Custom Men's Activewear: A Complete Guide to Categories, Fabrics, and Brands
Quick Answer- Bear Grips Pro Shops prints a 63-product catalog across tees, tanks, shorts, hoodies, joggers, polos, and hats, most with a mens-cut option.
- Nine brands make up the mens lineup: Bear Grips, Bella+Canvas, Next Level, Sport-Tek, Champion, Gildan, Independent Trading Co., Jerzees, Richardson, and Yupoong.
- VIP base prices run from $19.88 for a cotton tee to $49.88 for signature athletic shorts, and the vendor sets retail and keeps the margin.
- Free plan lists 3 live products at a higher base price. Self-Service VIP ($59/mo) unlocks 200 live products at the lowest base price. Done-For-You VIP ($105/mo) adds a full white-glove build and 250 live products.
Anyone starting a mens apparel line for a gym, a club, or a personal brand runs into the same first question: what do I actually stock. The catalog has 63 products, nine brands, and a handful of fabric types, and picking the wrong starting five costs real time. This guide breaks the catalog down by category, walks through what each brand is actually good at, and gives a starting lineup for a mens-focused shop, plus the plan pricing that gets you there.
Mens Apparel Categories at a Glance
| Category | Example products | VIP base range |
|---|
| Tees and tanks | Airlume cotton tee, moisture-wicking tee, tank tops | $19.88 to $25.88 |
| Long sleeve and polo | Bella+Canvas long sleeve, Gildan pique polo, Sport-Tek performance polo | $29.88 to $34.88 |
| Hoodies and sweatshirts | Comfort soft hoodie, Champion hoodie, Gildan zip-up, crewneck sweatshirt | $34.88 to $45.88 |
| Joggers and sweatpants | Midweight performance joggers, pocket sweatpants | $40.88 |
| Shorts | Mesh 7 inch shorts, performance training shorts, signature athletic shorts | $26.88 to $49.88 |
| Hats | Snapback, rope hat, mesh trucker, cuffed beanie | $25.86 to $29.86 |
The Three Fabric Families Mens Buyers Ask About
- 100% cotton. Softest hand feel, best for daily wear and cool weather. The Bear Grips Airlume cotton athletic tee and Next Level premium cotton crew tee live here.
- CVC and triblend. Cotton blended with polyester (CVC) or cotton, polyester, and rayon (triblend). Lighter, drapes better, holds print detail well. The Next Level CVC crew and triblend crew tees are the go-to.
- Performance polyester. Moisture-wicking, built for hot gyms and outdoor training. Sport-Tek owns this lane across tees, long sleeves, polos, and shorts.
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Which Brands Make Up the Mens Lineup
| Brand | Known for |
|---|
| Bear Grips | House brand: cotton tees, hoodies, shorts, leggings |
| Next Level | Fitted premium tees in cotton, CVC, and triblend |
| Bella+Canvas | Cotton long sleeves and tanks with a soft hand feel |
| Sport-Tek | Moisture-wicking performance tees, polos, long sleeves, shorts |
| Champion | Heavyweight hoodies and crewneck sweatshirts |
| Gildan | Cotton pique polos, zip-up hoodies, budget-friendly sweatshirts |
| Independent Trading Co. and Jerzees | Joggers and sweatpants |
| Richardson and Yupoong | Rope hats, snapbacks, trucker hats, beanies |
Picking a Starting Lineup for a Mens Shop
Most mens shops that launch clean stock five to seven pieces before adding more:
- One cotton tee. Airlume cotton or Next Level premium cotton crew. This is the volume seller.
- One performance tee. Sport-Tek moisture-wicking, for gym and outdoor buyers.
- One tank. Cotton or performance, depending on the audience.
- One hoodie. Comfort soft hoodie for a lower price point or Champion for a premium one.
- One short. Mesh 7 inch or performance training short.
- One hat. Flat bill snapback or rope hat.
Everything else gets added once the first five tell you what your buyers actually wear.
Free vs Self-Service VIP vs Done-For-You VIP
| Plan | Price | Live products | Best for |
|---|
| Free | $0/mo | 3 | Testing the model before committing |
| Self-Service VIP | $59/mo | 200 | Owners who want full control and the lowest base prices |
| Done-For-You VIP | $105/mo | 250 | Owners who want a shop built and curated for them monthly |
All three plans include the full catalog, no inventory, no minimum order, free US shipping to the buyer, and USA printing that ships in about a week.
Build Your Mens Apparel Shop
The full catalog, nine brands, no minimum order, free plan to start. Set retail once and let the shop run.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many products are in the Bear Grips Pro Shops catalog?
The catalog runs 63 products across tees, tanks, long sleeves, polos, hoodies, joggers, shorts, and hats, from nine brands including Bear Grips, Next Level, Bella+Canvas, Sport-Tek, Champion, and Gildan.
What is the cheapest way to start a mens apparel line?
The free plan lists 3 live products at no monthly cost, though the base price per item is higher than VIP. Most owners upgrade to Self-Service VIP once they have a few steady sellers.
Do I need to buy inventory before I launch?
No. Every product prints on order. There is no minimum, no upfront inventory cost, and no unsold stock sitting in a closet.
Who sets the retail price?
The vendor does, on every plan. There are no pricing restrictions. Most owners default to about $10 profit per item and adjust from there.
Marcus ThompsonStrength and Conditioning Coach
Marcus has spent the last decade coaching strength athletes, from competitive powerlifters to general-pop lifters chasing their first 405 deadlift. He has worked with USAPL meet teams and now writes about programming, gym apparel, and what actually works under the bar.
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