Every one of our product pages lists a GSM number — 240gsm for the Boxy Drop Tee, 380gsm for the Oversized Logo Hoodie, 420gsm for the Heavyweight Zip Hoodie. Most people skim past it. It's worth slowing down on, because GSM is the closest thing apparel has to a spec sheet.

What GSM measures

GSM stands for grams per square meter. Take a one-meter square of fabric, weigh it in grams, and that's your number. It's a density measurement, not a thickness measurement — a tightly woven light fabric can technically outweigh a loosely woven thick one, though in practice the two track closely.

Lower GSM (under 180) is what you'll find in most fast-fashion basics. It drapes softly, breathes well, and costs less to produce. It also thins out fast, especially at stress points like the collar and underarms, and tends to go see-through after a dozen washes.

Higher GSM (240 and up, which is where all of our tees start) holds its shape under tension. The collar doesn't stretch out from being pulled over your head. The hem doesn't curl. A 260gsm tee at wash fifty looks a lot closer to wash one than a 150gsm tee does at wash ten.

Why heavier isn't automatically better

This is the part people get wrong. GSM is a tool for a job, not a universal quality score. A 420gsm fleece hoodie is genuinely built for cold-weather structure — it's meant to stand up on its own a little, to layer like a light jacket. Put that same weight into a summer tee and you've made something stiff and hot.

We pick GSM per garment, not per brand identity:

  • Tees run 200–260gsm — heavy enough to hold shape, light enough to actually wear in warm weather
  • Hoodies run 340–420gsm — built for structure and warmth
  • Outerwear shells vary by construction, since weight there is about the shell fabric, not just the knit

How to check this on anything, not just our stuff

Most apparel doesn't list GSM on the tag, but you can estimate it: hold the fabric up to light. If you can clearly see your fingers through a single layer, you're under 180gsm. If light barely comes through at all, you're likely 220gsm or higher. It's not a lab-grade test, but it's a better predictor of longevity than price or brand name.