Frankster vs Industrie Shorts: Which Brand is Better Value.
We've all seen (and been impressed by) the $69.95 price tags on Industrie shorts. However, how often do we think about what the receipt doesn’t tell us? What happens when, three or four months down the line, the material starts to thin or the seams split?
You may have paid $69.95 for the first pair of shorts. Replace them three times per year, and you’ll soon be spending $210+ or more every year on shorts that don't feel right, and aren't made to last.
This scenario isn’t as uncommon as you’d think. On Product Review, many Aussie blokes are telling similar stories. Here at Melbourne-based Frankster, we have built our whole brand on the one simple question: “What if you could buy one single pair of shorts that would actually last?”
The Brand You Trust vs The Brand You Need To Trust
Industrie: 25+ Years Of "Good Enough"
Industrie has been in operation since 1999. With over 105 retail stores in Australia and stock at every Myer store, it has become a household name. The range includes t-shirts, chinos, jackets, shorts, swimmers and much, much more.
It feels comfortable to buy from a well-established retailer. You know the fit (to an extent), and you know the cost ($69.95). However, as more and more customers take to social media to review their purchases, the trust is slowly fading.
On Product Review, Industrie currently has a rating of 1.6/5 stars at the time of writing this. Customers have consistently expressed their disappointment with the quality of Industrie clothing:
- "For the price, the quality isn't great."
- "Fabric starts to thin after two months of wear."
- "Clothing falls apart easily due to normal use."
When did "good enough" become our benchmark for quality?
Frankster: Shorts Obsessed
At Frankster, we take a different approach to Industrie. Rather than asking themselves "how can we sell more products?", we ask "how can we create shorts that men will actually enjoy wearing?"
No tops. No jackets. Just five shorts designs, tested on hundreds of Australian men.
Over time, we’ve gained 4.85/5 stars on over 2000 verified reviews. Men return to the brand to buy their third, fifth, eighth pair of shorts… not because the previous pair fell apart, but because they simply loved the new colours.
What $70 Really Pays For
The Industrie Experience
Industrie shorts are primarily made of 100% cotton, a classic choice for chino-style summer shorts in many style guides. There’s no stretch or flexibility. If you're between sizes or your weight fluctuates (as many of us experience during holidays), then things quickly get frustrating.
The construction of Industrie shorts is very standard: standard stitching and standard hardware. The pockets are shallow, which makes it all too easy for your phone to slip out of the pocket when you sit down.
As for durability, reviewer after reviewer shares the same problem: fabric deteriorates rapidly, seams begin to split, and colours fade. In the words of one reviewer, "Industrie products fall apart under normal usage".
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you’re only spending $69.95. However, after paying out for replacement shorts, the cost quickly rises.
What Frankster Does Differently
Frankster uses a 98% premium cotton with 2% spandex blend in its everyday chino shorts, giving you breathability with the ability to stretch and move all day long. That tiny addition of spandex blend makes a huge difference, as you get the breathability of cotton combined with the ability to stretch and move all day long.
Each pair of Frankster shorts is double-stitched in key areas of stress. They also use YKK zippers, the same zippers found in top-of-the-line outdoor gear.
The pockets are deep enough to actually hold your personal items. And, as if that isn’t enough, there’s a hidden zip pocket that’s large enough to hold an iPhone 15 Pro Max, handily placed in a location that won't rub against your hip.
Customers report wearing Frankster shorts for 2+ years with regular use. As one reviewer put it, "The Everyday short breaks in wonderfully and feels like your favourite pair in no time."
This isn't luck. This is what happens when your sole focus is producing high-quality shorts.
The Fit Problem Nobody Speaks About
Industrie's Sizing Roulette
Have you ever bought shorts in the same size, but in two different Industrie styles, and the shorts fit totally different? Us, too.
Industrie has inconsistent sizing between styles and even between different seasons. When you couple this with stiff, 100% cotton fabric, buying online becomes a guessing game.
A little tighter after lunch. A little looser after washing. Constant adjustments. And if you've had a big weekend or you've gained a few kilos? Those unforgiving shorts will remind you.
How Frankster Made It Happen
Aussie blokes have been testing every single Frankster design using hundreds of different body types, build types and height types. Sizes range from XS to 4XL to ensure all shapes and sizes are covered.
However, the key innovation behind the design is the creation of the partially elastic waistband. This allows you to move freely, yet provides stability when you most need it, especially in comfortable lounge shorts you can wear all day. The inclusion of belt loops also lets you choose how you want to style your shorts.
Every single pair of Frankster shorts has a seven-inch inseam and is designed to end around the top of the knee (for the average Australian male).
"Elastic waistband is a total game-changer," stated one happy customer. Another added, "I usually require a belt with other shorts I purchase, but with Frankster shorts, I do not."
Where Confidence Comes In: The Return Policy
Industrie's Return Process
Industrie allows you 14 days to try their products. However, if you find an issue with your item, you must pay for return shipping.
Many customers have expressed frustration with the return process, sharing that it took a long time for Industrie to respond. Many blokes received store credit rather than a full refund. Overall, they didn't receive much support.
When a company creates barriers to returning items, it speaks volumes to the level of confidence they have in their own products.
The Frankster Return Policy
Frankster is offering 100 days to try the shorts out. Wash them. Wear them for three months or longer. Still unsure? Full refund.
Frankster covers return shipping costs. No paperwork and no questions asked.
All orders include free express shipping, regardless of cost. Plus, all orders placed before 2pm are shipped on the same day and arrive within 2-6 business days from Melbourne.
That's what confidence in your products looks like.
The Question of Ethics
Industrie's Ratings
On Good On You, an independent organisation that rates companies based on their ethical and sustainable practices, Industrie received the lowest rating possible: very poor.
Industrie does not provide much information regarding its manufacturing processes. There’s no proof of Industrie taking any serious environmental action. There are also many question marks surrounding Industrie's labour practices.
For a company that has been operating for 26 years, this seems like a deliberate decision.
What Frankster Does
At Frankster, we openly state that we manufacture our shorts at high-quality facilities in China, the same factories that produce for top brands across the world.
We use certified cotton and reduce the amount of water used for garment dyeing by 70%.
This is what sets Frankster apart from Industrie. We donate 10% of all of our profits to Movember, helping to fight prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health issues.
By buying Frankster shorts, you’re directly supporting men's health initiatives. That's impact, not marketing.
The Real Math
Industrie shorts: $69.95.
Frankster shorts: $89.95.
At first glance, Industrie’s pricing seems better. However, let’s do the real math.
Industrie (based on customer-reported durability):
- 3-4 months = 3 pairs per year
- $69.95 x 3 = $209.85
- + Shipping on orders less than $100
- + $15+ to return anything
- Total annual cost: $230 - $250
Frankster (based on customer-reported durability):
- 2+ years
- $89.95 (one-time purchase)
- + Free shipping forever
- + Free returns for 100 days
- Total cost over two years: $89.95
You are not saving money by buying cheap shorts. You’re paying more for a terrible experience.
Frankster Shorts Range
The Everydays ($89.95): These are our flagship chino shorts, with 16+ colours and 4.85/5 stars from over 1300 customer reviews. They’re great for school runs, pub trips, barbecues, and whatever the day requires.
The Aussies ($99.95): These premium cargo shorts pack in everything you love about cargo shorts, minus the bulk. They have a lyocell blend and multiple pockets: ideal weekend adventure material.
The Actives ($89.95): These performance shorts are hybrid: water-resistant, UPF 50+ and quick-drying. Take them to the beach, hiking, travelling or for a round of golf. One pair takes care of it all.
The Comfies ($89.95): These are super-soft loungewear shorts that you can feel confident answering the door in. They’re deep-pocketed and come with a full elastic waistband.
The Shorties ($89.95): This design offers the same quality as The Everydays, but with a five-inch inseam. Rated 4.88/5 stars, they’re great for men who prefer a shorter leg length.
The Bottom-Line-Upshot
Industrie isn't a terrible brand. They've been around for 26 years, and they're in all of the major shopping centres for a reason. If you need some shorts today, and there's a Myer near you, Industrie will get the job done.
However, "getting the job done" and "paying what you should for it" are two different things.
There's no way that 20 pairs of shorts made fairly well can beat one extremely well-made pair of shorts.
Better fabrics. Better construction. Better fit. Better service. Better warranty. And when you think about how long they'll last, better value too.
You have 100 days to try them out Franksters yourself, with the added bonus of free shipping (both ways) and a full refund if they're not the best shorts you've ever bought.
As it stands now, most guys won't even use the 100-day trial, and as of today, there are more than 2,000 five-star reviews.
FAQs
Why are Frankster shorts going to be more expensive than Industrie shorts
Honestly, they shouldn't be, not really. Industrie shorts are $69.95 but generally only last for three to four months based on customer reviews. Frankster shorts are $89.95, but they can last for 2+ years. They are much cheaper over a longer period of time.
Are Frankster shorts actually better made than Industrie shorts?
The reviews say it all. Industrie has 1.6/5 stars on ProductReview with many complaints regarding durability. Frankster has 4.85/5 stars (across 2,000+ reviews), and customers comment that they’ve used the same pair of shorts for many years.
What happens if my Frankster shorts don't fit?
You have 100 days to make your decision. You can get a full refund; Frankster will pay for the return shipping. Industrie offers 14 days, but you will have to pay for return shipping.
What's the story behind the secret pocket?
Every pair of Frankster shorts has a zipper pocket large enough for an iPhone 15 Pro Max, located in a place that doesn’t dig in when you sit down. You can easily take your valuables to the pub, the beach, and other spots.
Which company is more ethical: Industrie or Frankster?
Good On You gives Industrie a rating of very poor, their worst possible rating. Frankster is very transparent about where they manufacture their products, using only certified cotton, reducing their water consumption by 70% when dyeing, and donating 10% of their profits to Movember.
