It’s not just the warmth and comfort that performance hoodies offer. They are engineered for a different purpose – to be of use to active individuals before and after physical activities, and often during them.
These kinds of hoodies pull triple duty.
- Offers superb comfort
- Wicks moisture during intense activity
- Regulates air flow and offers breathability for post-workout recovery
But the quality of these hoodies varies wildly between brands, and picking the wrong one can leave your team soggy, chilly, and looking unprofessional at times.
It’s a fact that performance wear impacts both appearance and athletic output. Performance itself improves with better gear that maintains optimal temperature. Among all these benefits, investing in high-quality wholesale hooded sweatshirts can also save the team a good chunk of its program money over time.
Let’s dive into the top performance hoodie styles available in the wholesale market today that any sports team can bank on. These styles combine function, style, and durability at reasonable price points that can be cut down further with bulk purchases.
- Sport-Tek F244 Sport-Wick Fleece Hoodie
Sport-Tek didn’t just create a hoodie with the F244; they engineered a sweat management system disguised as team apparel. Their Sport-Wick technology transforms anti-static fleece into an excellent warm up and cool down option that can release moisture from the inner layer out through the top layer. The 100% polyester hoodie comes in over 15 great colors, and a three-panel hood that won’t bother wearers doing a quick, little warm up. Sport-Tek’s performance apparel are known for their color retention and printability. All in all a great style to grab for a team.
Price point: Between $15 and $20 but worth every penny for the technical performance.
- Team 365 TT41 Zone Performance Hoodie
A lightweight 130 gsm 100% polyester interlock hoodie with a classic look, the TT41 has performance in its name and build. Its moisture-wicking capacity is worth mentioning and so is the comfort. The hoodie also offers decent UV protection. The hoodie offers a team fit in 9 different colors. Functional and budget-friendly like most offerings from the praiseworthy Team 365.
Price point: Between $11 and $15, but the right distributors can make the price sweeter for bulk orders.
- Nike NKAH6259 Therma-FIT Full-Zip Fleece Hoodie
Premium performance and yet another testament to Nike’s reputation for quality. The 100% polyester Therma-FIT fabric, according to Nike, breathes and manages moisture with near unparalleled efficiency. The only downside is that it doesn’t come in a lot of colors; just a handful. The seam placements are good enough to eliminate chafing during repetitive movements. The kangaroo pouch is kind of odd but works anyway. The hoodie maintains its shape after countless washes and wears and stays up well during side-to-side movements.
Price point: Really high yet justified, between $80 and $100 depending on the wholesale source.
- Augusta Sportswear 5505 Wicking Fleece Hoodie
Augusta Sportswear is reputed, reliable, and really good in its niche of affordable performance wear. The 5505 is made of a 100% polyester performance wicking fleece. It’s better suited for youth leagues and high schools with tight budgets. This doesn’t mean the hoodie isn’t worth the investment for adult sports teams.
The Augusta line offers some of the widest color selection, making it easier to match exact team colors. The 5505 particularly suits teams that need to outfit multiple squads but don’t want to compromise on performance and strain the budget. For teams looking for cheap hoodies wholesale without sacrificing basic performance features, Augusta definitely hits the sweet spot.
Price point: Between $23 and $27. Varies considerably depending on the wholesale source.
- North End NE105 Unisex JAQ Stretch Performance Hoodie
Lightweight perfection made with a flawless 69% polyester, 26% lyocell, 5% spandex jersey fabric blend. The NE105 is very soft to touch but is built for superior performance. It wicks moisture, is antimicrobial, and comes with thumbholes giving it a feel like it’s part of you. However, the color options are really limited with only 4 variants available currently. While not the cheapest option, their lifespan often doubles that of budget alternatives, making them cost-effective over multiple seasons.
Price point: Between $25 and $30 per piece. Can go down when ordered in bulk.
- Russell Athletic 695HBM Unisex Dri-Power® Hooded Sweatshirt
Russell Athletic has been in the athletic wear game for a long while now. Their Dri-Power hoodies combine their expertise in performance fabrics with modern technical innovations. The 695HBM is pretty much a hybrid of a casual hoodie and a performance hoodie, offering the best of both worlds with a relaxed fit. Mostly made of a 50-50 cotton-poly blend, the innovation is all thanks to the Dri-Power technology which gives the hoodie exceptional moisture-wicking capability that rivals that of premium 100% polyester hoodies. The brand is also eco-conscious, and makes the 695HBM out of sustainably-sourced, USA-grown cotton.
Price point: Between $20 and $25.
How to Choose
Selecting the right performance hoodie depends on the team’s specific needs. Here’s a quick breakdown.
- For frequent outdoor practice in colder climates, hoodies with thermal regulation are better.
- For programs managing multiple teams with budget constraints, go for budget-friendly styles from Team 365, Russell Athletic or Augusta.
- For excellent printability, choose any of the brands above based on the budget.
- For pure durability, Nike and North End won’t disappoint.
- For exceptional comfort and performance combined, go for Nike, North End and Russell Athletic.
There are more styles out there that we just can’t cover in a single blog. But the point is to invest in functional gear from a reputed brand that focuses on athletic performance and comfort.
