Quick answer: French terry has soft loops on the inside and is lighter and more breathable; fleece is the same base fabric with the loops brushed into a fluffy layer, so it is warmer. Choose French terry (about 240–350 GSM) for all-season and premium streetwear, and fleece (about 300–450 GSM) for winter and cosy basics.
Hoodies, sweatshirts and joggers are usually made from one of these two fabrics. They look the same from the outside, but feel and perform differently. This guide explains the difference so you can choose the right one for each product.
Quick answer
French terry: looped back, breathable, structured, ideal for spring, autumn and heavyweight streetwear. Fleece: brushed back, warmer and softer, ideal for winter, kids’ wear and comfort basics. Both take screen printing, puff print, DTF and embroidery.
Need these made? Ravix Pro Industry in Daska, Sialkot is a sportswear manufacturer for sports clubs and clothing brands in the USA, UK, Europe, Canada and Australia. Custom, OEM and private label production since 2008, with in-house sublimation, printing and embroidery, an MOQ of 30 pieces per design, samples in 7–10 days and bulk in 2–4 weeks. WRAP, BSCI, OEKO-TEX and ISO 9001 certified.
Part of our guide: Fabrics · Fabric library
French terry vs fleece at a glance
| French terry | Fleece | |
|---|---|---|
| Inside | Small soft loops | Brushed, fluffy pile |
| Warmth | Medium | High |
| Breathability | Higher | Lower |
| Typical GSM | 240–400 | 280–450 |
| Look | Clean, structured, premium | Soft, cosy, slightly fuller |
| Pilling | Less prone | Can pill more on lower-quality yarns |
| Best seasons | Spring, autumn, mild winters | Winter, cold climates |
| Best for | Streetwear hoodies, shorts, joggers, crewnecks | Winter hoodies, sweatpants, kids’ wear, team warm-ups |
How each fabric is made
Both start as a knitted fabric with a smooth face and loops on the back. For French terry, the loops are left as they are. For fleece, the back is brushed with wire rollers, which pulls the loops into a soft pile that traps air and adds warmth.
Choosing the GSM
| Use | French terry | Fleece |
|---|---|---|
| Light layer / summer shorts | 240–280 | — |
| All-season hoodie | 300–350 | 300–330 |
| Heavyweight streetwear | 380–450 | 400–450 |
| Winter / cold climates | — | 350–450 |
Read what is GSM and our fabric library.
Composition
- 100% cotton: softest and most premium, with some shrinkage; ask for pre-shrunk fabric
- 80/20 or 70/30 cotton-poly: less shrinkage and pilling, good for printing
- 100% polyester fleece: for sublimated hoodies and performance warm-ups
- Organic or recycled blends: for sustainable collections
Printing and decoration
Both fabrics take screen printing, 3D puff, DTF and embroidery well. Heavier French terry gives the cleanest, most premium print surface for streetwear. Polyester fleece can be sublimated.
Which should you choose?
- Streetwear brand: heavyweight French terry (380–450 GSM)
- Team and club hoodies: cotton-poly fleece (300–350 GSM)
- Winter collection: brushed fleece (350–450 GSM)
- Summer sets and shorts: light French terry (240–280 GSM)
From our factory floor in Sialkot
At Ravix Pro Industry we have manufactured sportswear since 2008 and now run more than 100 stitching and finishing machines with 150+ workers, producing 20,000+ pieces a month for over 500 brands and clubs in 50+ countries. Every order follows the same 11 steps: quote, design, approval, sample, cutting, decoration, stitching, thread trimming, quality check, packing and door-to-door shipping. Sublimation, screen printing, DTF and embroidery happen in-house, so we control colour, print quality and timing ourselves. See our manufacturing process and quality checks.
Ready to start? Request a free quote for custom hoodies or message us on WhatsApp with your design, quantity and sizes. MOQ from 30 pieces per design. We reply within 24 hours.
FAQs
Is French terry warmer than fleece?
No. Fleece is warmer because its brushed inside traps more air. French terry is lighter and more breathable.
Is French terry good for hoodies?
Yes. It is the top choice for premium and streetwear hoodies because it looks clean, holds shape and prints well.
What GSM is a good hoodie?
About 300–350 GSM for all-season wear and 380–450 GSM for heavyweight or winter hoodies.
Does fleece shrink?
Cotton-rich fleece can shrink a little; ask for pre-shrunk fabric or a cotton-poly blend.
Can I mix French terry and fleece in one collection?
Yes. Many brands use French terry for spring and fleece for winter in the same designs, from 30 pieces per design.
