Jerzees and Gildan are both solid brands that you’d think perform largely in the same ways.
But they don’t. The differences aren’t dramatic, but they’re consistent, and they tend to show up after printing, after washing, and after you start wearing the tees and sweatshirts regularly.
Here are those differences with a focus on T-shirts, sweatshirts, and sizing — the areas where small assumptions tend to turn into bigger problems.
At a Glance
| Category | Gildan | Jerzees |
| Overall Vibe | Broad lineup with very different feels depending on the line | More consistent feel across styles |
| T-Shirt Feel | Ranges from structured (Heavy / Ultra Cotton) to smoother and lighter (Softstyle, CVC) | Generally blended, slightly broken-in feel |
| Sweatshirt Feel | Familiar, standard fleece with a more structured hand | Softer interior, loftier fleece (NuBlend stands out) |
| Print Surface (Screen Printing) | Very smooth on high stitch density tees; heavier tees feel more noticeable on the body | Forgiving surface, ink blends in quietly |
| Embroidery Performance | Stable and predictable, especially on fleece | Clean embroidery with less sinking into fleece |
| Sizing Risk | Medium; increases when switching between Gildan lines | Lower; fit tends to feel similar across styles |
| Durability Over Time | Holds shape well; feel changes depend on fabric weight | Fewer feel surprises, especially after washing |
| Best for T-Shirts | When you want a specific feel and know which line delivers it | When you want consistency across a group |
| Best for Sweatshirts | Familiar, structured hoodies and crews | Comfort-forward fleece with lower pilling complaints |
In a Nutshell: The Real Difference Between Jerzees and Gildan
The difference usually comes down to this:
- Gildan is a wide ecosystem, and its Heavy Cotton, Ultra Cotton, Softstyle, and DryBlend styles all behave differently once worn and washed.
- Jerzees is more narrow, but also more uniform. This means fewer tee personalities and feel surprises, especially over time.
Those differences matter more than price or name recognition. They show up once logos are added, garments are worn regularly, and reorders enter the picture.
T-Shirts: Fit, Feel, and Print Performance
T-shirts are where expectations are the highest and tolerance is lowest. People forgive a hoodie that’s a little boxy, but they don’t forgive a tee they don’t want to wear again.
Fabric Feel
Jerzees
Jerzees tees lean toward 50/50 blends, which gives them a slightly broken-in feel earlier on. You don’t usually get dramatic softness highs or lows. What you get is consistency, which matters when you’re ordering for a group that doesn’t want surprises.
- Blended fabrics soften quickly without feeling flimsy
- Less variation across colors
- Fewer surprises over time
Gildan
Gildan tees span a wide range of fabric personalities, which is both a strength and a source of confusion. Heavy Cotton and Ultra Cotton feel sturdier and more structured, the shirts that people describe as solid. They hold shape well and don’t feel fragile, but they aren’t chasing retail softness. And once ink goes on, especially larger prints, you feel it more on the body.
Softstyle and CVC are a different experience. These are a little more “retail ready” — think lighter weight, smoother surface, and more drape. These are the tees that people reach for casually, especially in mixed-use settings. They tend to feel softer longer, but the feel can shift across colors as blend ratios change.
- Fabric feel depends heavily on which Gildan line you choose
- Heavier tees prioritize structure over softness
- Lighter lines feel softer but vary more by color
Fit and Shape
Jerzees
Jerzees tees usually feel roomier through the torso without tipping into oversized. That makes them easier to size for mixed groups.
This means we hear fewer “this feels tight” comments, but it also means we hear fewer “this feels really soft” compliments. They land in the middle, which is sometimes exactly what you want.
- More forgiving torso room
- Easier fit for mixed groups
- Less extreme reactions, positive or negative
Gildan
Heavy Cotton and Ultra Cotton lines tend to feel boxier, especially on slimmer frames. That’s not a flaw… it’s what makes them dependable for schools, clubs, and events where a straightforward shape matters.
Softstyle and CVC feel closer to the body without being fitted, which is why they’re often chosen for merch or retail-adjacent uses.
- Boxier structure on heavier tees
- Closer drape on lighter lines
- Fit varies noticeably across Gildan families
Print Surface and Ink Behavior
Jerzees
Jerzees blends tend to absorb ink more evenly. You don’t always get that ultra-smooth surface, but you also won’t get as many complaints about stiffness or heaviness. The result is quieter.
- Ink integrates more subtly into the fabric
- Less on-body stiffness
- Fewer surprises with large prints
Gildan
High stitch-density styles like Softstyle and CVC create a smoother print surface. The ink sits cleaner, and the edges look sharper. Large designs tend to look more refined. That works well visually, but with heavier coverage, lighter fabrics can start to feel louder on the body.
Heavy Cotton and Ultra Cotton are more forgiving in terms of stability. The fabric supports ink well, but the hand feel is more noticeable. The shirt doesn’t disappear under the print.
- Smoother print surfaces on lighter lines
- Heavier tees support ink but feel bulkier
- Print comfort depends on fabric weight, not just design size
Durability Over Time
Jerzees
Most tees don’t fail catastrophically. They fade out of regular wear. Jerzees tees usually sit between those extremes. Less dramatic change, and fewer feel surprises.
- Moderate shape retention
- Consistent wear experience
- Lower contrast between first wear and later wear
Reorders are where this shows up. If the second run doesn’t feel like the first, it’s almost always because the style or fabric changed, not because the brand suddenly declined.
Gildan
Heavyweight Gildan tees tend to hold shape longer. Lighter lines tend to feel better longer. The tradeoff is predictable once you know which line you’re working with.
- Strong shape retention on heavier styles
- Better long-term comfort on lighter lines
- Durability depends on fabric weight more than brand
Sweatshirts: Where the Fleece Really Matters
In a way, sweatshirts are more forgiving than T-shirts. It’s usually okay if they’re a bit big, heavy ones don’t feel as surprising, and they can handle bigger logos. But people also tend to latch onto sweatshirts in a more emotional way; they note whether it feels stiff or comforting the second they pull it on, and once the experience is tainted, it’s hard to get them to wear it a second time.
Fleece Hand Feel
Jerzees
Jerzees NuBlend fleece feels different. With a softer interior and smoother surface, it’s the kind of fleece that people comment on — especially when they weren’t expecting it. That difference alone is why Jerzees often wins for sweatshirt-heavy orders.
- Softer interior feel
- More noticeable comfort on first wear
- Often preferred for fleece-heavy programs
Gildan
Gildan fleece feels familiar. Heavy Blend and DryBlend hoodies have a straightforward, standard hoodie feel. It’s warm, structured, dependable.
- More structured hand feel
- Familiar weight and warmth
- Consistent across large orders
Pilling
Jerzees
NuBlend fleece tends to generate fewer pilling complaints. That doesn’t mean it never pills; it just means that complaints will show up less often, especially after repeated washing.
- Better long-term appearance
- Stronger perception of durability
Gildan
Air-jet yarns and pill-resistant construction help, especially with reasonable care. But fleece still shows wear over time, particularly in high-friction areas.
- Holds up well with proper care
- Wear shows faster in daily-use programs
Print and Embroidery
Jerzees
Jerzees’ higher stitch density creates a smoother printing surface. Screen prints stay clean, and embroidery sits neatly without sinking into the fabric.
- Cleaner print edges
- More polished embroidery appearance
Gildan
Gildan is stable and forgiving, especially for embroidery, but denser designs can feel bulkier depending on placement. Back prints also require planning; hoods cover more than people expect.
- Reliable embroidery base
- Heavier feel with dense designs
- Placement matters more than people assume
A Note on Sizing & Reorders
Two mediums can measure the same and feel completely different.
Fabric weight, drape, and cut all influence how a garment wears. Gildan’s classic fit tees often feel more structured. Jerzees’ classic fit tends to feel more relaxed. Neither is wrong… they’re just not interchangeable.
Especially for custom apparel, try-ons are unrealistic. So in practice, people layer sweatshirts and wear tees as-is. Sizing up for fleece is common when groups fall between sizes. Problems usually show up when similar-but-not-identical styles are mixed between orders, or when brands are swapped without resetting expectations.
These kinds of discrepancies also mean that splitting orders (tees from one brand, fleece from another) is often simpler than forcing one brand to do everything.
When it comes to reorders, a good rule of thumb is that Gildan reorders stay consistent when you stick to the same line. Problems arise when you switch from Heavy Cotton to Softstyle or from one fleece weight to another and expect the same feel.
Jerzees reorders are usually more predictable, particularly with fleece. Schools, teams, and staff programs tend to notice that first.
If We Had to Choose Between Jerzees vs. Gildan
Here’s a quick TL;DR of where you’d pick which brand:
If you’re ordering T-shirts:
- Choose Gildan when you want a specific feel and know which line delivers it. They also have dramatically more color options and sizes from youth up to XXXXL.
- Choose Jerzees when you want consistency and fewer fit surprises across a group.
If you’re ordering sweatshirts:
- Choose Jerzees when softness, low pilling, and comfort matter most.
- Choose Gildan when familiarity, structure, and broad availability matter more.
If the goal is to declare a single winner, then Gildan is the obvious choice as it dominates the activewear market. However, Jerzees is still a great option that many people overlook.