Bear Grips Pro ShopsGildan Zip-Up Hoodie vs Pullover Hoodie: Which Fits Your Shop in 2026
- The Bear Grips catalog carries one full-zip hoodie (Gildan Classic Zip-Up, $41.88 VIP) alongside several pullover-style hoodies and crewnecks.
- Zip-ups win on easy on-off layering and full back print space; pullovers win on lower base cost and simpler front graphics.
- The Champion Performance Hoodie ($45.88) is the premium pullover pick, the Bear Grips Comfort Soft Hoodie ($36.88) is the budget pullover pick.
- A shop limited to 3 free products should pick one style, not both, until upgrading to VIP for 200 slots.
The Full Hoodie and Crewneck Lineup
| Piece | Brand | Style | VIP base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort Soft Hoodie | Bear Grips | Pullover | $36.88 |
| Classic Zip-Up Hoodie | Gildan | Full zip | $41.88 |
| Perfect Soft Crewneck Sweatshirt | Bear Grips | Crewneck, no hood | $34.88 |
| Unisex Champion Performance Hoodie | Champion | Pullover, premium | $45.88 |
| Unisex Champion Crewneck Sweatshirt | Champion | Crewneck, premium | $41.88 |
| Youth Hoodie | Gildan | Pullover, youth sizing | $36.88 |
When the Zip-Up Wins
- Layering over other clothes. Zips on and off without disturbing hair, hats, or headphones, which matters at gyms and studios.
- Half-open wear. Buyers can wear it zipped partway on cooler-but-not-cold days, which a pullover cannot do.
- Back-focused designs. A large back graphic with a small front mark reads clean on a zip-up since there is no risk of a front design getting split.
When the Pullover Wins
- Lower base cost. The Bear Grips Comfort Soft Hoodie at $36.88 VIP is $5 cheaper than the zip-up, which matters on price-sensitive shops.
- Full front graphics. A center-chest logo or full-front design prints in one uninterrupted piece with no zipper track cutting through it.
- Warmer in cold climates. A closed front with a kangaroo pocket holds more warmth than a zip-up of similar weight, useful for winter-heavy regions.
Print Zone Comparison: Zip-Up vs Pullover
On a pullover, the entire front panel is a single print zone: a full-chest graphic or an oversized front design both work cleanly. On the zip-up, the zipper physically splits the front into two halves, so the safe print zones are left chest (small logo), full back (large graphic), or a matched pair of small marks on each side of the zipper. Sellers who already have a wide front-focused design usually put it on a pullover instead of trying to adapt it to the zip-up.
Which to Stock First on a 3-Product Free Plan
With only 3 live products on the free plan, most sellers pick a tee, one fleece piece, and a hat rather than splitting fleece across both a zip-up and a pullover. Gyms and studios where members layer on and off during a class tend to pick the zip-up. Teams and schools leaning on a single bold front design tend to pick the pullover. Once you upgrade to Self-Service VIP (200 products) or Done-For-You VIP (250 products, curated monthly), stocking both styles side by side is straightforward.
Build Your Fleece Lineup
Zip-up, pullover, or both. Set your prices and let buyers pick their layer.
Start FreeFrequently Asked Questions
Is the zip-up or pullover hoodie more popular?
Both sell well. Gyms and layering-heavy audiences lean toward the zip-up, while teams and schools with a bold front logo lean toward the pullover.
Which hoodie is cheapest in the catalog?
The Bear Grips Comfort Soft Hoodie at $36.88 VIP base is the least expensive pullover. The Perfect Soft Crewneck Sweatshirt at $34.88 is cheaper still if a hood is not required.
Can I print a full front graphic on the zip-up hoodie?
You can, but the zipper will visually split it down the middle. Left chest plus back is the layout that avoids that problem.
Should I stock more than one hoodie style?
If you have room (VIP plans give 200-250 product slots), stocking one zip-up and one pullover covers more buyer preferences than either alone.
