Hanes and Gildan are two of the most prominent players in the blank apparel business, producing quality apparel at affordable prices and competing directly with each other’s products. With similar items, how do you decide which one to use for your custom tees?
We’ve put together a comprehensive comparison of their top 5 T-shirts, assessing key factors such as material, fit, craftsmanship, softness, drape, print quality, and overall value. We’ve also considered pricing, size options, and color varieties to give you a complete picture of each style.
Which ones are better than the others? Turn to the T-shirt nerds. We’ve got the results.
Hanes vs Gildan: the T-shirt matchups
We conducted a comprehensive comparison of their top-selling T-shirts across five distinct categories:
-
The Classic Tee: Hanes “Authentic-T” vs. Gildan “Ultra Cotton”
-
The Fitted Tee: Hanes “Perfect-T” vs. Gildan “SoftStyle”
-
The Premium Tee: Hanes “Beefy-T” vs. Gildan “Hammer”
-
The Budget Tee: Hanes “ComfortSoft” vs. Gildan “Heavy Cotton”
-
The 50/50 Tee: Hanes “EcoSmart” vs. Gildan “DryBlend”
Overall, the shirts in the competition exhibit numerous similar qualities. These tees are closely matched. Oftentimes, these brands will follow each other’s moves. For example, they both use pre-shrunk cotton and are transitioning to tear-away labels.
In many of these matchups, either option stands out as a reliable pick. But there are some differences. Here’s a graphic showing you those at a glance, with our recommendations:
(Create and insert an Infographic for the Hanes vs. Gildan comparison chart)
Classic T-Shirt: Hanes “Authentic-T” vs Gildan “Ultra Cotton”
Which is better? We recommend the Gildan “Ultra Cotton” (G200). While the Hanes “Authentic-T” (5250T) has a slightly better construction and feel, the Ultra Cotton comes very close in quality, has a more extensive selection of colors (62), and has a lower price point. Known for its reliability in stock, it even comes in a women’s version. That’s why it’s our top-selling T-shirt. And our pick for this category.
The basic, the standard, and the Classic Tee. When you’re not picky and want a straightforward, go-to T-shirt, you’re looking at T-shirts like these. There are no bells or whistles, just a solid, well-constructed T-shirt that prints great and won’t break the bank on larger orders.
The Classic Tees from Hanes and Gildan are 100% cotton, 6 oz (medium/heavy) with a standard/classic fit, budget-to-mid-range price point, and available in sizes S-5XL. They compete with tees from brands like Fruit of The Loom, Anvil, and Jerzees at a similar price point.
What are the differences between these Classic Tees and other categories?
- Fitted Tees are more expensive, but they have a higher quality of cotton.
- The fit of the Fitted Tees is standard/classic, which is boxier and without tapered sleeves.
- It has thicker fabric than the Budget Tees and a slightly higher quality and price point.
- The 50/50 Tees are made of polyester, so they’re more susceptible to wrinkles and shrinkage.
Fitted T-shirt: Hanes “Perfect-T” vs Gildan “SoftStyle”
Which is better? We recommend the Hanes “Perfect-T” (4980). This one was close– almost a toss-up. Both shirts are comparable in terms of overall quality, fit, and price. The Hanes Perfect T has a slightly better print surface and construction than the Gildan SoftStyle (G640). It also costs less. The Perfect-T is not perfect, but it’s our pick for this category.
Fitted Tees are a step up in quality and price. They can also be called fashion fit, slim-fit, retail fit, or semi-fitted. Go with Fitted Tees if you want a more lightweight, soft, modern, merch-ready look.
These are 4.5 oz ringspun cotton, available in XS-4XL, and share the same price. They both have women’s versions and compete with other fashion-fit T-shirts from brands like Bella+Canvas and Next Level but at a slightly lower price point.
How do these Fitted Tees compare to the other categories?
- This fit is tailored and slimmer than the others, with sleeves that are tapered for a more flattering look.
- The price of the Classic Tees is higher than that of Premium Tees, but lower than Classic, 50/50, and Budget Tees.
- These tees and the Premium Tees feature ringspun cotton, making a smoother print surface.
- Lighter-weight fabric than all the rest.
Premium T-shirt: Hanes “Beefy-T” vs. Gildan “Hammer”
Which is better? We recommend the Hanes “Beefy-T” (5180). While the Gildan “Hammer” (H000) is a quality T-shirt, it’s the new kid on the block. The Hanes Beefy-T is at a higher price point, but its name recognition, popularity, and trust are not denied. A pioneer of ringspun cotton, it’s been around since the early days of custom printing and has twice as many colors as the Hammer (53 vs. 27), making it an easy pick for this category.
The highest price point of the five categories, these Premium Tees feature heavier weight material, higher-quality construction, classic fit, and a superior print surface, combined with name-brand recognition. Go with Premium if you want top-shelf, durable T-shirts that demonstrate value.
These are 6.1 oz, 100% combed ringspun cotton and come in S-5XL. These Premium T-shirts compete with Champion and American Apparel.
How do these Premium Tees compare to the other categories?
- A heavier-weight fabric than all the rest.
- The standard/classic fit is less fashion-forward than the Fitted Tees.
- Overall, it has higher quality, durability, and print surface.
Budget T-shirt: Hanes “ComfortSoft” vs. Gildan “Heavy Cotton”
Which is better? We recommend the Gildan “Heavy Cotton” (G500). While the Hanes “Comfort Soft” (5280) is a quality T-shirt for the price, so is the Gildan Heavy Cotton, which has many more colors to choose from (70 vs 46). Plus, it’s significantly more affordable. It is the most bang for your buck and one of the most popular tees in our catalog for bulk orders. For those reasons, it’s our pick for the Budget category.
The Budget T-shirt category is self-explanatory. The question is, how much quality do you get at the lowest price on custom tees? You look to these when you have a large order of promotional T-shirts or a one-off event featuring souvenir T-shirts that may get little use.
Both are 100% cotton and mid-weight range (5.2 oz for Hanes and 5.3 oz for Gildan) and come in sizes S-5XL. These Budget Tees compete with those from Jerzees Anvil and Delta.
How do these Budget Tees compare to the other categories?
- It is the lowest price point of all the tees we looked at.
- Fitted Tees are more fashionable than standard/classic fits.
- It is not ringspun cotton, so the print surface is smoother than Premium and Fitted Tees.
50/50 T-shirt: Hanes “EcoSmart” vs Gildan “DryBlend”
Which is better? We recommend the Gildan “50/50 DryBlend” (G800). While the Hanes “EcoSmart” (5170) is a decent shirt, the Gildan 50/50 has the same qualities for a lower price point and features the proprietary DryBlend fabric for moisture-wicking action. It also has more colors available and is a slightly heavier fabric weight (5.5 oz vs 5.2 oz). For those reasons, the Gildan is our pick for this category.
Finally, we look at 50/50 Tees, known as cotton/poly blends. These T-shirts offer the softness and flexibility of cotton, with the wicking, anti-wrinkle, and flexible properties of polyester, at a price that is close to Budget. You can get the best of both by choosing a 50/50.
Both are classic/standard fit, in the mid-range of fabric weight (5.2 for Gildan, 5.5 for Gildan), and come in S-4XL. They compete with other 50/50 Tees from Jerzees, Anvil, and Delta brands.
What are the differences between these 50/50 tees and other categories?
- The price is not as high as Budget Tees, but still lower than the majority.
- Polyester adds flexibility, anti-wrinkle, anti-stain, wicking properties, etc.
- The print surface of the Fitted and Premium is not as smooth because it’s not ringspun cotton.
- Fitted sleeves are the only exception to the standard/classic fit.
Hanes vs. Gildan: Conclusion
The quality, fit, and price of T-shirts by Hanes and Gildan are equal. Overall, Hanes has a slightly higher rate and price point, while Gildan has a better availability of colors and sizes. If quality and name brand are essential, choose Hanes. If you’re more concerned with your Budget, choose Gildan.
I hope this was helpful information. Now that you understand these brands’ differences, it’s time to create custom tees. As always, reach out with any questions!
