Youth Swim Team Warm-Up Deck Jackets

Youth swim team warm-up deck jackets are the most-worn piece of the season. Swimmers throw them on between events at meets, wear them to and from morning practice, and keep them on during long lulls at championship weekends. The right warm-up holds heat, dries fast, and has the team identity visible from across the pool deck. Bear Grips Pro Shops carries the youth warm-up essentials at no minimum.

Best Warm-Up Pieces For Youth Swimmers

• Youth Hoodie (Gildan, $36.88 VIP base): pullover hoodie, mid-weight, the standard warm-up
• Youth Crewneck Sweatshirt (Gildan, $33.88 VIP base): no hood, easier on and off between events
• Long Sleeve Cotton Shirt (Bella+Canvas, $29.88 VIP base): lighter layer for spring/fall meets
• Comfort Soft Hoodie (Bear Grips, $36.88 VIP base): adult version for 14+ swimmers in Adult XS
• Classic Zip-Up Hoodie (Gildan, $41.88 VIP base): zip-front adult hoodie for older swimmers

Pullover Hoodie vs Zip vs Crewneck

	Pullover hoodie	Zip-up hoodie	Crewneck sweatshirt
Layering	Tight over wet hair	Easy on/off with wet hair	Easy on/off
Warmth	High (hood traps heat)	Medium-high	Medium
Between-event	Stays on through warmups	Zip down between heats	Easy on/off between heats
Cost (VIP base)	$36.88	$41.88	$33.88

Most youth teams default to the pullover hoodie; older swimmers (14U+) often prefer the zip-up for between-event flexibility.

Bear Grips Pro Shops: Custom Apparel for Your Team. No Minimums. Free Shipping.

Logo Placement On Warm-Up Jackets

• Left chest: team logo, 3-4 inches wide. Visible during warm-ups.
• Back yoke: large team name across the upper back, 8-10 inches wide. Reads from across the deck.
• Sleeve: swimmer name, swimmer year, or event specialty (optional)
• Hood (pullover): small team initial on the back of the hood (optional)

Order Timing And Reorder

Warm-up jackets are usually the first piece ordered before season start (October for year-round clubs, May for summer leagues). Reorder mid-season is common as swimmers grow or new family members join:

• Pre-season bulk push: families order in the first 2-3 weeks of registration
• Mid-season reorder: growing swimmers reorder next size up
• Championship-prep run: special championship-week design in the 3 weeks before

Revenue Math For Youth Swim Team Warm-Up Jackets

Team size	Warm-up jackets sold per year	Profit per jacket	Annual jacket revenue
30 swimmers	35 (115% of swimmers)	$15	$525
80 swimmers	100	$15	$1,500
150 swimmers	200	$15	$3,000

Warm-up jackets are often the single highest-margin product line in the shop because the price tolerance is high (swimmers see the brand wear it daily).

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the hood snap stay through wet-hair use all season?

Pullover hoodies from Gildan are rated for repeated wet-hair use; hang dry when possible for longer life.

What size should a 10-year-old swimmer order?

Typically Youth M; check the Gildan Youth Hoodie size chart for chest measurement. Order one size up if the swimmer is expected to grow during the season.

Can we customize each jacket with the swimmer's name on the back?

Yes. Personalized lines are supported with no upcharge for additional design elements.

Do you carry a heavyweight parka-style jacket for outdoor meets?

The catalog's heaviest layered option is the Classic Zip-Up Hoodie at $41.88 VIP. For full parka warmth, layer the zip-up over a long sleeve.