What gsm means
gsm = grams per square meter. It measures how much a square meter of fabric weighs. That number predicts three things you actually care about: how the fabric feels, how it drapes, and how it holds up over years of washing.
The weight spectrum
| Weight | What it feels like | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 150–180gsm | Light, thin, breathable | Standard t-shirts, summer layering |
| 200–240gsm | Substantial, structured drape | Premium tees, gym-to-street wear |
| 300–380gsm | Heavy, dense, insulative | Hoodies, sweatshirts, winter training |
| 400gsm+ | Blanket-grade, very rigid | Heavyweight sweats, workwear |
Why 240gsm tees
A tee at 240gsm is heavy enough to hold shape and light enough to train in. The two jobs of a good fight-era tee: it must look right on its own (no limp collar, no see-through when stretched) and it must survive the wash cycle — fighters wash their gear constantly. 240gsm does both. Light tees collapse into themselves; heavyweight tees get stiff. Every TATSU tee is 240gsm, oversized-boxy cut.
Why 380gsm hoodies
A hoodie is a different animal. It carries weight, sits above a tee, and has to deal with cold camps, early sessions, and gym-to-street transitions. At 380gsm the fabric is dense enough to hold a serious drape and warm enough to be the whole outer layer. Anything lighter and the hoodie turns into a limp cotton bag; anything heavier and it stops breathing. 380gsm is the sweet spot for fight culture.
Choosing between them
- Train + everyday: one 240gsm tee covers both. It is the workhorse.
- Cold camp or gym-to-street: add a 380gsm hoodie as the outer layer. It layers cleanly over a boxy tee.
- Garment care: both weights handle machine wash cold; line-dry or low tumble to protect the print. Heavyweight fabric shrinks less than light fabric, but the first wash still deserves care.
TATSU makes two fabric weights and nothing else: 240gsm tees and 380gsm hoodies, all made to order and free-shipping over $75 in the US. The math is simple: pick the weight that matches the job, and the garment will outlast the trend.
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