If you’re looking for a classic heavyweight T-shirt for custom apparel, two of the most popular budget-friendly options are the Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton T-Shirt and the Port & Company PC61 Essential Tee.
At first glance, they seem remarkably similar. They’re both popular, affordable, durable, and work well for everything from company uniforms and school spirit wear to event giveaways and promotional apparel.
They have more in common than they have differences, but there are a few distinctions in fabric weight, feel, available sizes, color selection, and overall value that may make one a better fit for your needs.
At a Glance: Gildan 5000 vs. Port & Company PC61
| Gildan 5000 | Port & Company PC61 | |
| Fabric Weight | 5.3 oz | 6.1 oz |
| Construction | Standard cotton, tubular | Soft-spun cotton, tubular |
| Feel | Slightly coarser, sturdy | Softer, substantial |
| Color Options | 66 colors | 50 colors |
| Sizes* | Adult S–5XL, Youth YXS–YXL | Adult S–6XL, Youth YXS–YXL |
| Pricing** | $7.60 per shirt | $7.63 per shirt |
| Best for | Budget-conscious events, promotional giveaways | Everyday wear, cooler weather, uniforms |
*Size availability varies by color
**When ordering 50 shirts with one color screen printed
Fabric Weight & Durability
Both the Port & Company PC61 and Gildan 5000 are designed to stand up to regular wear and repeated washing, making them dependable choices for custom apparel that will be worn more than once.
The Port & Company PC61 is made from 6.1-ounce cotton, while the Gildan 5000 is made from a slightly lighter 5.3-ounce cotton. Although the difference is small, it’s enough to create a noticeably distinct feel.
The thicker, more substantial feel of the PC61 is what many people tend to associate with a traditional heavyweight T-shirt. The extra weight gives the shirt more structure and durability, making it a great choice for work uniforms or anyone who simply prefers a heavier cotton tee. It can also provide a little more warmth, making it a comfortable option for cooler weather or air-conditioned environments. The heavier fabric can also help the shirt maintain its shape over time.
The Gildan 5000 has a slightly lighter feel while still being considered a heavyweight T-shirt. This makes it a versatile option for everyday wear, especially in warmer weather or for events where participants may be active outdoors. Its lighter weight can also make it more comfortable to layer under sweatshirts, jackets, or work uniforms without feeling overly bulky.
With proper care, both shirts offer excellent durability. If you prefer a thicker, more substantial T-shirt, the PC61 has a slight advantage. If you’d rather have a lighter shirt that still holds up well through repeated wear, the Gildan 5000 is an excellent choice.
Fabric Type
Although both shirts are made primarily from cotton, they use different types of yarn, which gives the two shirts a slightly different hand feel.
The Port & Company PC61 is made with soft-spun cotton, which gives it a smoother, softer feel right out of the package. Combined with its heavier fabric weight, it offers a comfortable, substantial feel that’s well suited for everyday wear.
The Gildan 5000, on the other hand, is made with open-end cotton, which gives the shirt a slightly coarser feel when it’s new — although it generally becomes softer with regular washing and wear.
Note: Although most options are 100% cotton, some of the colors are made with 50/50, 90/10, 60/40, or 99/1 cotton-poly blends. These include the heather colors and antique palette for the Gildan 5000 and a couple of grey tones for the PC61.
Fit and Silhouette
When it comes to fit, there’s very little difference between these two shirts.
Both the Port & Company PC61 and the Gildan 5000 feature a classic fit that’s designed to accommodate a wide range of body types. The measurements are virtually identical across corresponding sizes, so you can expect a very similar fit regardless of which shirt you choose. Both shirts also feature tubular construction, which means they’re made without side seams. This gives them a straight, classic silhouette with a traditional unisex fit rather than a more tailored or fashion-forward shape.
If you’re looking for a relaxed, everyday T-shirt that works well for a wide variety of wearers, either style fits the bill.
Size Range
The Port & Company PC61 is available in Adult S through 6XL, while the Gildan 5000 is offered in Adult S through 5XL. Both styles are also available in Youth YXS through YXL, making them excellent choices for schools, youth organizations, sports teams, family reunions, and community events.
Keep in mind that availability can vary by both color and size, so be sure to check our website or contact us directly to confirm availability before finalizing your order.
Color Selection
Both shirts offer an extensive range of colors, making it easy to match company branding, school colors, team uniforms, or event themes.
The Gildan 5000 has the larger color selection, with 66 colors available. The Port & Company PC61 comes in 50 colors, which is still an excellent selection for most custom apparel projects.
Printing and Embroidery Compatibility
Both the Port & Company PC61 and the Gildan 5000 are versatile blanks with excellent compatibility with different customization methods.
For screen printing, the smooth jersey knit construction of both shirts helps produce clean, consistent prints, whether you’re adding a simple one-color logo or a more detailed multicolor design. When it comes to embroidery, the PC61 provides a slightly more stable surface for stitching, with a heavier 6.1 oz. fabric that can help reduce puckering on larger or more densely embroidered designs. That said, the Gildan 5000 still embroiders just fine for standard logo work and text.
Price
The Port & Company PC61 and Gildan 5000 are priced almost the same. For an order of 50 shirts with one-color screen printing, the Gildan 5000 costs $7.60 per shirt, while the Port & Company PC61 comes out to $7.63 per shirt.
With a difference of just 3 cents per shirt, the cost difference is unlikely to have much impact, even on larger orders. Choosing between the two will likely come down to other factors, such as fabric weight, color selection, or size availability.
To see the exact price per shirt for your quantity and decoration method, run your numbers in our Quick Price tool on the product page.
Which Shirt Should You Choose?
The Port & Company PC61 and Gildan 5000 are both excellent choices for custom apparel. They offer nearly identical sizing, perform similarly when it comes to printing and embroidery, and are priced within just a few cents of each other.
That means there isn’t one shirt that’s objectively better. Instead, the right choice depends on the needs of your project and the features that matter most to you.
Choose the Gildan 5000 if you:
- Prefer a slightly lighter heavyweight T-shirt.
- Want access to the widest possible range of color options.
- Expect the shirts to be worn primarily in warmer weather or layered under other garments.
- Are ordering in high volumes where every dollar matters.
Its 66 available colors give more flexibility when matching company branding, school colors, sports teams, or event themes. Its slightly lighter 5.3-ounce fabric may also appeal to customers who want the durability of a heavyweight T-shirt without the added weight of a thicker garment. These qualities make it a popular choice for school events, fundraisers, charity walks, promotional giveaways, and community events, where a broad range of colors and a slightly lighter heavyweight shirt are often preferred.
Choose the Port & Company PC61 if you:
- Prefer a thicker, more substantial heavyweight T-shirt.
- Want a softer feel right out of the package.
- Need adult sizes up to 6XL.
- Are looking for a durable everyday shirt or uniform.
Its 6.1-ounce fabric gives the shirt a more substantial feel while remaining comfortable enough for everyday wear. Its soft-spun cotton offers a smoother feel from the first wear, and its extended sizing up to 6XL makes it a practical choice if your order needs to accommodate a wider range of sizes. Those features make it a strong choice for employee uniforms, company swag, volunteer apparel that’s worn regularly, and community club wear, where a thicker feel and added comfort can be especially valuable.
Ultimately, it comes down to choosing the combination of features that best fits your needs. Whichever shirt you choose, both provide the durability, printability, and reliable performance that have made them trusted staples in the custom apparel industry for years.