If you’ve ever ordered custom apparel, there’s a decent chance you’ve run into Gildan. It’s a brand that shows up everywhere: event tees, company hoodies, school spirit wear, volunteer shirts, and uniforms that get worn hard and washed often.
They’re ubiquitous for a reason: Gildan has so many styles, some built for durability, others for extra-soft comfort, some that are prime for printing custom designs, and others seemingly tailor-made for embroidery.
So let’s go over the most popular Gildan T-shirts and hoodies at Blue Cotton, breaking them down by fit, fabric weight, comfort, durability, and how well they hold up once logos are added.
At a Glance
| Style | Apparel Type | Fabric | Fit & Feel | Print / Embroidery Performance | Best Use |
| G5000 | T-Shirt | 5.3-ounce, 100 % cotton | Classic, structured | Very reliable for screen printing | Events, bulk promos |
| G2000 (Ultra Cotton) | T-Shirt | 6.1-ounce, 100 % cotton | Relaxed, heavy | Handles heavy ink well | Events, bulk promos |
| G64000 (Softstyle) | T-Shirt | 4.5-ounce, ringspun cotton | Modern, retail-ready soft | Strong print results, lighter hand | Refined looks |
| G8000 (DryBlend) | T-Shirt | 5.6-ounce, cotton/poly blend | Structured and dry | Consistent prints, moisture-friendly | Active or high-wear use |
| 18500 Heavy Blend | Hoodie (Pullover) | 8-ounce, cotton/poly fleece | Thick, classic hoodie feel | Excellent for screen print & embroidery | Teams, schools, company hoodies |
| 18600 Heavy Blend | Hoodie (Full-Zip) | 8-ounce, cotton/poly fleece | Thick, classic hoodie feel | Excellent for screen print & embroidery | Teams, schools, company hoodies |
| SF500 Softstyle Fleece | Hoodie (Pullover) | 8.4-ounce, ringspun cotton blend | Softer, smoother fleece | Embroidery works, lighter stitch density | Casual wear, lifestyle merch |
Gildan G5000: The Familiar Classic
The Gildan G5000 is one of the most widely used T-shirts in custom printing. If you’ve ever received a free event tee, there’s a good chance this was it.
This shirt is made from midweight cotton with a traditional cut. It doesn’t try to feel premium, but it doesn’t fall apart either. The fabric has enough structure to support screen printing without distortion, which is why it’s trusted for large runs and repeat orders.
Pros
- Predictable print results
- Holds shape well
- Cost-effective for volume orders
- Easy sizing for mixed groups
- Comes in 65 colors and sizes from youth XS to adult 5XL
Cons
- Firmer feel compared to softer styles
- Boxier, unisex fit
- Not ideal if a premium feel is the top priority
Best use: Choose the G5000 if you are planning for events, promotions, volunteer shirts, and situations where reliability matters more than feel.
Gildan G2000 Ultra Cotton: Built for Wear & Tear
The Gildan G2000 is essentially the same as the Gildan 5000, except it’s a little heavier at 6.1 ounces vs. 5.3 ounces. As a result, it’s incredibly sturdy and feels more substantial in the hand, built for repeated wear, frequent washing, and environments where shirts are pushed to their limits. If you’re a soccer mom planning shirts for the team, this is a good option as it’ll hold up well with sweaty action and repeated use.
From a printing standpoint, the G2000 handles heavy ink coverage well. Large logos and dense designs don’t overwhelm the fabric, and the shirt doesn’t lose structure over time. It’s perfect for companies where workers wear trademarked gear that needs to be washed repeatedly — and with quite a bit of laundry detergent to remove sweat and stains.
Pros
- Extremely durable
- Handles heavy prints well
- Holds shape after repeated washes
- Significant number of colors and sizes
Cons
- Heavier feel
- Less breathable
- Not a modern fit
Best use: Workwear, staff uniforms, industrial settings, or any situation where longevity matters more than style.
Gildan G64000 Softstyle: Where Fashion Enters the Picture
The Gildan G64000 Softstyle uses a lighter, softer cotton (4.5 ounces) and a more modern cut. Being ringspun, it feels noticeably different from the G5000 or G200, especially during extended wear. If you want a Gildan shirt that feels closer to retail without jumping brands, this is usually where you’ll land.
Printing still performs well, but the lighter fabric means design choices matter more. Oversized or heavy ink coverage can feel more noticeable and stuck on.
Pros
- Softer hand feel
- More modern fit that’s slightly more forgiving
- Comfortable for all-day wear
- Budget-friendly and an abundance of colors and sizes
Cons
- Less forgiving with heavy prints
Best use: Branded apparel, team shirts, and projects where comfort, fashion, and budgets equally matter. It’s a good choice for adult sports teams, where the wearer is a little more responsible about pulling on the shirts.
Gildan G8000 DryBlend: Performance Over Plush
The Gildan G8000 DryBlend is designed with moisture management in mind. The cotton/poly blend (5.6 ounces) gives the shirt a slightly drier feel and helps it hold up in higher-activity settings. So if you want a shirt for a summer team building event or humid region functionality, the G8000 is a sweat-friendly option.
This isn’t a softness-first shirt. This is made for structure, durability, and consistency, especially in environments where shirts get warm, damp, or heavily used.
Pros
- Durable blend
- Good moisture management
- Consistent print results
- Lots of colors and sizes
Cons
- Fit is not as fashion-forward
- More utilitarian feel
Best use: Active roles, outdoor work, or settings where durability and quick drying beat softness.
Gildan 18500 Heavy Blend Hoodie: The Go-To Standard
The Gildan 18500 is the pullover hoodie you see everywhere, and for good reason.
It uses a cotton/poly fleece that balances warmth, structure, and affordability. The fabric also supports both screen printing and embroidery without warping or puckering, which makes it a reliable choice for logos.
Pros
- Durable fleece
- Embroidery-friendly
- Wide size and color range
Cons
- Bulkier feel
- Not the softest option
Best use: Company hoodies, school apparel, team gear, and large programs.
Gildan 18600 Full-Zip Hoodie: Practical and Functional
The Gildan 18600 offers the same core construction as the pullover, with the added flexibility of a zipper.
This style is often chosen for staff apparel or layering. Embroidery works well on the chest, while printing performs best on the back or sleeves. It’s a popular option for high school jackets and team sports wear.
Pros
- Easy layering
- Durable construction
- Good for embroidery
Cons
- Zipper limits print placement
- Slightly stiffer feel
Best use: Workwear, staff uniforms, and cooler environments.
Gildan SF500 Softstyle Fleece: A Softer Take on the Hoodie
The SF500 brings the Gildan Softstyle approach to fleece. It’s lighter, smoother, and more comfortable against the skin than heavier blends.
This hoodie feels less like workwear and more like something you’d wear off-duty — a cozy fit that could end up being someone’s next favorite sweatshirt.
Pros
- Softer fleece
- Cleaner drape
- Comfortable for casual wear
Cons
- Less rugged
- Requires care with embroidery density
Best use: Lifestyle apparel, casual merch, and comfort-focused projects. These hoodies are keepers, making them ideal for upper management wear.
Choosing Gildan Without the Guesswork
Sometimes the easiest way to choose is to stop thinking about fabric specs and start thinking about how the apparel will actually be used. After all, different situations ask different things from a shirt or hoodie, such as durability, comfort, visibility, or polish.
These aren’t hard-and-fast rules, but they’re a great starting point for making your next custom apparel purchase:
- Youth or adult soccer teams: The G5000 T-Shirt holds up to frequent washing, prints stay intact, and the classic fit works across body types
- Construction or warehouse crew: The G2000 Ultra Cotton T-Shirt’s thicker fabric supports heavy ink and resists breakdown over time
- Company-wide event or volunteer day: The G5000 T-Shirt’s predictable print results and reliable sizing make large orders easier
- Office or management team apparel: The G64000 Softstyle T-Shirt offers a softer feel with a more modern fit, while still printing cleanly
- Fitness or outdoor staff: The G8000 DryBlend T-Shirt’s cotton/poly blend handles sweat and repeated wear better than all-cotton
- School spirit wear or team hoodies: The 18500 Heavy Blend Hoodie’s dense fleece supports embroidery and bold prints without distortion
- Staff hoodies or layered workwear: The 18600 Full-Zip Hoodie’s zipper adds flexibility while maintaining durability for daily use
- Lifestyle merch or casual branded hoodies: The SF500 Softstyle Fleece Hoodie’s smoother fleece drapes better and feels more wearable off the clock
When it comes to printing, here’s what you want to aim for:
- Screen printing performs best on heavier fabrics, such as the G5000, G2000, and 18500 hoodies.
- DTG works well on smoother cotton fabrics, such as the G64000, but screen printing will typically outperform it.
- Embroidery works well on fleece like the 18500 and 18600, as the fabric density supports clean stitching.
If you need consistency, durability, and predictable results, Gildan delivers world-class quality across both T-shirts and hoodies. The key is matching the style to the job, not assuming one shirt or hoodie can do everything well.
Once you align fabric weight, fit, and decoration method with how the apparel will actually be used, Gildan stops feeling generic and starts feeling intentional.
And that’s when it works best.