if they had kept the speeds, maybe just with a bigger phone pocket. :\
Great review! I like the speed short because of the longer back providing the coverage that I am comfortable with even though I am only 5″1. I always buy the ones with narrower leg openings though. It is good and bad that the cut has been so inconsistent even with the same color/pattern! I do like the narrower leg opening of the speed up short but I do not like losing the length, especially in the back. Tried the speed up long. The back length works but the front is too long that the fabric does not sit right. I have plenty of speeds and other shorts that I love so I am all set :).
I agree, the inconsistency can be great and also so frustrating. I’m guessing the speed ups will be the same way so I’ll have to watch myself. I’m glad you’ve got plenty of speeds to fall back on at least. :)
I tried the 4″ style and they were truly terrible on me. The back was way longer than the front and hung out in a weird sort of flap of loose fabric. They were sent back immediately, will stick with run times.
Thanks for the report! The long ones definitely haven’t been getting as much positive feedback, at least from what I’ve heard.
Just came across your post about this and I acually did a comparison myself when I tried them on. I feel like the new speed ups fit very much similar to the speed shorts before they started making the back long and flappy. I absolutely LOVE the fit of them and I am going to start selling off my old speed collection to make room for more of these. The waistband is way more comfortable. I compared mine to the beachy floral speeds and found the back length to be exactly the same. Also to the old wet dry warm. Its the newer speeds that it’s shorter than (like dottie tribe that you have, neon pink, but also all the awful ones that came out around that time). I’m so happy with the changes. I am similar to you in shape, but maybe not as much of a bum (that i am jealous of) – but tall, slim with skinny legs, wider hip and a small waist. Can’t wait for more colours!
Yes, I agree that they’re more similar to older speed shorts rather than the flare-y ones of recent years. They’re not *exactly* the same, but the ways they are similar are the ways that I like, so I count that as a positive! I’m really hoping that the green in the new long version comes in the 2.5″ version too, it’s gorgeous.
Oh my gosh me too! Although I already have all the colours (minus black, white and the lux) haha. Just got Aeon – it’s gorgeous!
I hesitated too long and missed out on amalfi blue! I just ordered aeon though. I have bruised berry from a few years ago but aeon is totally different and I bet it will fit better anyway. ;)
This review was super thorough and helpful. Thank you!
You’re very welcome, glad it was useful for you! :)
Hi! Could you let me know the size that you bought along with your height?
I am 5’3″ and around 130 pounds but I am not sure what size will fit me. I do wear size 6 in the leggings from Lululemon though.
Sorry for the delayed reply! I am 5’3″, 100 lbs, and I bought the size 2. I’m guessing you’ll want either a 6 or an 8. Some people (like me) buy the same size as they wear in lulu leggings, but others are more comfortable in a size up. I definitely don’t recommend going down a size. I know that doesn’t narrow it down that much, but maybe it helps a little. :)
Any changes to the fit of the liner? Lulus liners always give me slight wedgies despite the actual shorts fitting me perfectly, so sadly I’ve never really been able to wear them. Have you noticed any difference in the liner fit?
The overall fit of the liners feels basically the same to me. You could try them again, but sadly I doubt you’ll find them to be much different. :\
I *totally* agree. The new speed ups look positively indecent on me and I’m 5″2. I am not sure what i’m giong to do now; none of the other lululemon styles look as nice. I’ve bought one pair of the run times but I’m going to start looking for another brand for my go-to (and also stalking ebay for the old speeds)
I purchased 6 pairs of the 4” lined black shorts. I have worn 4 and noticed that the material comes out of the washer and after a short time in the dryer really wrinkled. I have any other lululemon shorts and leggings and have never had this problem. All 4 pairs wrinkle but an older runtimes 4” comes out just fine with no wrinkles. I’m really disappointed. I don’t think it can be the same material or it would wash and slightly dry the same.
Hi Bonnie! So, actually, there’s more than one fabric that’s been used for lulu’s shorts in the past, so your hunch may well be exactly right. These fabrics definitely have different properties in terms of wrinkles. I’m guessing your old run times shorts were 2-way stretch!
I wrote a post that goes into detail on the difference between these fabrics and how to tell which is which: https://www.agentathletica.com/difference-between-lululemon-2-way-and-4-way-stretch-speed-shorts/ This article is focused on speed shorts, but the same fabric is used for run times as well as other shorts, so the info still applies.
Also, you may already know this, but I definitely recommend air-drying your activewear if you can. Over time, the heat from the dryer will slowly degrade the elastic fibers, which means your stuff will wear out faster. That said, some people are willing to accept that trade-off to save time, but I just wanted to throw that tip out there.