These cheap swim trunks totally changed my view on clothing from Amazon

• Amazon's Goodthreads brand offers fun and stylish men's swimwear at affordable prices.
• The comfort and quality make them terrific buys, but we wish there were more color options.

The inevitable consequence of last-minute packing is a missing item you need. In my case, it was a pair of men's swimwear - fitting as this was a late-summer pool vacation. My best option was to pick one up at my destination, but at this time of year, finding men's swimsuits was a challenge. The slim pickings were either the wrong size or not to my liking.

A stroke of genius, I looked through Amazon while waiting for my flight and found a fun 5-inch pair of trunks from the company's Goodthreads brand - in teal blue with toucans all over. And with my Amazon Prime membership's two-day shipping, it would arrive just in time for sipping piña coladas poolside.

Because of my mediocre experience in buying clothing from Amazon, I had low expectations for these trunks. They were inexpensive and needed to hold up for a week, and we can both part ways afterward. However, they were so well made, comfortable, and fun to wear, they are now part of my wardrobe. They have also changed my outlook on Amazon-branded clothing.

Design and features

The Goodthreads Men's 5-inch Inseam Swim Trunk is made of 90% polyester and 10% stretchy fabric (Elastane). There is a back pocket with a button-close flap in addition to the two side pockets. There is also an inner pouch to hide a key, but not much else. On the front is a drawstring to complement the elastic waistband, and there's a basic mesh liner on the inside.

The 5-inch trunk is simply designed, but you can get it in nine styles, but no solid color options. You can also get it in 7 and 9-inch inseams if you prefer the board shorts look. But at 5-feet 8-inches, I feel the 5-inch inseam provides ample coverage while making me look taller, or at least in my head.

Performance and use

I have a 34-inch waist and the medium size offers a snug but nice fit. Although it's made entirely from synthetic materials, the Goodthreads swim trunk is comfortable to wear. The liner did not irritate my precious cargo - neither too tight nor loose - and I found the stretch fabric flexible for running while maintaining that fitted look. If you prefer a looser or thinner garment, then this might not be for you.

The Goodthreads trunk does not use any fast-drying technology like those found in performance swimwear, but I found it dried fairly quickly.

The material has held up after a couple of washes, but I can see the color fading over time from washing and under the sun, which is expected.

The bottom line

For less than $30, I found the Goodthreads Men's 5-inch Inseam Swim Trunk comparable to the more expensive trunks I own. More importantly, it's comfortable, if not even more so. I don't expect it to last for years, but I will be getting my money's worth. While I love the blue teal/toucan pattern, I wish it came in solid color options. It's also changed my perception of buying apparel from Amazon, particularly its house brands, which seem to emphasize quality.

For Amazon Prime members, you can try the Goodthreads trunk for seven days free as part of the Prime Wardrobe benefit. You aren't charged upfront and only pay if you keep it. While there's no such thing as one size fits all, it's a stress-free option for buying clothes online.