GSM Guide for Wholesale Sportswear: 280 vs 320 vs 400 GSM Explained (With Real Costs)
Every wholesale buyer asks the same question: "What GSM should I order?"
Here's the problem – suppliers throw around numbers like 280 GSM, 320 GSM, 400 GSM without explaining what that actually means for your product, your customers, or your margins.
After 6+ years manufacturing sportswear and working with hundreds of brands, screen printers, and retailers, I'm breaking down GSM in plain language. No technical jargon, just what you need to know before placing that order.
What is GSM? (The Simple Explanation)
GSM = Grams per Square Meter
It measures fabric weight. Higher GSM = heavier, thicker fabric. Lower GSM = lighter, thinner fabric.
That's it. Not complicated.
Why it matters: GSM determines:
- How the hoodie/jersey feels in hand (customer's first impression)
- Warmth and seasonal use (winter vs summer)
- Durability and lifespan (cheap thin vs quality construction)
- Price (more fabric = higher cost)
- Customer satisfaction (did they get what they expected?)
Real scenario: Customer orders a "premium hoodie" expecting quality. You ship 240 GSM lightweight fleece. Customer feels it, thinks "this is thin," leaves bad review, returns it. Not because 240 GSM is bad – it's just wrong positioning.
The 3 Main GSM Categories in Wholesale Sportswear
1. Lightweight (220-280 GSM)
What it feels like: Noticeably light, soft, thin hand feel. Not flimsy, but definitely lighter than standard hoodies/jerseys.
Best uses:
- Tech fleece athletic hoodies
- Summer-weight performance jerseys
- Layering pieces under jackets
- Gym/training apparel
- Spring/fall transitional wear
Customer expectation: Performance, breathability, movement. NOT winter warmth.
Pricing example (hoodies, 100 units):
- 240 GSM tech fleece: $16.20/unit
- Total investment: $1,620
Who orders this:
- Athletic brands (performance over warmth)
- Activewear companies
- Gym apparel lines
- Brands in warm climates (California, Florida, Texas, Australia)
Mistake to avoid: Marketing 240 GSM as "premium quality hoodie" without specifying it's lightweight/athletic. Premium ≠ heavy, but customers often assume premium = substantial weight.
2. Standard/Mid-Weight (300-340 GSM)
What it feels like: This is what most people think of as "normal hoodie weight." Solid, substantial, good quality feel without being heavy.
Best uses:
- Year-round casual hoodies
- Pullover and zip-up hoodies for retail
- Standard football/soccer jerseys
- Screen printing blank inventory
- Corporate merchandise
- E-commerce general market
Customer expectation: Good quality, comfortable, versatile. Works for most weather except extreme cold or heat.
Pricing example (hoodies, 100 units):
- 300 GSM standard: $13.80/unit
- 320 GSM mid-weight: $14.50/unit
- Total investment: $1,380-1,450
Who orders this:
- 70% of our wholesale buyers
- Streetwear brands
- Screen printers building inventory
- Retail stores stocking general hoodies
- Corporate buyers for employee merchandise
Why this dominates: Versatile. Works across seasons (light layering summer, standalone fall/spring, under jacket winter). Customers know what to expect. Margin-friendly pricing.
Size comparison:
- 300 GSM = "standard quality"
- 320 GSM = "good quality"
- 340 GSM = "premium quality" (without going heavyweight)
That 20-40 GSM difference customers actually feel in hand.
3. Heavyweight (380-400+ GSM)
What it feels like: Thick, substantial, serious winter-weight warmth. Pick it up, you immediately notice the weight and quality.
Best uses:
- Winter collections (northern climates)
- Outdoor/workwear brands
- Construction company uniforms
- Cold-weather team apparel
- Premium positioning (ultra-quality)
- Canadian/northern US/UK/European markets
Customer expectation: Maximum warmth, premium construction, long-lasting durability. This better be THICK.
Pricing example (hoodies, 100 units):
- 400 GSM heavyweight: $19.20/unit
- Total investment: $1,920
Who orders this:
- Brands positioning premium (justifying $80-120 retail)
- Construction/industrial buyers (outdoor workers)
- Canadian retailers (heavyweight is standard expectation)
- Ski resorts, outdoor brands
- Buyers in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Montana, northern states
Price premium worth it?
Compare customer perception:
- 300 GSM hoodie retailing $55: "Good hoodie"
- 400 GSM hoodie retailing $85: "Premium quality, worth the price"
That extra $5.40 wholesale cost ($19.20 vs $13.80) enables $30 retail price increase. Premium positioning justified by measurable quality difference customers feel.
GSM Comparison Table: Which Should You Order?
| GSM Range | Weight Category | Best Season | Wholesale Cost* | Retail Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 220-260 | Lightweight | Spring/Summer/Fall | $16.20 | $45-65 | Athletic brands, gym wear, performance |
| 280-320 | Standard | Year-round | $13.80-14.50 | $50-70 | Most wholesale buyers, general market |
| 340-360 | Mid-Heavy | Fall/Winter/Spring | $16.80-17.50 | $65-85 | Quality-focused brands, versatile |
| 380-400+ | Heavyweight | Winter | $19.20-21.50 | $75-110 | Premium brands, cold climates, workwear |
*Pricing based on 100-unit orders, hoodies
How GSM Affects Your Business Economics
Scenario 1: Budget E-commerce Brand
- Orders: 300 GSM hoodies at $13.80/unit
- Decoration: $3.50 screen print
- Total cost: $17.30
- Retail: $55
- Margin: $37.70 per hoodie (68%)
- Positioning: "Quality hoodies, great price"
Scenario 2: Premium Streetwear Brand
- Orders: 400 GSM hoodies at $19.20/unit
- Decoration: $4.80 embroidery
- Total cost: $24.00
- Retail: $95
- Margin: $71 per hoodie (75%)
- Positioning: "Premium heavyweight construction"
Both work. Different markets, different GSM, different pricing strategies.
Key insight: Higher GSM doesn't always = better margins. It's about matching GSM to your positioning and customer expectations.
Common GSM Questions We Get
"Can customers really tell the difference between 300 and 320 GSM?"
Honest answer: Most casual customers can't tell 20 GSM difference precisely. But they feel "quality" difference subconsciously.
300 GSM vs 400 GSM? Everyone notices. That's 33% more fabric weight – dramatic difference.
"Should I order the heaviest GSM to have 'best quality'?"
No. Best quality = right GSM for the application.
- 400 GSM heavyweight hoodie in summer gym wear? Customers overheat, complain it's too thick. Wrong application.
- 240 GSM tech fleece for winter outdoor workwear? Customers freeze, complain it's too thin. Wrong application.
Match GSM to use case, not "heavier = better."
"Why does your 320 GSM cost more than competitor's 350 GSM?"
Two reasons:
-
Actual GSM measurement: Some suppliers inflate GSM claims. Their "350 GSM" measures 310 GSM actually. We guarantee accurate GSM specifications verified in production.
-
Fabric quality beyond weight: 320 GSM premium fleece with better brushing, pre-shrinking, and construction > 350 GSM cheap fleece with poor finishing.
Weight matters, but it's not everything.
"What GSM for screen printing inventory?"
300-320 GSM standard weight.
Why:
- Smooth surface accepts screen print cleanly (heavyweight fleece sometimes too textured)
- Price point screen printers can markup 2.5-3× maintaining margins
- Customers expect this weight for decorated hoodies
- Not too thin (looks cheap) or too thick (harder to print, higher cost)
70% of screen printers stock 300-320 GSM blank hoodies.
Which GSM Should YOU Order?
Ask yourself:
1. What's your climate/market?
- Hot climate (Texas, Florida, SoCal, Australia): 280-320 GSM
- Moderate climate (most of USA, UK): 300-340 GSM
- Cold climate (Canada, northern US, northern Europe): 340-400 GSM
2. What's your positioning?
- Budget/value: 280-300 GSM
- Standard quality: 300-340 GSM
- Premium: 360-400 GSM
3. What's your use case?
- Athletic/performance: 220-280 GSM
- Casual everyday: 300-340 GSM
- Winter/workwear: 380-400+ GSM
4. What season are you selling?
- Spring/Summer launch: 280-320 GSM
- Fall launch: 320-360 GSM
- Winter launch: 360-400 GSM
Still confused? Order samples in 3 weights:
- 300 GSM standard
- 340 GSM mid-heavy
- 400 GSM heavyweight
Cost: $18-22 per sample. Compare them physically. Feel the difference. Test with your target customers. Then commit to bulk production.
That $60 sample investment prevents $1,500-2,000 wrong inventory sitting unsold because you guessed on GSM.
GSM Across Different Products
Hoodies:
- Standard: 300-320 GSM
- Premium: 360-400 GSM
- Tech fleece: 220-260 GSM
T-shirts/Jerseys:
- Standard: 160-180 GSM
- Premium: 200-220 GSM
- Performance: 140-160 GSM
Tracksuits:
- Jacket: 280-320 GSM
- Pants: 260-300 GSM
Shorts:
- Standard: 180-220 GSM
- Premium: 240-260 GSM
Different product categories use different GSM ranges. 300 GSM perfect for hoodies = way too heavy for t-shirts.
Next Steps: Choosing Your GSM
Action plan:
- Define your positioning: Budget, standard, or premium?
- Know your market climate: Hot, moderate, or cold?
- Order samples: Test 2-3 GSM weights physically
- Match to retail price: Higher GSM = justify higher retail
- Commit to bulk: Place order with confidence
We manufacture sportswear across all GSM ranges from Pakistan, helping brands choose the right weight for their market.
Explore Our Products by GSM:
- Standard 300-320 GSM Hoodies
- Heavyweight 400 GSM Hoodies
- Tech Fleece 240 GSM Hoodies
- Blank Hoodies for Screen Printing
Or contact us for GSM recommendations based on your specific needs.
