Fabric & GSM selection guide for sportswear and teamwear
This fabric GSM selection guide helps sportswear brands, clubs and distributors choose the right fabric weight before placing a bulk order. GSM (grams per square metre) decides how a garment feels, performs and wears, and it also changes your price, your decoration options and your shipping weight. Pick the wrong GSM and you find out after 500 pieces are made.
- GSM is only one part of fabric choice. Fibre, knit type and finish matter just as much.
- Lightweight fabrics suit jerseys and activewear, while heavyweight fleece suits hoodies and outerwear.
- Choose your decoration method together with the fabric, not after it.
- Approve a physical sample before bulk production, and write the GSM and tolerance into your tech pack.
What GSM means and why buyers should care
GSM measures fabric weight in grams per square metre. A higher number means a heavier, thicker fabric. Two fabrics with the same GSM can still feel very different, because knit construction, yarn quality and finishing change the result. Weight is commonly tested to standards such as those published by ASTM International.
For a buyer, GSM affects four things: comfort and breathability, durability after repeated washing, unit cost, and freight weight on the final shipment.
Fabric GSM selection guide by garment
These are typical working ranges used in sportswear production. Your exact choice depends on climate, sport and price target, and we confirm it with you at the sampling stage.
| Garment | Typical GSM | Common fabric |
|---|---|---|
| Soccer, rugby and baseball jerseys | 120 to 180 | Breathable polyester mesh or interlock |
| Gym tees and training tops | 130 to 200 | Performance polyester or nylon blends |
| Leggings and compression wear | 200 to 280 | Nylon and spandex, 4-way stretch |
| Polos and tracksuits | 180 to 260 | Interlock knit |
| Hoodies and fleece | 320 to 500 | Heavyweight brushed fleece or French terry |
| Jackets and softshells | Varies by build | Woven shell, padding or bonded fleece |
Fabric types for sportswear and teamwear
Performance fabrics
- Nylon and spandex: 4-way stretch for leggings and compression gear.
- Breathable mesh: ventilation for jerseys and shorts.
- Interlock knit: an opaque double knit for polos and tracksuits.
Streetwear fabrics
- Heavyweight fleece (320 to 500 GSM): brushed-back cotton for oversized hoodies.
- French terry: an unbrushed loopback for lighter hoodies and shorts.
- Organic combed cotton: long-staple cotton for premium tees.
We develop fabrics with certified yarn mills to your GSM and colour specification. Browse the full sportswear range to see which products use each fabric.
Match your fabric to the decoration method
Your fabric decides which decoration methods will look good and last. Sublimation works on polyester and high-polyester fabrics, so it is the usual choice for team kits. Embroidery and heavy prints need a firmer, heavier base so the stitching or ink does not distort the fabric. Read our customization techniques page to compare sublimation, DTF, screen printing, embroidery and special finishes before you lock your fabric.
Performance finishes to consider
- Moisture-wicking for training and match wear.
- Anti-microbial treatment for odour control.
- UPF 50+ for outdoor and summer sports.
- Garment washes such as acid, pigment, stone and distressed vintage for streetwear.
How we test and approve fabric
Before bulk starts, fabrics are tested for weight, stretch recovery and moisture-wicking durability. You then approve a physical master sample in 7 to 10 business days, and bulk is inspected against it to AQL 2.5. Read the full manufacturing and QA process to see each checkpoint. Put your target GSM and an acceptable tolerance in your tech pack, as explained in our guide on how to prepare an apparel tech pack.
Common mistakes when choosing GSM
- Choosing by GSM alone and ignoring fibre, knit and finish.
- Picking a heavy fabric for a hot-weather jersey, which hurts comfort and returns.
- Selecting a decoration method that the fabric cannot carry well.
- Changing fabric between batches without a new sample.
- Forgetting that heavier fabric raises freight cost. Our order workflow and MOQs page explains terms and timelines, and our scaling advice is in how to scale a clothing brand.
Not sure which fabric and GSM to choose?
Send your tech pack or a reference garment. We recommend a fabric and reply with factory-direct pricing within 24 hours. Runs start from 50 to 100 pieces per style and colour.
Request a bulk quote Chat on WhatsAppFAQs: fabric GSM selection guide
What GSM is best for sportswear?
It depends on the garment. Jerseys and training tops are usually lightweight, leggings are medium weight, and hoodies and fleece are heavyweight. See the table above for typical ranges.
Is a higher GSM always better quality?
No. Higher GSM means a heavier fabric, not a better one. Fibre quality, knit construction and finishing decide performance, so match the weight to the use.
Which fabric works best for sublimation?
Polyester and high-polyester fabrics. Sublimation dye bonds with polyester, which gives full-colour artwork that lasts through washing.
Can you match a fabric to my sample garment?
Yes. Send a reference garment or fabric swatch and we develop the fabric to your GSM and colour specification, then confirm it with a physical sample.
How long does fabric sampling take?
Physical samples take 7 to 10 business days. After you approve the sample, bulk production takes 3 to 4 weeks.