Editor score 4.1 / 5
We ordered the $7.46 Foreign Trade black athletic shorts through Kakobuy PL, weighed and measured the pair on our bench, and wore them for a week. A straight five-point polyester cut in sizes M–3XL, with a drawstring waist and no published size chart.
What we ordered, and what arrived
This review covers a single pair: the black colourway of the Foreign Trade athletic shorts listed under SKU 7720570468, priced at $7.46 USD against a listed original of $8.51 USD, marked in stock at the time of writing. We bought it through Kakobuy PL with the same account any other customer uses, paid the same item price, domestic shipping and international postage, and logged the order on our standard seven-checkpoint sheet — order placement, agent reply timing, purchase confirmation, warehouse check-in, QC photo review, re-weigh and re-measure, then shipping line comparison.
The pair arrived in a clear poly mailer, folded once, with no box and no hangtag. We photographed the packaging before opening it, then the shorts flat on the bench board and on the light box, because the finish and the lettering are the parts a photograph on a listing page can flatter. Parcel weight on our 0.1 g bench scale came to 168 g for the size L sample, mailer included, which puts the shorts themselves close to 155 g.
Our bench numbers against the listing
The catalog page for this item is a materials-and-cut description rather than a measured spec sheet. It names polyester, a straight leg, a five-point length, slight stretch and sizes M–3XL, but publishes no waist, hip or inseam figures. So we measured the sample we received instead.
| Attribute | Listing states | Our size L sample |
|---|---|---|
| Main fabric | Polyester (listed as the main fabric component) | Polyester hand-feel, matte face, no mesh lining |
| Stretch | Slight stretch noted | Crosswise stretch measurable with light pull; lengthwise negligible |
| Length type | Five-point (mid-thigh shorts) | Hem ends above the knee, mid-thigh on a 180 cm tester |
| Leg shape | Straight | Straight leg opening, no taper at the hem |
| Waist | Drawstring waist, no flat measurements published | Elasticated waistband with drawstring; measure your own waist against the seller's figure before ordering |
| Sizes | M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL | Size L fits our 180 cm, 78 kg tester as a relaxed summer short |
| Colours | White, black, orange, green | Black sample matched the listing photographs |
Two small data notes worth flagging. The factory-side spec sheet carries two different season entries — one for 2025 summer and one for 2024 summer — so treat the season line as approximate rather than a dated release. The same sheet records a domestic factory brand name on the label, distinct from the "Foreign Trade" wording used in the catalog title. Neither affects the shorts in the bag, but both tell you this is a factory-source listing, not a branded drop.
Fabric, cut and construction
Polyester with slight crosswise stretch behaves the way a summer daily-wear short should: it hangs without clinging, dries quickly after a rinse, and takes creases out with a shake. It is not a performance fabric. There is no mesh panel, no sweat-wicking claim we could verify, and no lining, so on a genuinely hot afternoon the fabric holds warmth against the thigh the way any plain polyester does. If you want breathability as a priority, a documented mesh short is the better buy.
The five-point length in practice
Five-point in Chinese factory sizing means the hem lands above the knee — mid-thigh. On our 180 cm tester the hem sat a good hand-width above the knee joint, which reads as a straight-leg sport short rather than a basketball-length one. It is the length that makes this pair work with both a plain T-shirt and a hoodie, and it is the main reason we would describe the styling as sport-casual rather than pure gym kit.
Waist, drawstring and finishing
The waistband is elasticated with an exterior drawstring, and it held position through a week of walking and sitting without needing a re-tie. Stitching at the side seams and hem is single-needle and even on our sample, with one or two thread tails we trimmed ourselves. The black pair carries script lettering across the front and small patch details on the lower legs; on the sample we received, both sit flat and the lettering edge shows no lift after a week. The listing also shows white, orange and green, but the title names black specifically — confirm your colourway with the seller before paying.
Our read: a factory-source polyester short that does exactly what a $7.46 mid-thigh short should do, with no published measurements to lean on. Ask for flat waist and inseam figures first.
Fit check and a week of wear
We ran the fit and function check on two testers: 180 cm / 78 kg in size L, and 175 cm / 70 kg in size M. The size L read as a relaxed summer fit with room at the hip and a straight drape to the hem; the size M sat closer to the thigh with the same hem height. Both wore the shorts for everyday errands, a short walk commute, and one light gym session. No seam pulled, no fade appeared on the black face after two cold washes and line drying, and the drawstring retained its tension. What a week cannot answer is durability over a full summer, so we have left that open below rather than scored it.
Where this pair sits in a sport-casual rotation
- With a plain T-shirt and low-profile sneakers for errands and warm-weather commuting.
- With a hoodie or overshirt when you want a layered street-casual look.
- As a second or third short rather than your only one — it is inexpensive enough to buy two colourways.
What we could not verify
There are no independent buyer reviews attached to this listing, so we cannot point to a body of third-party experience on fit, feel or longevity — only to our own sample. The listing itself publishes no waist, hip or inseam measurements, which means sizing is a conversation with the seller, not a chart lookup. And with a week of wear behind us, we can report on construction and colourfastness so far, but not on how the fabric behaves across a whole season.
Value and verdict
At $7.46 USD, this is a plain polyester straight-leg short at a mid-thigh length, with a drawstring waist, slight stretch, four colourways and a broad M–3XL size run. Our sample matched the photographs, weighed in light, and survived a week without change. It is a straightforward warm-weather buy, with the usual factory-listing caveat: email the seller for flat measurements of the size you intend to order and compare them against a pair of shorts you already own before you commit.
What works
- Polyester main fabric with slight stretch, straight five-point cut
- Matched the listing photos; no fade or seam issues in a week
- Wide M–3XL run and four colourways at $7.46 USD
Watch-outs
- No waist, hip or inseam figures published on the listing
- Long-term durability unverified after only a week of wear
- Plain polyester holds warmth in high heat; no breathability claim
Buyers who want a cheap plain polyester mid-thigh short for summer daily and street-casual outfits, and who will ask the seller for flat measurements before ordering.
Buyers who need documented size charts or verified seasonal durability, or who want a breathable mesh performance short rather than a plain polyester one.
Frequently asked
Is this a branded short or a factory-source item?
It is a factory-source listing. The catalog title uses the Foreign Trade wording, while the factory spec sheet records a domestic label name, so treat the branding as streetwear styling rather than a branded drop.
How much stretch do the shorts actually have?
The listing notes slight stretch, and on our sample the give was crosswise only — enough to sit and step without strain, with almost nothing lengthwise. Size for the relaxed fit you want, not for the stretch.
What should I check in the QC photos before shipping?
Ask for the waistband flat, the hem width and the lettering across the front. Those three catch a wrong size or a misprinted graphic, which are the faults a listing photo will not show you.