Gildan 5000 vs 64000: What's the Difference?

Gildan makes two of the most widely stocked blank T-shirts in the wholesale apparel world: the 5000 Heavy Cotton and the 64000 Softstyle. The 5000 delivers a heavier, more traditional shirt feel. The 64000 offers a lighter, softer alternative. Both work well as blank apparel for printing and customization, but they suit different projects and budgets.

The right choice comes down to five factors: the shirt feel you want, the weight that fits your use case, the fit your customers expect, your printing method, and your budget. This guide breaks down the practical differences between the two styles so you can order with confidence.

How the Gildan 5000 and 64000 Compare

Note: Gildan updates product details, color availability, and sizing from time to time, so it's worth checking the current official specifications before you place a bulk order.

Gildan 5000 vs 64000: What Is the Main Difference?

Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton

45%

Available
up to size
5XL

Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton T-Shirt

(26)

$5.12 $2.78

82 colors

45%

Available
up to size
5XL

Gildan G500 Adult Heavy Cotton 5.3 oz. TShirt

(15)

$5.12 $2.78

75 colors

The 5000 is built from 5.3 oz./yd², 100% US cotton, which gives it a heavier feel and a traditional blank-tee construction. Gildan markets it as a remastered version of the original Heavy Cotton tee, with updates aimed at better printability, quality, and comfort. It holds its shape well and suits buyers who want a substantial shirt rather than a lightweight one.

On the construction side, the 5000 has a classic-width rib collar, taped neck and shoulders for added comfort and durability, and a seamless body built for a classic fit. It's also part of Gildan's Family Sizing program, with a size range that runs from S to 5XL. As a proud member of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, Gildan backs the 5000's cotton sourcing with a program focused on more sustainable growing practices.

That structure makes the 5000 a strong fit for bulk event apparel, business and workwear orders, and everyday T-shirts. 

Gildan 64000 Softstyle

43%

Available
up to size
5XL

Gildan 64000 Softstyle T-Shirt

(11)

$6.1 $3.45

79 colors

43%

Available
up to size
5XL

Gildan G640 Adult Softstyle T-Shirt

(4)

$6.1 $3.45

66 colors

The 64000 uses a lighter 4.5 oz./yd², 100% ring-spun cotton fabric with a softer hand feel and a more modern silhouette. Its high stitch density gives it a smooth surface that's well suited to printing. It's built for buyers who want a lighter, more retail-oriented blank.

Construction-wise, the 64000 has a narrower rib collar than the 5000, taped neck and shoulders, and a seamless body cut for its Modern Classic Fit. It's also part of Gildan's Family Sizing program, and its size range runs from XS to 5XL, a wider span than the 5000 offers. Gildan partners with Better Cotton to support more responsible cotton farming across its Softstyle line.

Gildan 5000 vs 64000 Fabric and Feel

Fabric weight and hand feel are the biggest practical differences between these two shirts, and they drive most of the buying decision.

Fabric Weight

The 5000 comes in at 5.3 oz./yd² US cotton, while the 64000 comes in at 4.5 oz./yd² ring-spun cotton. That difference isn't just a number on a spec sheet. The heavier fabric on the 5000 gives it more structure and a fuller drape, while the lighter fabric on the 64000 moves and drapes more easily against the body. The 64000's ring spun yarn also gives it a higher stitch density, which creates a smoother surface for printing. Neither weight automatically makes a shirt higher quality; it simply changes how the shirt wears and feels.

Softness and Hand Feel

Which One Feels Better?

There's no universal winner here. Choose the 5000 if you prefer a heavier, more substantial tee. Choose the 64000 if softness and a lighter feel matter more to you or your customers.

Gildan 5000 vs 64000 Fit and Style

Gildan 5000 Fit

Gildan lists the 5000 under its Classic Fit, with a traditional T-shirt profile, a classic-width rib collar, and a seamless body. It suits buyers who want a straightforward, non-fashion-forward silhouette that works across a wide range of body types and use cases.

Gildan 64000 Fit

64000 is a Modern Classic Fit, with a narrower rib collar and the same seamless body construction, built around its softer, lighter fabric. It reads closer to a retail T-shirt than a promotional blank. Both styles include taped neck and shoulder seams for added comfort and durability, and both belong to Gildan's Family Sizing program.

Which Gildan Shirt Has the Better Fit?

Neither shirt has a universally better fit; the right one depends entirely on what the wearer or project calls for.

Gildan 5000 vs 64000 Sizing

Both shirts follow Gildan's Family Sizing program, but the size ranges and measurements aren't identical. The 5000 runs from S to 5XL, while the 64000 adds an XS at the bottom of the range and also runs through 5XL.

Gildan 5000 Size Chart

Gildan 64000 Size Chart

Gildan 5000 vs 64000 Material Comparison

Both shirts are cotton-based blanks, but the more useful question isn't cotton versus cotton. As listed, the 5000 is 100% US cotton and the 64000 is 100% ring-spun cotton, though Gildan notes that fiber content varies by color for both styles, so it's worth checking the current color list for exceptions before you commit to a bulk run.

Both shirts are made with OEKO-TEX certified low-impact dyes, and Gildan has removed polybags from both lines except for the color White. On the sourcing side, the 5000 is backed by the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, while the 64000's cotton is sourced through Gildan's partnership with Better Cotton.

What to Check Before Ordering

• Fabric composition for the specific color you're ordering
• Color availability at your required quantity
• Shirt weight and how it matches your project
• Size range and fit consistency
• Current manufacturer specifications, since these can change

Gildan 5000 vs 64000 for Printing

Both shirts work for decorated apparel, but the better choice depends on the project. If you're sourcing custom t-shirts, it helps to match the shirt to the decoration method and the finished look you want.

Screen Printing

Both shirts take screen printing well. The 5000's heavier fabric suits bold, traditional printed tees, while the 64000 works well for softer, lighter printed apparel. Neither shirt automatically produces a better print; the result depends on the ink, the design, and the print shop's process.

DTF Printing

Both styles can work for DTF transfers. Design size and garment color matter more than the shirt model alone, and final results depend on transfer quality, application settings, and how well the garment is prepped before pressing.

DTG Printing

Both shirts can be used for DTG, depending on the decoration workflow. Garment color and pretreatment can affect the outcome, so print quality comes down to the full process rather than the shirt model by itself.

Best Choice for Custom T-Shirts

Gildan 5000 vs 64000 for Different Uses

For Businesses and Promotional Events

The 5000's heavier build makes sense for company events, giveaways, staff shirts, promotional campaigns, and large-volume orders where durability and a substantial feel matter more than a fashion-forward cut.

For Custom Clothing Brands

The 64000 tends to appeal to brands that want softer blanks, lighter shirts, a more modern feel, and retail-oriented apparel that competes with shirts already on store shelves.

For Schools and Teams

The right pick here depends on budget, order quantity, how the shirts will be worn, the decoration method, and the desired shirt weight. Neither style is automatically the right answer for every school or team order.

For Everyday Casual Wear

For personal, everyday use, the decision comes down to weight, softness, fit, and personal preference. Buyers who want a classic tee tend to gravitate toward the 5000, while buyers who prioritize comfort and a lighter feel tend to prefer the 64000.

Gildan 5000 vs 64000 Durability

It's tempting to say a heavier shirt automatically lasts longer, but that's not a fair claim in every real-world situation. Durability depends on fabric weight, construction, how the shirt is worn, how it's washed and cared for, and how printing affects the fabric over time.

The 5000's heavier fabric does give it a more substantial construction, which can hold up well to frequent wear and washing. That said, a well-cared-for 64000 can also hold up well over time. The honest takeaway is that a heavier shirt isn't automatically more durable in every situation, but the 5000's added weight gives it a sturdier baseline.

Color Selection and Availability

The 5000 is offered in around 80 colors, while the 64000 comes in around 65. Certain colors may use slightly different fiber compositions in either style, and availability can vary by size and supplier. Rather than relying on a fixed color list, it's best to check current availability for the specific colors and sizes you need before placing a bulk order.

Sustainability

Both the 5000 and the 64000 sit within Gildan's broader sustainability commitments, which the company groups into three areas: respect for people, respect for the environment, and respect for circularity. In practice, that covers safe and healthy working conditions, careful use of water and energy in manufacturing, and efforts to reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover materials rather than send them to landfill.

On the product side, both shirts use OEKO-TEX certified low-impact dyes and have had polybags removed from their packaging, except for the color White. Both are also moving toward high-performing recycled tear-away labels. Where the two styles differ is in their cotton sourcing: the 5000 is backed by the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, while the 64000's cotton comes through Gildan's partnership with Better Cotton.

Price and Overall Value

It's easy to reduce this to "the 5000 is cheaper and the 64000 costs more," but wholesale pricing shifts over time, so that framing doesn't hold up for long. It's more useful to think about value by application.

Gildan 5000 Value

The 5000 delivers the most value when a buyer prioritizes heavier fabric, a traditional blank tee, bulk quantities, and promotional or event use.

Gildan 64000 Value

The 64000 delivers the most value when a buyer prioritizes a softer feel, lighter fabric, a modern fit, and a retail-style presentation.

Whichever style you're weighing, compare the current per-unit price at your required order quantity rather than relying on a single retail price point, since wholesale rates move with volume and market conditions.

Gildan 5000 vs 64000: Which One Should You Choose?

Choose the Gildan 5000 if you want:

• Heavier fabric
• A traditional T-shirt feel
• A substantial blank
• Large-scale event or promotional apparel
• A classic fit
  

Choose the Gildan 64000 if you want:

• Lighter fabric
  
• Softer hand feel
  
• Modern styling
  
• A lighter everyday shirt
  
• A more retail-oriented blank
  

More Gildan T-Shirt Comparisons and Buying Options

Ready to place a bulk order? Browse the full range of wholesale Gildan T-shirts to compare styles side by side. Note that some styles are listed under more than one number: the Gildan G500 Heavy Cotton T-shirt is the same shirt as the 5000, and the G640 Softstyle is the same shirt as the 64000.

For a broader view of what's available in this category, check out our full range of short-sleeve T-shirts. 

If you want to compare more Gildan styles, our Gildan 2000 vs 5000 breakdown covers another common matchup. For larger wholesale orders across categories, explore our bulk apparel selection, and if you want something with an even softer, more premium feel, take a look at our premium blank t-shirts.