How Activewear Brands Produce Custom Hoodies

Table of Contents


Quick Answer

Activewear brands produce custom hoodies by working with experienced factories that handle fabric sourcing, pattern development, sampling, and bulk production.

From my experience, the brands that succeed focus less on trends and more on fit consistency, fabric performance, and production control.


Why Custom Hoodies Matter for Activewear Brands

Custom hoodies play a key role in activewear collections because they are used for:

  • Warm-ups and cool-downs
  • Outdoor training
  • Athleisure and lifestyle wear
  • Seasonal collections and drops

Unlike basic streetwear, activewear hoodies must balance movement, comfort, and durability.


My Experience Producing Custom Hoodies for Brands

I’ve worked with activewear brands producing:

  • Pullover hoodies
  • Zip-up hoodies
  • Cropped fitness hoodies
  • Oversized training hoodies

What I’ve learned:

  • Fabric choice impacts repeat orders more than graphics
  • Poor shrinkage control damages brand trust
  • Hoodie fit must remain consistent across colorways

A hoodie that looks good once must perform the same every time.


Step-by-Step: How Activewear Brands Produce Custom Hoodies

1. Product Positioning

Brands decide:

  • Training-focused or lifestyle-first
  • Lightweight or heavyweight
  • Seasonal or year-round

This defines fabric and construction choices.

2. Fabric Selection

Common options include:

  • Cotton-poly fleece
  • French terry
  • Brushed fleece
  • Performance blends

Typical GSM ranges from 280–380 GSM.

3. Pattern & Fit Development

Factories adjust:

  • Shoulder width
  • Sleeve length
  • Body length
  • Hood depth

Fit sampling is critical before bulk production.

4. Sampling & Revisions

Most brands go through:

  • 1st proto sample
  • Fit revisions
  • Pre-production sample

Skipping steps increases risk.

5. Bulk Production & QC

Key quality checks:

  • Shrinkage after wash
  • Seam strength
  • Color consistency
  • Rib recovery

Key Production Decisions Brands Must Make

Brands must clearly decide:

  • OEM vs private label
  • Custom fabric vs stock fabric
  • Low MOQ test or scale-ready production

Clear decisions reduce delays and cost overruns.


MOQ, Lead Time & Cost Overview

Item Typical Range
MOQ 100–300 pcs per style
Sampling time 7–15 days
Bulk production 30–45 days
Cost drivers Fabric, weight, trims

Heavier fabrics and custom dyeing increase unit cost.


Custom Hoodie Manufacturers for Activewear Brands

1. Fukigymwear – Activewear Hoodie Manufacturer

👉 Fukigymwear

Custom hoodie production focused on fitness and activewear brands.
Best for: Brands testing or scaling activewear hoodies.


2. AEL Apparel – Performance Apparel Manufacturer

👉 AEL Apparel

Technical garment development and premium manufacturing.
Best for: Performance-driven activewear brands.


3. Affix Apparel – Custom Activewear Manufacturer

👉 Affix Apparel

Low-MOQ private label and OEM services.
Best for: Startups and small drops.


4. Alanic – Global Sportswear Manufacturer

👉 Alanic

Large-scale hoodie and sportswear production.
Best for: Brands scaling volume.


5. Royal Apparel – USA-Based Apparel Manufacturer

👉 Royal Apparel

Ethical and domestic manufacturing.
Best for: Made-in-USA positioning.


Comparison Table

Manufacturer MOQ Customization Best For
Fukigymwear Low–Mid High Activewear brands
AEL Apparel Mid High Performance products
Affix Apparel Low Medium Test collections
Alanic Mid–High Standardized Scaling brands
Royal Apparel Mid Medium USA-made lines

How Brands Choose the Right Hoodie Factory

Brands should ask:

  • Do they understand activewear requirements?
  • Can they control shrinkage and fit?
  • Is scaling possible after launch?

The right partner grows with the brand.


FAQs

Q: Are activewear hoodies different from streetwear hoodies?
A: Yes. They require better fit control and fabric performance.

Q: Can brands start with low MOQ?
A: Yes. Many factories support test orders.

Q: How long does production take?
A: Usually 40–60 days including sampling.


Work With Fukigymwear

If you’re planning custom hoodies for an activewear brand,
👉 Fukigymwear supports you from sampling to bulk production.

We help brands build hoodies that fit well, perform consistently, and scale reliably.

owen@bless-dg.com

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