Key Features

• 8-ounce, 50/50 cotton/polyester Heavy Blend fleece — 20 singles
• Heather Dark Green, Heather Dark Maroon, Heather Dark Navy, Heather Deep Royal, and Heather Scarlet Red are 60/40 polyester/cotton
• Finer, high-quality face yarn for a smoother printing surface and reduced pilling
• Double-needle stitching at waistband and cuffs
• Double-lined hood with dyed-to-match drawcord
• 1x1 rib knit cuffs and waistband with spandex
• Front pouch pocket
• Tear-away label for easy relabeling
• Sizes XS–5XL
• Safety Green is ANSI/ISEA 107 compliant for hi-vis programs
• Made in an OEKO-TEX and FLA certified facility using US grown BCI cotton

About the Gildan 18500 Heavy Blend Hoodie

The Gildan 18500 Heavy Blend Hoodie is an 8-ounce, 50/50 cotton/poly pullover available in sizes XS–5XL across one of the widest color ranges in the wholesale hoodie market — built for screen printing, embroidery, and heat transfer decoration at a price point that works for large runs.

If there's one hoodie that shows up on more decorated apparel price lists than any other, it's probably this one. The 18500 has been a go-to for screen printers, school programs, team orders, and bulk buyers for years because it hits the right combination of quality, price, and availability that makes large-run ordering practical.

The Heavy Blend fleece uses a finer, high-quality face yarn that delivers a smoother printing surface and resists pilling — so the hoodie holds up through repeated washing without looking worn out. That matters for programs where end customers wear these regularly. The classic pullover silhouette with kangaroo pocket and drawcord hood is familiar to just about every customer demographic, which makes it easy to sell and easy to wear.

One blend note worth knowing for decorators: most colorways are 50/50 cotton/poly, but five specific heather colors — Heather Dark Green, Heather Dark Maroon, Heather Dark Navy, Heather Deep Royal, and Heather Scarlet Red — use a 60/40 poly/cotton blend. For mixed-color orders that include these heathers, confirm the blend before setting up decoration, particularly for DTG. All other colorways including standard heathers remain 50/50.

The fleece surface takes screen print ink cleanly, holds embroidery well on the chest and hood, and the wide color range means you can usually match any team or brand palette without special ordering. Safety Green meets ANSI/ISEA 107 high-visibility standards, making the 18500 one of the few budget hoodies suitable for hi-vis programs.

Looking for matching pieces? The Gildan 18000 Heavy Blend Crewneck Sweatshirt and the 18600 Full-Zip Hoodie use the same Heavy Blend fleece construction for coordinated bulk orders.

FAQ

What is the difference between the Gildan 18500 and the 18000? The 18500 is a pullover hoodie with an attached drawcord hood and kangaroo pocket. The 18000 is a crewneck sweatshirt with no hood. Both use the same 8-ounce 50/50 Heavy Blend fleece and are available in the same color range, making them natural companions for programs that need both styles.

What is the difference between the Gildan 18500 and the Port & Company PC78H? Both are 50/50 cotton/poly pullover hoodies at similar price points with tear-away labels, but there are meaningful differences. The 18500 is slightly heavier at 8 oz vs. the PC78H's 7.8 oz, starts at XS, and includes a hi-vis Safety Green option meeting ANSI/ISEA 107. The PC78H extends to 6XL (vs. the 18500's 5XL) and keeps a consistent 50/50 blend across all heather colorways — five of the 18500's heather colors shift to 60/40 poly/cotton. For programs needing XS or hi-vis colors, the 18500 is the better fit. For programs needing 6XL or consistent heather blends, the PC78H has the edge.

Is the Gildan 18500 good for sublimation printing? No — the 50/50 cotton/poly blend is not suitable for full sublimation, which requires a high polyester content (95%+) for vibrant, complete color transfer. For sublimation, a 100% polyester blank is recommended. The 18500 works well for screen printing, heat transfer vinyl, and embroidery.

Is the Gildan 18500 good for embroidery? Yes. The fleece surface digitizes well and holds embroidery cleanly on both the chest and hood. The structured construction and 1x1 rib cuffs with spandex provide stable surfaces for decoration. For left-chest and hood placements, the 18500 is one of the more decorator-friendly blanks in the budget hoodie tier.

What sizes are available? The 18500 is available in adult sizes XS through 5XL. A youth version (18500B) is also available with coordinating colors.