A 700 GSM hoodie sounds impressive.
The number alone suggests density, weight and a very substantial garment. For brands building premium streetwear, that can be attractive.
Heavyweight fabric has become closely associated with structure, oversized silhouettes and a more elevated product feel, so it is easy to assume that moving from 480 GSM to 700 GSM automatically means moving up in quality.
It does not.
A 700 GSM hoodie can be excellent when the product has been designed around that fabric weight. It can also become unnecessarily bulky, warm, expensive and difficult to wear if the only goal was to make the specification sound more premium.
For founders, the question is not whether 700 GSM is “better.” It is whether the extra weight improves the garment you are actually trying to build.
What Does 700 GSM Mean?
GSM stands for grams per square metre. It measures the weight of the fabric, not the total weight of the finished hoodie.
A 700 GSM fabric weighs 700 grams per square metre, which places it well into ultra-heavyweight territory for sweat fabrics.
That is significantly heavier than the materials used in most commercial hoodies. Many everyday sweatshirts sit somewhere around 250 to 350 GSM, while premium heavyweight streetwear often moves into the 400 GSM range and above.
A 700 GSM hoodie is therefore not simply a slightly heavier version of a standard sweatshirt. The increase can affect the way the fabric folds, hangs, retains heat, responds to seams and feels on the body.
If you are still getting familiar with fabric weight, our Fabric Weight by Product guide explains how GSM changes across T-shirts, hoodies and sweatpants and why the number should always be read alongside fabric construction.
Is 700 GSM Heavy for a Hoodie?
Yes. Very. A 700 GSM hoodie sits at the extreme end of the spectrum for casual apparel.
The fabric will usually feel noticeably denser and thicker than a 400 or 500 GSM sweatshirt, although the exact result still depends on the knit, yarn, finishing and composition.
That last part matters.
Two fabrics can both be listed as 700 GSM and still feel different. One may be dense and compact. Another may gain part of its weight from a bulky brushed structure. The first can feel rigid and architectural, while the second may feel softer and more voluminous.
GSM tells you how much fabric weighs. It does not tell you exactly how that weight has been created.
Why Are Ultra-Heavyweight Hoodies Popular?
Part of the appeal is physical.
A very heavy hoodie feels substantial the moment you pick it up. That can make the product seem more valuable before the customer even puts it on.
The fabric also tends to hold oversized and boxy silhouettes strongly. Wide sleeves, dropped shoulders and large hoods can maintain their shape rather than collapsing close to the body. There is also a marketing effect.
When heavyweight streetwear moved from 300 GSM to 400 GSM and then toward 450 or 500 GSM, fabric weight became an easy specification for customers to compare. Some brands began using higher numbers as a visible signal of product quality.
That creates a temptation to keep pushing the number upward. At some point, though, the question needs to return to the product.
Does the customer actually benefit from another 100 or 200 GSM?
700 GSM vs 480 GSM Hoodies
The difference between 700 GSM and 480 GSM is substantial enough to change the character of the garment.
A 480 GSM hoodie is already firmly heavyweight. It can provide strong structure, a dense hand feel and enough weight to support oversized streetwear proportions without moving into the most extreme end of the category.
A 700 GSM hoodie takes that further. You can expect more physical weight, more insulation and often a more rigid silhouette. That extra density may be exactly what you want for a statement winter piece.
It may also be more than you need for a core hoodie designed to sell across several seasons.
René Bassett's 480 GSM heavyweight hoodies are made from 100% cotton French Terry and developed around a structured oversized fit. The goal is to create a substantial premium blank while keeping the garment wearable enough to function as a repeatable core product.
That balance is worth considering before deciding that a higher number is automatically an upgrade.
Does a 700 GSM Hoodie Feel Better?
Not necessarily. “Heavier” and “better” are different ideas. A 700 GSM hoodie can feel exceptionally premium if the yarn, knit, pattern, ribbing and construction are all good.
The same weight can feel awkward if the fabric is stiff, the hood becomes too heavy, the sleeves feel cumbersome or the garment has not been patterned to accommodate the material.
A well-developed 450 or 480 GSM hoodie can easily feel more refined than a poorly designed 700 GSM one. Fabric quality comes from the entire construction.
GSM is one input.
The Fit Needs to Be Designed for the Weight
This becomes increasingly important as GSM rises.
A pattern developed for a 300 GSM fabric cannot always be moved directly into 700 GSM material without consequences.
The fabric takes up more physical space. Folds become thicker. Seams can become bulkier. The hood may sit differently around the neck. Ribbing has to balance the weight of the body.
Even the way the sleeve bends can change. If you are sourcing an ultra-heavyweight hoodie, look at the actual garment rather than assuming the GSM will create the silhouette automatically.
A strong pattern makes the fabric look intentional. Without that, the garment can simply feel oversized and heavy.
700 GSM Works Best With Certain Silhouettes
Ultra-heavy fabric tends to make the most sense when the fit gives it room to work.
Boxy and oversized silhouettes are obvious candidates because the material can hold wider proportions. A slim 700 GSM hoodie can feel restrictive very quickly.
Cropped or controlled body lengths can also work because the increased width and weight become part of the shape without creating excessive length.
That is why fit and fabric weight should be developed together.
If you are comparing different hoodie silhouettes, our guide to types of hoodies explains how regular, oversized, boxy and cropped fits behave differently.
Is 700 GSM Too Warm?
For many customers, it can be. A very dense hoodie traps more heat and takes longer to feel comfortable in mild conditions.
That makes 700 GSM particularly relevant for winter products, colder markets and customers who genuinely want a heavy layering piece.
For brands selling across Europe, North America or several climates at once, that can become more complicated.
A hoodie that feels ideal in January may be difficult to wear through spring or autumn. This is where a slightly lighter heavyweight fabric can become more versatile.
A 480 GSM French Terry hoodie still feels substantial, but it can offer a wider seasonal window than an ultra-heavyweight fleece or Terry construction.
If your product is intended to remain in the collection year-round, climate should be part of the fabric decision.
French Terry or Fleece at 700 GSM?
Both constructions are possible, but they will create very different garments.
French Terry has a smooth exterior and loopback interior. At very high GSM, it can feel dense and structured while still avoiding the heavily brushed interior associated with fleece.
Brushed fleece raises the fibres inside the fabric, increasing softness and insulation. At 700 GSM, that extra warmth can become significant.
If the product is supposed to feel like an extreme winter hoodie, a dense brushed fleece may suit the concept. If you want structure without as much internal fluff, heavyweight French Terry may be more appropriate.
We cover the difference between those fabrics in more detail in What Is Brushed Fleece? and our comparison of French Terry vs brushed fleece.
Fabric Composition Still Matters
A 700 GSM fabric can be 100% cotton, cotton/polyester or another blend. That composition changes the product.
A 100% cotton construction can provide a more natural hand feel and the dense character many streetwear brands want. It can also make the garment heavier once the fabric weight becomes extreme.
Polyester may improve dimensional stability, reduce shrinkage and change how quickly the hoodie dries. The better option depends on the product brief.
Do not choose 700 GSM first and composition second. Decide what you want the hoodie to feel like, then evaluate which combination of fibre and weight gets you there.
Heavyweight Fabric Can Affect Decoration
Very heavy fabric can be excellent for some decoration methods because it provides a stable base.
Embroidery, for example, often benefits from a garment with enough structure to support the stitches. Large or dense graphics can feel more balanced on a substantial hoodie than on lightweight fabric.
The same applies to screen printing. A heavyweight cotton surface can give a large print a strong physical presence.
But thickness also creates practical considerations. Seams, pockets and folded areas can become harder to work around, and the decoration provider needs to know what they are dealing with.
If your design relies heavily on embroidery, René Bassett offers Flat and 3D Puff Embroidery on compatible blanks. For printed collections, the Print Service covers screen print, DTG, DTF and puff print.
Whatever GSM you choose, sample the decoration on the actual hoodie before bulk production.
A 700 GSM Hoodie Will Cost More to Ship
This is an easy detail to overlook. More fabric means more weight. That affects freight from the manufacturer to your warehouse and shipping from your warehouse to the customer.
If you sell internationally, the difference can become meaningful. Heavier garments also take more space in cartons and storage. None of this makes 700 GSM a bad choice, but it belongs in the margin calculation.
A product should not be evaluated only by factory cost. Packaging, shipping, returns and fulfilment all contribute to the final economics.
Drying Time Becomes Part of the Customer Experience
A very heavy cotton hoodie absorbs a lot of water. That means washing and drying can take longer. Customers who air dry their clothes may notice this immediately. A dense 700 GSM hoodie can remain damp for a considerable period, especially in colder weather.
Again, this may be perfectly acceptable for someone intentionally buying an ultra-heavy product. The point is simply that product specifications have consequences beyond the first impression.
A hoodie is not experienced only in the fitting room. It needs to work through washing, drying, storage and repeated wear.
Does 700 GSM Mean Better Durability?
Not automatically. More material can create a substantial garment, but durability also depends on yarn strength, knit quality, stitching, seams, ribbing and finishing.
A 700 GSM fabric with poor construction can still distort or age badly. A well-made 480 GSM hoodie can remain in excellent condition for years.
This is why founders should avoid using GSM as a shortcut for quality. Customers may initially respond to the number. They will judge the product by how it performs.
700 GSM Can Make Sense as a Statement Product
There are situations where the extreme weight is part of the concept. A winter capsule built around one oversized hoodie could benefit from the physical presence of 700 GSM fabric.
A limited drop may intentionally use an exaggerated silhouette and very dense construction as part of the product story. In those cases, the weight is not simply a specification.
It becomes a design choice. That is different from using 700 GSM across an entire core range because the number looks impressive on a product page. Statement products can afford to be more extreme.
Core products usually benefit from more versatility.
Is 700 GSM Good for a First Clothing Brand?
Usually, I would be cautious. A first collection already involves enough variables: sizing, colour, decoration, pricing, inventory and customer acquisition. An ultra-heavyweight garment can add cost and narrow the number of situations in which the product feels comfortable.
That does not mean a new brand should avoid it completely. If the entire identity depends on extreme heavyweight clothing, it may be exactly the right choice. But if the real goal is simply to launch a premium heavyweight hoodie, you do not need to reach 700 GSM to achieve that.
Testing a strong 400 to 500 GSM garment first can give you a clearer idea of how much additional weight would actually add to the product. René Bassett's 480 GSM hoodie range provides that reference point without pushing into ultra-heavyweight territory.
Sampling Matters More as GSM Increases
The heavier the fabric, the less useful it becomes to judge the product from specifications alone. You need to wear it.
Check how the shoulders sit, how the hood behaves and whether the sleeves become cumbersome. Sit down in it. Layer it under outerwear. Wash it. Then decide whether the extra weight improves the experience.
If you are comparing premium blanks before choosing your core hoodie, René Bassett's Starter Pack gives you a way to evaluate garments physically before committing to larger quantities.
For a broader sourcing framework, How to Evaluate a Premium Blank Supplier covers fabric consistency, construction, samples and reorder reliability.
What Should You Ask a 700 GSM Hoodie Supplier?
Start with the fabric. Is it actually 700 GSM? What is the composition? Is it French Terry or fleece? Is it pre-shrunk? Then look at the garment. Ask for measurements across the full size range. Check the hood construction, ribbing and seam finishing.
Ask what shrinkage should be expected after washing. If the supplier describes the fabric as premium, ask what makes it premium beyond weight. Where is the yarn coming from? How consistent is the fabric between production batches?
Can the same colour and GSM be reordered six months later? Can you buy a sample before committing? Those questions matter more than the headline number.
700 GSM vs 500 GSM: Is the Difference Worth It?
Sometimes. The extra 200 GSM can create a noticeably heavier and more structured garment. For a winter statement hoodie, that may be exactly what you want.
For a commercial core hoodie, it can also introduce more warmth, higher shipping costs and less versatility without producing a proportionate improvement in perceived quality.
The difference needs to be experienced rather than assumed. If your 500 GSM sample already has the silhouette and density you want, moving to 700 may solve a problem that does not exist.
700 GSM vs 400 GSM
The difference here is much more dramatic. A 400 GSM hoodie is already considered heavyweight by many suppliers and can provide a solid premium feel.
Moving to 700 GSM changes the category from heavyweight to something deliberately extreme. That affects styling, climate, comfort and price.
Brands should therefore think of 700 GSM as a specific product direction rather than the inevitable destination of a GSM ladder. There is no rule that says a premium hoodie needs to keep getting heavier.
Where René Bassett Sits on the GSM Scale
René Bassett does not currently offer a 700 GSM hoodie. Our core heavyweight hoodie collection uses 480 GSM 100% cotton French Terry, developed and produced in Portugal.
That weight was chosen to create a substantial, structured hoodie without moving into an ultra-heavy construction that would limit wearability.
For brands specifically looking for 700 GSM, you should work with a supplier that develops garments at that weight and sample the product carefully before production.
If your objective is simply a premium, heavyweight oversized hoodie, 480 GSM may already provide the structure and hand feel you are looking for. The right answer depends on the garment, not the biggest number available.
Frequently Asked Questions About 700 GSM Hoodies
What is a 700 GSM hoodie?
A 700 GSM hoodie is made from fabric weighing approximately 700 grams per square metre. This places it in the ultra-heavyweight category for sweatshirts and hoodies.
Is 700 GSM very heavy?
Yes. 700 GSM is extremely heavy for a hoodie and significantly denser than most standard or even premium heavyweight sweat fabrics.
Is a 700 GSM hoodie better than a 500 GSM hoodie?
Not automatically. A 700 GSM hoodie will usually feel heavier and warmer, but quality still depends on the yarn, knit, fit, construction and finishing.
Is 700 GSM good for streetwear?
It can be, especially for oversized or boxy winter garments where extreme weight and structure are part of the design. It may be less suitable for brands that need a versatile year-round hoodie.
Is 700 GSM too warm?
For mild climates or indoor wear, it may be. Ultra-heavyweight fabric is better suited to colder conditions and winter-focused products.
Is 700 GSM good for embroidery?
Heavy fabric can provide a stable base for embroidery, although the actual result depends on garment construction, artwork density and placement. Always test embroidery on a sample first.
Does 700 GSM shrink more?
GSM alone does not determine shrinkage. Fibre composition, finishing and whether the garment has been pre-shrunk matter more.
What GSM hoodie does René Bassett use?
René Bassett's core heavyweight hoodie range uses 480 GSM 100% cotton French Terry, rather than 700 GSM.
Is 480 GSM considered heavyweight?
Yes. 480 GSM is firmly within heavyweight territory and provides significant structure and density for premium streetwear hoodies.
Should a new clothing brand use 700 GSM?
Only if the extreme weight is genuinely part of the product concept. For many new brands, a less extreme heavyweight fabric can offer a better balance of structure, cost and wearability.
Heavyweight Has a Point of Diminishing Returns
There is nothing wrong with wanting an extremely heavy hoodie. If the garment is meant to feel dense, warm and almost architectural, 700 GSM can be a compelling material choice.
But there is a point where adding more fabric stops automatically improving the product. The customer still has to wear it. The hood still needs to sit properly. The sleeves need to move. The garment needs to wash, dry and ship. The price still needs to make sense.
Start with the product you want to create and work backwards to the fabric weight. If 700 GSM genuinely improves that product, use it. If the main reason is that 700 looks better than 500 on a specification sheet, it is probably worth sampling something lighter first.
700 GSM Hoodie: Is Ultra-Heavyweight Worth It for Your Brand?
A 700 GSM hoodie sounds impressive.
The number alone suggests density, weight and a very substantial garment. For brands building premium streetwear, that can be attractive.
Heavyweight fabric has become closely associated with structure, oversized silhouettes and a more elevated product feel, so it is easy to assume that moving from 480 GSM to 700 GSM automatically means moving up in quality.
It does not.
A 700 GSM hoodie can be excellent when the product has been designed around that fabric weight. It can also become unnecessarily bulky, warm, expensive and difficult to wear if the only goal was to make the specification sound more premium.
For founders, the question is not whether 700 GSM is “better.” It is whether the extra weight improves the garment you are actually trying to build.
What Does 700 GSM Mean?
GSM stands for grams per square metre. It measures the weight of the fabric, not the total weight of the finished hoodie.
A 700 GSM fabric weighs 700 grams per square metre, which places it well into ultra-heavyweight territory for sweat fabrics.
That is significantly heavier than the materials used in most commercial hoodies. Many everyday sweatshirts sit somewhere around 250 to 350 GSM, while premium heavyweight streetwear often moves into the 400 GSM range and above.
A 700 GSM hoodie is therefore not simply a slightly heavier version of a standard sweatshirt. The increase can affect the way the fabric folds, hangs, retains heat, responds to seams and feels on the body.
If you are still getting familiar with fabric weight, our Fabric Weight by Product guide explains how GSM changes across T-shirts, hoodies and sweatpants and why the number should always be read alongside fabric construction.
Is 700 GSM Heavy for a Hoodie?
Yes. Very. A 700 GSM hoodie sits at the extreme end of the spectrum for casual apparel.
The fabric will usually feel noticeably denser and thicker than a 400 or 500 GSM sweatshirt, although the exact result still depends on the knit, yarn, finishing and composition.
That last part matters.
Two fabrics can both be listed as 700 GSM and still feel different. One may be dense and compact. Another may gain part of its weight from a bulky brushed structure. The first can feel rigid and architectural, while the second may feel softer and more voluminous.
GSM tells you how much fabric weighs. It does not tell you exactly how that weight has been created.
Why Are Ultra-Heavyweight Hoodies Popular?
Part of the appeal is physical.
A very heavy hoodie feels substantial the moment you pick it up. That can make the product seem more valuable before the customer even puts it on.
The fabric also tends to hold oversized and boxy silhouettes strongly. Wide sleeves, dropped shoulders and large hoods can maintain their shape rather than collapsing close to the body. There is also a marketing effect.
When heavyweight streetwear moved from 300 GSM to 400 GSM and then toward 450 or 500 GSM, fabric weight became an easy specification for customers to compare. Some brands began using higher numbers as a visible signal of product quality.
That creates a temptation to keep pushing the number upward. At some point, though, the question needs to return to the product.
Does the customer actually benefit from another 100 or 200 GSM?
700 GSM vs 480 GSM Hoodies
The difference between 700 GSM and 480 GSM is substantial enough to change the character of the garment.
A 480 GSM hoodie is already firmly heavyweight. It can provide strong structure, a dense hand feel and enough weight to support oversized streetwear proportions without moving into the most extreme end of the category.
A 700 GSM hoodie takes that further. You can expect more physical weight, more insulation and often a more rigid silhouette. That extra density may be exactly what you want for a statement winter piece.
It may also be more than you need for a core hoodie designed to sell across several seasons.
René Bassett's 480 GSM heavyweight hoodies are made from 100% cotton French Terry and developed around a structured oversized fit. The goal is to create a substantial premium blank while keeping the garment wearable enough to function as a repeatable core product.
That balance is worth considering before deciding that a higher number is automatically an upgrade.
Does a 700 GSM Hoodie Feel Better?
Not necessarily. “Heavier” and “better” are different ideas. A 700 GSM hoodie can feel exceptionally premium if the yarn, knit, pattern, ribbing and construction are all good.
The same weight can feel awkward if the fabric is stiff, the hood becomes too heavy, the sleeves feel cumbersome or the garment has not been patterned to accommodate the material.
A well-developed 450 or 480 GSM hoodie can easily feel more refined than a poorly designed 700 GSM one. Fabric quality comes from the entire construction.
GSM is one input.
The Fit Needs to Be Designed for the Weight
This becomes increasingly important as GSM rises.
A pattern developed for a 300 GSM fabric cannot always be moved directly into 700 GSM material without consequences.
The fabric takes up more physical space. Folds become thicker. Seams can become bulkier. The hood may sit differently around the neck. Ribbing has to balance the weight of the body.
Even the way the sleeve bends can change. If you are sourcing an ultra-heavyweight hoodie, look at the actual garment rather than assuming the GSM will create the silhouette automatically.
A strong pattern makes the fabric look intentional. Without that, the garment can simply feel oversized and heavy.
700 GSM Works Best With Certain Silhouettes
Ultra-heavy fabric tends to make the most sense when the fit gives it room to work.
Boxy and oversized silhouettes are obvious candidates because the material can hold wider proportions. A slim 700 GSM hoodie can feel restrictive very quickly.
Cropped or controlled body lengths can also work because the increased width and weight become part of the shape without creating excessive length.
That is why fit and fabric weight should be developed together.
If you are comparing different hoodie silhouettes, our guide to types of hoodies explains how regular, oversized, boxy and cropped fits behave differently.
Is 700 GSM Too Warm?
For many customers, it can be. A very dense hoodie traps more heat and takes longer to feel comfortable in mild conditions.
That makes 700 GSM particularly relevant for winter products, colder markets and customers who genuinely want a heavy layering piece.
For brands selling across Europe, North America or several climates at once, that can become more complicated.
A hoodie that feels ideal in January may be difficult to wear through spring or autumn. This is where a slightly lighter heavyweight fabric can become more versatile.
A 480 GSM French Terry hoodie still feels substantial, but it can offer a wider seasonal window than an ultra-heavyweight fleece or Terry construction.
If your product is intended to remain in the collection year-round, climate should be part of the fabric decision.
French Terry or Fleece at 700 GSM?
Both constructions are possible, but they will create very different garments.
French Terry has a smooth exterior and loopback interior. At very high GSM, it can feel dense and structured while still avoiding the heavily brushed interior associated with fleece.
Brushed fleece raises the fibres inside the fabric, increasing softness and insulation. At 700 GSM, that extra warmth can become significant.
If the product is supposed to feel like an extreme winter hoodie, a dense brushed fleece may suit the concept. If you want structure without as much internal fluff, heavyweight French Terry may be more appropriate.
We cover the difference between those fabrics in more detail in What Is Brushed Fleece? and our comparison of French Terry vs brushed fleece.
Fabric Composition Still Matters
A 700 GSM fabric can be 100% cotton, cotton/polyester or another blend. That composition changes the product.
A 100% cotton construction can provide a more natural hand feel and the dense character many streetwear brands want. It can also make the garment heavier once the fabric weight becomes extreme.
Polyester may improve dimensional stability, reduce shrinkage and change how quickly the hoodie dries. The better option depends on the product brief.
Do not choose 700 GSM first and composition second. Decide what you want the hoodie to feel like, then evaluate which combination of fibre and weight gets you there.
Heavyweight Fabric Can Affect Decoration
Very heavy fabric can be excellent for some decoration methods because it provides a stable base.
Embroidery, for example, often benefits from a garment with enough structure to support the stitches. Large or dense graphics can feel more balanced on a substantial hoodie than on lightweight fabric.
The same applies to screen printing. A heavyweight cotton surface can give a large print a strong physical presence.
But thickness also creates practical considerations. Seams, pockets and folded areas can become harder to work around, and the decoration provider needs to know what they are dealing with.
If your design relies heavily on embroidery, René Bassett offers Flat and 3D Puff Embroidery on compatible blanks. For printed collections, the Print Service covers screen print, DTG, DTF and puff print.
Whatever GSM you choose, sample the decoration on the actual hoodie before bulk production.
A 700 GSM Hoodie Will Cost More to Ship
This is an easy detail to overlook. More fabric means more weight. That affects freight from the manufacturer to your warehouse and shipping from your warehouse to the customer.
If you sell internationally, the difference can become meaningful. Heavier garments also take more space in cartons and storage. None of this makes 700 GSM a bad choice, but it belongs in the margin calculation.
A product should not be evaluated only by factory cost. Packaging, shipping, returns and fulfilment all contribute to the final economics.
Drying Time Becomes Part of the Customer Experience
A very heavy cotton hoodie absorbs a lot of water. That means washing and drying can take longer. Customers who air dry their clothes may notice this immediately. A dense 700 GSM hoodie can remain damp for a considerable period, especially in colder weather.
Again, this may be perfectly acceptable for someone intentionally buying an ultra-heavy product. The point is simply that product specifications have consequences beyond the first impression.
A hoodie is not experienced only in the fitting room. It needs to work through washing, drying, storage and repeated wear.
Does 700 GSM Mean Better Durability?
Not automatically. More material can create a substantial garment, but durability also depends on yarn strength, knit quality, stitching, seams, ribbing and finishing.
A 700 GSM fabric with poor construction can still distort or age badly. A well-made 480 GSM hoodie can remain in excellent condition for years.
This is why founders should avoid using GSM as a shortcut for quality. Customers may initially respond to the number. They will judge the product by how it performs.
700 GSM Can Make Sense as a Statement Product
There are situations where the extreme weight is part of the concept. A winter capsule built around one oversized hoodie could benefit from the physical presence of 700 GSM fabric.
A limited drop may intentionally use an exaggerated silhouette and very dense construction as part of the product story. In those cases, the weight is not simply a specification.
It becomes a design choice. That is different from using 700 GSM across an entire core range because the number looks impressive on a product page. Statement products can afford to be more extreme.
Core products usually benefit from more versatility.
Is 700 GSM Good for a First Clothing Brand?
Usually, I would be cautious. A first collection already involves enough variables: sizing, colour, decoration, pricing, inventory and customer acquisition. An ultra-heavyweight garment can add cost and narrow the number of situations in which the product feels comfortable.
That does not mean a new brand should avoid it completely. If the entire identity depends on extreme heavyweight clothing, it may be exactly the right choice. But if the real goal is simply to launch a premium heavyweight hoodie, you do not need to reach 700 GSM to achieve that.
Testing a strong 400 to 500 GSM garment first can give you a clearer idea of how much additional weight would actually add to the product. René Bassett's 480 GSM hoodie range provides that reference point without pushing into ultra-heavyweight territory.
Sampling Matters More as GSM Increases
The heavier the fabric, the less useful it becomes to judge the product from specifications alone. You need to wear it.
Check how the shoulders sit, how the hood behaves and whether the sleeves become cumbersome. Sit down in it. Layer it under outerwear. Wash it. Then decide whether the extra weight improves the experience.
If you are comparing premium blanks before choosing your core hoodie, René Bassett's Starter Pack gives you a way to evaluate garments physically before committing to larger quantities.
For a broader sourcing framework, How to Evaluate a Premium Blank Supplier covers fabric consistency, construction, samples and reorder reliability.
What Should You Ask a 700 GSM Hoodie Supplier?
Start with the fabric. Is it actually 700 GSM? What is the composition? Is it French Terry or fleece? Is it pre-shrunk? Then look at the garment. Ask for measurements across the full size range. Check the hood construction, ribbing and seam finishing.
Ask what shrinkage should be expected after washing. If the supplier describes the fabric as premium, ask what makes it premium beyond weight. Where is the yarn coming from? How consistent is the fabric between production batches?
Can the same colour and GSM be reordered six months later? Can you buy a sample before committing? Those questions matter more than the headline number.
700 GSM vs 500 GSM: Is the Difference Worth It?
Sometimes. The extra 200 GSM can create a noticeably heavier and more structured garment. For a winter statement hoodie, that may be exactly what you want.
For a commercial core hoodie, it can also introduce more warmth, higher shipping costs and less versatility without producing a proportionate improvement in perceived quality.
The difference needs to be experienced rather than assumed. If your 500 GSM sample already has the silhouette and density you want, moving to 700 may solve a problem that does not exist.
700 GSM vs 400 GSM
The difference here is much more dramatic. A 400 GSM hoodie is already considered heavyweight by many suppliers and can provide a solid premium feel.
Moving to 700 GSM changes the category from heavyweight to something deliberately extreme. That affects styling, climate, comfort and price.
Brands should therefore think of 700 GSM as a specific product direction rather than the inevitable destination of a GSM ladder. There is no rule that says a premium hoodie needs to keep getting heavier.
Where René Bassett Sits on the GSM Scale
René Bassett does not currently offer a 700 GSM hoodie. Our core heavyweight hoodie collection uses 480 GSM 100% cotton French Terry, developed and produced in Portugal.
That weight was chosen to create a substantial, structured hoodie without moving into an ultra-heavy construction that would limit wearability.
For brands specifically looking for 700 GSM, you should work with a supplier that develops garments at that weight and sample the product carefully before production.
If your objective is simply a premium, heavyweight oversized hoodie, 480 GSM may already provide the structure and hand feel you are looking for. The right answer depends on the garment, not the biggest number available.
Frequently Asked Questions About 700 GSM Hoodies
What is a 700 GSM hoodie?
A 700 GSM hoodie is made from fabric weighing approximately 700 grams per square metre. This places it in the ultra-heavyweight category for sweatshirts and hoodies.
Is 700 GSM very heavy?
Yes. 700 GSM is extremely heavy for a hoodie and significantly denser than most standard or even premium heavyweight sweat fabrics.
Is a 700 GSM hoodie better than a 500 GSM hoodie?
Not automatically. A 700 GSM hoodie will usually feel heavier and warmer, but quality still depends on the yarn, knit, fit, construction and finishing.
Is 700 GSM good for streetwear?
It can be, especially for oversized or boxy winter garments where extreme weight and structure are part of the design. It may be less suitable for brands that need a versatile year-round hoodie.
Is 700 GSM too warm?
For mild climates or indoor wear, it may be. Ultra-heavyweight fabric is better suited to colder conditions and winter-focused products.
Is 700 GSM good for embroidery?
Heavy fabric can provide a stable base for embroidery, although the actual result depends on garment construction, artwork density and placement. Always test embroidery on a sample first.
Does 700 GSM shrink more?
GSM alone does not determine shrinkage. Fibre composition, finishing and whether the garment has been pre-shrunk matter more.
What GSM hoodie does René Bassett use?
René Bassett's core heavyweight hoodie range uses 480 GSM 100% cotton French Terry, rather than 700 GSM.
Is 480 GSM considered heavyweight?
Yes. 480 GSM is firmly within heavyweight territory and provides significant structure and density for premium streetwear hoodies.
Should a new clothing brand use 700 GSM?
Only if the extreme weight is genuinely part of the product concept. For many new brands, a less extreme heavyweight fabric can offer a better balance of structure, cost and wearability.
Heavyweight Has a Point of Diminishing Returns
There is nothing wrong with wanting an extremely heavy hoodie. If the garment is meant to feel dense, warm and almost architectural, 700 GSM can be a compelling material choice.
But there is a point where adding more fabric stops automatically improving the product. The customer still has to wear it. The hood still needs to sit properly. The sleeves need to move. The garment needs to wash, dry and ship. The price still needs to make sense.
Start with the product you want to create and work backwards to the fabric weight. If 700 GSM genuinely improves that product, use it. If the main reason is that 700 looks better than 500 on a specification sheet, it is probably worth sampling something lighter first.
Written by
Ricardo Vieira
Ricardo Vieira is the founder of René Bassett and has worked in the Portuguese textile industry for over 10 years. He grew up close to garment production — his family's company operated in the sector — and developed a technical understanding of fabrics, fabric weights and customisation processes that shapes every product René Bassett brings to market. He writes about everything a clothing brand founder needs to understand about blanks, fabrics and production before launching — or scaling — a brand.