Overview
The Gildan 18600 Heavy Blend Full-Zip Hooded Sweatshirt is our first full-zip hoodie review on T-Shirt Elephant, and it fills a major gap in our product coverage. While we have reviewed plenty of pullover hoodies and t-shirts, the full-zip category is one of the most requested product types for corporate orders, team uniforms, and promotional events - and the 18600 is the undisputed value king in this space.
Think of the 18600 as the companion piece to the Gildan 18500 pullover hoodie that so many of our customers already know and trust. Same Heavy Blend fleece fabric, same pill-resistant construction, same Gildan reliability - but with a full-length metal zipper that adds versatility and convenience. If your team loved the 18500, they will feel right at home in the 18600.
In this comprehensive review, we break down everything you need to know about the Gildan 18600 - from fabric construction and zipper quality to print and embroidery performance, and how it compares to pullover and premium alternatives.
Fabric and Quality
The Gildan 18600 features 8.0 oz/yd² (271 gsm) 50/50 cotton/polyester Heavy Blend pill-resistant fleece. This is a genuinely heavyweight hoodie that provides real warmth and substance. The 50/50 blend is a deliberate choice - the cotton provides breathability and a natural feel against the skin, while the polyester adds durability, shape retention, and resistance to shrinkage.
The pill-resistant treatment is a critical feature that often goes underappreciated. Standard fleece hoodies develop those unsightly little fabric balls after a few washes, making them look worn out well before their time. The Heavy Blend treatment on the 18600 significantly reduces pilling, keeping the hoodie looking fresh through dozens of wash cycles.
Key Fabric Features
- 8.0 oz/yd² Heavy Blend fleece - Substantial warmth without excessive bulk
- 50/50 cotton/polyester - Balanced blend for comfort, durability, and shrink resistance
- Pill-resistant - Maintains appearance through repeated washing
- Metal zipper - Durable, smooth operation, built to last
- Unlined hood with matching drawcord - Clean look without bulk
- Double-needle pouch pockets - Reinforced split kangaroo-style pockets on each side of the zipper
- 1x1 rib with spandex - Cuffs and waistband that hold their shape
- Double-needle stitching - Professional construction throughout
The Metal Zipper
The zipper deserves its own section because it is one of the defining features of the 18600. This is a full-length metal zipper that operates smoothly and is built for heavy daily use. Unlike plastic zippers that can crack, jam, or lose teeth after repeated use, the metal zipper on the 18600 will outlast the fabric itself.
The one honest caveat: a metal zipper can feel cold against the skin in winter weather, particularly if the hoodie is worn without an undershirt. This is a minor trade-off and actually a sign of quality - cheap hoodies use plastic zippers precisely because they are cheaper, not because they are better. For most wearing scenarios, especially over a t-shirt or dress shirt, this is a non-issue.
Fit and Sizing
The 18600 has a classic, relaxed unisex fit that errs on the generous side. This is not a tapered, fashion-forward silhouette - it is a practical, accommodating cut designed to work for the widest possible range of body types and layering scenarios. The hood sits naturally without being oversized, and the matching drawcord adds adjustability.
Available in sizes S through 5XL, the 18600 offers one of the broadest size ranges in the full-zip hoodie category. This extended sizing is a genuine advantage for corporate and team orders where you need to accommodate everyone without switching to a different product for your larger sizes.
Sizing Recommendations
- For standard layering (over a t-shirt): Order your normal size
- For heavy layering (over a dress shirt or sweater): Size up one
- Compared to the 18500 pullover: Identical sizing - no adjustment needed if switching
- For a slimmer look: Consider sizing down, but expect a tighter fit in the shoulders
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Unbeatable price point for a full-zip hoodie with metal zipper
- Pill-resistant fleece stays looking fresh wash after wash
- Metal zipper is smooth, durable, and built to last
- Extended sizing S-5XL accommodates all body types
- Gildan supply chain means virtually always in stock
- Excellent base for screen printing and embroidery
- Same trusted fabric as the popular 18500 pullover
- 50/50 blend resists shrinkage better than 100% cotton
Cons
- Boxy, classic fit is not fashion-forward
- Metal zipper can feel cold against bare skin in winter
- 50/50 blend is not as soft as ring-spun or premium fleece
- Hood is unlined - less structure than premium hoodies
- Front zipper limits full-front print design options
- Not ideal for retail merchandise that demands premium feel
Print and Decoration Performance
The Gildan 18600 is a reliable workhorse for custom decoration across multiple methods. The 50/50 cotton-poly fleece provides a consistent surface, and the heavyweight construction means your designs will look sharp and professional.
Screen Printing
Screen printing works exceptionally well on the 18600, particularly on the back panel and left chest. The fleece surface holds ink beautifully, and the 8.0 oz weight prevents any show-through. Keep in mind that the front zipper splits the chest area, so full-front designs are not practical on a zip-up. Most customers opt for left-chest logos on the front and larger designs on the back. For full-front prints, consider the Gildan 18500 pullover instead.
Embroidery
This is where the 18600 truly shines as a decoration blank. Embroidery on heavyweight fleece looks outstanding - the dense fabric provides a stable base that resists puckering, and the stitching stands out cleanly against the fleece surface. Left-chest logos, back-of-neck branding, and sleeve embroidery all look polished and professional. For corporate uniforms and branded workwear, embroidery on the 18600 delivers a premium appearance at a budget price point.
DTF Printing
Direct-to-Film transfers adhere well to the 50/50 blend, though results are slightly better on 100% cotton surfaces. The fleece texture means DTF transfers have a slightly different hand feel compared to smooth t-shirt fabric, but the visual results are still excellent. Ensure proper heat press temperature and pressure for best adhesion on fleece.
Best Uses
Gildan 18600 vs Alternatives
How does the 18600 full-zip stack up against other popular hoodie options? Here is a detailed comparison including both full-zip and pullover alternatives:
| Feature | Gildan 18600 (Full-Zip) | Gildan 18500 (Pullover) | Independent IND4000 (Pullover) | Champion S700 (Pullover) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Full-Zip | Pullover | Pullover | Pullover |
| Weight | 8.0 oz | 8.0 oz | 10.0 oz | 9.0 oz |
| Material | 50/50 Cotton-Poly | 50/50 Cotton-Poly | 80/20 Cotton-Poly | 50/50 Cotton-Poly |
| Fit | Classic/Relaxed | Classic/Relaxed | Modern/Tailored | Classic/Relaxed |
| Pill-Resistant | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sizes | S-5XL | S-5XL | S-3XL | S-3XL |
| Colours | ~20 | ~30 | ~30 | ~15 |
| Price Range | $ | $ | $$$ | $$ |
| Best For | Value Full-Zip | Value Pullover | Premium Quality | Brand Recognition |
Note: The Independent IND4000 and Champion S700 are both pullovers, not full-zips. We include them here because they are the most commonly compared hoodie blanks. The 18600 stands alone in the budget full-zip category. For more on hoodie selection, see our Complete Custom Hoodies and Sweatshirts Buying Guide.
Full-Zip vs Pullover: When to Choose the 18600
The full-zip design is more than just an aesthetic choice - it fundamentally changes how and when the hoodie gets worn. Here is when the 18600 full-zip is the smarter pick over its 18500 pullover sibling:
Choose the 18600 full-zip when:
- Your team will be layering over dress shirts or uniforms (zipping on and off without messing up hair or collars)
- Temperature fluctuates throughout the day (easy to unzip or remove)
- You need a professional look that can be worn open over branded shirts
- The hoodie will be used as outerwear at outdoor events
- Your branding works well on left-chest and back placement
Choose the 18500 pullover instead when:
- You want a large, uninterrupted front print area
- Budget is even tighter (pullovers are slightly cheaper)
- The kangaroo pouch pocket is preferred over split pockets
- You want a more casual, streetwear-inspired look
Corporate and Workwear Applications
The Gildan 18600 is particularly well-suited for corporate uniforms and workwear. The full-zip design reads as more professional than a pullover hoodie, and the relaxed fit accommodates a wide range of body types without needing to stock multiple fit profiles. When paired with embroidered company logos on the left chest, the 18600 delivers a polished, branded look at a fraction of what premium corporate outerwear would cost.
For businesses outfitting staff across multiple locations, the combination of low cost, reliable stock levels, extended sizing, and durable construction makes the 18600 an operationally smart choice. You can reorder the exact same product months later and know it will match your existing inventory perfectly.
Our Verdict
The Gildan 18600 Heavy Blend Full-Zip Hooded Sweatshirt is the best-value full-zip hoodie available for custom printing and embroidery in Canada. It is not the softest, it is not the most stylish, and it will not impress fashion-conscious retail customers - but that is not what it is designed to do.
What it does do is deliver reliable, pill-resistant, heavyweight warmth with a durable metal zipper at a price point that makes bulk orders and corporate budgets very happy. The extended S-5XL sizing, rock-solid Gildan stock levels, and excellent decoration performance make it the go-to blank for corporate uniforms, team events, promotional giveaways, and workwear.
If you are looking for the full-zip companion to the wildly popular Gildan 18500 pullover, this is it. Same trusted fabric, same Gildan reliability, with the added convenience and versatility of a zip-up design. For budget-conscious orders where performance matters more than premium feel, the Gildan 18600 is the smart choice.
Browse our full custom hoodies collection to see the 18600 alongside other options and start your order today.
