Russell-athletic

Wholesale Russell Athletic Apparel for Retailers, Teams & Businesses

Simplstc Apparel is your source for wholesale Russell Athletic apparel — an original American athletic brand born on the playing fields of America in 1902, and the pioneer brand that invented the iconic crewneck sweatshirt. For over 120 years, Russell Athletic clothing has outfitted athletes, teams, and schools with dependable, performance-driven apparel. The wholesale Russell Athletic catalog covers 170+ styles including Russell Athletic hoodies, Russell Athletic sweatshirts, Russell Athletic crewneck sweatshirts, Russell Athletic t-shirts, Russell Athletic shorts, Russell Athletic sweatpants, Russell Athletic joggers, Russell Athletic quarter-zip styles, Russell Athletic hats, and Russell Athletic polo shirts.

Russell Athletic wholesale programs serve school athletic departments, gym brands, promotional merchandise distributors, corporate gifting programs, collegiate spirit wear retailers, and streetwear brands looking for a vintage-heritage aesthetic with genuine American athletic history behind it. Russell Athletic's Dri-Power technology — a 50/50 cotton-polyester fleece blend engineered to keep athletes warm without overheating — is the brand's signature fabric innovation and still powers their best-selling fleece styles today.

Browse wholesale Russell Athletic apparel across all categories at Simplstc Apparel — including, Sweatshirts, T-Shirts, Sweatpants, Joggers, Shorts, and Outerwear. Compare with Champion for premium collegiate heritage styles and Gildan apparel for value-tier alternatives. Free shipping on orders over $149.99.

Bulk Russell Athletic Apparel for Large Orders & Inventory Programs

Buying bulk Russell Athletic apparel gives gyms, schools, clothing brands, and corporate programs access to a recognized American athletic heritage brand at competitive wholesale pricing. Russell Athletic bulk apparel is available in men's S through 5XL, women's XS through 3XL, and youth sizing — making Russell Athletic one of the most inclusive size-range wholesale brands available for programs serving diverse team and retail customer bases.

Russell Athletic Dri-Power hoodies and sweatshirts — the 50/50 cotton-polyester blend that keeps athletes warm without overheating — are the brand's most popular bulk category. The Russell Athletic 698HBM crewneck sweatshirt holds its position as one of the most recognized styles in American athletic apparel history. Vintage Russell Athletic hoodie and vintage Russell Athletic sweatshirt styles have seen significant retail resurgence among streetwear and thrift-culture brands, making Russell Athletic blanks an increasingly popular choice for labels targeting the vintage-inspired market.

Russell Athletic bulk apparel runs slightly more affordable per unit than Champion apparel while carrying similar heritage-brand recognition — making it a strong alternative for school programs and corporate gifting accounts where per-unit cost matters. Compare with Jerzees apparel for the most affordable 50/50 cotton-poly option at Simplstc Apparel.

Top Russell Athletic Styles Available at Simplstc Apparel

Our wholesale Russell Athletic catalog covers the brand's most popular product lines across every category:

Russell Athletic Hoodies — Pullover & Full Zip

Russell Athletic hoodies are the brand's #1 selling wholesale category — available in pullover and full-zip styles in Dri-Power 50/50 cotton-polyester fleece. The Russell Athletic pullover hoodie in classic mid-weight fleece is the most popular style for school programs, gym merchandise, and corporate gifting. The full-zip hoodie adds convenient layering functionality for athletic programs and outdoor wear programs. Both styles are available in adult S through 5XL and youth sizing. Explore the full range in Wholesale Hoodies.

The vintage Russell Athletic hoodie aesthetic is a specific market segment that's grown significantly since 2020 — the brand's heritage status means that even new Russell Athletic hoodies carry a recognized, authentic vintage feel that lifestyle and streetwear brands actively seek. Russell Athletic hoodie vintage colorways including oxford gray, heather gray, and faded-look neutrals are among the most ordered for boutique retail programs targeting the vintage-inspired market.

Russell Athletic Crewneck Sweatshirt — 698HBM & Dri-Power Fleece

The Russell Athletic crewneck sweatshirt — including the iconic 698HBM crewneck — is the style that launched the brand's heritage reputation. Russell Athletic invented the crewneck sweatshirt construction, and the 698HBM has been produced continuously for decades, making it one of the most historically significant blank sweatshirts in the wholesale market. Dri-Power 50/50 fleece construction, ribbed waistband and cuffs, and available in adult S through 5XL across a full color range. Explore in Crewneck Sweatshirts.

The vintage Russell Athletic crewneck sweatshirt is a specific search term driven by streetwear buyers and thrift-culture brands — new Russell Athletic crewneck sweatshirts in the 698HBM construction are the closest authentic equivalent to vintage finds at a consistent wholesale price. Brands positioning their merch with a vintage 1990s collegiate aesthetic frequently order Russell Athletic crewneck sweatshirts as their preferred blank.

Russell Athletic Quarter Zip & Full Zip Sweatshirt

Russell Athletic quarter-zip sweatshirts and full-zip sweatshirts serve athletic programs, corporate casual programs, and lifestyle brands that want a more functional outerwear option than a standard pullover. The quarter-zip construction allows easy temperature regulation during athletic activity — popular for coach staff wear, corporate outdoor events, and gym programs. Explore in Full Zip Sweatshirts and Outerwear.

Russell Athletic T-Shirts — Essential 60/40 Performance Tee (64STTM)

The Russell Athletic 64STTM Essential 60/40 Performance T-Shirt is the brand's most popular performance tee — 60% cotton / 40% polyester construction with moisture-management properties at an accessible wholesale price point. Available in adult S through 5XL and youth sizing across a full color range. Russell Athletic t-shirts are popular for school gym programs, sports team practice wear, event merchandise, and promotional programs. Explore the full range in Wholesale T-Shirts and Performance T-Shirts.

Russell Athletic Shorts — Cotton & Mesh

Russell Athletic shorts cover both cotton and mesh construction for different athletic program needs. The Russell Athletic Essential Jersey Cotton Shorts (25843M) with pockets are 100% cotton construction — popular for gym loungewear and casual athletic programs that prefer natural fiber shorts. Russell Athletic mesh shorts in moisture-wicking polyester serve performance athletic programs and school gym classes. Men's Russell Athletic shorts are available in adult S through 5XL with elastic waistband and drawstring closure. Explore in Pants & Shorts.

Russell Athletic Sweatpants & Joggers

Russell Athletic sweatpants and joggers in Dri-Power 50/50 fleece are popular for matching co-ord sets with Russell Athletic hoodies and crewneck sweatshirts. The elastic waistband and cuffed ankle construction on Russell Athletic sweatpants provides a comfortable, relaxed fit for athletic and loungewear programs. Russell Athletic joggers in tapered styles are popular for gym brand merchandise and streetwear programs targeting the athleisure market. Explore in Wholesale Sweatpants and Wholesale Joggers.

Russell Athletic Hats

Russell Athletic hats — including baseball caps and beanies — carry the brand's American athletic heritage in headwear format. Popular for school programs and team merchandise that want a consistent brand across the full uniform program. Russell Athletic hats are compatible with embroidery and patch decoration for custom branding programs. Explore all hat options in the Wholesale Hats collection at Simplstc Apparel.

Russell Athletic Polo Shirts & Athletic Wear

Russell Athletic polo shirts and general Russell Athletic wear serve coaching staff, corporate athletic events, and school program apparel needs. Performance polo construction with moisture-wicking fabric makes Russell Athletic polo shirts suitable for both sideline use and business casual programs. Explore in Wholesale Polos.

Custom Russell Athletic Apparel for Branding & Merch Programs

Custom Russell Athletic apparel delivers a recognized American athletic heritage brand name on your decoration — a meaningful retail advantage for school programs, gym merchandise, and corporate gifting where the brand association elevates the perceived value of the decorated item. A screen-printed Russell Athletic hoodie or crewneck sweatshirt can command higher retail prices than the same design on an unbranded 50/50 blank, because customers recognize the Russell Athletic name and associate it with over 120 years of American athletic apparel quality.

Russell Athletic t-shirts, hoodies, and crewneck sweatshirts are compatible with all major decoration methods. The Dri-Power 50/50 fleece surface holds screen printing cleanly and produces vibrant DTF color results. The 60/40 performance tee produces sharp, registration-accurate prints even at fine-detail stitch counts. Russell Athletic hats and polo shirts hold embroidery well for coach and staff branded programs.

Our in-house decoration services for custom Russell Athletic apparel:

• Screen Printing — the most popular method for custom Russell Athletic hoodies, crewneck sweatshirts, t-shirts, and shorts; bold prints for bulk school, gym, and merch programs from 12 pieces

• DTF Printing — full-color, photo-quality designs on any Russell Athletic style; popular for vintage-wash inspired graphics on crewnecks and hoodies

• Embroidery — premium stitched logos on Russell Athletic polo shirts, quarter-zip sweatshirts, hats, and outerwear for corporate and coaching staff programs

Custom Russell Athletic apparel programs start at 12 pieces with no setup fee. Interested in building a co-ord collection — matching custom Russell Athletic hoodies and sweatpants with your brand graphics? Call +1 773-245-6241 and our team will walk you through the options, pricing, and turnaround time.

Blank Russell Athletic Apparel for Decorators & Private Label Brands

Blank Russell Athletic apparel is a reliable blank category for screen printers, DTF decorators, and private-label brands building heritage-aesthetic collections. The brand's consistent 50/50 and 60/40 fabric constructions, predictable sizing across production batches, and authentic American athletic heritage make Russell Athletic blanks a strong choice for decorator programs where the brand name on the label adds value to the decorated item.

Blank Russell Athletic crewneck sweatshirts, pullover hoodies, and performance tees are the most ordered by decorators. All Russell Athletic blank apparel ships in consistent dye-lot matching across cases — important for decorator programs that need to guarantee color consistency across large production runs of branded merchandise.

Shop blank Russell Athletic apparel across all categories at Simplstc Apparel:

• Hoodies — Russell Athletic Dri-Power pullover hoodies, full-zip hoodies, and quarter-zip styles in S through 5XL

• Sweatshirts — Russell Athletic 698HBM crewneck sweatshirts and Dri-Power fleece crewneck styles

• T-Shirts — Russell Athletic 64STTM 60/40 performance tees, long sleeve styles, and youth tee sizes

• Sweatpants — Russell Athletic Dri-Power fleece sweatpants for co-ord set programs

• Joggers — Russell Athletic tapered jogger styles for athleisure and gym merchandise programs

• Shorts — Russell Athletic cotton jersey shorts and mesh performance shorts

• Polos — Russell Athletic polo shirts for coaching staff and corporate athletic programs

• Hats — Russell Athletic baseball caps and beanies for complete team programs

Why Choose Russell Athletic for Wholesale Athletic Apparel?

• 120+ Years of American Athletic Heritage — founded in 1902, Russell Athletic is one of the oldest and most authentic American sportswear brands. The heritage history is a genuine marketing story you can put on a hangtag or post on your brand page — not borrowed brand equity

• Invented the Crewneck Sweatshirt — Russell Athletic created the iconic crewneck construction. The 698HBM style has been in continuous production for decades, making it historically the most authentic version of this garment available at wholesale

• Dri-Power Technology — the 50/50 cotton-polyester Dri-Power fleece blend keeps athletes warm without overheating — a genuine technical benefit that justifies premium positioning over standard 50/50 blanks

• Inclusive Sizing — S to 5XL — one of the widest size ranges in the wholesale athletic apparel market. Men's S through 5XL, women's XS through 3XL, and youth sizing covers every customer in a gym membership, school roster, or retail shopping audience

• Vintage Market Appeal — the current streetwear and thrift culture demand for vintage Russell Athletic is a retail tailwind. New Russell Athletic blanks authentically replicate the vintage look at a consistent wholesale price without the unpredictability of actual thrift sourcing

• Heritage Pricing Advantage — Russell Athletic commands higher retail prices than generic 50/50 blanks due to brand recognition, while costing less per unit than Champion. The gap between wholesale cost and retail price is your margin

• Complete Apparel Range — hoodies, crewnecks, quarter-zips, tees, shorts, sweatpants, joggers, polos, and hats all available under one brand at one supplier — simplifying procurement for school programs, gym brands, and corporate gifting accounts

FAQs

When was Russell Athletic founded?

Russell Athletic was founded in 1902 in Alexander City, Alabama — making it one of the oldest American athletic apparel brands. Russell Athletic is the original pioneer and creator of the iconic crewneck sweatshirt (style 698HBM), which has been in continuous production for decades.

What is Russell Athletic Dri-Power?

Russell Athletic Dri-Power is the brand's signature 50/50 cotton-polyester fleece blend technology — engineered to keep athletes warm and comfortable without overheating during athletic activity. Dri-Power fleece is used in Russell Athletic hoodies, crewneck sweatshirts, sweatpants, and other fleece styles. The 50/50 blend also provides excellent printability for screen printing and DTF decoration.

How does Russell Athletic sizing run?

Russell Athletic apparel runs true-to-size with a classic, relaxed athletic fit — slightly roomier than modern fashion-forward blanks. Adult sizing runs S through 5XL for men and XS through 3XL for women, with youth sizing on key styles. For an oversized or vintage aesthetic, one size up from standard is recommended.

What is the vintage Russell Athletic hoodie appeal?

The vintage Russell Athletic hoodie market is driven by the brand's genuine 120+ year heritage. New Russell Athletic hoodies in the Dri-Power 50/50 fleece construction authentically replicate the vintage look — especially in heather gray, oxford gray, and faded neutral colorways — at a consistent wholesale price. For streetwear and vintage-inspired brands, new Russell Athletic blanks provide predictable stock and sizing that actual vintage sourcing can't match.

Is Russell Athletic good for screen printing?

Yes. Russell Athletic Dri-Power 50/50 fleece sweatshirts and hoodies produce clean, vibrant screen prints. The 60/40 performance tee surface is excellent for both screen printing and DTF printing. Russell Athletic hats and polo shirts hold embroidery well for staff and corporate branding programs.

What is the Russell Athletic 698HBM?

The Russell Athletic 698HBM is the brand's original crewneck sweatshirt style — the same core construction that Russell Athletic invented and has produced for decades. Built in 50/50 Dri-Power fleece with ribbed waistband and cuffs, available S through 5XL. It is the most historically significant blank sweatshirt in American athletic apparel and the most searched-for vintage Russell Athletic item.

How does Russell Athletic compare to Champion for wholesale?

Russell Athletic and Champion are the two most recognized American heritage athletic brands in wholesale apparel. Champion's Reverse Weave runs slightly higher per unit and carries stronger streetwear status. Russell Athletic runs slightly lower in per-unit cost while carrying authentic 120-year heritage and the same 50/50 fleece DNA. For programs where per-unit cost matters, Russell Athletic typically offers better margin at comparable retail pricing.

Can I order custom Russell Athletic apparel with my logo?

Yes. Custom Russell Athletic apparel is available from 12 pieces with no setup fee via screen printing, DTF printing, or embroidery. Call +1 773-245-6241 or email support@simplstcapparel.com for a custom bulk quote.