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When people talk about everyday hoodies that balance comfort, durability, and accessible pricing, Gildan and Hanes are often the 2 brands that come to mind. For sellers and apparel businesses, however, the real challenge lies in deciding which one offers better value.
In this Gildan vs Hanes hoodie guide, we’ll break down the main differences between the two so you can choose the option that truly fits your business goals. Keep reading to explore the full comparison and insights.
Gildan vs Hanes: Key differences
Below is a quick comparison table highlighting the key differences between Gildan and Hanes fabrics.
| Criteria | Gildan Hoodie | Hanes Hoodie |
| Material | Cotton–polyester fleece blend, stable structure — ideal for printing & POD fulfillment | Softer cotton-focused blends — designed for everyday comfort |
| Weight | Usually heavier & thicker, better shape retention | Typically lighter & softer, casual wear feel |
| Comfort | Structured feel, less stretch but warm & insulating | Softer hand-feel, more flexible & breathable |
| Durability | High durability, minimal shrinkage — performs well after multiple washes | Comfortable but may show pilling or shrink more over time |
| Pricing | Budget-friendly & consistent quality — strong profit margin for sellers | Slightly higher price due to comfort-oriented fabric |
| Printing | Excellent surface for DTG / screen / embroidery — highly recommended for POD hoodies | Good for lifestyle apparel, but print consistency varies by model |
1. Fabric quality
Fabric quality of Gildan
Gildan are one of best hoodie materials and known for offering a wide selection of fabric types, ranging from thicker heavyweight cotton to lighter blended options. Popular styles are typically made from 100% cotton that works especially well for screen printing and customization.
In addition to thicker cotton tees, Gildan also produces lighter and softer blends. Then it brings a more comfortable hand-feel while still maintaining durability and structural integrity.
Fabric quality of Hanes
Hanes is widely recognized for using high-quality cotton and premium cotton-blend materials. These collections are loved for their smooth, soft touch and often feeling more comfortable compared to Gildan’s heavier cotton tees.
Hanes shirts are still thick and substantial, but they emphasize comfort and softness, making them a favorite among consumers who prioritize wearability. In addition, Hanes offers eco-friendly options which features a lighter, more breathable and slightly fitted construction.
2. Sizing & Fit
About Gildan
Gildan offers a wide range of sizes from small to 5XL, making their apparel accessible for most body types. Many of their heavyweight styles — particularly Ultra Cotton and Heavy Cotton — feature a looser, more relaxed fit. This makes them ideal for those who prefer a roomy, casual feel.
Meanwhile, the Softstyle line provides a more modern, slimmer silhouette for customers prefering a sleeker, more fitted look.
About Hanes
Hanes garments, on the other hand, generally feature a slightly slimmer fit compared to Gildan. The line provides a flattering shape that feels premium and comfortable without being overly tight. Sizing consistency is also one of Hanes’ strengths, suitable for everyday wearers.
3. Durability
Durability of Gildan
Gildan shirts are designed with long-term durability in mind. They maintain structure well over time, even after repeated washing. Some minor shrinking may occur, especially if not washed correctly, but the fabric remains sturdy and reliable.
Gildan cotton tends to soften gradually after washing while retaining strength – a great choice for bulk orders, uniforms, promotional apparel, and business merchandise.
Durability of Hanes
Hanes hoodies and apparel are known for their solid durability, especially when used for everyday wear. The brand typically uses dense, wear-resistant cotton fabrics that are designed to hold up well through frequent washing and repeated use.
Many Hanes garments are also pre-shrunk during production, which helps them better retain their original shape and fit over time, reducing unexpected shrinking or distortion after washing.
4. Pricing
Gildan
Gildan is well-known for budget-friendly apparel. Their affordable pricing makes them a top choice for businesses, bulk orders, and custom printing projects. For sellers purchasing large quantities or running POD operations, Gildan delivers excellent value due to low cost per unit.
Hanes
Hanes products are generally priced higher than Gildan, but the added cost reflects their premium softness and comfort-focused construction. For high-end casual wear and lifestyle apparel, Hanes presents strong value at its price point.
5. Customization & Printing performance
Gildan
Gildan is one of the most popular brands for print-on-demand vs screen printing. The thicker cotton fabrics provide an excellent printing surface, ideal for business logos, team apparel, promotional wear, and event merchandise.
Gildan shirts hold prints well and maintain quality after repeated washing — an important factor for commercial and promotional products.
Hanes
Hanes also performs well in print-on-demand applications. Although priced slightly higher, they deliver high-quality print results. The smooth, soft fabric surface enhances print appearance, creating a polished and premium final look.
6. Color retention & Fade resistance
Color quality of Gildan hoodies
Color quality is an important factor for hoodie buyers, especially since hoodies are often worn as a style statement or personal fashion piece. Gildan also performs strongly in terms of long-term color retention.
Gildan offers a variety of hoodie options, designed for comfort, warmth, and durability. These garments are especially popular among customers who value both practicality and style.
When it comes to fading resistance, Gildan hoodies maintain vibrant color over time. Even after repeated washing and exposure to sunlight, the shades remain bold and consistent. This ensures customers can enjoy their hoodies for extended periods without worrying about fading or dulling tones.
Color quality of Hanes hoodies
Hanes hoodies are well-known for their vibrant color selections. The brand offers a wide palette, making their products appealing to a broad range of style preferences. Their high-quality dyes help hoodies retain brightness even after frequent washing.
With proper care, especially with polyester-blend fabrics, Hanes hoodies maintain both comfort and color integrity over time.
Is Hanes or Gildan better? Which is worth selling?
When comparing Gildan vs Hanes hoodie options, the “better” choice really depends on what you value more: thickness and printability, or softness and premium comfort.
Hanes tends to deliver a softer, more comfort-focused feel, making it a great fit for lifestyle wear and customers who prefer a modern, tailored silhouette. Meanwhile, Gildan hoodies are typically thicker and more structured, which makes them highly suitable for screen printing, workwear, and POD products that need durability and consistency.
If you prioritize minimal shrinkage and long-term fabric stability, Hanes performs well thanks to its pre-shrunk and treated fabric options. However, for heavy, sturdy garments designed to hold shape, especially for large print areas, Gildan remains a strong contender.
From a business perspective, Gildan is often the more cost-efficient choice for bulk orders and POD fulfillment, offering stable sizing, reliable stock availability, and better margins. Hanes, on the other hand, is a great match for brands positioned toward premium comfort, where customers are willing to pay a slightly higher price for a softer, higher-end feel.
Gildan hoodie products you can start selling
1. Classic Unisex Hoodie Gildan 18500 (Made In US)
Classic Unisex Hoodie is one of the most popular Gildan-based hoodie models for POD sellers thanks to its sturdy fleece fabric, structured shape, and reliable print surface. The material is thick enough to retain warmth and form while still offering comfort for everyday wear, making it suitable for a wide range of niches and customer groups.
Because the fit is classic and unisex, it adapts well to both casual and lifestyle markets, from gift designs to seasonal campaigns. This hoodie is truly a strong choice because it delivers consistent print quality, minimal shrinkage, and stable production across batches, which helps maintain brand reliability and profit margins on large or recurring orders.
2. Classic Unisex Hoodie Gildan 18500 (Made in AU)
Classic Unisex Hoodie made in Australia is an excellent option for stores serving customers in Australia and New Zealand. With local fulfillment, orders are processed and delivered faster, helping sellers reduce cart abandonment caused by long shipping times.
The hoodie features a soft fleece interior and a durable outer fabric that holds color and print detail well, making it ideal for both DTG and screen printing. This product works particularly well for region-focused designs such as local sports teams, outdoor lifestyle niches, patriotic themes, and seasonal apparel tailored to Oceania markets.
3. Zip Hoodie Gildan 18600
EU Zip Hoodie is a great option for sellers targeting European customers who prefer a lightweight-to-midweight hoodie that works well for layering and everyday streetwear. Its breathable fabric and flexible silhouette make it appealing to customers who want a comfortable and versatile outerwear piece rather than a heavy winter hoodie.
In addition, EU-based production means faster delivery times and lower shipping costs within the region, which can significantly improve conversion rates and customer satisfaction. This hoodie is especially suitable for lifestyle and fashion-oriented designs, minimalist graphics, and casual wear collections that prioritize comfort and style at the same time.
4. Zip Hoodie Gildan 18600 (Made in AU)
Zip Hooded Sweatshirt combines the warmth of a fleece hoodie with the convenience and versatility of a zipper-front design. Compared to pullover hoodies, this style has a higher perceived value and is often preferred by customers looking for premium or lifestyle apparel.
It is a strong addition to a seller’s catalog because it allows for broader product variety and attracts shoppers who want both comfort and practicality. With its relaxed yet structured fit, this hoodie performs well in niches such as fitness and athleisure, university and campus apparel, event merchandise, and personalized or team-oriented designs.
5. Classic Unisex Zip Hoodie Gildan 18600
Gildan 18600 Classic Unisex Zip Hoodie is widely trusted in the POD industry thanks to its durable construction, reinforced seams, and thick, stable fabric that supports large print areas on both the front and back. This model is particularly well-suited for sellers who focus on graphic-heavy designs, brand merchandise, and workwear-style apparel that requires strength and longevity.
Because the material withstands repeated washing without significant fading or distortion, it delivers reliable quality that helps build customer loyalty. For sellers running bulk campaigns, this hoodie offers predictable stock availability and consistent output, which is critical for scaling production.
6. Youth Hoodie Gildan 18500B
Youth Hoodie made in the US is designed with a soft interior fleece and a comfortable, child-safe fit, making it a practical choice for kids’ everyday wear. Its durable fabric holds up well to frequent activity and washing, which is a key factor for parents when purchasing children’s clothing.
For POD, this product opens opportunities to target family-oriented niches, matching parent-child sets, school and sports themes, and personalized gift categories such as birthdays and holidays. Youth apparel also performs strongly during seasonal shopping peaks, allowing sellers to expand their catalog and capture more diverse audiences.
Tips to sell hoodies & Win big
To sell hoodies successfully in the POD market, the first key factor is niche selection – it means you have to understand who actually buys hoodies and why. Certain customer groups such as students, streetwear lovers, outdoor workers, fitness communities, pet owners, and hobby-based audiences tend to purchase hoodies more frequently and are more likely to return for repeat orders.
Pricing strategy also plays a major role. Heavier hoodies with thicker fleece and structured form are more suitable for audiences who value durability and warmth. And these buyers are generally willing to pay a higher price point.
Meanwhile, softer or lightweight hoodies are preferred in lifestyle and fashion niches where comfort and casual wear are the top priorities. Pricing according to product value allows you to maintain sustainable margins rather than applying the same price to all hoodie styles.
Design selection is another factor that strongly influences conversion rates. On hoodies, bold typography, block graphics, large center-chest prints, and minimal designs usually perform well because they maintain good visual clarity on thicker fabric.
Highly detailed or low-contrast designs may lose sharpness after printing, especially on darker materials. Designs that reflect identity, profession, relationships, pets, or personal expression often sell best because buyers can see themselves in the product.
One of the most common mistakes new sellers make is running hoodie campaigns with very low profit margins. Hoodies have higher base cost compared to T-shirts, and sellers also need to account for printing cost, shipping, returns, and seasonal discounts. Without a clear pricing structure, it becomes difficult to scale campaigns profitably in the long term.
Upselling hoodie bundles is a great way to increase average order value. Instead of selling only single items, you can offer bundle sets such as couple hoodies, family matching hoodies, hoodie + sweatshirt combos, or seasonal gift bundles.
Seasonal campaigns also create big opportunities for hoodie sellers. Demand typically rises during colder months, back-to-school periods, outdoor event seasons, and major shopping holidays. Preparing seasonal collections in advance — and aligning shipping regions with your target markets — allows you to capture traffic spikes more effectively and stay ahead of competitors.
Beyond product and design strategy, choosing the right fulfillment partner plays a decisive role in your hoodie business success – and Merchize is the partner you should trust.
With Merchize, you don’t need to worry about production or logistics. You focus on creating winning designs, and Merchize handles printing, packing, and worldwide shipping.
Merchize operates a global fulfillment network with production locations across multiple regions, helping your hoodie orders get processed and delivered faster while reducing shipping time and cost for your customers. This gives sellers more flexibility to test new niches, scale campaigns, and expand into new markets.
You can also create more personalized hoodie collections with Merchize thanks to flexible product options from multiple hoodie models, printing styles, and sizing ranges to custom design placements and region-based fulfillment choices.
In the end, the choice between Gildan vs Hanes Hoodie comes down to your goals, audience expectations, and business model. Gildan offers durability, structure, and printing consistency — making it a reliable option for POD sellers. Meanwhile, Hanes focuses more on softness and everyday comfort. By understanding the strengths of each fabric line and aligning them with your brand direction, you’ll be better equipped to choose the hoodie style that delivers long-term value for both your store.
