Hanes and Gildan are two of the biggest players in the blank apparel business, both producing quality clothing at affordable prices. But when it comes to choosing the right brand for your custom tees, which one should you go with?

To make it easier, we compared their top five T-shirts in head-to-head matchups. We evaluated fabric, fit, construction, softness, drape, print surface, overall quality, prices, sizes, and colors to give you a detailed look at each brand’s strengths.

Hanes vs Gildan: The T-Shirt Matchups

We evaluated the following categories:

• Classic Tee: Hanes Authentic-T vs. Gildan Ultra Cotton
• Fitted Tee: Hanes Perfect-T vs. Gildan SoftStyle
• Premium Tee: Hanes Beefy-T vs. Gildan Hammer
• Budget Tee: Hanes ComfortSoft vs. Gildan Heavy Cotton
• 50/50 Tee: Hanes EcoSmart vs. Gildan DryBlend

Classic Tee: Hanes Authentic-T vs Gildan Ultra Cotton

Winner: Gildan Ultra Cotton (G200)
Both shirts are 100% cotton, 6 oz fabric weight, with a standard fit and sizes up to 5XL. Hanes has a slight edge in construction and feel, but Gildan wins with more color options (62) and a better price point. It’s also more reliable with stock and offers a women’s version.

Fitted Tee: Hanes Perfect-T vs Gildan SoftStyle

Winner: Hanes Perfect-T (4980)
These 4.5 oz ringspun cotton shirts are tied in price and available sizes. Gildan SoftStyle (G640) offers more colors, but the Perfect-T edges it out with slightly better construction and a smoother print surface.

Premium Tee: Hanes Beefy-T vs Gildan Hammer

Winner: Hanes Beefy-T (5180)
At 6.1 oz and 100% combed ringspun cotton, both are top-tier tees. The Hanes Beefy-T wins with name recognition, a longer track record, and a wider color selection (53 vs 27).

Budget Tee: Hanes ComfortSoft vs Gildan Heavy Cotton

Winner: Gildan Heavy Cotton (G500)
Midweight 100% cotton shirts (5.2–5.3 oz). Both offer solid quality for low-cost tees, but Gildan wins with more colors (70 vs 46) and a lower price. It’s the most popular tee for bulk orders.

50/50 Tee: Hanes EcoSmart vs Gildan DryBlend

Winner: Gildan DryBlend (G800)
Both are classic fit blends with similar weights (5.2–5.5 oz). Gildan wins with a better price, more color options, moisture-wicking fabric, and a slightly heavier weight.

Comparison by Category:

• Fit: Fitted tees (Perfect-T and SoftStyle) offer a slimmer, tapered shape; others are standard/classic fit.
• Fabric: Premium and Fitted categories feature ringspun cotton for a smoother print surface.
• Print Surface: Ringspun cotton and tighter knits yield better prints.
• Price: Budget and 50/50 Tees offer the best value; Premium Tees are more expensive.

Final Verdict:

Hanes is a slightly higher-end brand with better quality and brand recognition. Gildan offers broader color availability and lower prices, making it ideal for bulk and budget-conscious buyers.

Choose Hanes if you want name-brand appeal, slightly better construction, or you’re printing high-end merch.

Choose Gildan if you want affordability, color variety, and consistent availability.

Want something even more premium or fashion-forward? Check out our comparison: Bella+Canvas vs. Next Level: Comparing Their Top 5 T-Shirts.

Need help choosing the right shirt? Our team is here to help!